Fishing licence worldwide
Fishing licence in Costa Rica: what anglers need
In Costa Rica you need a personal fishing card (carné) from INCOPESCA to fish from a boat; visitors can choose 8 days, 30 days or one year. Marlin and sailfish are released. Whether visitors need a licence for shore fishing is not clearly set out.
Checked on 15.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.
- Sea
- licence
- Freshwater
- licence
Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Costa Rica?
Anyone fishing from a boat must carry a valid fishing card. For shore or kayak fishing, the fee list names a separate annual card for nationals and residents only.
Source: INCOPESCA, Sports and tourism fishing
Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in Costa Rica?
The card covers sport fishing at sea and inland. The fee list only distinguishes boat, shore or kayak, and underwater fishing.
Source: Acuerdo AJDIP/384-2017 und AJDIP/044-2018 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
How much is a fishing licence in Costa Rica?
Boat fishing card for nationals, residents or foreigners: 8 days USD 15, 30 days USD 25, one year USD 50. Spearfishing one year USD 50. Since July 2020 VAT is added. According to a decision of Dec 17, 2024, the 2018 rates stay in force until new ones are approved.
Source: Acuerdo AJDIP/384-2017 Nr. 60 bis 63
Where do you buy a fishing licence for Costa Rica?
You can get the card through the INCOPESCA website or at any regional office. On charters it is often included; ask before you book.
Source: INCOPESCA, Sports and tourism fishing (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
What about children, teens and seniors?
Costa Ricans over 65 pay no issuing fee. The fee list sets no age rule for foreign visitors.
What applies to visitors from abroad?
Foreign visitors can buy the boat fishing cards for 8 days, 30 days or one year. Foreign captains and crew on tourist status may not work on charter boats under the national flag.
Source: Acuerdo AJDIP/384-2017 Nr. 60 bis 62 und Anmerkung 2 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
Which catch and take-home rules apply?
Billfish such as marlin and sailfish are released under catch and release. Take photos while the fish is still in the water.
Source: INCOPESCA, Sports and tourism fishing (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
What else should you know?
Foreign sport fishing boats need their own three-month boat licence (USD 400). Charter boats under the national flag pay an annual licence based on their range.
Source: Acuerdo AJDIP/384-2017 Nr. 25 bis 28 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
Official licence pages by state or region
Each state or region sells its own licence. These are the official agency pages.
- Ganz Costa RicaINCOPESCA, Instituto Costarricense de Pesca y AcuiculturaYes, visitors need a card to fish from a boat (8 days, 30 days or one year).
The texts we read do not make clear whether foreign visitors need a licence for shore fishing (the shore card lists only nationals and residents). We found no decision on new rates for 2026. The VAT rate is not stated in the decision.
Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.
Next steps
Other countries
Sources (3)
- INCOPESCA, Sports and tourism fishingRetrieved 15.10.2026
- Acuerdo AJDIP/384-2017 und AJDIP/044-2018 (abgerufen 15.10.2026)Retrieved 15.10.2026
- Acuerdo AJDIP/384-2017 Nr. 60 bis 63Retrieved 15.10.2026
Not legal advice. Rules and prices change; the linked authority and the local water permit are what count. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].
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