Jungle Tarpon Reserve
Costa Rica
While large adult tarpon can be caught in many places around the world, the fish inhabiting the inland rivers of Costa Rica’s Jungle Tarpon Reserve are quite extraordinary. Growing to epic proportions, it’s not unusual to see schools of triple digit fish just a few rod lengths from the boat.
Accommodation
Private Riverside House
Season
August – December
Species
Tarpon, Machaca, Guapote
Style
Fly-fishing
One of the World's Finest Trophy Tarpon Destinations
Highlights:
- Untamed Freshwater Wilderness: Explore a labyrinth of rivers, creeks, and flooded lagoons deep in the rainforest. This sprawling system is as remote as it is pristine, offering a true backcountry adventure.
- Big, Aggressive Tarpon: Target powerful jungle tarpon known for their fearless takes and spectacular aerial fights. These fish charge flies with ferocity rarely seen in more pressured waters.
- Extraordinary Wildlife Encounters: As you fish, watch for monkeys in the canopy, colorful wading birds, stealthy spectacled caiman, and even the occasional jaguar moving along the banks.
- Immersive Rainforest Experience: Spend your days surrounded by lush greenery, rich biodiversity, and the soundtrack of the jungle, far from any signs of civilization.
9 DAY PACKAGE
US$5,900 per angler
- Round-trip ground transfers to the Jungle Reserve.
- Six days guided fishing and equipment.
- All meals, drinks & non-alcoholic beverages in the jungle.
- Seven nights lodging in the reserve.
Anglers can expect to fish from simple but efficient river pangas, with 2 anglers per boat taking turns on the bow. Since the environment is quite dynamic, fishing situations are also varied, ranging from sight casting at tarpon hunting or waking in shallow lagoons and creeks, waiting for tarpon to roll or break bait on the surface before presenting a fly, and blind casting in likely areas. There are even times when tarpon congregate at the mouth of one of the jungle’s many creeks and line up in feeding lanes like giant trout in an explosive feeding display one has to see to truly believe.
As in most tarpon fishing worldwide, knowledge of distance casting and accurate presentation is a major asset, but due to the intimate jungle environment anglers can often get much closer to their quarry than in other global tarpon fisheries, making this a unique place to hone one’s skills. Overall, anglers can expect shots throughout the week at fish ranging from 20 to the magical 200 pound mark. And since the tarpon here are active feeding fish with little exposure to fishing pressure, well-presented flies are often grabbed without second thought. Should the tarpon fishing slow down do as the locals do and try your luck at artisanal hand-lining for an array of cichlid species, many of which make terrific table fare.
Due to the nature of the jungle river, conditions change drastically each week. Anglers are encouraged to practice both distance and accuracy casting before they come. Some sites also require close range loading and delicate presentations with large 11 and 12 weight outfits, so working on side-arm and slot casting can also greatly help prepare anglers for whatever mother nature decides to throw their way. While some weeks are extremely productive, this can also be a very moody and challenging fishery at times, so being ready from the start will greatly improve the likelihood of capitalizing on opportunities as they come.
Lodging
Even though this is a fishery in the midst of a lush jungle, the lodging is truly world-class.
Anglers stay in a private luxury house located right on the river, complete with 4 private bedrooms & 3 full baths set across 2 floors, AC, WIFI, and even a swimming pool.
The spacious house also has 2 living room areas with TVs, couches, fly fishing coffee table books, etc. making it a perfect place for fly tying and relaxing between fishing sessions.
The private dock, where we start and end our fishing days, is located on the property and is only a 2 minute walk down the floating ramp from your door.
Food & Drinks
Food at the Jungle Tarpon Reserve is a combination of on-site gourmet cuisine prepared by several cooks from the local community and relaxed home-cooked meals from several local families and small businesses located nearby.
How to get there
Several direct commercial flights are available to San José, Costa Rica from multiple cities.
Once in San José, our team will take care of all ground transfers.
Documents Required
A valid passport is required. Many countries, including US & Canada do not require a visa. We will inform you what is needed based on your nationality.
