Though deep sea fishing is the country’s forte, there is also has great fresh water fishing in Lake Arenal and the larger rivers in the Northern Zone, where anglers can fight with the small but ornery guapote, a hump-backed fish also known as the rainbow bass. Giant marlin, sailfish beyond number; highjumping tarpon, record closs snook an a dozen or more hard hitting fresh water species…

Costa Rica has a vast variety of fishes!
On the Pacific, it’s common to release a dozen or more sails and even a marlin or two in a single day, and not unusual to release more than 30 sailfish a day. There are also dolphin, giant yellowfin tuna, wahoo, cubera, rooster fish, a variety of snapper; grouper; blue runners, rainbow runners, snook and much more. And Costa Rica boat operators release all billfish that are not record contenders, so the future of the resuorce is assured.

Pacific

The Pacific provides Costa Rica’s most consistently exciting fishing, with sailfish, marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, mackerel, mahi mahi and snapper being caught regularly. It is the abundance of billfish that has made that area famous, with sailfish and marlin being taken in phenomenal numbers. There are plenty of ports out of which you can fish the Pacific. In the northwest province of Guanacaste, charter boats work out of Coco, Ocotal, Flamingo, Tamarindo and Carrillo. Further south, you can fish out of Puntarenas, Tambor, Punta Leona, Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Drake Bay, Golfito and Zancudo.

Northern Pacific

Cabo Blanco to the Gulf of Papagayo Flamingo Beach, with a full service marina, is the major sportfishing center in the northern coastal area, but boats also charter out of earby Coco’s beach, Tamarindo, Ocotal, Potrero, Brasilito and a few points in between. A bit further south, there are boats operating below Cabo Blanco, out of Nozara, Garza, Sámara and Carrillo beach, a region that gets more protection from the winds that normally blow late December into March and April. Some boats from the more northerly areas often base at Carrillo beach from about December through March if the wind is lowing and the main billfish population is moving north from the central coast area.

Seasons

• Marlin: Caught every month of the year; with midNovember to early Marh exceptional, then slowing a bit from April into early June when it 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 and from late August Through November.
• Tuna: Peak months are probably August through October; but when all these fails, there are always tuna, anytime of the year you want to look for them, and more oNen than not when you’d just as soon avoid them to concentrate on billfish. The yellowfin and some bigeye tuna are often found well inside the Snata Catalina Islands, 30 minutes or less running time from the beach, while schools of 12 to 20 pounders are usually abundant on the outside. You frequently find concentrations of 40 to 60 pound tuna, and there are plenty of the 200 to 400 pounder caught every year.
• Dorado: More properly known as dolphin, these colorful gamester are most abundant from late May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers, carryind out ebris that forms trash lines close inshore that they like to lie under. Troll past a floating long and you’ll like hook a dordo.
• Wahoo: The first showing begins about the time the rains start in May, peaking in July an August. Most are caught around the rocky points and islands, but you will pick one up occasionally fishing offshore.
• Roosterfisch: available all year, but are more caught in the Papagayo Bay area from November through March. That may be because more boats in the northern most area of this region are fishing inshoreduring those windy months. and the roosters like the structure of the shoreline and islands where they’re found 50 to 60 feet of water.

Central Pacific

Cabo Blanco to Drake Bay Quepos is center of fishing on the central coast, but there are charters avaible out of Puntarenas, the resorts at the southern end of Nicoya Peninsula, Jacó Beach, Punta Leona and at Drake Bay. Billfish are the target of most visiting anglers, and they are seldom disappointed from around December through April.

Some sails and marlin are taken throughout the year. From most areas mentioned above, it’s no more than 12 to 20 miles run to the blue water where most of the billfish action is encountered. Inshore sport includes tuna, roosterfish, wahoo, dorado, jacks, mackerel, cubera, a varity of small snapper species and even snook.

The snook can be taken trolling just outside the breaker line off the river mouths in the area, but are more often fished from shore. Some boats out of Quepos also offer multi-day trips to Drake Bay and Caño’s Island area, overnighting at one of the several lodgescentered around Drake Bay. This region is best known for its eahoo, big cubera and roosterfish, but there are also tuna, dorado, sails and some marlin.

