Do you need a fishing license in Costa Rica? How to get one before your charter
If you have a sportfishing charter booked, there is one small piece of paperwork that catches people out at the dock: the fishing license. Here is who needs one, what it costs, and how to get it online in a few minutes.
Who needs a license
You need a sport fishing license to fish from a boat in Costa Rica. The official line from INCOPESCA, the government fisheries institute, is that everyone on board a sport fishing boat must carry one, and that covers every charter, panga, and catamaran trip. The captain can be fined if anyone aboard is fishing without it, which is why crews ask.
INCOPESCA also sells a separate, much cheaper license for fishing from land or a kayak, so shore fishing has its own category rather than being exempt. The boat license is still the one that matters for a charter, and the fee is the same for residents and tourists.
Does my charter cover it?
Sometimes. Some operators include the license in the price or buy it for you, and others expect you to arrive with your own. This is the one thing to confirm when you book, because the answer changes boat to boat. If the charter does not include it, you buy your own before you board, and it is far easier to do that online ahead of time than to scramble at the marina.
What it costs
INCOPESCA sets the price, and it is the same for residents and tourists. Current rates, VAT included:
- Boat fishing, 8 days: $16.95
- Boat fishing, 30 days: $28.25
- Boat fishing, 1 year: $56.50
- Spearfishing or freediving, 1 year: $56.50
- Fishing from land or kayak, 1 year: about â‚¡6,215, roughly $12
For a one-off charter, the 8-day boat license is what most visitors buy.
How to buy one online
The license is sold on the official INCOPESCA site, incopesca.go.cr, through the sport fishing card application. It takes a few minutes:
- Open the application and add yourself as an applicant. You can add several people in one order, so a whole boat can be covered together.
- Enter your name, passport or ID number, email, country, and the start date you want the license to begin.
- Accept the terms, then pay by card.
- Save or print the confirmation, and keep it on your phone. That is what you show if you are checked on the water.
Buy it a day or two before your trip so a slow signal at the dock is never the problem.
Planning the trip itself? See how sportfishing works in Costa Rica, or compare verified charters on the Manuel Antonio and Los Sueños guides.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a fishing license for a half-day inshore trip in Costa Rica?
Yes. Any fishing from a boat needs the license, inshore or offshore, half day or full.
Can I buy a Costa Rica fishing license at the marina?
Sometimes the charter office or a nearby agent can sort it, but do not count on it. Buying online ahead of time is the safe move.
How long does a Costa Rica sport fishing license last?
It runs from the start date you choose: 8 days, 30 days, or a year. Pick the 8-day option if you are only fishing once.
Do kids need a fishing license in Costa Rica?
Each person who is actively fishing needs their own license. Ask your operator how they handle minors.
What happens if I am checked without a fishing license in Costa Rica?
The Coast Guard and INCOPESCA do inspect boats. Fishing without a license can mean a fine, and the captain carries the risk, which is why crews insist on it.