Marlin Invitational Fishing Contest in Quepos on 10 December

RT

Ask Rio Times

Latin American culture, food and life.

Ask

Open the full Ask Rio Times →

RTAsk Rio TimesWhat to do, where to go in Rio de Janeiro›

COSTA RICA · SPORT FISHING

The Marlin Invitational is a fishing contest for teams that hunt marlin, a large game fish, off Quepos, Costa Rica, in December 2026. Marina Pez Vela, the marina that hosts it, lists entry at US$500 plus 13% per team.

For a US angler, the Marlin Invitational is a ready-made Pacific fishing trip with set rules, a start time and an awards night. For everyone else, it is a dated reason to visit the Quepos coast.

What the Tournament Is and Why It Matters

The marina calls the Marlin Invitational a two-day IGFA Marlin Team Tournament. The IGFA, short for International Game Fish Association, is the body that sets worldwide rules for sport fishing.

Teams win by scoring the most documented marlin releases in their division. A release means the fish is brought to the boat and let go alive, and the crew must prove it on video.

Each blue, black or striped marlin released scores 500 points, according to the marina’s unofficial rules. The top three teams in each division win awards, and there are separate prizes for the Top Angler and the Top Lady Angler.

The two divisions are Omni Sonar boats and Non-Sonar boats, and the page says there is no limit on boat size. It does not say how a boat qualifies for either division, so ask the organisers before you enter.

The marina lists the Marlin Invitational among many events at Quepos, including a billfish tournament on 14 to 17 January 2027. The marina also reports that its January 2026 tournament drew 117 teams from 14 countries.

Our <a href=”https://www.riotimesonline.com/costa-rica-sports-activities-events/”>Costa Rica Sports Guide</a> shows where fishing fits among Costa Rica’s sports. Our <a href=”https://www.riotimesonline.com/expat-cities/san-jose/”>San José expat guide</a> covers the capital.

Schedule, Entry and Rules

On Thursday 10 December the Marlin Invitational opens with final registration and a captain’s meeting at 7:00 in the evening. At least one team representative must attend the meeting, according to the unofficial rules.

The marina’s event page gives the registration window as 2:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon. Its rules page says 3:00 to 6:30, so confirm the window before you travel.

On Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December the check-out desk opens at 5:30 in the morning. Boats may leave at 6:00, lines go in the water at 7:30 and lines come out at 3:30 in the afternoon.

Video check-in runs from 3:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon, and the awards ceremony follows on Saturday at 7:30 in the evening. All times are Costa Rica time, which is one hour behind New York in December.

The general entry fee for the Marlin Invitational is US$500 plus 13%, which comes to US$565 if the 13% is added once. The page does not explain the 13%, though it matches the standard sales tax rate in Costa Rica.

The Marlin Invitational fee covers a team of one to six anglers and includes nine VIP passes: six for anglers and three for crew. It does not include the boat charter, which you pay separately for each fishing day.

At the Marlin Invitational, line is limited to 50-pound test, the leader to 30 feet, and rods to the 50-pound class. Costa Rican law requires non-offset circle hooks for billfish when natural bait is used, according to the rules.

The Marlin Invitational fishing area stretches 50 nautical miles from the marina jetty, and every boat must start and finish at Marina Pez Vela. The rules say fishing is at each team’s own risk, and no weather committee exists to call off a day.

Where the Boats Leave From

Marina Pez Vela is in Quepos, a Pacific port town in Puntarenas province. The marina’s site gives coordinates, 9° 25′ 35″ N and 84° 10′ 22″ W, but no street address or directions.

Quepos is the nearest town to Manuel Antonio National Park, which has its own rules. The marina’s site says nothing about parking or hotels, so call +506 2774 9000 or, from the US, 1-866-739-8352.

The marina lists radio channel 69 for emergencies and the tournament runs on channel 21. These matter mainly to captains, but they show how closely the event is organised.