Seasons

• Marlin: October is normally the top month for marlin in this area, but action is also good in September and November and occasional blues and rare black are likely to be found any timeof year although they are usually out further than the boats hunting for sailfish are likely to be fishing.
• Sailfish: Middle of December to the end of April when they begin moving north is rated the best season, but the big schools often move in about October and occasionally stay longer. A few sail always show among the catch from June through September, mixed with the other species that are found inshore during those months.
• Tuna: Found through the year as they all along the Pacific coast, but most abundant from June through September. Most are the eight to 12 pounders, but a dozen pounders and maybe another two dozen in the 100 to 200 pound range are taken every year.
• Wahoo: Not common in the area around Quepos, but more abundant in the late summer further south, especially the Drake Bay and Caño’s Island area from late June to early August.
• Dorado: Best action begins with the winter rains that start in late May and wash debris from the river mouths lines that the dolphin favor.
• Roosterfish Fishing for this hard-hitting inshore species is incredible, with the best spots off the river mouths and the rocky dropoffs. Favored spots are the mouth of the Parrita; Palo Seco between Parrita and Damas just outside Damas; off the mouth of the Naranjo River; around the points at Dominical and throughout the Drake Bay and Caño’s Island area. Best fishing is from June through early September.
• Snook: Favored spots are just the many river mouths all along the coast, up the Sierpe river and in the big lagoon on Sierpe.

The IGFA world record Pacific black snook was taken in the month of July at the mouth of the Rio Naranjo on a boat trolling just outside the braker line. This a relatively new target for some small charter boats, but the best months seem to be from July through November during the heavy rainy season.

South Pacific

Golfito is the larguest town on Costa Rica southern coast, but there are only a half dozen operators scattered between the northern end of Dulce Gulf, the town of Golfito, Puesto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula and Zancudo beach. Zancudo is a narrow peninsula with miles of beach on the ocean side and bordered by several rivers on the other. Expect to raise a dozen or more sails and likely a marlin or two outside Matapalo Cape during peak season, and plenty of jacks, runners, mackerel, amberjack, roosterfish and big sanapper inshore.

There are two modern marinas in Golfito, both offering fishing charters as well as facilities for transient yachts.

Light tackle fishing inside Dulce Gulf, with these provision of small caves and rocky islets and shoreline, is also good for small barracuda and snaper, corvina and occasional snook to over 40 pounds. Fishing the dropoff outside Matapalo Cape they get sails, marlin, tuna and other blue water species, and inshore there are roosters that average over 30 pounds, grouper, jacks, barracuda, trophy size Pacific cubera snapper and more.

There is also excellent snook fishing inside the Zancudo Penisula and further north, at the mouth of the Esquínas river.

Seasons

• Marlin: August through December is the peak season, but an occasional striped, blue or black may be taken most any month if the water temperature is up.
• Sailfish: A few taken off and on year round with best fishing from December through March. It Often slows form April into early June, then picks up again and peaks in August and September.
• Tuna: Best fishing for the 100 pound up yellowfin corresponds with marlin and sailfish season, but the schools of up 30 pound tuna can nearly always be found outside.
• Dorado: Best runs are traditionally from late May through October, when the rivers are running full.
• Wahoo: Not abundant, but occasional fish may be taken most any time of the year while trolling offshore for billfish or around the structure off Matapalo Cape.
• Roosterfish: The region is famous for its big roosters and they can be caught virtually any month of the year.
• Snook: All year, but best from mid or late May through July and in January and February.

Caribbean

The canals and rivers of the northern Caribbean coast boast some of the best snook and tarpon fishing in the world, and they are lined with lush rain forest, which adds to the natural experience. The tarpon average about 80 pounds in the Caribbean canals, and though the snook are much smaller, they are good little fighters that taste great. About half a dozen fishing lodges are located in Barra del Colorado, Tortuguero and Parismina, all on the canals, and the houseboat Rain Goddess offers roving adventure that let anglers fish the canals, several rivers and hidden lakes.

Seasons

• Tarpon: They’re always around, with traditional high season from December through May, but that was a number of years ago when all of the lodges were fishing with 16-foot boats and couln’t get outside the river mouths as they do today with lager boats designed for that purpose.
• Snook: Big snook generally peak from March through Mayand again September through the end of November.
• Fat Snook: (Calba) Peak from mid-Novemberthrough late January, but often make an appearance much earlier.
• Billfish: When you can get outside to the blue water you will find Atlantic blue marlin most any time of the year. Most are caught from February through September.
• Wahoo: Plentiful on the outside from early February through mid June.
• Dorado: Caught jus outside the river mouths throughout the year. Best fishingis when the runoff carries out the debris that forms inshore trash lines.
• Tripletail: January through June.
• Kingfish, Spanish and Cero Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Barracuda: Abundant close to shore any time te ocean is flat.

