A few thousand colons in Costa Rica provides
a bounty of delicious fruits
By Saray Ramírez Vindas
of the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Delights from star fruit to guavas to the prickly guyabana and the delicate naranjilla are on the market now, and you can get your daily dose of vitamin C with little trouble.
In water, milk or cocktails, the fruits give up their delicious tastes.
The rainy season brings pure water to revitalize the earth and improve the environment. It also gives a boost for some fruits. And this is a good time to explore fruity options.
Costa Rica has a long list of delicious tropical varieties rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and C.
Blending fruits with water to make a refresco is common in Costa Rica homes. Water is preferred for its lower costs, but the daring can try milk and even cream for some of the fruit. Watch out for seeds if a blender is to be used.
A reporter went to the Mercado Central of San Jose Costa Riica with a few thousand colons to seek out fresh fruit. Another option is the ferias del agricultor, but many markets are just one day a week.
At the central market there were at least guayabas, maracuyas, carambolas, naranjillas and guanabanas.
Here is what they are:
The guayabas or guavas are 1,100 colons a kilo, about $1.93. The baseball-size green fruit has five small protrusions on the flower end. Some fruits have up to 500 seeds but they can be eaten. They are Mexican or Central American natives now found all over the world.
The carambola is the starfruit now grown locally and available in most North American supermarkets but not at 600 colons a kilo, or a bit more than $1. The whole fruit, including skin, can be eaten.
The maracuyá is the passion fruit or what is called grandilla here in Costa Rica. They are available for 850 colons a kilo, about $1.50. The fruit can be several colors, but most here are yellow. There are plenty of seeds. They can be eaten but some folks like to strain them for juice.
The naranjillas (1,500 colons per kilo) are like tiny oranges, with lots of seeds and a dark interior. They can be eaten out of hand, and the juice is green. Unripe fruits are sour but can be eaten with sprinklings of salt.
The guanabana is the soursop, a giant fruit that frequently is cut up to be sold. It runs 1,200 a kilo ($2.10) at the market. The creamy meat of the plant is eaten out of hand or juiced. The black seeds, about the size of those in a watermelon, are not eaten.
Each of these fruits can be the subject of its own monograph. But the wise shopper will try new fruits and in different ways. Some can end up in jam as well as drinks. Others can be reduced to a sweet syrup.
Some fruits have a reputation as a medicine or a cure. But that is a whole different article.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Costa Rica Cuisine
Cartago will show off complexities
of its cusine June 27
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
There is a lot more to the Provincia de Cartago Costa Rica than potatoes, and cooks of the communities will be out to prove this June 27.
The event is another of the culture ministry's efforts to capture the nation's traditions.
When most Costa Rican residents think of Cartago, the words chilly and potatoes leap to their minds. The province, centered around the Canton of Cartago is generally higher than communities in the Central Valley. Cartago itself at 1,435 meters is 274 meters (about 900 feet) higher than the bulk of San José.
That may be bad for sunbathing, but the weather is great for temperate vegetable crops, including the potato, carrot, onions and even the chayote. And these work their way into the area's traditional menus.
There are seven other cantons, La Unión, Jiménez, Turrialba, Oreamuno, Alvarado, El Guarco and Paraíso. Each has developed their own variations on food. After all, they have had plenty of time. Cartago was founded in the middle of the 16th century, and Spanish settled in the region due to the healthy climate. The city was the capital of Costa Rica until 1823.
The region is also known for its conservatism, so one can expect that the Spanish tradition will be a strong influence on the local foods.
The culture ministry's Centro de Investigación y Conservación del Patrimonio Cultural is putting on the contest in the Club Social de Cartago starting at 9 a.m.
The good part is that only a portion of the food contestants bring goes to the judges. The rest is offered to the public. Eventually the recipes will be compiled into a book as the centro has done with other sections of Costa Rica.
A similar event seven years ago in Costa Rica did have representative dishes of potatoes, including stuffed potatoes (papa rellena) and potato and cheese bread (pan de papa y queso).
But certainly there also will be pozol, that stick-to-the-ribs corn and pork soup or stew.
Contestants will compete in three areas, the main dish, dessert and drinks. There are money prizes for winners.
of its cusine June 27
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
There is a lot more to the Provincia de Cartago Costa Rica than potatoes, and cooks of the communities will be out to prove this June 27.
The event is another of the culture ministry's efforts to capture the nation's traditions.
When most Costa Rican residents think of Cartago, the words chilly and potatoes leap to their minds. The province, centered around the Canton of Cartago is generally higher than communities in the Central Valley. Cartago itself at 1,435 meters is 274 meters (about 900 feet) higher than the bulk of San José.
That may be bad for sunbathing, but the weather is great for temperate vegetable crops, including the potato, carrot, onions and even the chayote. And these work their way into the area's traditional menus.
