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Golfo de Papagayo

Sea, from shore  Costa Rica · 06:24 - 19:09

Golfo de Papagayo is a coastal fishing spot in Costa Rica. The fishing here is from the shore. Anglers here fish mainly for Cubera Snapper, Common Snook and Atlantic Tarpon.

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Prime 90% The bite right now
Top bet: Cubera Snapper Active through the night, water near its preferred 29 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
100%
33°
Best day
Thu
100%
32°
Fri
100%
32°
Sat
100%
32°
Sun
100%
32°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Clear sky
Water temp (est.)
29°C
Air temp
30°C
Wind
4 m/s
Pressure
1009 hPa → stable
Clouds
2.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:39–07:39 Dusk 17:54–19:54 Night 19:54–05:39

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Full moon 100% lit
Major period 00:14–02:14 Major period 12:14–14:14 Minor period 18:46–20:16 Minor period 06:11–07:41

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

21:00
30°
22:00
29°
23:00
29°
00:00
28°
01:00
28°
02:00
28°
03:00
28°
04:00
28°
05:00
28°
06:00
28°
07:00
28°
08:00
28°

Likely catch now (11 species)

Cubera Snapper
Lutjanus cyanopterus
90%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 29 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Common Snook
Centropomus undecimalis
81%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 29 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Atlantic Tarpon
Megalops atlanticus
54%
Water near its preferred 29 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Crevalle Jack
Caranx hippos
38%
Water near its preferred 29 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
28%
Water near its preferred 29 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)
Coryphaena hippurus
25%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 29 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.
Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Cubera Snapper, Common Snook, Atlantic Tarpon, Crevalle Jack, Yellowfin Tuna and Mahi-Mahi (Dorado).

Cubera Snapper fishing is usually best around May-Aug. The best windows are usually dawn, dusk and night.

A national or regional fishing permit is generally required here. Check the local rules. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Timing This is a prime window for cubera snapper at night. Fish hard now.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

You need a fishing permit (fiskekort) to fish here. Buy it online:

Fishing licence (overview)

About this water

The Gulf of Papagayo is a large body of water off Guanacaste province and the northwestern coast of Costa Rica. It is an embayment of the Pacific Ocean. The Gulf has a maximum depth of approximately 100 metres (330 ft). The Gulf contains Culebra Bay in the south.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Marina Flamingo, Guanacaste North Pacific, Guanacaste · 30.1 km away Río Sapoá Costa Rica · 45.9 km away Río Sapoá Costa Rica · 46.6 km away Río Sapoá Costa Rica · 47.6 km away Río Las Haciendas Costa Rica · 47.8 km away Río Sapoá Costa Rica · 48.4 km away Río Sapoá Costa Rica · 49.2 km away Río Sapoá Costa Rica · 49.8 km away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Golfo de Papagayo?

Popular catches here include Cubera Snapper, Common Snook, Atlantic Tarpon, Crevalle Jack, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi-Mahi (Dorado), Roosterfish and Wahoo.

Do you need a fishing license at Golfo de Papagayo?

Usually yes. Most countries require a national or regional fishing permit. Check the local rules via the link on this page.

When is the best time to fish Golfo de Papagayo?

Cubera Snapper fishing is usually best around May-Aug. The best windows are usually dawn, dusk and night.

What is biting at Golfo de Papagayo right now?

Right now Cubera Snapper is the most likely catch, at about 37%.