Best Time for Marlin Fishing at Los Suenos (Month-by-Month Breakdown)

The best time for marlin fishing at Los Suenos is January through March and November through December, when blue marlin and striped marlin stack up along the continental shelf drop-off 20 to 35 miles offshore. Striped marlin (Kajikia audax) peak from November through January, while blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) show strong numbers again from June through August. Marlin are caught out of Los Suenos in every month of the year, but those three windows produce the most consistent bites.

Our crews at Dream Boats CR have been running these offshore corridors out of Los Suenos Marina in Herradura Bay for over 20 years. Here's the honest month-by-month picture we give anglers who call asking when to book.

Los Suenos Marlin Season at a Glance

Months	What's Biting	Our Take
January - March	Blue marlin strong, striped marlin still around, heavy sailfish mixed in	Peak billfish season. The Los Suenos Triple Crown runs one leg each month, so book boats early.
April - May	Transition months, blues thin out, dorado picks up	Good mixed-bag fishing. Fewer boats on the water.
June - August	Blue marlin second peak, big yellowfin tuna offshore	Green season. Morning fishing is excellent and rates on flights and hotels drop.
September - October	Slower for marlin, dorado peak begins	We point marlin-focused anglers to other months. Great for dorado.
November - December	Striped marlin peak starts, blues return	Underrated window. Striped marlin in the 50 to 120 pound class show in numbers.

Why Los Suenos Produces Marlin Year-Round

Los Suenos Marina sits inside Herradura Bay on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, about 90 minutes from San Jose International Airport (SJO). The continental shelf drop-off starts 20 to 35 miles offshore, which means a 45 to 60 minute run puts you in blue water where marlin feed. On multi-day trips, our boats push 70 to 140 miles out to the FADs and seamounts, where marlin numbers can be a different level entirely.

That short run matters. On a full-day marlin fishing charter out of Los Suenos, you spend six-plus hours with lines in the water instead of burning half the day in transit.

January Through March: Tournament Season

The first quarter is when Los Suenos earns its reputation. The Los Suenos Triple Crown, running since 2004, holds one leg each in January, February, and March, drawing 40 to 50 boats per leg. The series has released more than 5,500 billfish over its history. Those numbers exist because the fish are here, blue marlin averaging 200 to 400 pounds along with the heaviest sailfish concentrations of the year.

If you want to fish during a tournament leg, book months ahead. The marina fills up and charter demand spikes. If you'd rather have the water to yourself, the weeks between legs fish nearly as well with less traffic.

June Through August: The Green Season Secret

Most first-timers don't realize blue marlin fishing turns back on in mid-summer. June through August brings a second blue marlin push, and it overlaps with the yellowfin tuna peak, when 200 to 300 pound fish show under the dolphin schools offshore. Rain typically falls in the afternoon, so mornings stay fishable. You'll also find better availability and softer travel prices than the winter peak.

November Through January: Striped Marlin Time

Striped marlin peak from November through January off Los Suenos. These fish run 50 to 120 pounds, lighter than blues, but they're fast, acrobatic, and often travel in groups, which means multiple hookups. November and December also see blue marlin returning ahead of the winter peak, so late-year trips regularly raise both species in a single day.

Every Marlin Is Released. Here's Why.

All billfish in Costa Rica, marlin and sailfish alike, are mandatory catch-and-release under INCOPESCA regulations, and circle hooks are required by law. Our crews fight fish hard, get them boatside fast, and release them healthy. It's the reason Los Suenos still posts world-leading billfish numbers two decades after the Triple Crown started. Every angler also needs an INCOPESCA fishing license, which runs $15 for a week or $30 for a month, and we handle that at booking.

Picking Your Month

1. January to March if you want peak blue marlin action and tournament-season energy. Book early.

2. June to August if you want the blue marlin second peak plus big tuna, with lighter crowds.

3. November to December if striped marlin are your target or you want strong fishing before peak-season pricing.

Whichever window you pick, conditions offshore change week to week. Water temperature breaks, bait concentration, and current lines move, and that's where 20 years of local knowledge earns its keep. The same current shifts that move marlin also fire up wahoo fishing out of Los Suenos, which is why mixed-species days are common on full-day trips.

Ready to Pick Your Dates?

Tell us the month you're thinking about and we'll tell you straight what the fishing looked like that same month last year. Contact Dream Boats CR or call +506 8361 6621 (CR) / +1 561 427 2137 (US) to check availability.

FAQ

What is the best month for marlin fishing at Los Suenos?

January through March is the strongest overall window, with blue marlin averaging 200 to 400 pounds and the Los Suenos Triple Crown tournament running one leg per month. November through December is the peak for striped marlin, and June through August brings a second blue marlin run.

Can you catch marlin year-round in Los Suenos?

Yes. Marlin are caught out of Los Suenos in every month. The continental shelf drop-off sits 20 to 35 miles offshore and holds bait year-round. Catch rates are highest January through March, June through August, and November through December.

What types of marlin are caught at Los Suenos?

Blue marlin, black marlin, and striped marlin. Blues average 200 to 400 pounds and bite best January through March and June through August. Striped marlin run 50 to 120 pounds and peak November through January. Black marlin are the rarest of the three but show in the same seasons as blues.

How far offshore do marlin trips go from Los Suenos?

Standard full-day charters run 20 to 35 miles to the continental shelf drop-off, about 45 to 60 minutes from Los Suenos Marina. Multi-day trips push 70 to 140 miles offshore to the FADs and seamounts, where marlin encounters increase significantly.

Can you keep a marlin caught in Costa Rica?

No. All billfish, including every marlin and sailfish species, are mandatory catch-and-release under Costa Rican INCOPESCA regulations. Circle hooks are required by law, and our crews use safe-handling releases at boatside so fish swim away healthy.

Are Los Suenos marlin charters suitable for beginners?

Yes. Our crews rig everything, coach you through the fight, and handle the release. First-timers land marlin on our boats every season. A full-day charter is the right trip length, since marlin water starts 20-plus miles offshore.