Crocodile Bay Resort

Lodging Details
Crocodile Bay Resort is Costa Rica’s finest sport fishing and eco-tour destination. The resort is situated on 44 acres of lush, tropical gardens on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast. The rooms at Crocodile Bay are a major upgrade from the screened-in, open-air fishing, and jungle lodges found at most resorts throughout the country. All rooms at Crocodile Bay feature A/C, purified water dispensers, fishing gear racks, an observation deck, and queen-sized beds. Some rooms include optional jacuzzi tubs and a second room. There are also a number of private villas perfect for family and group vacations.

The main Resort features a game room connected to the large bar area with cash slot machines, large TV, pool table, foosball, and lounge area. Wi-Fi access and guest computer workstations are available in the lobby. The Resort pool area is a great option for relaxing after a full day of fishing or jungle adventure. Pull up a cool seat at the swim-up bar for an exotic cocktail, or enjoy an evening seat in the elevated jacuzzi for a bird’s-eye view of the scarlet macaws and other wildlife in the surrounding jungle trees. The jungle sounds are intense in the evening and provide the ultimate soundtrack for truly enjoying your vacation and forgetting the stress of everyday life.

The Resort’s 5,000-square-foot luxury spa offers guests six private massage rooms, a locker room, a shower area, and a spacious relaxation room. Crocodile Bay’s conference center is ideal for group meetings, conferences, private gatherings, and more. The facility has audio/video equipment, internet access, restaurant service, and air conditioning. If you are looking for an intimate setting to host your family or group vacation, then this is hands-down the best operation in all of Costa Rica. The resort has a number of 2,600 square-foot private villas that are close to the resort but secluded enough to provide increased privacy. They are a short walk from the restaurant area and situated away from the standard rooms and suites.

Food and Beverages
Crocodile Bay Resort offers three restaurants onsite and meal plans are available for your stay. Alternatively you can order a la carte off the menus at the resort or dine in the nearby town of Puerto Jimenez.

Typical Length of Stay
You may arrive and depart Crocodile Bay Resort any day of the week and arrange packages for any number of nights (minimum stay of 3 nights) or any number of fishing days. Please contact Yellow Dog for details.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
Crocodile Bay is not just about the fishing! The resort’s Eco-Tour Department offers 29 privately guided eco and adventure tours in Costa Rica’s most biologically intense region. With over 350 bird species (including scarlet macaws and toucans) and countless mammal species (including all four species of indigenous monkeys, sloths, jaguars, and tapirs), the Osa Peninsula is one of the few regions in Costa Rica where one can witness a diverse array of flora and fauna in a small area and a short amount of time.

Tours include kayaking, rainforest canopy tours, snorkeling, visits to animal sanctuaries, botanical gardens, surfing, birdwatching, horseback riding, gulf tours (to spot spinner dolphin, humpback whales, pilot whales, whale sharks, and the occasional orca), and more. In the morning near the pier, it is not uncommon to see large troops of white-faced monkeys picking the trees clean of fruits, and howler monkeys dining on leaves or taking a nap. If you’re a plant lover you’ll see some of Central America’s most amazing tropical flowers, plants, and trees right on the resort grounds. There are two large walk-in butterfly habitats that allow you to experience over 50 varieties of Costa Rica’s most amazing butterfly species.

Crocodile Bay also has a 5,000-square-foot luxury spa, making this a GREAT destination for a non-angling spouse.

Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi is available free of charge for Resort guests. Please bring your own laptop or PDA to access the internet. Some cell phones may work in the area as well.

How To Get There
If you purchase the Crocodile Bay Resort transfer package (which we recommend and can easily arrange for you), a driver will be waiting for you directly outside the San Jose International Airport (SJO) departure doors with a Crocodile Bay sign. Depending on your time of international arrival and departure into/from Costa Rica, we may be able to eliminate the need for any overnights in San Jose. The last flight to the Resort during the high season (Dec 1 – April 20) departs at 3:15 PM and in the low season (April 21 – Nov 30) departs at 10:45 AM. You would need to arrive into San Jose (SJO) two hours prior to those departure times to make the flight to Crocodile Bay Lodge. From Puerto Jimenez (Crocodile Bay Resort) back to San Jose, the earliest flight departs at 7:00 AM and arrives into San Jose at approximately 8:10 AM year-round. If your connecting flight back to the states departs after 11:00 AM, you will be able to avoid a night in San Jose on your final night. From December 1st to April 20th, the last flight back to San Jose departs at 4:30 PM each day. It is possible to fish from 7:00 AM until 3:15 PM, a regular fishing day, before you depart Crocodile Bay Resort in the afternoon.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Guests can arrive to and depart from Crocodile Bay on any day of the week, based on the transfer times and schedules listed above.

Documents Required
A valid passport is required for all visitors to Costa Rica and must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the duration of your stay.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.

Travel Tools
- Travel Insurance
- Moon Phases
- Airline Ticketing
- Rent This Rod
- Global Rescue Membership

General Information
World-class, catch-and-release fishing in the Pacific Ocean for sailfish, striped, blue and black marlin, dorado, tuna, and wahoo. Guests also have access to the productive in-shore fishing in the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) for roosterfish, cubera snapper, Jack Crevalle, bluefin trevally, sierra mackerel, tripletail, and grouper.