1) North Americans can stay in Costa Rica legally for up to 3 months. They must then leave for a period of 72 hours, then can then return to the country for another three months. If the three month period is overstayed, a travel agency or ARCR can arrange payment of a small fine and prepare the travel documents required to leave the country for the required 72 hours. Tourists can own vehicles, property, businesses and generate income from self employment

2) Weather in Costa Rica is largely a matter or choice, unless someone is looking for snow. There is none, even on the 13,000 foot high mountains. It varies from hot coastal lowlands, where rainfall varies according to location and season, to very cool mountainous regions. There are plains which go months without rain, and areas where it rains daily. The average temperature in the Central Valley is ideal, with evenings of 17 - 18 C and days averaging 25 - 28 C year round. The dry season is usually from the end of November until past Easter. The amount of rain in rainy season depends on the climate zone, with heaviest rains usually in October. Rainfall is usually in the afternoon, if it is going to rain.

3) There is no income tax on money earned outside of Costa Rica by residents. Personal income taxes are low compared to North America, with many personal expenses deductible from locally earned income. Corporate taxes are also low.

4) Other taxes:
Sales Tax - 13%
Import duties are being decreased in Costa Rica in compliance with the GATT agreements. The principal exception is new vehicles, on which duty is about 98%.
Tourists pay an exit duty of approximately $17, while residents pay more.
License plate fees are paid annually for vehicles, and depend upon the value. They are not excessive.
Property taxes are very low in comparison with North America.

5) New residents will be charged import duty on cars and boats at the same rate as would be paid by a resident bring them in. Personal effects and artwork are not taxed. Electronic equipment and appliances will be valued and a duty charged.

6) Rental rates depend on the area. Any rental agreement is assumed to be for three years, during which time the landlord may not raise the rent. Lease contracts are honored by the courts provided they are drawn according to the law of rentals. Landlords may not evict tenants for other than nonpayment of rent or illegal activities.

7) Property prices vary from area to area. There is a computerized central registry system similar to North America, and lawyers or others, such as the ARCR, who subscribe to the service can search title from their office computers. Foreign residents and nonresidents have the same property ownership rights as citizens, with the exception of leasing land from the municipality and purchasing land close to the frontiers. Registration, taxes and legal fees will be approximately 5.5% of the declared value of the land on purchase. The government has an excellent history of respecting foreign ownership of land. Construction is less costly than usually found in North America. A finished luxury house currently would cost about $350-400 per sq. meter ($35-40 per sq. ft.) to build.(1997) The contractor is responsible for defects in construction for 5 years.

8 ) Costa Rica has a state owned hydro/telephone company. Phone installation can be slow, but once installed they function well. Touch tone international dialing for phone and fax is in place, as is a well developed cellular system. Costs are competitive. Internet was introduced in 1995 and use is becoming widespread. There are several Spanish language and one English daily newspaper, two English and one German language weekly, and various magazines. Foreign newspapers can be purchased readily. There are several Spanish language television stations, and different cable TV companies offering English language channels. Satellite TV dishes and Direct TV are readily available.

9) Costa Rica is within 2 hours of most North American cities for time zone. There is no daylight saving time, so it varies seasonally.

10) Most things are offered for sale in and around San Jose, much less so in the rest of the country. The central valley boasts many large, enclosed malls and there is little which one could want which is not readily available at competitive prices. There is a wide range of warrantee, service and repair companies to choose from. Computer software sales and service is common, as are hardware repair facilities. There is a duty free zone in Golfito in the South West of the country, where everyone is permitted to purchase up to $600 in goods from some 80 stores at low prices twice a year.

11) There are thousands of restaurants in the central valley offering cuisine from most countries of the world. Giant supermarkets offer most familiar items. Items imported from North America are more expensive usually, however many familiar name brands are manufactured in Central America and the prices are reasonable. Also, many items will be available inexpensively from local manufactures with as good or better quality than the brand name you are used to.

12) Almost all hobbies are represented by clubs and suppliers locally.

13) Football (soccer) is the most popular local sport. Every region, no matter how small, has a football field. There are dozens of cinemas, and most films are in English with Spanish subtitles. San Jose never sleeps, fiestas are popular and frequent throughout Costa Rica.

14) There are hundreds of miles of world class sand beaches in various colors. The ocean temperature is warm - well over 80 F - year round. Surfing is world famous.

15) There are few dangerous animals. There are several varieties of poisonous snakes, but are not usually seen. Insects are few in the central valley, more on the coast and in rain forest.