There are seven other cantons, La Unión, Jiménez, Turrialba, Oreamuno, Alvarado, El Guarco and Paraíso. Each has developed their own variations on food. After all, they have had plenty of time. Cartago was founded in the middle of the 16th century, and Spanish settled in the region due to the healthy climate. The city was the capital of Costa Rica until 1823.
The region is also known for its conservatism, so one can expect that the Spanish tradition will be a strong influence on the local foods.
The culture ministry's Centro de Investigación y Conservación del Patrimonio Cultural is putting on the contest in the Club Social de Cartago starting at 9 a.m.
The good part is that only a portion of the food contestants bring goes to the judges. The rest is offered to the public. Eventually the recipes will be compiled into a book as the centro has done with other sections of Costa Rica.
A similar event seven years ago in Costa Rica did have representative dishes of potatoes, including stuffed potatoes (papa rellena) and potato and cheese bread (pan de papa y queso).
But certainly there also will be pozol, that stick-to-the-ribs corn and pork soup or stew.
Contestants will compete in three areas, the main dish, dessert and drinks. There are money prizes for winners.
Honduran President in Costa Rica
Honduran president in Costa Rica after arrest
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SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – A high-ranking official says that Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is in Costa Rica following his detention by soldiers in his homeland.
The official at the Costa Rica president's office was not authorized to be quoted by name.
He did not offer details on how Zelaya had arrived in this fellow Central American nation of Costa Rica, but he said Zelaya would probably seek political asylum.
Zelaya was detained by army troops early Sunday, shortly before he was to have held a controversial referendum on constitutional reform opposed by most of the rest of the Honduran government.
Diplomats from Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Costa Rica were seen gathered at a security base near the San Jose Costa Rica airport Sunday.
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Delicious Digg Facebook Fark Newsvine Reddit StumbleUpon Technorati Yahoo! Bookmarks Print Sun Jun 28, 11:34 am ET
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – A high-ranking official says that Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is in Costa Rica following his detention by soldiers in his homeland.
The official at the Costa Rica president's office was not authorized to be quoted by name.
He did not offer details on how Zelaya had arrived in this fellow Central American nation of Costa Rica, but he said Zelaya would probably seek political asylum.
Zelaya was detained by army troops early Sunday, shortly before he was to have held a controversial referendum on constitutional reform opposed by most of the rest of the Honduran government.
Diplomats from Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Costa Rica were seen gathered at a security base near the San Jose Costa Rica airport Sunday.
Costa Rica Named Happiest Nation
London:
Costa Rica is very nearly paradise, not just for holiday-makers lounging on its beaches, but for its citizens who are extremely satisfied with their lot and also have a tiny carbon footprint.
The combination has earned Costa Rica first place in a new Happy Planet Index (HPI) published on Monday.
While leaders of the developed world attending G8 talks in Italy worry away at economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), deflation and their implications for economic recovery, the second edition of the HPI lauds alternative standards that provide a new twist on the old adage that wealth does not buy happiness.
Costa Rica stands out for the highest levels of reported life satisfaction, a long life expectancy of 78.5 years and because 99 percent of the Costa Rica energy comes from renewable sources.
Latin American nations generally fare well, bagging nine out of 10 of the top spots and Sub-Saharan Africa performs very badly, with Zimbabwe taking bottom place. It scores 16.6 out of 100, compared with Costa Rica's HPI total of 76.1, according to an advance copy of the report.
Somewhere in between are the world's wealthiest economies.
The United States is placed 114th out of the 143 nations surveyed, with an HPI result of 30.7 and was found to be "greener and happier" 10 years ago than today--as were China and India, ranked respectively 20th and 35th, with scores of 57.1 and 53.
Economic growth
"Following the siren's song of economic growth has delivered only marginal benefits to the world's poorest while undermining the basis of their livelihoods," said Nic Marks of the New Economic Foundation, a London-based "think and do tank" that pursues "real economic well-being" and is the brains behind the HPI.
"What's more it hasn't notably improved the well-being of those who were already rich, or even provided economic stability."
The aim, Marks said, was "to break the spell" and work towards "a high well-being, low-carbon economy before our high-consuming lifestyles plunge us into the chaos of irreversible climate change."
To measure the efficiency with which countries convert the earth's finite resources into their citizens' well-being, the HPI takes three separate indicators--ecological footprint, life-satisfaction and life-expectancy--and then carries out complex calculations.
First published in 2006 as "a radical departure from our current obsession with GDP", the HPI's sums have been criticised for not taking sufficient account of issues such as political freedom, but the index has also found followers.
Within two days of the launch of the first HPI, it was downloaded and read in 185 countries worldwide.
Among those who have taken up the idea are David Cameron, leader of Britain's opposition Conservative political party, and the European Commission has launched a programme "Beyond GDP" in pursuit of ways to measure progress better adapted to our age.
Anyone can calculate their own HPI though the Happy Planet Index website. www.happyplanetindex.org
Costa Rica is very nearly paradise, not just for holiday-makers lounging on its beaches, but for its citizens who are extremely satisfied with their lot and also have a tiny carbon footprint.
