Inshore Fishing trip in Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa’s best fishing feature is its simplicity: a private boat for up to five people heads out from Malpaís, supplies the rods and tackle, and lets your group fish at its own pace. Recent trips have produced skipjack and yellowfin tuna, roosterfish, wahoo, snapper, and even a stingray.

I like the easy all-in price, which includes equipment, private transportation, water, soft drinks, beer, and fruit. I also like the chance to combine fishing with a look at the open coast near Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve. The main caution is the sea itself: catches are never guaranteed, waves can be large, and one short trip produced no fish and felt poorly explained to the customer.

Key points

• Private boat for up to five: Your group fishes together without sharing the charter with strangers.
• Three and a half hours on the water: Enough time for a focused morning trip, though the fishing window can pass quickly if conditions are slow.
• Catch can be excellent: One outing recorded about 20 strikes and 15 fish, while another landed four fish from five bites in just over an hour.
• Fresh catch adds real value: The crew cleaned fish for one group, which later prepared tuna, ceviche, and sashimi.
• Wildlife comes with the ride: Dolphins, manta rays, turtles, and seasonal whales may appear along the Nicoya coast.
• Weather and seas matter: Rough waves can affect comfort, results, and the length of your outing.

Fishing the Pacific Coast from Malpaís

This is a practical sport-fishing trip rather than a polished sightseeing cruise. You meet Jason Tours at the Lighthouse Road, 25 meters south of the listed point, in Malpaís. From there, your private group heads out for about three hours and 30 minutes of fishing along the end of the Nicoya Peninsula.

The private setup matters. A family with young fishers can ask for a gentler pace, while a group of adults can spend more time actively working the lines. You are not sharing the boat with another party, so the guide can adjust the day to your group’s ages and abilities.

The advertised species include yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, roosterfish, wahoo, snapper, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, and more. Actual results depend on season, water conditions, and fish movement. One outing produced several skipjack tuna, a yellowfin tuna, and a roosterfish. Another brought in six tuna and two yellowfin tuna on a separate morning.

That range tells you what to expect: this is a genuine fishing trip, not a guaranteed catch package. You might have a busy morning with repeated strikes, or you might spend more time trolling and watching the coast.

What the 3.5-hour schedule really gives you

Three and a half hours is a useful middle ground. It is long enough to leave the shore, reach fishing areas, try several passes, and still return before the day feels consumed by the boat. It is not a full-day charter, so you should not expect hours of changing locations and techniques.

The best fishing reports came from efficient mornings. Jason reportedly put one group onto fish quickly, with four landed from five bites in just over an hour. Two fish were hooked at once, although a shark took one of them. That kind of action leaves time to continue fishing or head back early if someone feels sick.

The schedule can also feel short if the fish are not cooperating. One customer described going in circles while trolling and felt there was not enough explanation of the fishing method. That account is a useful warning: before departure, ask what technique you will use, what species are active, and how the crew handles a slow bite.

The trip ends back at the same meeting point. Private transportation is included, which keeps the start and finish simple, though the supplied details do not specify the exact vehicle arrangement or pickup range. Confirm those details when you book if you are staying beyond central Malpaís.

Cabo Blanco and the Nicoya coastline

Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve is the listed stop on the route. The reserve sits at the southwestern end of the Nicoya Peninsula, an area known for its dramatic Pacific shore and open-water setting. Here, the main attraction is the setting around the boat rather than a land tour.

The supplied details do not say that you go ashore at Cabo Blanco, hike inside the reserve, or receive a formal nature talk. Plan on seeing it as part of the coastal route unless the operator confirms otherwise. That distinction matters because you should not pack for a reserve hike or expect a separate guided walk.

The coast adds value to a fishing morning. Even during a slow spell, you have changing views of the peninsula and the chance to spot marine life. Dolphins have followed boats, and seasonal sightings can include whales. Manta rays and turtles are also possible.

Wildlife is never guaranteed. The same is true of fishing, so think of the outing as a mix of sport and time on the Pacific, with the catch as the main goal and the coast as an important bonus.

The guides and the fishing experience

The crew names that appear in the supplied material include Jason, Erik, and Janvier. Jason is credited with finding fish quickly, assisting with the catch, navigating, and cleaning the fish afterward. Erik helped one group land skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and a roosterfish. Janvier guided a first-time young fisher whose group caught four fish and one stingray.

The strongest praise centers on two practical skills: finding fish and handling the catch. That is what you need from a short charter. A guide who moves efficiently can make a three-hour trip feel worthwhile, especially when the fish are spread out.

Communication may vary. One account described the guide as effective but quiet, while another said the trip did not include enough explanation. If you want instruction, say so before the boat leaves. Ask the guide to explain the tackle, what fish you are targeting, and what to do when a strike comes. This is especially useful for children or first-time fishers.

