Why Costa Rica Belongs on Your Fly Fishing List
Few countries pack this much fly fishing variety into a single trip. In one week in Costa Rica you can sight-cast to roosterfish cruising Pacific sandbars, float a jungle river throwing streamers at guapote (rainbow bass), and watch a machaca smash a fruit-imitation fly off the surface — all within a couple of hours of Guanacaste's main beach destinations.
Guanacaste Fly Fishing is based in the northern jungle of Guanacaste and runs guided fly fishing trips here and throughout Costa Rica. The operation is led by founder Esteban Blanco, an IGFA world-record holder who has spent more than 15 years exploring the rivers, lagoons and coastline of this country. Our team — 4 fishing guides and 3 drivers — handles everything: specialized boats and rafts, quality fly tackle, food, drinks and transportation.
The Species
Roosterfish — the Pacific's signature fly target
The roosterfish is the fish most traveling anglers come to Costa Rica dreaming about: a powerful inshore predator with an unmistakable comb of dorsal spines. Off the Guanacaste coast we fish for them around islands and large sandbars, in shallow, visual water where you often see the fish before you cast. Expect 9–12 wt rods and the fight of your life. Tuna, jacks, needlefish, snapper and even sailfish show up on the same trips, and in September and October you'll likely see humpback whales.
See the Salt Water Roosterfish Fly Tour →
Guapote (Rainbow Bass) — the jungle trophy
Known locally as guapote, the rainbow bass is Central America's most coveted freshwater catch: an aggressive, brilliantly-colored cichlid that hits streamers like a bass on steroids. The upper Tempisque River is one of the few fisheries anywhere that still holds good numbers of large guapote, and our exclusive 20-kilometer float covers calm, clear water all day. Jaguar bass, mojarra, tilapia and snook round out the catch.
See the Rainbow Bass Tempisque Tour →
Machaca — topwater mayhem
The machaca might be the most fun you can have with a 6 wt in the tropics. This fast, ferocious river fish feeds on fruits and flowers that fall from the riverside canopy, which means explosive surface eats on floating fruit-and-flower imitation flies. We fish for them in the lush reeds of the Corobicí and Bebedero rivers, with snapper and snook as frequent bonus catches.
See the Machaca Corobicí Tour →
When to Come: Season Guide
| Fishery | Best Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roosterfish (Pacific coast) | June – October | Sight fishing around islands and sandbars; 9–12 wt |
| Guapote / Rainbow Bass (Tempisque River) | Year-round | The float fishes best when the river runs calm and clear |
| Machaca (Corobicí – Bebedero) | Fruit-fall periods | Peaks when riverside trees drop fruit and flowers; topwater eats |
| Sailfish, tuna & jacks | June – October | Common bonus species on coastal roosterfish trips |
| Humpback whale sightings | September – October | A regular highlight of the saltwater tour |
Not sure which trip fits your dates? Send us a message with your travel window and we'll tell you honestly what will be fishing best.
What's Included
Every trip covers the essentials
- Quality fly rods, reels and flies matched to the species (6–12 wt)
- Boats and rafts specialized for fly fishing
- Experienced local guides — 4 guides and 3 drivers on the team
- Food, drinks and hotel transportation on the roosterfish and machaca tours
- Bathrooms and changing rooms available on the Tempisque float
Why Fish With Us
Plenty of operations can put you on a boat. What sets Guanacaste Fly Fishing apart is that this is our home water: Esteban built this company by exploring rivers and lagoons in places most guides never see, a search that produced an IGFA world record along the way. We are a fly fishing team first — expect a comfortable day, honest local knowledge and a genuine obsession with putting your fly in front of fish.
Have questions before booking? Check the FAQ or read more about the team.