Packing for a Papagayo fishing charter is short work. The boat already carries the gear, the bait and the drinks. What you bring is mostly about the sun, your feet and one piece of paper. Here is the whole list.
Already on the Boat
- A captain and a mate who know these waters
- All the fishing gear, lures and bait
- A cooler with ice
- Drinks on every charter: water, sodas and beer
- Sandwiches and fresh fruit on 6 and 8 hour charters
- A toilet. Every boat in the fleet has one. On the smaller boats it sits inside the console
- Snorkel gear, if you ask for it when you book
What to Bring
- A cap. Out on the water there is little shade in the cockpit.
- A long-sleeved shirt. A light one does more for you than a second coat of sunscreen.
- Sunscreen. Put it on at the hotel, then again on the boat.
- Closed shoes, no sandals. The deck gets wet, and a hooked fish on the deck is no place for bare toes.
- A copy of your passport. Bring it, or another ID, to every charter.
- Your fishing license. Costa Rica asks every angler for one. It is required by law and not part of the charter price. You buy it before the day, online from INCOPESCA. Feel free to ask, we can provide guidance.
- Seasickness pills, if you need them. The crew does not carry any, so bring your own.
Easy to Forget
The list above is short, which is exactly why a few items slip through. Check these the night before:
- The passport copy and the license. They are the only two things on the list that are paper, not clothing.
- Real shoes. Beach sandals go on by habit on a Costa Rica morning. Swap them before you leave the room.
- A snack on a 4 hour charter. Drinks are on board, but food comes on the longer charters only.
- Seasickness pills taken early. They work best before the boat moves, not after you feel it.
- Something dry for your phone. A zip bag is enough. Spray finds everything on the run out.
Thanking Your Crew
Your captain and mate spend the day finding fish, rigging lines and coaching you through every fight. If they made your day, a tip is how guests say thank you. There is no set amount. Give whatever your heart says the day was worth, and it goes straight to the people who worked for your fish.