16) Costa Ricans are a very welcoming and friendly people who welcome foreigners.

17) There are 4 national (government owned) and about 23 private banks operating in Costa Rica, including Citibank from the USA and the Bank of Nova Scotia from Canada. All deposits in national banks are guaranteed without limit by the government of Costa Rica. Banking is both safe and reliable, although the national banks can be bureaucratic. Checking, savings and investment services are available from all of them. It is also possible to operate accounts in the USA or elsewhere through Costa Rican private banks. Banking in Costa Rica is protected by secrecy legislation. Foreigners may have bank accounts. There are no exchange controls or restrictions on removing funds from the country.

18) There are a wide variety of professional people available in all fields. Lawyer-client relations are protected by confidentiality laws. Many of the major international accounting firms have offices in Costa Rica.

19) The health care system is excellent. There is a plan for citizens and residents who have work permits covering medical care, hospitalization and prescription drugs. Citizens are also covered for dental care. This is funded by employers contributing 22% of wages paid, and the employee contributing 9%. There is also private medical insurance, through the state owned insurance monopoly, which is inexpensive and covers 80% of medical costs. For those who wish, medical services and hospitals are available on a “pay as you go” system for those without medical insurance. Medical care costs are very low compared to North America. Hospitals regularly do high tech operations such as heart & organ transplants. There are many specialists in Costa Rica, and doctors have their home phone numbers in the yellow pages for emergencies. There is an ambulance service in almost every town in the country, operated by the Red Cross. There is also a wide choice in dental care. No special shots are required to come to Costa Rica.

20) Water can be drunk from the tap throughout Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are very high for a third world country. Pasteurized milk and dairy products are normal everywhere.

21) There is a free education system for all, through high school. The official literacy rate is over 93%. There are many universities and technical training schools. Many university students have their tuition paid by grants. English is taught in the public school system but the main language is Spanish. There are excellent bilingual and trilingual schools available with a principal language of English, French or German. Some schools are on the North American school year.

22) Foreign residents are protected by the constitution, and have most of the rights of citizens. The record of the government historically has been excellent in honoring these rights. They do not have the right to:
Vote or participate in political activities
Work for wages without a permit
Own land close to national borders

23) Costa Rica, in comparison with other third world countries, is very environmentally conscious. 27% of the area of the country is in national park or protected reserve, the 50 meters above high tide is public property and cannot be privately owned or developed and the next 150 meters inland in approximately 85% of the country is owned by the local municipality and cannot be sold. This land can be leased from the municipality for approved projects or residence. There are strict environmental guidelines in place for all developments and mining activity. Logging is closely monitored. Most international ecological groups are represented in Costa Rica, so even where the government overlooks an infringement of the environmental laws, the legal mechanisms are in place for concerned organizations or individuals to halt development with cause. Coastal construction is limited to low rise buildings. Attempts are being made to address pollution in rivers and streams, and vehicle emissions are now being tested to keep them within set standards. There are many privately funded research facilities, as may be expected in a country with more bird and insect species than all of North America, over 200 types of hardwood tree, over 1,500 varieties of orchids and so on.

24) Development is planned to a certain extent, although in much of the country private land can be used as the owner wishes. Subdivisions must meet government standards, including paved roads, power, water and park land and they must be maintained by the developer for several years after being sold out. Free zones and industrial areas are well defined, and government policy has been to encourage business to take job providing factories to the villages to allow people to travel short distances to work and to slow the spread of large cities. All construction must meet strict earthquake standards. Most industry in Costa Rica is of a nonpolluting type. Examples would be electronics, pharmaceuticals and clothing manufacturing. Agriculture is still the largest export sector, led by traditional bananas and coffee, but with nontraditional items such as ferns, flowers and tropical plants gaining rapidly. Huge refrigerated facilities are in place to encourage new agricultural exports.

Here are some good options.

Puntarenas
Tourists who want the best of both worlds—relaxation at “home” and the “party” outside their door—will love Puntarenas! For the beach and a good party, you’ll want to choose an exclusive hotel near Jaco Beach. If it’s a touch of nature you’re looking to soak up though, then consider visiting the Osa Peninsula, Tambor, one of the nearby national parks. Both Corcovado National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park are great places for nature lovers.

Arenal
Located in inland Costa Rica, is a hotspot…literally. The very active Arenal volcano is located in this area along with Lake Arenal and Arenal National Park. You can boat, canoe, horseback ride or even windsurf in Arenal but most people visiting this particular piece of Costa Rica land are looking for the adventure that the volcano brings. If that’s you, you’re in luck because there are plenty of hotels nearby that provide great views of Arenal Volcano. Those who want to get even closer to the volcano can simply visit Arenal National Park.

