Barra Del Colorado
Costa Rica
Barra del Colorado on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is known for its world-class tarpon fishing, with opportunities for snook, guapote, and machaca in the nearby rivers and lagoons. Its remote setting offers anglers easy access to waters surrounded by rich jungle and wildlife.
Accommodation
Lodge
Season
March – June, August – November
Species
Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle
Style
Spinning, Fly-fishing
Rio Colorado Trophy Tarpon
Highlights:
- World-Class Tarpon Fishing: The Rio Colorado is famous for producing consistent action with large tarpon, giving anglers multiple shots at trophy fish.
- Variety of Target Species: In addition to tarpon, these waters hold snook, jaguar guapote (rainbow bass), machaca, mojarra, and gar, offering diverse fishing opportunities.
- Close Access to the Action: Lodge just minutes from the fishing grounds, meaning less travel time and more hours casting in productive rivers and lagoons.
- Wild Jungle Setting: The area is part of the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, where anglers fish against a backdrop of dense rainforest alive with birds, monkeys, and other wildlife.
7 DAY PACKAGE
$4,300 per angler
- Four and a half days guided fishing.
- Six nights lodging + all meals throughout trip.
- Two complimentary cocktails per night.
- All domestic transport and transfers.
Barra del Colorado centers on world class tarpon in a unique freshwater to saltwater setting. Anglers can expect consistent tarpon encounters, with the majority of fish over 100 pounds. The river system also holds snook, guapote (rainbow bass), machaca, mojarra, and gar, each offering a different challenge. At the river mouth and near the coastal waters, the variety expands to include Spanish and cero mackerel, jack crevalle, barracuda, and even tripletail, making it a diverse destination for anglers.
What sets Barra apart is the way its habitats overlap to create such a productive fishery. Tarpon thrive where the darker river water pushes into the clearer Caribbean, giving anglers the chance to connect with fish in both river and ocean environments. Snook and guapote are often targeted in the quieter lagoons and back channels, while nearshore species can be caught just minutes from the lodge. This blend of freshwater and saltwater opportunities makes Barra del Colorado one of Costa Rica’s most reliable and well rounded fishing destinations.
The lodge at Barra del Colorado offers anglers a comfortable base just minutes from the fishing grounds. It features a riverfront dining area and dock, with cabins set just behind for easy access. Accommodation consists of five cabins, most with twin beds, and one larger cabin with three beds, making it well suited for small groups. Guests have modern conveniences despite the remote location, including hot water, air conditioning, WiFi, a full-service bar, and laundry services. Reaching the lodge involves a 2.5-hour shuttle from San José followed by a 45-minute boat ride along the river, ensuring that by the time you arrive you are fully immersed in the wild atmosphere of Barra del Colorado.
Location:
Barra del Colorado is located on Costa Rica’s remote northern Caribbean coast within the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, an area of rivers, lagoons, and rainforest near the Nicaraguan border. The lodge sits right on the banks of the Río Colorado, placing guests just a few minutes from the prime tarpon waters.
How to get there:
Getting there is part of the adventure but is handled seamlessly through the package. Anglers first arrive at San José International Airport, where they are met for a 2.5-hour shuttle to the riverbank, followed by a 45-minute boat transfer down the Río Colorado to the lodge. All transfers—both ground and river—are included, so once you land in San José everything is arranged until you return to the airport at the end of the trip
Barra del Colorado Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive in San José. Shuttle 2.5 hours to the river, then take a 45-minute boat ride to the lodge.
Day 2–5:
Full days of guided fishing focused on tarpon, with opportunities for snook, guapote, machaca, mojarra, and gar in the lagoons and river channels.
Day 6:
Half day of fishing in the morning. Return by boat and shuttle to San José/San Ramón in the afternoon.
Day 7:
Departure from San José.
Rates per angler:
$4,300 per angler (double occupancy rooms – groups of 5 or 6 anglers)
What’s Included:
- All domestic transfers from San José Airport to the lodge and back.
- Accommodation in air-conditioned cabins with hot water, WiFi, and bar service.
- All meals during the trip.
- 4.5 full days of guided fishing.
- Two complimentary cocktails per day.
- Laundry service at the lodge.
What’s Not Included:
- International flights to Costa Rica.
- Travel insurance.
- Alcoholic beverages beyond the two daily cocktails.
- Gratuities for guides and lodge staff.
- Fishing gear and tackle (rods, reels, flies), though limited rentals are available.
GALLERY
Frequently Asked Questions:
What species can I expect to catch in Barra del Colorado?
Barra is best known for its large tarpon, often weighing over 100 pounds, which are the main draw for anglers. In addition to tarpon, you can target snook, guapote (rainbow bass), machaca, mojarra, and gar in the river and lagoons, with chances for mackerel, jack crevalle, and barracuda near the river mouth.
When is the best time of year to fish Barra del Colorado?
The prime fishing seasons are March through June and again from August through early November. These windows offer the most reliable tarpon action, while other species such as snook and guapote can be targeted throughout most of the year.
What gear should I bring for a Barra del Colorado fishing trip?
Anglers should bring heavy-duty fly and spinning tackle suited for large tarpon and other powerful fish. Recommended fly setups include 12wt and 15wt rods with floating, intermediate, and sinking lines. Productive flies are large baitfish patterns in black, red, or purple. A few rods are available for rent at the lodge, but most guests prefer to bring their own.
Where is Barra del Colorado located in Costa Rica? How remote is the destination?
Barra del Colorado is on the northern Caribbean coast near the Nicaraguan border. It lies within the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, a protected area of rivers, lagoons, and rainforest.
The area is very remote, with no road access to the lodge itself. Guests arrive by shuttle and then a boat transfer, which adds to the sense of being immersed in the jungle while still having modern amenities at the lodge.
What is the climate like in Barra del Colorado?
The region is tropical and humid year-round, with daytime temperatures generally in the 80s Fahrenheit (27–30°C). Rainfall is common, especially outside the main fishing seasons, so lightweight rain gear is recommended.