Travel Arrangements
We will include all flights, transfers and accommodation in the final quote.
Guests have the option of booking their own flights as well.
Sample Itinerary
Trip Duration: 9 Days
6 Days Fishing
Day 1 – Saturday:
International arrival in San José, Costa Rica (SJO).
Overnight in San José.
Day 2 – Sunday:
Anglers are picked up by a private shuttle for transport to the Jungle Tarpon Reserve between 9-930AM. Transportation time is roughly 5 1/2 hours including lunch on the way.
Upon arriving at camp anglers are met by destination manager/host and debriefed on current fishing, weather, and river conditions, as well as safety before settling into their luxury accommodation.
Anglers then have the immediate opportunity to jump on the boats and fish for the evening session before returning to camp for dinner.
Day 3-7 – Monday – Friday:
Each day starts at 5:30AM at the dock, where anglers leave for their morning fishing session. A locally prepared breakfast and gourmet coffee will be onboard. Pre-boat coffee can also be arranged at 5:00AM.
The morning fishing session lasts from about 5:30AM – 11:00AM, when anglers either return to camp or visit a local family restaurant for lunch.
Lunch is either on-site or at one of several locally-operated small businesses or homes. Exact location will depend on which part of the river the group is fishing.
After lunch there is some down time to relax, or siesta, and get out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.
The afternoon fishing session starts around 2:30PM and lasts until dark, when you’ll return to camp for dinner.
Non-alcoholic drinks, water, coffee, snacks, and fruit will be provided for each fishing session. You’ll find this onboard your boats in the Yeti coolers.
Day 8 – Saturday:
Morning fishing session until roughly 9:30-10AM, at which point anglers return to the camp to prepare for their private transport back to San Jose. Just like the way in, the transportation time is about 5 1/2 hours including lunch on the way.
Day 9 – Sunday:
International departure from San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO).
Rates Per Angler:
Group size: 4 anglers – 2 per boat
9 day expedition: $4,990 USD per angler
What’s Included:
- Lodging at the Jungle Tarpon Reserve.
- Private ground transportation from San Jose.
- All meals on location.
- Non-alcoholic drinks, fruit and snacks for each day of fishing.
- 5 full days and 2 half days of fishing.
- Park entrance fee & fishing license.
- Premium fly tackle (Hardy, Orvis, T&T, Cortland, Airflo, RIO).
What’s Not Included:
- Commercial air travel.
- Lodging in San Jose on first/last nights.
- Meals, drinks or additional costs in San Jose.
- Lunches on transfer days.
- Flies (fly purchase available on-site).
- Tips for guides & staff.
GALLERY
Frequently Asked Questions:
What makes the Jungle Tarpon Reserve unique for fly fishing?
The Jungle Tarpon Reserve offers a rare freshwater tarpon fishery set in a labyrinth of rivers, creeks, and lagoons deep in Costa Rica’s lowland rainforest. Unlike ocean fisheries, here you’ll sight-cast to rolling and feeding tarpon in intimate jungle channels, making it one of the most technical and rewarding fly-fishing experiences in the world.
What size tarpon can I expect to encounter in the reserve?
Anglers regularly connect with tarpon in the 60 to 120-pound range, with larger fish occasionally topping 150 pounds. These powerful fish cruise tight bends and lagoons, giving fly anglers explosive topwater takes and acrobatic battles in confined water.
When is the best season to fish the Jungle Tarpon Reserve?
The prime season typically runs from late May through early November, when rising waters flood the jungle and baitfish push into the system. This seasonal migration draws in large schools of tarpon, creating peak sight-fishing conditions.
Why is Costa Rica considered one of the world’s top destinations for fly fishing?
Costa Rica offers unmatched diversity for fly anglers, from tarpon in jungle backwaters to sailfish and roosterfish on the Pacific coast. Within a single trip you can target freshwater species like rainbow bass and machaca, then head west to chase billfish offshore or cuberra snapper and snook inshore.