Fishing is good off of the central pacific coast of Costa Rica most of the year, although any given week can be off due to poor conditions. The good news is that most of the boats in the charter fleet at the Los Suenos Marina are relatively fast and can find better fishing if they are further away from the resort. Most of the good fishing lately has been south of the resort between Jaco and Quepos.

The Los Suenos marina there are several boats to choose from for fishing. For more information on the marina and a list of charter boats, go to wwwlsrm.com/marina.php.

One of the boats we recommend is owned by Captain Kent with Hummingbird Vacations.  When renting our condo you have the option of using his boat if available.  Please contact us for dates and availability. (camc@camcollins.com)

Boat: The condo rental rate does not include charter fees, crew tips or boat consumables (fuel, bait, ice, food or drinks). At the end of each day, it’s customary to tip the captain $200+/day cash if he provided you a wonderful experience. Tips for the mate are $50-$100/day.

Gas is approx. $1.00/gal. more than stateside fuel. You can pay for the fuel at the Marina using a major credit card or cash. Fuel consumption depends on distance run and how long you want to fish each day. Most days we burn 60-80 gallons on offshore runs, which average 25 miles to the grounds.

Kent's Venture 34

Fishing Equipment/Boat: The boat is a 1999 Venture 34’ Center Console. Yes, ladies there is a private, full sized head. The boat was renovated in October 2005 and sports new twin 2006 Yamaha 250 hp 4 stroke engines. It cruises at 30 knots (about 36 mph) and has a top speed of 40 knots (48 mph). The boat has a tower, Rupp outriggers, tuna tubes, a big livewell, sat phone, life raft, radar, 2 VHF radios, autopilot, 2 GPS, stereo and a 10” Furuno Navnet system including Black Box sounder.

They have a stereo plug that can accommodate your iPOD, so feel free to bring it to enjoy your favorite tunes on the boat. Rain is common in the green season and rare in the high season, but it pays to bring a light waterproof jacket just in case.

They have a video camera mounted in the tower if you want to video your catch. Bring some blank DVD+R or –R discs and they’ll make a movie for you. If you are going to bring your still camera, they recommend a polarized filter. It makes the shots on the water look much better.

Gear: They have all the gear you’ll need, except for fly-fishing tackle or ultra light gear.

Shimano Tiagra 50WLRS (2), TLD50W (2), TLD30 2-speed (1), Tyrnos 20 – speed (5) Trinidad 20, 16, Crowder Rods, Deep-dropping Kristal 651, Shimano 6500 Baitrunners, Custom bottom fishing rod, teaser reels for bait and switch. They have a downrigger, rod belts, harness and kites, if needed. The gear rule is just like fishing on a friend’s boat: You lose it or break it, you buy it.

Most charter boats troll ballyhoo and practice catch and release on billfish, using circle hooks exclusively except when pulling lures. Sometimes they find live bait and mix it up. The boat is rigged for stand-up fishing, and we have fought and landed numerous multiple hookups. You can move all the way around the boat, so it’s very comfortable for fishing. Plus, they can add beanbag chairs if you want a comfortable place to take a siesta.

If you want to hook your own fish, let the crew know. Otherwise, they’ll set the hook and hand you the rod. If you want to set your own hook, make sure you keep your eyes on the spread. It’s important you beat the fish to the rod for the required dropback. They’ll coach you on everything you need to know.

Plan Ahead for Fishing Days: The Marina (and your crew) need advance notice of your fishing days. By letting them know the week before you arrive, they’ll have the Marina staff splash the boat and it will be ready. They’ll leave whenever you want, most days we meet at the marina at 7am so we’re fishing by 8, at home port by 4:30pm.

Fishing Licenses: Are $24 per person and for sale at the marina. They are valid for 1 year. Everyone on the boat must have one, whether fishing or observing. (It’s a revenue thing for the Costa Rican government!)

Food, drink on the boat: They recommend stocking up on soft drinks and beer at the fuel dock (you can buy fruit drinks, sport drinks, Costa Rican beer and soft drinks by the 12 pack). Pack a lunch or you can pre-order a box lunch from the HookUp restaurant.

Los Suenos $3 million beach club is accessible with the passes we’ll leave for you at our condo. There’s a nice white sand beach, pool and showers about 200 yards from the condo. Just make sure you leave the passes when you’re finished and don’t lose them ($100 replacement).

