What to Bring on a Fishing Charter in Jaco

Most people bring too much on a fishing charter. You do not need a giant backpack, five rods, three tackle boxes, or a cooler full of things the boat already has. You need the right clothes, sun protection, a few personal items, and enough common sense to be ready when the captain says it is time to go.

A fishing charter in Jaco is hot, salty, wet, and bright. The deck gets wet. The sun comes up fast. The boat may leave before your hotel breakfast starts. If you are sensitive to motion, you need to plan before the morning of the trip.

Arrive 15 minutes early

If the trip leaves at 6:00am, do not arrive at 6:05. The captain already has the boat ready. Bait, ice, tackle, safety gear, drinks, and the plan are set. When guests arrive late, they lose the best part of the morning.

This matters even more in rainy season. The early hours are often the calmest and most productive. If you waste that window, the fish do not care.

Light long-sleeve clothing

Bring lightweight long sleeves. Some people want to fish shirtless because they are on vacation in Costa Rica. That is fine for a photo, but it is not smart for a full day in the sun.

The sun in Jaco is strong. On the water, it hits you from above and reflects back off the ocean and deck. A light long-sleeve fishing shirt keeps you cooler than you think and protects your arms.

Hat and sunglasses

Bring a hat. A cap is fine. A wide-brim hat is even better if you do not mind the look. The point is to keep sun off your face and neck.

Polarized sunglasses are a big help. They protect your eyes and make it easier to see surface activity, bait, birds, and sometimes fish color near the boat. If you bring expensive sunglasses, use a strap. The ocean has collected plenty of sunglasses from people who thought they did not need one.

Sunscreen

Bring sunscreen, preferably reef-safe. Put it on before you get to the boat. Then bring it with you so you can reapply. Do not wait until your shoulders are already burning.

Spray sunscreen is convenient, but be careful with it on the boat. It can make surfaces slippery and can get on gear. Lotion is better if you can use it cleanly.

Shoes for a wet deck

Wear closed, non-slip shoes if possible. The deck gets wet. Fish slime, saltwater, rain, bait, and washdown water all end up under your feet. Flip-flops are not ideal when a fish is on and people are moving around the boat.

You do not need heavy boots. Lightweight boat shoes, water shoes, or sneakers with good grip are fine. Hooks exist. The deck moves. A little protection is smart.

Seasickness medication

If you are sensitive to motion, take seasickness medicine the night before, not when you are already standing at the dock. A lot of guests make this mistake. They feel nervous in the morning, take Dramamine right before boarding, and then wonder why it does not help fast enough or why they feel sleepy.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before your trip if you are unsure what to take. Also eat something light. Do not show up with an empty stomach and three strong coffees. That is not a good setup.

Camera or GoPro

Bring a camera or GoPro if you care about photos. We help with photos. Captains and mates know how important the picture is. But your phone, camera, and GoPro are your responsibility.

Use a waterproof case or dry bag. Saltwater is not friendly to electronics. Keep your phone out of your pocket when things get wet and busy. For GoPro users, bring mounts, batteries, and memory cards.

Food and drinks

For our standard trips, the boat provides water and basic snacks. Full day trips include lunch on board. If you have special dietary needs, bring what you need or tell us ahead of time. Do not assume the boat has gluten-free, vegan, keto, or a specific brand of anything.

Bring extra personal snacks if you like to eat often. Simple is best. Sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, or light snacks are easier than messy food.

Alcohol

Do not bring excessive alcohol. A few beers can be fine depending on the trip, but too much alcohol on a fishing boat is a bad idea. The deck is wet, hooks are sharp, rods are under pressure, and the ocean is moving.

Do not bring your own fishing gear unless we talk first

You do not need to bring rods, reels, lures, hooks, or tackle. The boat has the gear needed for the trip. The captain sets up based on the target species, the season, and the day’s conditions.

If you are an experienced angler and want to bring a favorite popping rod, jigging setup, or fly gear, talk to us before the trip. We are not against it. We just need to know what you plan to do so the captain can prepare correctly.

Documents and paperwork

Bring basic ID and your payment method if there is a balance due. You do not need to bring a folder full of documents. If anything specific is needed for your trip, we will tell you before departure. Rules and requirements can change, so the best move is to ask us when you book.

What not to bring

• No glass bottles.
• No giant hard cooler unless approved.
• No excessive alcohol.
• No expensive jewelry you are afraid to lose.
• No full tackle bag unless we talked about it first.

Bryan’s best packing advice

The best thing you can bring is readiness. Be on time. Wear the right clothes. Take seasickness medicine early if you need it. Keep your phone dry. Listen to the captain and mate. Do not overpack.

If you are not sure what to bring for your specific trip, message us on WhatsApp before the charter. Tell us if you are doing half day, full day, inshore, offshore, standard boat from Herradura, or premium boat from Los Sueños Marina, and we will help you get ready without overthinking it.

What I keep seeing on the dock

The guests who have the best mornings are the ones who arrive simple and ready. Light clothes, sunscreen already on, phone in a dry bag, shoes with grip, and seasickness medicine handled before the trip if they need it. They step onto the boat relaxed, and the captain can leave on time.

The guests who struggle are usually the ones still organizing at departure. They are digging for sunscreen, asking where to put a huge bag, realizing their GoPro is dead, or taking Dramamine after the boat is already moving. None of that ruins a trip, but it starts the day behind. Fishing is better when the first hour is spent fishing, not fixing things that could have been handled at the hotel.

For a full day, I also like guests to bring a second dry shirt. It sounds small, but after hours of sun, spray, bait, and fish, changing into a clean shirt for the ride back feels good. Comfort keeps the group in a better mood, and a better mood makes the whole day smoother.