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Tarponville - Costa Rica
Giant Caribbean Tarpon
Tarponville Fly Fishing Lodge is Costa Rica's southernmost fishing lodge on the Caribbean coast within the Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, just above the border of Panama. Tarpon weighing over 200 pounds have been landed on both lure and fly. Spin anglers are also welcome.
2025 Rates: Packages start at $3,168.00 per person for 4-nights and 3-days guided fishing.
Lure or Fly Fishing at Tarponville
Tarponville is a full-service fishing lodge on the border of Panama and Costa Rica on the Caribbean side. The Lodge is situated on the coast on the upper river mouth in the Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. They have beautiful shallow reefs out in front with fish in them. There are cuts in the reef and beach that you can swim and snorkel.
The Lodge specializes in large tarpon in shallow water. You'll mainly be fishing from a 24 to 28-foot Panga using floating or intermediate sink lines and casting to pods of working fish.
Offshore, target tuna, dorado, and sailfish; in the lagoons, target snook and snapper.
Skill Level: Tarponville Lodge caters to all levels of fly anglers, from the beginner to the expert, from blind casting to sight casting.
Flats Fishery: The fee to flats fish is $330.00 per session, plus a $110.00 shuttle fee. Target permit, triggerfish, jacks, and other species.
Lagoon Fishing: Spend a day exploring the mangrove-lined banks of Gondoca Lagoon, searching for baby tarpon, snook, and snapper - two anglers per guide. This option can be great if seas are high and tarpon fishing is slow.
Click here for a 4-minute Vimeo Video about Tarponville Lodge.
The Fishing Program
Season: Tarponville has two fishing seasons—March through May and August through October. These months take in the drier times of the year and calmer seas.
Boats: 23 to 26 ft. super pangas with Yamaha motors. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Guides: English-speaking local guides. You will be fishing with the same guide for your trip or if you are part of a group, you'll rotate guides.
Fishing: You're guided 7 to 8 hours each day.
Equipment: Upon request, the Lodge has fly, spin, and conventional gear available to use, with a $150.00 damage deposit. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
Fishing License: A fishing license is included in the package.
A Typical Fishing Day:
At 6:30 a.m., Breakfast is served.
At 7:00 a.m., you'll meet with your guide and take a short panga ride to the Sixoalo River mouth, about a 20 to 30-minute ride. Keep your eyes peeled as the tarpon can be seen feeding on bait or rolling anywhere between the Lodge and the river mouth. Once you are near the river mouth, the guide will scout the area for signs of tarpon (rolling fish, bait, birds, and boils). Water, sodas, and snacks are provided.
At 11:00 a.m., you'll return to the Lodge for lunch and a siesta.
At 2:00 p.m., you'll start another session of fishing. The targeted water depths are between five and 20 feet deep, with the color line at the top four feet of water. On days with calm conditions, you can fish with intermediate tarpon lines and even floating lines. When the tides start to turn and the fish turn on the "feed button," be ready. For about an hour, they will typically eat any fly you put in front of them.
At 5:30 p.m., you'll return to the Lodge. From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. there is a complimentary beer and rum bar Happy Hour plus appetizers.
At 7:00 p.m., Dinner.
Jim Wright and Guide with Tarpon
Even Permit at Tarponville!
Catch triggerfish, chub, jacks, snapper.
About Tarponville Lodge
Tarponville Lodge is in the jungle under the canopy, a short hike from the water, and only a few yards from a beautiful beach perfect for fishing, swimming, and snorkeling.
In the morning and evening, there are opportunities to see howler monkeys, sloths, many bird species, and other wildlife, all from the Lodge's front porch.
Bedrooms at the Lodge
There are four air-conditioned bedrooms with views of the beach. Each room has two beds, a private bathroom, and a ceiling fan. There are two guests per room, and the Lodge accommodates up to eight guests. Free daily laundry service is provided.
Electricity: The Lodge is on town power. During hard rain and big storms, there is a chance of power outages due to fallen trees. They recommmend bringing flashlights and batteries.
Communications: There is complimentary Wi-Fi access at the Lodge, and the signal is very strong.
Open-air sitting area at the Lodge
Meals at the Lodge
Meals: Local chefs prepare Creole and Caribbean cuisine crafted with fresh, local ingredients. With advance notice, they can accommodate special dietary needs.
Alcohol: A complimentary beer and rum bar is served during Happy Hour from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. each evening. You'll keep a running tab of your additional alcoholic beverages and pay at the end of your stay. The bar and kitchen area are stocked with complimentary sodas, bottled water, juice, and mixers for any alcohol that you’d like to purchase at the bar or the duty-free store in the airport in San Jose.
Getting to the Lodge:
Once you reach San Jose, you have two options. 1.) You can take a 35-minute domestic flight to Limon and then a one-hour ground transfer to the village of Manzanillo. (The ground transfer is included in the package.)
2.) Or you can take a 3-to-6-hour ground transfer from San Jose to Manzanillo for $330, divided between your group of up to eight people.
With either option, you'll be met by the Lodge staff at the entrance to the Gondoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. You’re guided on foot the last 200 yards down the jungle path, paralleling the beach until you reach the Lodge.
*It is recommended for groups of six or more to use ground transportation from San Jose to Tarponville due to weight restrictions on domestic airlines.
Our advice is free.
We never charge more than the Lodges we represent.
2025 USD Rates:
Two Seasons: March - May and August - OctoberTwo anglers per boat and room
8-nights and 7-days guided fishing $5,445.00 per person
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing $4,840.00 per person
6-nights and 5-days guided fishing $4,250.00 per person
5-nights and 4-days guided fishing $3,685.00 per person
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing $3,168.00 per person
For a single-occupancy room with a shared boat,
Add $110.00 per night to the rates above.
One angler per boat and room:
8-nights and 7-days guided fishing $6,105.00 per person
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing $5,527.00 per person
6-nights and 5-days guided fishing $4,950.00 per person
5-nights and 4-days guided fishing $4,290.00 per person
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing $3,630.00 per person
Non-Angler sharing Room:
8-nights and 7-days $2,172.00 per person
7-nights and 6-days $1,925.00 per person
6-nights and 5-days $1,650.00 per person
5-nights and 4-days $1,375.00 per person
4-nights and 3-days $1,292.00 per person Request a Tarponville
Information Packet
The Packages Include:
• Airport reception at Limon Airport
• Lodging at Tarponville
• All meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages at the Lodge
• Daily one-hour Happy Hour (beer and rum)
• Guided fishing
• Fishing license
• Daily laundry service
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge.
The Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare to San Jose and return
• Airfare to Limon and return
• Ground transfer between San Jose and the Lodge
($330 per group, one-way)
• Accommodations outside of the package
• Meals during transit to the Lodge
• Optional tours and excursions
• Optional flats fishing session
($330 + $110 for the shuttle)
• Fishing equipment not listed under inclusions
• Gratuities to guides, staff, and shuttle driver
• Beer and rum outside of Happy Hour
• Phone use
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• $25.00 Airport departure tax
(Paid at the airport if not included in your ticket)
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