The Beach Club at Los Suenos

Our condo has both a pool and jacuzzi within a few steps of our lanai. The pool and jacuzzi are open day and night. Please be considerate to other guests in the building as the pool is shared by all eight units.

Veranda Pool

Eating in or out: There is a full kitchen in the condo if you want to eat in. We’ve stocked a supply of common condiments.  There is a barbecue grill about 100 paces away at the pool area. If you plan on eating in, you may take cab to Supermercado (grocery store) near the entrance of the resort.  There is a gourmet shop at Los Suenos that sells Omaha Steaks and pre-made salads.

The Club at Los Suenos

There are 6 restaurants on the grounds at Los Suenos (www.lsrestaurants.com) and just outside the resort you’ll find El Pelicano Restaurant. Look in the notebook in the condo for menus. All are very good. And the water is safe to drink. Note: Your bill will probably include a 10% service charge or propinas (tip). I usually add another 5-10%. If you want a real treat, go to Jaco ‘s El Naranjal restaurant for an outstanding meal. For sushi try Tsunami Sushi in Jaco. For a great beachside bar, El Bohio in Jaco is one of our favorites.

Fountain at the Club in Los Suenos

Several restaurants deliver to the condo, too. And the Mas X Menos grocery store will delivery to the condo from Jaco (their order desk accepts orders in English).

Veranda Pool Area

Pack lightly: There is a washer/dryer in the condo so you can wash clothes during your stay (plus dishwasher, icemaker, full sized refrigerator/freezer). We stock laundry and dishwasher detergent at the condo.

Phone home: You can make free phone calls home using our Vonage Internet phone (Line 1). Plus, friends can call you at the condo by calling a US number Florida exchange). 772-291-7892. The land line number at the condo is 011-506-2637-7041.  The Vonage phone will work as long as the cable TV modem is working. There is a wireless hi-speed Internet hub in the condo, bring your laptop w/wireless card and you can access the Internet.

Internet speed is supposed to be 512kbps, but I have never seen it that fast. The Vonage phone is clear most of the time, but sometimes is scratchy when the internet speed drops.

The local line (Line 2) is available for you to use to call around Costa Rica, please don’t use it to call outside the country.

Pool: The pools  are spectacular. Enjoy the grill, icemaker and lounging areas. BYOB. (See pool rules in the notebook).

Gas Grill: The gas grill works well. Snap the regulator valve on the tank and open the side valve. Adjust the burners until you hear the gas flow (use the long lighter in the kitchen junk drawer) …it will flash when lit.

Kids: Los Suenos is a family-friendly resort. There are children-only activities, and in-condo Nannies available to watch the kids while you play.

Electricity: The power in Los Suenos goes off occasionally, so plan for it. Make sure you know where the flashlights are so if power fails at night you won’t tumble around.

Maid Service: Daily maid service is not included, but is available for $65 per cleaning.

TV/CD/DVD: There are cable TVS and DVD players in the master bedroom and living room. Feel free to watch our collection of DVDs, but please leave them in the condo. There is a small stereo and CD player too.

Channels: Here are the English speaking channels.

TV Stations

Coffee: There is an automatic coffee maker in the condo.

Trash: The trash bins are located outside.  Please ask the guard at the gate for directions.

Consumables: You’ll find laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, paper towels and other supplies in the laundry closet. Use what you need, please leave the rest.

Fly into San Jose, the capital. (See airlines below). Drive time to Los Suenos is about 2 hours. Make sure your flight arrives by 2pm. Costa Rican roads are not well marked; so don’t plan on driving after dark. The highway to Los Suenos is scenic, curvy and narrow for a short stretch through the mountains. Side roads are full of potholes so be wary.

You can get to Los Suenos by:
1) Hiring a driver who’ll meet you at the airport (about $90 one-way).   We can recommend a driver if needed.

2) Rental cars are available through Hertz, Advantage etc. (adventuresome & approx. $150/day). Processing time at the rental counters is about an hour on a good day. Rental cars are small diesels typically available only with manual transmissions (stick shift).

3) Helicopter rental is available; ask us for the current rates. Flight time is about 20 minutes to Los Suenos.

Getting Around Los Suenos: Golf carts are available for getting around the Los Suenos compound. (Recommended if you don’t rent a car (between $35-$52/day, reservations required). The marina is a 3-5 minute walk from the condo. The surfing town of Jaco is 5 miles away ($6 cab ride one-way). Golf carts CANNOT be driven to town; the cops will ticket you for trying.