Costa Rica does not really have four seasons, it has two: dry season and green season, sometimes called the rainy season. Both are fishable out of Quepos, but they feel different on the water, and knowing what to expect helps set the right expectations for a trip.
Dry Season: December Through April
Dry season brings consistent sunshine, calmer seas, and the least chance of a trip getting rained out. It also happens to overlap with peak sailfish and marlin season, which is why this stretch is the busiest booking window of the year out of Marina Pez Vela. Anglers who want the most predictable weather alongside the best offshore action should aim for this window and book well ahead.
Green Season: May Through November
Green season brings more frequent rain, usually in afternoon bursts rather than all-day downpours, and it is when the central Pacific coast turns lush and green, hence the name. Mornings are often clear, which lines up well with charter departure times, and afternoon showers can move in after most trips are already back at the dock.
This is also dorado and continued marlin season, and the crew still fishes daily throughout these months. Rates and availability can be more flexible during this stretch since it sees less tourist traffic overall.
How Weather Affects a Charter Day
Regardless of season, the crew prioritizes safety first. If conditions turn unsafe on a given day, Legacy Fishing Costa Rica will work with guests to reschedule during their stay rather than push forward into bad weather. Quick-moving afternoon squalls during green season rarely affect a morning departure, but longer trips or multi-day charters on Costa Bella are planned with that day's forecast in mind.
Which Season Is Right for Your Trip
If predictable weather and peak billfish season matter most, book December through April and plan early since dates fill up. If flexibility, fewer crowds, and a shot at dorado sound better, green season from May through November is a solid, often overlooked option, and the fishing does not slow down nearly as much as the weather change might suggest.
Neither season is a bad time to fish out of Quepos, they just deliver a different kind of trip. Matching the season to what matters most, weather, crowds, or a specific species, is the real planning decision.