The combination has earned Costa Rica first place in a new Happy Planet Index (HPI) published on Monday.
While leaders of the developed world attending G8 talks in Italy worry away at economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), deflation and their implications for economic recovery, the second edition of the HPI lauds alternative standards that provide a new twist on the old adage that wealth does not buy happiness.
Costa Rica stands out for the highest levels of reported life satisfaction, a long life expectancy of 78.5 years and because 99 percent of the Costa Rica energy comes from renewable sources.
Latin American nations generally fare well, bagging nine out of 10 of the top spots and Sub-Saharan Africa performs very badly, with Zimbabwe taking bottom place. It scores 16.6 out of 100, compared with Costa Rica's HPI total of 76.1, according to an advance copy of the report.
Somewhere in between are the world's wealthiest economies.
The United States is placed 114th out of the 143 nations surveyed, with an HPI result of 30.7 and was found to be "greener and happier" 10 years ago than today--as were China and India, ranked respectively 20th and 35th, with scores of 57.1 and 53.
Economic growth
"Following the siren's song of economic growth has delivered only marginal benefits to the world's poorest while undermining the basis of their livelihoods," said Nic Marks of the New Economic Foundation, a London-based "think and do tank" that pursues "real economic well-being" and is the brains behind the HPI.
"What's more it hasn't notably improved the well-being of those who were already rich, or even provided economic stability."
The aim, Marks said, was "to break the spell" and work towards "a high well-being, low-carbon economy before our high-consuming lifestyles plunge us into the chaos of irreversible climate change."
To measure the efficiency with which countries convert the earth's finite resources into their citizens' well-being, the HPI takes three separate indicators--ecological footprint, life-satisfaction and life-expectancy--and then carries out complex calculations.
First published in 2006 as "a radical departure from our current obsession with GDP", the HPI's sums have been criticised for not taking sufficient account of issues such as political freedom, but the index has also found followers.
Within two days of the launch of the first HPI, it was downloaded and read in 185 countries worldwide.
Among those who have taken up the idea are David Cameron, leader of Britain's opposition Conservative political party, and the European Commission has launched a programme "Beyond GDP" in pursuit of ways to measure progress better adapted to our age.
Anyone can calculate their own HPI though the Happy Planet Index website. www.happyplanetindex.org
Costa Rica Soccer Player
Seattle Sounders FC has signed Costa Rica international defender Leonardo Gonzalez.
The 6-foot-1 left back will join up with the Sounders after CONCACAF Gold Cup action.
"It's nice to have to have a naturally left-footed player," said Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid in a statement after signing Goonzales from Costa Rica. "He can play left back, play center back in a pinch and he can also play wide and run the whole line for us. He is an attacking left fullback with good size and athleticism. He's very willing to get forward out of a defensive position and does a good job defensively." Gonzalez is one of the most capable defender from Costa Rica.
Gonzalez has 59 caps with Costa Rica, including three in the 2006 World Cup.
The 6-foot-1 left back will join up with the Sounders after CONCACAF Gold Cup action.
"It's nice to have to have a naturally left-footed player," said Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid in a statement after signing Goonzales from Costa Rica. "He can play left back, play center back in a pinch and he can also play wide and run the whole line for us. He is an attacking left fullback with good size and athleticism. He's very willing to get forward out of a defensive position and does a good job defensively." Gonzalez is one of the most capable defender from Costa Rica.
Gonzalez has 59 caps with Costa Rica, including three in the 2006 World Cup.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Costa Rica Real Estate
COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
Costa Rican real estate prices have been rising for years, and as more foreign buyers look at investing in Costa Rica's very small country - just 32,000 square miles, with a total population of just 3.9 million. Prices in some areas are booming - and not uncommon to see prices double in a few years due to the location principle. Costa Rica has it all, from ocean views and beach front, white sandy beaches, to mountain views and huge estates. Ecolology is on the rise, so many properties border on ecozones. Another reason why people are buying and moving to Costa Rica, the cost of living in Costa Rica is inexpensive - and you can comfortably live on 1500-$2000 a month. However, if you are thinking of buying - a Costa Rica real estate agent or broker does not need a real estate license - anyone in Costa Rica can be a realtor. Just use common sense when searching for a agent or broker.
Costa Rica Real Estate
Homes for rent and sale in Costa Rica. Find vacation or investment property in Jaco, Guanacaste, Escazu, Golfito, San Jose and every other major city in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Real Estate
Find your property in the largest Costa Rica real estate database with more than 10,000 listed properties. Listings are daily posted by realtors and owners and a lot of them with mapping.
Costa Rican real estate prices have been rising for years, and as more foreign buyers look at investing in Costa Rica's very small country - just 32,000 square miles, with a total population of just 3.9 million. Prices in some areas are booming - and not uncommon to see prices double in a few years due to the location principle. Costa Rica has it all, from ocean views and beach front, white sandy beaches, to mountain views and huge estates. Ecolology is on the rise, so many properties border on ecozones. Another reason why people are buying and moving to Costa Rica, the cost of living in Costa Rica is inexpensive - and you can comfortably live on 1500-$2000 a month. However, if you are thinking of buying - a Costa Rica real estate agent or broker does not need a real estate license - anyone in Costa Rica can be a realtor. Just use common sense when searching for a agent or broker.
Costa Rica Real Estate
Homes for rent and sale in Costa Rica. Find vacation or investment property in Jaco, Guanacaste, Escazu, Golfito, San Jose and every other major city in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Real Estate
Find your property in the largest Costa Rica real estate database with more than 10,000 listed properties. Listings are daily posted by realtors and owners and a lot of them with mapping.
Costa Rica Health Services
COSTA RICA HEALTH AND FITNESS
You are unlikely to encounter any serious diseases in Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are high and the health system is excellent. During the past two wet seasons there have been several outbreaks of the mosquito-borne disease dengue but so far there have been no reported cases of the more serious hemorrhaging dengue. No vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica as epidemic diseases have been all but eradicated throughout the country. However, if you are a blood donator in the U.S., you may have a problem donating if you have traveled in some areas of Costa Rica as a World Wide health precaution.
Several private hospitals and clients in San Jose offer emergency medical services to foreigners are reasonable prices. In most rural and urban areas, in case of medical emergency, the local red cross has ambulances ready to transport patients to hospital. These ambulance do not charge for their service. The 911 telephone emergency system has been operating for a while and works fine in case of emergency. One can rent a cell phone for their vacation at reasonable rates just to be safe.
Costa Rica is well known throughout the world for high quality, low cost health care and increasing and effective procedures like cosmetic plastic surgery or life saving operations like bypass and heart transplants, Its health care system--with well-equipped modern clinics and hospitals, and medical personnel trained in the finest international teaching centers--provides excellent medical service to citizens and foreigners alike.
Fitness has also been on the uprise. Numerous health centers, spas and gyms are opening up that offer personal trainers and beauty products. Most of the major hotels now have gyms. And they are getting known for their Wellness, Alternative Medicine and Recovery Clinics
Medical Tourism Costa Rica
Provides affordable high quality medical & dental care in Costa Rica. Proximity to USA & Canada, low crime rate & high medical standards make Costa Rica an ideal medical tourism destination.
You are unlikely to encounter any serious diseases in Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are high and the health system is excellent. During the past two wet seasons there have been several outbreaks of the mosquito-borne disease dengue but so far there have been no reported cases of the more serious hemorrhaging dengue. No vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica as epidemic diseases have been all but eradicated throughout the country. However, if you are a blood donator in the U.S., you may have a problem donating if you have traveled in some areas of Costa Rica as a World Wide health precaution.
Several private hospitals and clients in San Jose offer emergency medical services to foreigners are reasonable prices. In most rural and urban areas, in case of medical emergency, the local red cross has ambulances ready to transport patients to hospital. These ambulance do not charge for their service. The 911 telephone emergency system has been operating for a while and works fine in case of emergency. One can rent a cell phone for their vacation at reasonable rates just to be safe.
Costa Rica is well known throughout the world for high quality, low cost health care and increasing and effective procedures like cosmetic plastic surgery or life saving operations like bypass and heart transplants, Its health care system--with well-equipped modern clinics and hospitals, and medical personnel trained in the finest international teaching centers--provides excellent medical service to citizens and foreigners alike.
Fitness has also been on the uprise. Numerous health centers, spas and gyms are opening up that offer personal trainers and beauty products. Most of the major hotels now have gyms. And they are getting known for their Wellness, Alternative Medicine and Recovery Clinics
Medical Tourism Costa Rica
Provides affordable high quality medical & dental care in Costa Rica. Proximity to USA & Canada, low crime rate & high medical standards make Costa Rica an ideal medical tourism destination.
Costa Rica Surfing
SURFING IN COSTA RICA
Surfing is popular on both of Costa Rica's coastlines and has become a haven for American surfers. Many prefer Costa Rica TO Hawaii. The Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific side of Costa Rica is peppered with geographic features; rock points, sandbars, spits, reefs and other breakers generate the waves of a true surfer's paradise. Other places like Jaco provide everything from a point and reef break to beach. Most of the adventurous surfers rent 4-wheel drive SUVs so they can get to the best breaks on dirt roads. Over 50 Surfers Descriptions of Breaks
On the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, only the most savvy surfers will explore the breaks at Punta Cocles, Puerto Viejo's Salsa Brava, and Punta Uva. As indicated by the abundance of bars and restaurants that surround just about every popular break, it is very evident that surfers love to party. Costa Rica Surfing Spots
Surfing is popular on both of Costa Rica's coastlines and has become a haven for American surfers. Many prefer Costa Rica TO Hawaii. The Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific side of Costa Rica is peppered with geographic features; rock points, sandbars, spits, reefs and other breakers generate the waves of a true surfer's paradise. Other places like Jaco provide everything from a point and reef break to beach. Most of the adventurous surfers rent 4-wheel drive SUVs so they can get to the best breaks on dirt roads. Over 50 Surfers Descriptions of Breaks
On the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, only the most savvy surfers will explore the breaks at Punta Cocles, Puerto Viejo's Salsa Brava, and Punta Uva. As indicated by the abundance of bars and restaurants that surround just about every popular break, it is very evident that surfers love to party. Costa Rica Surfing Spots
Costa Rica Gambling
COSTA RICA GAMBLING, CASINOS, BETTING
Costa Rica has dozens of online companies that provide this tropical Central American country with leading offshore bookies. Bodog.com and BetUS.com are two of the biggest.
Whether it is an online sports betting operation or a brick and mortar, employees in Costa Rica are generally young, between 18 and 30, and earn from $600 to $1,600 a month. That compares with an average of $325 a month for the average Costa Rican worker. With the low and very laxed taxes and little Costa Rica government involvement, small casinos are now peppered throughout the country and in very remote areas. It is not surprising that you will find some tucked away and operating under thatch roofs or in some back-room with only a few machines. Just about any Costa Rica taxi driver will know where these are. But be warned: Enter at your own risk and do not expect the same odds that Las Vegas has. Each casino sets its own rules.
For example: The most popular Casino game in Costa Rica is 21 also called “Rummy”, which is similar to blackjack but with Costa Rica rules. You get two cards, you can then ask for another card or stay with the two you have if you have 21 or close to 21. As in blackjack, the idea is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, with face cards counting as 10 and aces counting as one or 11. All the rules just mentioned are just like blackjack. Here is where the game differs from the Las Vegas version: if your first three cards are the same, three of a kind, or a straight (6, 7, & 8 of the same suit), you have a ‘rummy’ and you are paid double. And if your three of a kind happens to be three sevens (which is 21), you get an even higher bonus. If you get 21 with two cards or get five cards without breaking 21, there’s no double bonus as you get in many other international casinos. Splitting pairs is allowed as is doubling down. In some, You may find yourself losing with a push with the dealer.
Most of the bigger facilities in Costa Rica will have the typical Vegas-style gambling machines, along with, Canasta (Roulette), Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Rommy Blackjack ,and Tute poker.
Costa Rica has dozens of online companies that provide this tropical Central American country with leading offshore bookies. Bodog.com and BetUS.com are two of the biggest.
Whether it is an online sports betting operation or a brick and mortar, employees in Costa Rica are generally young, between 18 and 30, and earn from $600 to $1,600 a month. That compares with an average of $325 a month for the average Costa Rican worker. With the low and very laxed taxes and little Costa Rica government involvement, small casinos are now peppered throughout the country and in very remote areas. It is not surprising that you will find some tucked away and operating under thatch roofs or in some back-room with only a few machines. Just about any Costa Rica taxi driver will know where these are. But be warned: Enter at your own risk and do not expect the same odds that Las Vegas has. Each casino sets its own rules.
For example: The most popular Casino game in Costa Rica is 21 also called “Rummy”, which is similar to blackjack but with Costa Rica rules. You get two cards, you can then ask for another card or stay with the two you have if you have 21 or close to 21. As in blackjack, the idea is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, with face cards counting as 10 and aces counting as one or 11. All the rules just mentioned are just like blackjack. Here is where the game differs from the Las Vegas version: if your first three cards are the same, three of a kind, or a straight (6, 7, & 8 of the same suit), you have a ‘rummy’ and you are paid double. And if your three of a kind happens to be three sevens (which is 21), you get an even higher bonus. If you get 21 with two cards or get five cards without breaking 21, there’s no double bonus as you get in many other international casinos. Splitting pairs is allowed as is doubling down. In some, You may find yourself losing with a push with the dealer.
Most of the bigger facilities in Costa Rica will have the typical Vegas-style gambling machines, along with, Canasta (Roulette), Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Rommy Blackjack ,and Tute poker.
Costa Rica Fishing
FISHING SEASONGS IN COSTA RICA
Costa Rica’s fish frenzy waters have marlin, sailfish, tuna, tarpon, snook, wahoo and more than a dozen spool-spinning freshwater species. On the Pacific, it is not uncommon to catch and release 20 sailfish and even a marlin or two – in just one day. Boat operators in Costa Rica now use the circle hook so they can release all billfish (at least those that are not contenders for a world record). Costa Rica holds over 250 world records! Even fly-fishing has set a record number of fish. Here are some of the fish and their seasons. Text and Flash provided by Costa Rica Sportsfishing
Click the Fish to learn more about it
Costa Rica Fishing The Caribbean Coast: Tortuguero, Barra del Colorado
Fishing along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast can vary from one day to another depending on the weather. When it rains, as it often does, fishing is difficult out in the ocean. If the rivers fall somewhat or the surf is low enough to let you outside the river mouths, you'll probably catch tarpon, some in the 150-pound range. Tarpon fishing out of the lodges in Tortuguero and Barra Colorado further north on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast is best from about May through October, while snook traditionally peak from October through December.