Check our <a href=”https://www.riotimesonline.com/costa-rica-weather-and-climate-guide-2026/”>Costa Rica Weather and Climate Guide 2026</a> before you pack for the Pacific coast. Our <a href=”https://www.riotimesonline.com/costa-rica-travel-guide-costs/”>Costa Rica Travel Costs 2026 for US Visitors</a> has price benchmarks in US$.

Tips for US and Foreign Visitors

US citizens may stay up to 180 days without a visa, though officials need not grant that much, says the US State Department. A return ticket is required, and the department asks for one blank passport page per entry stamp.

The State Department advises Americans to exercise increased caution in Costa Rica because of crime. Petty crime is the main threat to tourists, and violent crime also occurs.

The same advisory says the government provides extra security in tourist areas. Leave valuables at the hotel, and never leave bags in a parked car at the marina or the beach.

Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays and open Wednesday to Monday, from 7:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. Foreign adults pay US$16 plus sales tax, and tickets are sold only on the park’s website.

The awards night on Saturday ends the Marlin Invitational weekend, so the park is a natural Sunday outing. Sunday 13 December is an open day at the park.

Fishing from a boat in Costa Rica needs a sport fishing licence from the national fisheries institute, called Incopesca. Its website offers an English application, but the fee and any charter cover are not stated there.

The US Embassy in San José is open for emergencies on +506 2519-2000, with an after-hours line at +506 2220-3127. Make sure your health insurance covers you abroad, since hospitals often want payment upfront.

For flights, see <a href=”https://www.riotimesonline.com/new-us-flights-to-costa-rica-high-season-2026/”>new US flights</a> and the <a href=”https://www.riotimesonline.com/united-dulles-liberia-costa-rica-nonstop-2026/”>United nonstop</a>. For a longer stay, read our <a href=”https://www.riotimesonline.com/costa-rica-digital-nomad-visa-2026/”>Digital Nomad Visa</a> guide.

What Is Not Confirmed Yet

The marina does not say how many teams have entered the Marlin Invitational, and the registration page shows no team count. It also does not say whether the public can watch the weigh-in, the video check-in or the awards night.

The marina’s two pages disagree on the Thursday registration window, and its prize list does not add up. The stated all-in totals are US$17,650 and US$11,390, but the listed lines add to US$16,500 and US$10,500, so we quote none.

The marina does not publish boat charter prices, the exact sonar rule, minimum sizes, or fight-time limits. It also does not state whether sailfish score points, since sailfish run through a separate jackpot.

We found no start of public ticket sales, because this is an entry event for teams, not a ticketed show. Ask the marina whether guests may buy a place at the awards night.

More: Costa Rica news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Marlin Invitational in Quepos?

The tournament runs from Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 December 2026 at Marina Pez Vela. Fishing takes place on Friday 11 and Saturday 12, and awards follow on Saturday evening.

How much does it cost to enter?

The marina lists US$500 plus 13% per team of one to six anglers. The daily boat charter is not included, and the marina does not publish charter prices.

Do US citizens need a visa to go?

No, US citizens need no visa for tourist stays of up to 180 days, according to the US State Department. A return ticket is required, and officials can grant a shorter stay.

Sources: Marina Pez Vela, Marlin Invitational 2026 (event page: dates, schedule, entry fee, divisions), accessed 29 October 2026; Marina Pez Vela, Marlin Invitational 2026 unofficial rules, accessed 29 October 2026; Marina Pez Vela, tournaments calendar, accessed 29 October 2026; Marina Pez Vela, contact (phone numbers, VHF channel, coordinates), accessed 29 October 2026; Marina Pez Vela, report on the January 2026 offshore tournament (teams, countries), accessed 29 October 2026; Marlin Invitational live scoring and registration system, accessed 29 October 2026; US State Department, Costa Rica Travel Advisory, accessed 29 October 2026; US State Department, Costa Rica country information (entry, health, embassy), accessed 29 October 2026; SINAC, Manuel Antonio National Park (opening days, fees), accessed 29 October 2026; Incopesca, national fisheries institute (sport fishing licence), accessed 29 October 2026.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief