Crocodile Bay Lodge 

Billfishing

Located on southwestern Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, an area described by National Geographic as the most ecologically intense place on earth, Crocodile Bay Lodge is a tasteful destination dedicated to showing clients not only the country’s finest inshore and offshore fly fishing, but all the ecological wonders of this remarkable little nation.

While fly and conventional fishing for Pacific sailfish take much of the spotlight here, the region also boasts an impressive inshore fishery. Additionally, anglers can choose from a wide variety of boats that best suit their budgets and fly fishing preferences. The lodge, situated on 44 acres of tastefully manicured tropical gardens, features spacious, air conditioned rooms with private baths and decks, a splendid pool with a swim-up bar and attached Jacuzzi, fine cuisine, and a staff of seasoned professional guides.

In addition to a serious saltwater fly fishing program, Crocodile Bay is a natural for families and non-anglers as it offers a wide variety of outdoor and eco-tourism activities including birding, horseback riding, nature walks, kayaking, snorkeling and surfing. All packages include meet and greet service at the airport, overnights in San Jose, and flights from San Jose to the lodge. Stays of varying lengths are available.

Location:
Crocodile Bay Resort is located on the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica.

Fishing Program:
Crocodile Bay offers a wide range of inshore and offshore fly fishing in the rich waters of the Pacific and Gulfo Dulce. Target species include marlin, sailfish, dorado, roosterfish, amberjack, snapper, grouper, barracuda, pompano, sierra mackerel, snook, wahoo, and tuna. For serious fly anglers we recommend concentrating your efforts on the offshore sailfish fishery, as the inshore fly fishing is challenging and somewhat inconsistent.

The lodge’s fleet of 27 boats, easily accessed from the 750-foot pier, includes 17’ flats boats, 24’ center consoles, 27’ offshore center consoles and our 33’ strike tower boats, plus the 35' owner's strike tower boat. Strike boats are the recommended offshore vessel but the Rambos are also fun and sporty in the blue water. Ear plugs may be a nice addition to your day gear for long offshore runs.

Any questions on site regarding the fishing program should be directed to the lodge’s fishing director Todd Staley.

Non-Angling Activities:
Ocean and Mangrove Kayaking — Begin at the pier and head up the nearest mangrove. Gliding along the mangroves will allow you to explore narrow channels and access a beach where swimming and beach combing remind you what a special place you are in. On this tour you will have a chance to see egrets, sandpipers, heron, osprey, pelicans, parrots, macaws, crabs, rays, turtles, and dolphins.
Bird Watching — You will take time to focus on the different species of birds that inhabit the Osa (0ver 400 species) with the inland birding tours and new pelagic tour. The inland tour will take you to a section of the Tigre River called Dos Brazos. This is an excellent area for viewing inland birds because it is a secondary rainforest, which envelops a grand river. The lodge’s unique proximity to the blue water allows it to offer a pelagic tour within 30 minutes from the lodge.
Beach Exploration — Come spend time on a beautiful sandy beach in paradise. A perfect beach for children and swimming, Playa Platanares is one of the most quiet and secluded beaches the Osa Peninsula has to offer. While at this beach you will have the chance to see scarlet macaws, parrots, tanagers, kingfishers, pelicans and herons.
Rainforest — Come and see first-hand the exquisite beauty of the rainforests of the Osa Peninsula. While on this tour you will have the chance to see countless species of birds including toucans, hawks, parrots, and the famed scarlet macaws. Indigenous mammal species include armadillos, sloths, raccoons, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, white faced monkeys, and squirrel monkeys. These tours can be done from the comfort of well equipped game viewing trucks and can be combined with hiking aspects for all who are interested.
Snorkeling — You will get a first hand look at what beauty resides beneath the water. You will be taken to sheltered areas in the Golfo Dulce, perfect for snorkeling. Underwater volcanic outcroppings with attached aquatic plants attract Pacific reef fish including golden jack, blue and gold snapper, freckled porcupine fish, bumphead parrot fish, spotted eagle ray, spotted scorpion fish and giant hawk fish.
Waterfall Rappelling — For those who are looking for pure excitement on their vacation the lodge offers rainforest waterfall rappelling. This is an excellent chance to get your adrenaline pumping while seeing the beauty of the rainforest at the same time.
Butterfly House — Experience the electric Blue Morpho fluttering nearby as you walk through our on-site butterfly houses. Among the many species raised by our butterfly expert are Morpho Amathonte, Morpho Peliedes, Caligo Eurilochuis, Caligo Memnon and the Papilio Cresphontes.
Horseback Riding — Gentle horses allow the whole family to explore inland trails or beaches. Ride on the beach at sunset and discover why many call this area pure paradise.
Surfing — Costa Rica attracts thousands of vacationers every year who are interested solely in the surfing. The most famous spots include, Matapalo (20 minutes from lodge on the Osa Peninsula) and Pavones (across the Golfo Dulce), renown for the second longest left break in the world.

Accommodations and Meals:
Crocodile Bay Lodge is Costa Rica’s newest and finest Sport Fishing and Eco-Tour Resort. The sport fishing resort is located on 44 acres with 34 air-conditioned rooms in Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula. The “Osa” has been described by National Geographic as "the most ecologically intense place on earth." The exquisite lodge features a top-of-the-line daily menu, swimming pool with swim up bar, hot tub, and a deluxe new full service day spa. Rooms include handsome hand carved furniture and many have private Jacuzzi baths. All rooms have air conditioning, fans, bottled water, private baths, irons, hair dryers, laundry service (not included), and coffee makers.

The lodge structures are strategically located throughout the 44-acre landscaped property with the main building housing the restaurant, bar and reception area. There's also a tackle and gift shop where one can purchase inshore or offshore fishing lures (made on the premises) for souvenirs or for use at another time, as well as locally made gifts of all kinds. The pool and jacuzzi were designed utilizing our unique property characteristics including waterfalls and jungle environment. They are conveniently accessible to all guests. The lodge is staffed by friendly, English-speaking and well experienced personnel guaranteed to make your stay an exciting and unforgettable one.

After a day on the water, or returning from an adventure tour, enjoy your favorite cocktail or beverage at the open bar, take a relaxing swim, dine in their elegant air-conditioned restaurant or walk through the tropical gardens. Watch and listen for the sounds of local wildlife. At any given time you may see one of several species of monkeys or other mammals, lizards and other reptiles, or perhaps a parrot. Or what is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful birds in the world, the scarlet macaw. The lodge also has two impressive butterfly gardens and a pond where guests can view and feed wild caimans and crocodiles.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive San Jose and overnight.
Day 2: Transfer to lodge and go fishing all day.
Days 3-6: Full days of guided fishing
Day 7: Depart lodge.

Typical Daily Schedule
6:00AM - 8:00AM      Breakfast
7:00AM                       Eco-tours and fishing boats depart
12:00PM - 1:00PM   Lunch is served at the lodge
4:00PM                       Anglers and eco-tours return, snacks at the main bar
6:30PM - 8:00PM      Dinner
10:00PM                     Bar closes

Complete Trip Details