The crew has also cleaned fish after returning. That is a meaningful extra if your accommodation has a kitchen or if you can arrange cooking nearby. One group ate tuna during the week, including wahoo sashimi and ceviche. Food safety is your responsibility after the catch, so ask how the fish will be handled and where you can prepare it.

How much action should you expect?

The numbers from past outings show why fishing requires realistic expectations. One group reported about 20 strikes and 15 fish. Another landed four fish from five bites in roughly an hour. A separate morning brought in six tuna, while another group caught four fish and a stingray.

Those are strong results, but they do not create a promise for your date. One customer caught nothing and felt the captain was not motivated. The operator disputed that account and explained that the booking had been treated as a late cancellation. The disagreement does not settle the fishing question, but it highlights two points: the charter expects you to show up, and a no-catch day remains possible even when the crew works hard.

Fish can also get away. One hooked fish was lost to a shark, which is exciting but still counts as a lost catch. You may have several strikes without bringing home the same number of fish.

I would book this for the chance to fish, not for a guaranteed cooler. If your main goal is simply to eat fresh tuna that evening, the uncertainty may bother you. If you enjoy the process and can appreciate wildlife and open water even during a quiet spell, the risk is easier to accept.

Price, inclusions, and group value

The cost is $360 per group of up to five people. At full capacity, that works out to $72 per person before any separate booking costs. For a private boat with fishing equipment, transportation, drinks, beer, fruit, and a three-and-a-half-hour outing, that is a sensible group price.

The value improves when your party includes several people who would otherwise need separate seats on a shared trip. You control the group, and you can adjust the pace for different ages and abilities. A couple paying the full group rate receives less value per person, though the privacy may still be worth it.

Bring or arrange breakfast yourself. Breakfast is not included, and an early fishing start can make a morning meal useful. Water, soft drinks, beer, and fruit are supplied, so you do not need to pack those basic refreshments.

All fishing equipment is included. That removes one of the usual hassles, especially for people arriving in Santa Teresa without rods or tackle. The details do not specify exactly what equipment is supplied for each species, so ask if you have a particular target fish or technique in mind.

Comfort, seasickness, and who should book

The Pacific can be rough. One group had children who became nauseous and chose to return after a shortened trip. Another account specifically warned that you should be ready for large waves and open-water conditions.

If anyone in your group gets seasick, prepare before departure and tell the guide early if the water becomes too much. The private format helps because your group can discuss returning sooner, though the supplied information does not promise a partial refund for a shortened outing.

The charter suits adults, families, and first-time fishers who want a private morning on the water. A young son caught fish and a stingray on his first fishing experience, showing that beginners can take part successfully. The boat can also work for experienced fishers who want local help locating fish without bringing their own gear.

It may not suit someone seeking a quiet coastal cruise, a land visit to Cabo Blanco, or a guaranteed catch. Fishing requires patience, and the boat ride can be active and wet. Ask the operator about expected sea conditions before you commit.

Booking timing and weather rules

The experience is booked about 24 days ahead on average. That gives you a useful planning guide, especially during busy periods around December, which one guide described as the highest season. Reserve early if your Santa Teresa dates are fixed.

You receive confirmation at booking. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refunded, based on local time.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Since the sea affects both safety and comfort, this rule is reasonable. It also means you should avoid scheduling the fishing trip on the final morning of your stay if a weather cancellation would leave no room to reschedule.

The activity ends at the meeting point, and the location is near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Since this is a private activity, only your group joins the boat.

Should you book Jason Tours?

I would book this charter if you want a private, practical fishing morning and you accept that nature decides the score. The best case is excellent: tuna, roosterfish, dolphins, a cleaned catch, and a fresh dinner. The less exciting case is several hours of trolling with no fish, rough waves, and limited conversation.

The strongest reasons to go are the private boat, included equipment, experienced fish-finding, and the chance to bring home fresh fish. Before booking, ask what species are running during your dates, what fishing method will be used, whether you can see Cabo Blanco only from the water, and how the crew handles a slow day.

For a group of four or five, the price makes good sense. For a smaller party, compare it with other local charters. If your group includes children or first-time fishers, tell the guide in advance and request clear instruction. That small conversation could make the difference between a merely functional outing and a memorable one.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

You meet at Jason Tours on Lighthouse Road, 25 meters south of the listed point in Malpaís, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

Where does the activity end?

The trip ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the fishing trip?

The outing lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to five people.

What fish might I catch?

Possible species include yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, roosterfish, wahoo, snapper, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, and more.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. All fishing equipment is included.

What refreshments are provided?

The trip includes bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and fruit. Breakfast is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.