There are a lot of flat days in October and November when tarpon are abundant, and some of the best fishing has even been in June and July. But both species can be caught year round, providing the weather cooperates. Other species caught are guapote, goliath grouper, small tuna and for the lucky angler, the rare Atlantic sail. There are no roads into the area, and one can get there only by commercial airline and charter flights.
Tarpon
The prize gamefish of this area are always around, the best time being from May through October/November 300-500 yards offshore when the sea is flat, although you can also get them in the river mouths and the canals..
Snook
Record snook generally peak from March through May and again from September through the end of November.
Calba (Flat Snook)
These small and exceptionally tasty snook come from mid-November through late January, but can sometimes appear much earlier.
Billfish
When you can get outside to blue water you can find the occasional Atlantic sailfish and equally occasional Atlantic blue marlin throughout the year. Best time is from February through September.
Wahoo
Best from early February through mid June.
Dorado
Found just outside the river mouths throughout the year, most are caught when the runoff carries out the debris to form inshore trash lines.
Tripletail
January through June..
Other Species
Spanish and Cero Mackerel, Jack Crevalle and Barracuda are found close to shore any time the ocean is flat.
The North Pacific: Tamarindo, Flamingo, Guanamar/Carrillo
Tamarindo and Flamingo are the major sportfishing centers in the North Pacific. Boats with lesser-known captains also charter out of nearby Coco Beach, Ocotal, Potrero, Brasilito and elsewhere. The area further south – Nosara, Garza, Guanamar and Carillo – get more protection from the winds that normally blow late December though March and April. Many boats from Flamingo will fish out of Guanamar/Carrillo from mid-December to the end of March/mid April. For anglers fishing out of the Four Seasons Papagayo and other Papagayo hotels, there are excellent boats and captains who will come north from Flamingo.
Marlin
Caught every month of the year, with mid-November to early March exceptional, then slowing a bit from April into early June when the fishing picks up again, peaking in August and September.
Sailfish
Caught throughout the year, with May through August normally the top season. They may begin to thin out in September; the slowest months are from late August through November.
Roosterfish
They are around all year, but more are caught in the Bay of Papagayo area from November through March. Roosters like the structure of the shoreline and islands where they're found in 50 to 60 feet of water.
Dorado
More properly known as dolphin, these colorful gamefish are most abundant from late May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers, carrying out debris that forms weed lines close to shore where they like to lie. Troll past a floating log and you'll likely hook a dorado.
Tuna
Peak months are probably August through October, but there are always tuna throughout the year. Yellowfin and some big-eye tuna are often found well inside the Catalina Islands, 30 minutes or less running time from the beach, while schools of 12 to 20lbs are usually abundant farther out. There are often schools of 40 to 60 pound tuna, and there are plenty of the 200 to 400lbs caught every year.
Wahoo
They first appear when the rains start in mid-May, peaking in July and August. Most are caught around the rocky points and islands, but you will pick one up occasionally fishing offshore.
Fishing Costa Rica's Central Pacific: Los Sueños Marina and Quepos
Los Sueños Marina (just north of the resort town of Jacó), the finest marina on the Pacific coast south of Acapulco, and Quepos are the two fishing centers on the Central Pacific coast. Most anglers target billfish, and they are seldom disappointed. From December through March/April this area hosts one of the world’s great sail bites, although sails and marlin will linger throughout the year.
From both fishing centers, it’s no more than a 12 to 20 mile run out to blue water where most of the billfish action is found. Closer inshore there are tuna, roosters, wahoo, dorado, jack, mackerel, small cubera snapper and even snook that can be taken trolling just outside the breaker line of the river mouths. Some boats out of Quepos will go down on multi-day trips to the Drake Bay and Caño Island area, overnighting at one of the several lodges at Drake Bay. This southern region is best known for its wahoo, big cubera snapper and roosterfish, but there are also tuna, dorado, sails and marlin further offshore.
Marlin
October is normally the top month for marlin in this area, but action is also good in September, October and November, and occasional blues and even blacks can be found any time of the year, although they are usually out farther than anglers targeting sailfish are likely to be.
Sailfish
Mid-December to the end of April - when they begin moving north - is rated the best season, but big schools can move in about October and occasionally stay longer. A few sails are always in the area from June through September, mixed with the other species that are found closer inshore during these months
Dorado
More properly known as dolphin, these colorful gamefish are caught year around, but they are most abundant from May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers, carrying out debris that forms weed lines close to shore where they like to lie. Troll past a floating log and you'll likely hook a dorado. about October and occasionally stay longer. A few sails are always in the area from June through September, mixed with the other species that are found closer inshore during these months.
