Costa Rica: travel and fishing
Travel and fishing: 19 days in Costa Rica
A shared journey from the Nicoya Gulf islands through cloud forest to volcanoes. Anglers have suggested 6- and 8-hour Big Game trips, while companions have their own options on selected days. Most of the discovery can be enjoyed together.
An itinerary idea based on the local partner’s materials. This is not a confirmed departure or an offer at a single combined price.
- 19 days in the destination / 18 nights — international flight days depend on your tickets.
- 14 resort nights and 4 nights elsewhere: Monteverde / Santa Elena, two nights in La Fortuna and the Irazú area. Specific hotels and bungalow type remain to be selected.
- Pace: a gentler coastal stay, with more active travel on days 7–11. Some walking and cave options are more demanding.
- The travel party size is not the capacity of a single boat. Room occupancy, the number of boats and places for anglers must be agreed separately.
Discuss the itinerary with SAF
Day-by-day itinerary
The day headings show the route; expand each one for details. The order and operation of activities depend on transport, availability, weather, sea conditions and park rules.
Day 1 — Arrival and across the gulf
After arrival at Juan Santamaría Airport near San José, the suggested route goes via Puntarenas and the ferry to Playa Naranjo, then on to the resort. Transfers must fit your flight and the ferry timetable.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 2 — Settling in by the ocean
A slower day for rest, the beach, pool or a local trail, depending on access and conditions. Use the time to settle in and agree a comfortable pace.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 3 — Big Game 6 hours / companions on the coast
A six-hour coastal Big Game trip is suggested for anglers. Companions can choose nearby nature and the beach. The provider must confirm the boat, actual capacity, equipment and exact timing.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 4 — Isla Tortuga: beach and snorkelling
A boat trip to the island, with beach time and the possibility of snorkelling. Lunch is optional and ordered separately; equipment and the scope of the trip must be agreed in advance.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 5 — Curú in the morning, bioluminescence at night
A morning in Curú and an evening boat trip to see glowing water. Allow time for transfers and rest between activities. Entry, guiding and the boat need separate confirmation; natural sightings are not guaranteed.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 6 — San Lucas and possible afternoon fishing
A shared island visit, with boat transport and park entry arranged separately. Afternoon fishing is only an option: duration, boat, price and connections must be confirmed. Companions have a free afternoon.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 7 — Monteverde: cloud forest, coffee and cacao
The five-day inland circuit begins. Suggested activities include Treetopia and a coffee, cacao and sugar cane tour. Choose activities that suit your fitness and the available time.
Overnight: Monteverde / Santa Elena.
Day 8 — Piedra del Indio and on to Arenal
A guided walk, followed by the journey via Tilarán and Lake Arenal to La Fortuna. Waterfall access and any swimming depend on current conditions.
Overnight: La Fortuna.
Day 9 — La Fortuna and Baldi thermal water
A gentler day with a suggested visit to Baldi Hot Springs. The admission option, any meals and suitability must be checked for the people taking part.
Overnight: La Fortuna.
Day 10 — Waterfalls to suit your fitness, then Irazú
Choose DinoLand with Río Agrio, or the more demanding Catarata del Toro with its steps. These are alternative visits, not two automatically included stops. Continue towards Irazú.
Overnight: Irazú area.
Day 11 — Irazú, Rescate Wildlife and back to the sea
The volcano and wildlife rescue centre, followed by a long transfer to the coast and a ferry crossing. Plan reservations, adequate time and the effects of higher altitude.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 12 — A day at your own pace
After the inland circuit, take time to slow down by the sea. Any additional activity is a separate choice and requires confirmation.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 13 — Isla Venado: mangroves and local food
A suggested boat trip to the mangroves and island community, with the option of a mariscada seafood meal. Agree the menu, allergens and alternatives in advance.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 14 — Big Game 8 hours / companions at Playa Blanca
An eight-hour offshore Big Game trip is proposed, subject to conditions and the captain’s decision. Companions can consider Playa Blanca, with kayaking or paddleboarding only after access, rentals and suitability are confirmed.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 15 — Barra Honda: walking or a cave descent
Choose a park walk or a more demanding cave descent. The cave option requires a guide, equipment and compliance with current age, fitness and access conditions.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 16 — Rest or a separate activity
A flexible day allows for the weather and your group’s wishes. Any additional excursion or fishing trip needs separate confirmation of its scope and price.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 17 — Playa Coyote and an optional barbecue
A day on the open Pacific coast. Transport, any barbecue and the menu require agreement; swimming suitability depends on local conditions.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 18 — Your last full day by the sea
Time to relax, revisit favourite places and prepare for departure. Any extra activity must leave enough time to pack and get ready.
Overnight: Playa Leona Beach Resort.
Day 19 — Departure for the airport
Plan departure and connections around your actual flight, ferry times and sufficient airport time. The itinerary does not include a night in Costa Rica on this day.
Dates and availability
This itinerary has no confirmed dates. Send SAF your intended dates and the number of anglers and companions. After the enquiry is clarified, the partner will check individual services, accommodation and connections.
Expressing interest before travelling does not reserve an excursion. Boat activities are arranged subject to availability and local conditions; request specific confirmation and change or cancellation terms from the provider.
Building your budget
A current overall budget has not been established here. Request a new written quote for your dates, adults and children, room occupancy and chosen activities. Every price should specify currency, unit, scope, mandatory charges and validity.
- Accommodation, transport, admission, meals, guides and boat trips are individual items; their inclusion in the itinerary does not include them in a single price.
- International flights, travel insurance, alcohol and personal spending should be planned separately.
- Optional lunches, barbecues, cave descent, rentals and extra fishing need separate confirmation. Distinguish the San Lucas boat trip from park admission.
Services related to the itinerary
Accommodation
Fishing
Boat trips
Use the details to compare individual services. Mentioning a service in the itinerary does not include it in a combined price. The provider must confirm the bungalow type, occupancy, trip scope and current price.
Reef / Inshore is a link to a separate service; it does not confirm its inclusion or define the afternoon fishing option on day 6.
Before fishing, confirm the number of people per boat, captain, safety and fishing equipment, bait, any licences, catch-handling rules and the procedure for bad weather. Distinguish included equipment from separately charged items.
Activity level and points to agree
When choosing activities, consider children’s ages, mobility, comfort with boat travel and preferred pace. Waterfall steps, cave descent, Irazú’s altitude and the long day 11 may not suit everyone. Discuss suitability and alternatives beforehand; guides, equipment and age limits must be checked for each activity.
Catches, wildlife sightings and the intensity of bioluminescence cannot be guaranteed. The captain determines the sea route according to conditions. Swimming, snorkelling and rentals depend on local rules and safe conditions.
Who provides a specific quote
This itinerary idea draws on Playa Leona Beach Resort’s materials. Send your first enquiry to SAF. We will clarify your dates, group and interests and arrange the handover to the local partner; SAF does not operate the resort. Before booking, obtain written identification of the contractual provider of each service and who confirms reservations, receives payment and handles changes, cancellations or complaints. Roles and responsibilities depend on the services actually agreed and applicable law; statutory customer rights are unaffected.
Updated 27 October 2026. This page does not create a reservation or an obligation to pay.