Guanacaste
An easygoing vacation filled with sunbathing on Costa Rica beaches, is what Guanacaste has to offer you. Waters there are a vibrant blue, the beaches arefilled with soft, golden sand and with Guanacaste being one of the drier areas of Costa Rica, it’s ideal for all sorts of beach activities. Most people enjoy staying by the water and spending the day scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing and fishing but if you do decide you want to take a break from all of that, Santa Rosa National Park isn’t too far away.

Tortuguero
While many tourist locales are located on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Costa Rica real estate on the Caribbean side isn’t too shabby either. In fact, it’s a great option if you want the Costa Rica experience without all the other tourists. In Tortuguero, you’ll be in a prime location for relaxing at a beautiful Costa Rica beach and you won’t be too far away from Tortuguero National Park, which is one of the nation’s most exotic, all-encompassing nature reserves.

The idea of buying only a piece of a vacation residence makes a LOT of sense. Why buy 100 percent of something you’ll only use a few times a year? Instead of renting, you can buy co-ownership interests in vacation properties, affording you ample time to vacation, as well as all the benefits of real estate ownership.

Timeshares are similar, but they typically are for only 1-2 weeks of vacation time each year. Timeshare ownership does not have the same benefits, as co-ownership of a larger portion of a vacation property. With a “Fractional Share”, or a “larger share of co-ownership” you enjoy more time to use a property, (1 to 3 months), and more space, owner amenities, and services. There is “real” equity ownership in a real estate asset. You have more rights as an owner.

Also, for well located properties, in desirable vacation destinations, there is significant rental income generating capability, if the owner decides to rent weeks out. There are also tax benefits to ownership. Fractional ownership is in fact, more “fee simple” in nature, than timeshare ownership.

More Services: This is an area where fractional home ownership really shines. Fractional properties generally offer full concierge services. They will make arrangements to pick you up at the airport, secure tickets to special events for you, stock your refrigerator with your favorite food, arrange tours of nearby attractions, make dinner reservations… the list goes on. At a timeshare resort, all these details are generally left up to you. Fractional residences generally have storage facilities as well, so you can leave bulky things like sports equipment there year round.

More Luxuries: Fractional residences have amenities and décor similar to that of luxury hotels. The typical fractional residence has amenities like flat-screen TVs, granite countertops and high-end appliances in the kitchen, and whirlpool baths. And most fractional residences are located in first-class vacation resorts and ownership typically includes access to golf courses, spas, beaches, or ski slopes that are on or adjacent to the resort property.

You Get What You Pay For. Yes, fractional home ownership costs more than your typical timeshare. But when you break it down into cost per week, it’s less expensive, than a high-end timeshare, and there is much more value.

Furthermore, if the property is well located, and in an appreciating marketplace and generates significant rental income for owners who rent out their weeks, then fractional ownership is a very affordable, and a smart way to go.

For example, 12,338 middle aged men were studied*, all of them were at risk of heart desease, the results of the study, throwed that, those men who were not taking vacations in a regular base, were prone to die around a 9 year period earlier than the men who did. The study also showed women who are not used to take vacations frequently, have around eight to nine times the risk of suffering a heart attack. “Social and psychological aspects of peoples lives are directly related to their physical health.” said the researcher.

Vacations have a positive impact on everyone. Usually, workers who do not take all their vacation periods, experience a high level of feeling overwoked.

Vacations are the greatest tool to reduce the stress of every-day life. Stress affect the inmmune system, cadiovascular health, emotional well being and quality of life in general. On the other hand, vacationing allows people to have a lot of physical activities and fun. Biking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, rappeling and other activities may not offer a lot of rest but, are really healthy activities. The purpose of a good vacationing time should be to relax both mind and body from the daily activities.

Taking Vacations and its Personal Benefits

The simple planning of a vacation is only the first step. Even though it can be as exiting as the vacation itself. It makes us have something to look forward to. Vacations are a very, very good way to increase the quantity and quality of time spent with family, relatives, friends and of course, loved ones. May be that is why honey moons were invented. Discovering new sides of one another can be achieved while being in a totally new place. While a vacation trip may vary from a couple of days to one or two weeks and even more, the personal benefits of this trip can last a lifetime.

*Research by: State University of New York in Orsweg. Researcher: Elaine Eaker.

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