Tuna
Found throughout the year all along the Pacific coast, they are most abundant from June through September. Some are in the 10-pound range, but tuna in the 10-30lb range are more common, those in the 100 to 200lb range less so, and many of 200lbs and over are also caught.
Wahoo
Not common in the area around Los Sueños and Quepos, but some are caught in the late summer farther south, especially the Drake Bay area from June to early August.
The South Pacific Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay
Golfito (on the east side of Golfo Dulce), the largest town in Costa Rica's southern area, along with Puerto Jiménez on the other side of Golfo Dulce, and Drake Bay at the top of the Osa Peninsula on the Pacific Coast are the main fishing centers of this region. There are sails and marlin offshore during peak season, and plenty of exciting roosters, mackerel, amberjack, wahoo and big snapper closer inshore.
Inside Golfo Dulce, with its profusion of small coves and rocky islets, small barracuda and snapper, mackerel, sea bass and the occasional snook can be caught on light tackle. Off Cabo Matapalo in the Pacific, anglers will encounter sails, marlin, tuna and other blue water species, and inshore there are roosters that average over 30 pounds, wahoo, grouper, jack, barracuda and trophy-size Pacific cubera snapper.
There is also excellent snook fishing inside the Zancudo peninsula, and farther north, at the mouth of the Esquinas river.
Marlin
August through December is the peak season, but striped, blue or black are caught most any month when the water is warm.
Sailfish
All year, but best from mid or late May through July and in January and February before they move north.
Roosterfish
The region is very famous for its big roosters which can be caught virtually any month of the year.
Dorado
Best time is traditionally from late May through October along the weed lines, when the rivers are running full
Tuna
Best fishing for yellowfin of over 100 pounds is during the marlin and sailfish season, but tuna of up to 30 pounds can be found year-round.
Wahoo
Wahoo can be caught most any time of the year when you are trolling offshore for billfish or around the reefs off Cabo Matapalo.
Snook
Big snook generally peak from March through May and again September through the end of November.
Costa Rica’s fish frenzy waters have marlin, sailfish, tuna, tarpon, snook, wahoo and more than a dozen spool-spinning freshwater species. On the Pacific, it is not uncommon to catch and release 20 sailfish and even a marlin or two – in just one day. Boat operators in Costa Rica now use the circle hook so they can release all billfish (at least those that are not contenders for a world record). Costa Rica holds over 250 world records! Even fly-fishing has set a record number of fish. Here are some of the fish and their seasons. Text and Flash provided by Costa Rica Sportsfishing
Click the Fish to learn more about it
Costa Rica Fishing The Caribbean Coast: Tortuguero, Barra del Colorado
Fishing along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast can vary from one day to another depending on the weather. When it rains, as it often does, fishing is difficult out in the ocean. If the rivers fall somewhat or the surf is low enough to let you outside the river mouths, you'll probably catch tarpon, some in the 150-pound range. Tarpon fishing out of the lodges in Tortuguero and Barra Colorado further north on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast is best from about May through October, while snook traditionally peak from October through December.
There are a lot of flat days in October and November when tarpon are abundant, and some of the best fishing has even been in June and July. But both species can be caught year round, providing the weather cooperates. Other species caught are guapote, goliath grouper, small tuna and for the lucky angler, the rare Atlantic sail. There are no roads into the area, and one can get there only by commercial airline and charter flights.
Tarpon
The prize gamefish of this area are always around, the best time being from May through October/November 300-500 yards offshore when the sea is flat, although you can also get them in the river mouths and the canals..
Snook
Record snook generally peak from March through May and again from September through the end of November.
Calba (Flat Snook)
These small and exceptionally tasty snook come from mid-November through late January, but can sometimes appear much earlier.
Billfish
When you can get outside to blue water you can find the occasional Atlantic sailfish and equally occasional Atlantic blue marlin throughout the year. Best time is from February through September.
Wahoo
Best from early February through mid June.
Dorado
Found just outside the river mouths throughout the year, most are caught when the runoff carries out the debris to form inshore trash lines.
Tripletail
January through June..
Other Species
Spanish and Cero Mackerel, Jack Crevalle and Barracuda are found close to shore any time the ocean is flat.
The North Pacific: Tamarindo, Flamingo, Guanamar/Carrillo
Tamarindo and Flamingo are the major sportfishing centers in the North Pacific. Boats with lesser-known captains also charter out of nearby Coco Beach, Ocotal, Potrero, Brasilito and elsewhere. The area further south – Nosara, Garza, Guanamar and Carillo – get more protection from the winds that normally blow late December though March and April. Many boats from Flamingo will fish out of Guanamar/Carrillo from mid-December to the end of March/mid April. For anglers fishing out of the Four Seasons Papagayo and other Papagayo hotels, there are excellent boats and captains who will come north from Flamingo.