Offshore Costa Rica Fishing Species

Marlin — The “lady in the blue dress,” or blue marlin, is the most common Costa Rican marlin and can be found in the area’s cobalt waters throughout the year. Numbers peak in November and December as well as March and April. Black marlin are most abundant in July and August with a few striped marlin also around at the same time.

Sailfish — Sailfish are present year-round and a half dozen hook-ups are common almost any day of the year. From November to May the numbers increase and days of 12 fish or more are common.

Dorado — Any day of the year, most commonly January through May and very abundant November and December.

Tuna — Yellowfin is the main species. The big boys (100 to 300 pounds) can test you any day of the year. If you are lucky enough to come across a school of porpoises offshore, the big tuna swim with them and feed on the same baitfish. Football-sized tuna hang around floating debris or peak in schools in July and August and November and December.

Inshore Fishing at Crocodile Bay

Roosterfish — Twenty-five to fifty-pound fish are very common, and each week, the Resort’s fleet usually catches a few roosterfish weighing 50 pounds or more. The Resort record for roosterfish is 106 pounds.

Snapper — There are a dozen different kinds of snapper in the area, with the cubera being the top dog. They average about 15 to 20 pounds with the biggest landed to date being 63 pounds.

Grouper — Bottom fish such as the Broomtail grouper and the Goliath grouper are available throughout the year and are pretty tasty.

Others — Other species caught inshore include but are not limited to: barracuda, several types of jacks, snook, bonito, mackerel, African pompano, bluefin trevally, rainbow runners, sharks, and more.

Boats and Equipment
Crocodile Bay’s fleet of 40 boats, easily accessed from the resort’s 850-foot private pier, includes 24-foot center consoles, 27-foot offshore center consoles, 32-foot, and 33-foot tower boats, plus the 35-foot owner’s tower boat. There is a tackle shop that is fully stocked with all the necessary gear and equipment.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. Since there are so many different packages and fishing options available through Crocodile Bay Resort, we suggest that you call Yellow Dog at 888-777-5060 for a full breakdown of package rates, fishing package options, and details. All trips can be fully customized by Yellow Dog.

What’s Included:

• Number of nights lodging
• Number of days of guided off-shore or in-shore fishing as specified in your package
• Costa Rican fishing license
• Use of all fishing gear (rods and reels)
• English speaking crew
• Soft drinks and bottled water
• Daily happy hour buffet
• Wi-Fi access
• Daily cooler for the boat with sandwiches and beer and soft drinks



*Depending on your package, you may also want to include the Crocodile Bay Resort transfer package from San Jose, which we recommend and can easily arrange for you.

What’s Not Included:

• International flights to San Jose
• Domestic flight from San Jose to resort
• Any overnights or other costs in San Jose
• Gratuities for staff and guides
• Round-trip ground transportation
• Local liquor, local beer, and local wine
• Travel insurance

Crocodile Bay Resort (Costa Rica)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A minimum deposit of $1,500.00 per person is required at the time of confirmation of booking, and final balance is due 90 days prior to scheduled arrival at Crocodile Bay Resort. For all cancellations, written notice must be sent to and received by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. A refund of the deposit less a cancellation fee of $150.00 per person to Crocodile Bay Resort and a $100.00 cancellation fee to Yellow Dog will be issued if written notice of cancellation is received outside of 90 days prior to scheduled arrival. No refund or trip credit will be given for trips cancelled inside of 90 days from start of trip, regardless of reason. Because of the operator’s cancellation policies, we highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. In no event will Crocodile Bay Resort be responsible for any cancellation of services or operations due to inclement weather, any event of force majeure, airline delays or flight cancellations, or any other reason beyond the control of the lodge. If your flights are cancelled and connections are missed, Crocodile Bay Resort is not responsible for alternative travel arrangements including flights, hotels, meals and any other expenses incurred. If a cancelled package is resold by either the resort or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be issued minus a $100.00 per person cancellation fee charged by Yellow Dog. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Once again, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance these Costa Rican packages.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT. 

"This was the fishing trip of a lifetime! In three days of off shore fishing we had 2 Costa Rica slams (marlin, sail, dorado and tuna).  Before the trip, our sons came up with their trip “wish list.”  With the help of Diego, Melvin and  Olemar, EVERY item on their list happened….
Hook and land a sail on the fly. Everyone lands a sail. Hook and land a marlin (we did it twice!). Catch dorado and tuna on the fly (we did it so often, it was exhausting). Catch a rooster fish (we caught 8). Catch a Cubera (we caught 5). Yellow Dog and Crocodile Bay gave our family memories that will last a lifetime!" - Leslie P.

“Nice variety of fish, I actually think the inshore (nearshore) fishing at Crocodile steals the show. Always something that can be caught not too far from the shore. Lodge fishes long days, boats leave at 6:30am back at the dock by 3:30-4pm, which is nice. Leaves plenty of time to work fishing grounds over really good.” – Matt N.