Click here for Tarponville Lodge Video.
Tarponville Lodge - Costa Rica
Giant Tarpon on the Caribbean Coast
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.
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, and in the lagoons, target snook and snapper.
Bonefish and Permit Fishery: For an added $110.00 for two anglers, you can take a 30-minute shuttle ride and get in three hours of flats fishing with a local captain. Bonefish, permit, triggerfish, and other species.
Click here for a 4-minute Vimeo Video about Tarponville Lodge.
Tarponville Fishing Facts:
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’ super pangas with Yamaha motors. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Guides: English-speaking local guides.
Fishing: You're guided 7 to 8-hours each day. You can also fish unguided for baby tarpon in the lagoon using a kayak from the Lodge.
Equipment: You’ll need to bring your own gear and tackle. A comprehensive tackle and gear list is included in our confirmation packet. The Lodge has 12-weight rods and reels available to rent for $70.00 per day with a $150.00 damage deposit.
Fishing License: is included in the package.
Typical Fishing Day:
At 6:30 a.m., you'll enjoy breakfast.
At 7:00 a.m., you'll meet with you guide and take a short panga ride to the Sixoalo River mouth, about a 20-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).
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. Water depths targeted are between five and 20 feet deep, with the color line being at the top four feet of water. On days with calm conditions, this allows you to 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 typically an hour, they will 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. is a complimentary beer and rum bar Happy Hour plus appetizers. At 7:30 p.m., Dinner.
Jim Wright and Guide with Tarpon
Even permit at Tarponville!
From the beach in front of the Lodge, catch triggerfish, chub, jacks, snapper, parrotfish, and even some bonefish.
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, snorkeling...
In the morning and evening, there are opportunities to see howler monkeys, sloths, a large number of bird species, and other wildlife, all from the Lodge's front porch.
Bedrooms at the Lodge
There are four air-conditioned bedrooms. Each room has two beds, a private bathroom, and a ceiling fan. Two guests per room, with the Lodge accommodating up to eight guests.
Electricity: The Lodge is on town power. During times of hard rain and big storms, there is a chance of power going out due to fallen trees. They recommmend bringing flashlights and batteries.
Communications: The Wi-Fi signal is very strong at the Lodge and included in the package.
Open-air sitting area at the Lodge
Meals at the Lodge
Meals: Local cooks prepare three meals per day, tasty Caribbean foods, and delectable desserts. 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 domestic flight to Limon and then a one-hour ground transfer to the village of Manzanillo. 2.) Or you can take a 3-to-6-hour ground transfer from San Jose to Manzanillo.
At the entrance to the Gondoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll be met by the Lodge staff. 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.
2023 USD Rates:
Two anglers per boat and room8-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
Packages Include:
• Lodging at Tarponville
• All meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages at the Lodge
• Daily Happy Hour (beer and rum)
• Guided fishing
• Fishing license
• Laundry service
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge.
Packages Do Not Include:
• Airfare from your home to San Jose, and return
• Airfare to San Jose to Limon, and return
• Airport reception
• Ground transfer between Limon and the Lodge
($160.00 per person roundtrip)
• Hotel nights outside of the package
• Meals during travels to the Lodge
• Fishing equipment
• Gratuities to guides, staff, and shuttle driver
• Beer and rum outside of Happy hour
• Phone use
• Global Rescue medical/safety evacuation insurance
• Travel insurance
• Airport departure tax
(approx. $29.00 to be paid at the airport if not included in your ticket)
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