Marlin
Caught every month of the year, with mid-November to early March exceptional, then slowing a bit from April into early June when the fishing picks up again, peaking in August and September.
Sailfish
Caught throughout the year, with May through August normally the top season. They may begin to thin out in September; the slowest months are from late August through November.
Roosterfish
They are around all year, but more are caught in the Bay of Papagayo area from November through March. Roosters like the structure of the shoreline and islands where they're found in 50 to 60 feet of water.
Dorado
More properly known as dolphin, these colorful gamefish are most abundant from late May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers, carrying out debris that forms weed lines close to shore where they like to lie. Troll past a floating log and you'll likely hook a dorado.
Tuna
Peak months are probably August through October, but there are always tuna throughout the year. Yellowfin and some big-eye tuna are often found well inside the Catalina Islands, 30 minutes or less running time from the beach, while schools of 12 to 20lbs are usually abundant farther out. There are often schools of 40 to 60 pound tuna, and there are plenty of the 200 to 400lbs caught every year.
Wahoo
They first appear when the rains start in mid-May, peaking in July and August. Most are caught around the rocky points and islands, but you will pick one up occasionally fishing offshore.
Fishing Costa Rica's Central Pacific: Los Sueños Marina and Quepos
Los Sueños Marina (just north of the resort town of Jacó), the finest marina on the Pacific coast south of Acapulco, and Quepos are the two fishing centers on the Central Pacific coast. Most anglers target billfish, and they are seldom disappointed. From December through March/April this area hosts one of the world’s great sail bites, although sails and marlin will linger throughout the year.
From both fishing centers, it’s no more than a 12 to 20 mile run out to blue water where most of the billfish action is found. Closer inshore there are tuna, roosters, wahoo, dorado, jack, mackerel, small cubera snapper and even snook that can be taken trolling just outside the breaker line of the river mouths. Some boats out of Quepos will go down on multi-day trips to the Drake Bay and Caño Island area, overnighting at one of the several lodges at Drake Bay. This southern region is best known for its wahoo, big cubera snapper and roosterfish, but there are also tuna, dorado, sails and marlin further offshore.
Marlin
October is normally the top month for marlin in this area, but action is also good in September, October and November, and occasional blues and even blacks can be found any time of the year, although they are usually out farther than anglers targeting sailfish are likely to be.
Sailfish
Mid-December to the end of April - when they begin moving north - is rated the best season, but big schools can move in about October and occasionally stay longer. A few sails are always in the area from June through September, mixed with the other species that are found closer inshore during these months
Dorado
More properly known as dolphin, these colorful gamefish are caught year around, but they are most abundant from May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers, carrying out debris that forms weed lines close to shore where they like to lie. Troll past a floating log and you'll likely hook a dorado. about October and occasionally stay longer. A few sails are always in the area from June through September, mixed with the other species that are found closer inshore during these months.
Tuna
Found throughout the year all along the Pacific coast, they are most abundant from June through September. Some are in the 10-pound range, but tuna in the 10-30lb range are more common, those in the 100 to 200lb range less so, and many of 200lbs and over are also caught.
Wahoo
Not common in the area around Los Sueños and Quepos, but some are caught in the late summer farther south, especially the Drake Bay area from June to early August.
The South Pacific Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay
Golfito (on the east side of Golfo Dulce), the largest town in Costa Rica's southern area, along with Puerto Jiménez on the other side of Golfo Dulce, and Drake Bay at the top of the Osa Peninsula on the Pacific Coast are the main fishing centers of this region. There are sails and marlin offshore during peak season, and plenty of exciting roosters, mackerel, amberjack, wahoo and big snapper closer inshore.
Inside Golfo Dulce, with its profusion of small coves and rocky islets, small barracuda and snapper, mackerel, sea bass and the occasional snook can be caught on light tackle. Off Cabo Matapalo in the Pacific, anglers will encounter sails, marlin, tuna and other blue water species, and inshore there are roosters that average over 30 pounds, wahoo, grouper, jack, barracuda and trophy-size Pacific cubera snapper.
There is also excellent snook fishing inside the Zancudo peninsula, and farther north, at the mouth of the Esquinas river.
Marlin
August through December is the peak season, but striped, blue or black are caught most any month when the water is warm.
Sailfish
All year, but best from mid or late May through July and in January and February before they move north.
Roosterfish
The region is very famous for its big roosters which can be caught virtually any month of the year.
Dorado
Best time is traditionally from late May through October along the weed lines, when the rivers are running full
Tuna
Best fishing for yellowfin of over 100 pounds is during the marlin and sailfish season, but tuna of up to 30 pounds can be found year-round.
Wahoo
Wahoo can be caught most any time of the year when you are trolling offshore for billfish or around the reefs off Cabo Matapalo.
Snook
Big snook generally peak from March through May and again September through the end of November.
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