Jungle Tarpon Adventure
7 Nights | Caño Negro, Costa Rica
Trip Details
Accommodation
Private Villa
Season
August – December
Target Species
Tarpon, Machaca, Guapote
Fishing Style
Fly Fishing
Tarpon Fly Fishing in Costa Rica’s Jungle Reserve
Trip Overview ➜
- Untamed Freshwater Wilderness: Explore a labyrinth of rivers, creeks, and flooded lagoons deep in the Costa Rican 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.
8-Day Adventure
$5,900 per angler
- 7 nights accommodation
- Round-trip ground transfers from San Jose to the Jungle Reserve
- Six days guided tarpon fly fishing
- All meals, drinks, & non-alcoholic beverages
Fly Fishing for migrating Tarpon in Costa Rica’s Jungle Rivers
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.
The Jungle Tarpon Reserve is in the Caño Negro area of northern Costa Rica, within the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge in Alajuela Province. It lies roughly 50 km south of the Nicaraguan border and is reached in about four to five hours by road from San José.
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.
Itinerary
Trip Duration: 7 Nights / 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.
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.
Rates Per Angler:
Group size: 4 anglers – 2 per boat / $5,900 USD per angler
What’s Included:
- First nights accommodation in San Jose.
- Six nights private lodging in 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.
- Six days guided tarpon fly fishing.
- Park entrance fee & fishing license.
- Premium fly tackle (Hardy, Orvis, T&T, Cortland, Airflo, RIO).
What’s Not Included:
- Commercial air travel.
- Meals, drinks or additional costs in San Jose.
- Lunches on transfer days.
- Flies (fly purchase available on-site).
- Tips for guides & staff.
Limited availability. Dates subject to confirmation.