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Silver King Lodge

Rio Colorado
Caribbean Costa Rica


Most anglers associate Costa Rica with the Pacific Ocean or rolling around twenty miles out looking for billfish and other pelagics. Most people don’t realize that some of the world’s biggest and most frequently boated tarpon and snook are found on the Caribbean side of this wonderful country. Silver King Lodge is located on the northern edge of Costa Rica close to the border of Nicaragua. The lodge and fishery are situated in the second largest rainforest preserve in Central America known as the Barra Del Colorado, only thirty minutes by air from the capital city of San Juan. Dense tropical jungle and an exotic wildlife surround the beautiful Silver King facility providing an interesting and unique venue unlike most traditional tarpon fishing destinations. The lodge itself is a short boat run from the Caribbean Sea on the Rio Colorado, and has earned its reputation as Costa Rica’s most luxurious and well-serviced fishing lodge. With dozens of articles recently written about the operation, Silver King has also become perhaps the “hottest” and most talked about tarpon fishing destination in recent years. Whether your dream is to land a giant 120-200 lb. Tarpon, canoe virgin rainforest rivers, view wildlife in the jungle or just relax next to the swimming pool, Silver King Lodge offers more amenities and adventure options than any other lodge in the area.


As mentioned the predominant species sought after by most clients at the Silver King Lodge are tarpon and snook. Fishing for these species occurs in both the Rio Colorado proper as well as in the Caribbean Sea. The vast majority of this fishing is done in the ocean except during the months of January – March when tarpon move into the river to spawn. Silver King Lodge is the place for those anglers looking to hook into a seriously large tarpon. Nearly every angler we have sent to Silver King has landed fish over one hundred pounds, with a few bruisers busting the one hundred and fifty mark. Fishing for all species can be done with both a fly rod as well as conventional equipment and certain guides are well versed in the techniques required to have success on the fly. All conventional equipment is provided by the lodge excluding lures, which are for sale at the lodge once guests arrive. Huge snook at the river mouths are also a part of the Silver King experience on both a fly and on conventional equipment. In the months of December and January the "calba" or fat snook migrate up the rivers to spawn. These snook can be caught in great numbers in just a few hours. They are not as big as normal snook ranging in weight from six to ten pounds but fight just as hard. Other species caught regularly are barracuda, african pompano, jack crevalle, spanish mackerel, and cubera snapper.

The fishing schedule is very flexible but does follow some general parameters to maximize the best times of the day to fish and to keep guests comfortable. Guests are awakened at approximately 5:00AM for breakfast at 5:30AM. After fishing the morning, anglers return to the lodge for lunch and a siesta around 11:00AM and are back on the water for the afternoon session around 1:30PM and fish until 5:00PM. Dinner is served around 6:30PM. The lunch break creates a great time to relax and have a complete meal during the hottest hours of the day.

Another exciting aspect of the Silver King Lodge program is the jungle fishing available. Literally dozens of different species are found here and will readily take a fly or lure. Anglers may fish guided in a Carolina Skiff or explore on their own in a canoe cruising the peaceful backwaters of the jungle with the moneys and toucans in search of several species including the tarpon, calba, mojarra, machaca and the elusive guapote. Most of these jungle fish are taken on bass poppers, are hard fighting, and very reliable and consistent. Guided jungle fishing is done on Carolina Skiffs that have flat bottoms with two small keels for stability. Due to the nature of fishing skinny water these boats have proven themselves as safe and secure platforms for fighting anything from pan fish to river tarpon.

Silver King Lodge has ten new deep V center console boats to fish the open waters for the mighty SILVER KING. These boats are 23' with an out bracket holding 150 horse power 1996 Yamaha outboards. Each boat is equipped with comfortable seats, leaning posts, sturdy grab rails, 25 watt two way radios, and all standard safety equipment. These are the fastest, safest, and best equipped boats on the east coast of Costa Rica. Guests also have the choice of spending a day offshore at no extra charge in search of species such as wahoo, tuna, atlantic sailfish, and dorado.

Anglers should not expect to be sight casting to tarpon or snook, as most of the fly-fishing is done to rolling fish or casting blindly with sinking lines. This is not the place for the fly angler who expects a highly visual, Florida Keys type of experience. However, hookup rates for fly anglers are quite high and the average sized fish is phenomenal. Fly-rodders should not be intimidated or get the impression that Silver King Lodge is not a fly-fishing friendly destination. Many of the world’s moat experienced tarpon anglers regularly visit Silver King Lodge with a 14 weight in hand and will testify that the guides, boats, and fishing program is set up very well for fly casters.


Silver King Lodge is without the most luxurious fishing lodge in the east coast of Costa Rica. All of our clients at Silver King have commented on the beauty and comfort of the lodging and the quality of the service at the lodge. Guests stay in individual cabanas separated and situated alongside the river and amongst the canopy of rainforest. Rooms are over 450 square feet with two queen size beds, rod racks, and walk in closets. The rooms boast twelve-foot ceilings, are beautifully finished out, and are constructed of wild cane, native tongue, and groove hard woods. The bathrooms are fully tiled, well appointed, and each room has its own hot water heater, full time 110-volt electricity, and coffee maker for those early risers. Although most guests don’t feel it necessary, currently half of all guests cabanas are equipped with newly installed air-conditioning.

Meals are another highlight of the Silver King Lodge operation. An extended menu of beautifully prepared cuisine is served buffet style in the main restaurant for each sitting. An amazing variety of seafood including fresh tuna, lobster, and mahi mahi are served regularly with other choices such as steak and prime rib or several styles of chicken and pastas. Fresh fruit and bread is heaped onto the buffet with each meal, the desserts are spectacular, and an open bar is available at all times. The menu is too extensive to list everything offered and all meals are all you can eat. Don’t plan on visiting Silver King is you are hoping to lose weight on your fishing trip!

The culture at Silver King Lodge is built on keeping guests comfortable. Whether it is the shaded hammocks set up during siesta hour, or the full service open bar with satellite TV and radio, anglers at Silver King are always taken care of. A beautiful, clean pool and Jacuzzi are available on the property as well as two full time professional masseuses to take advantage of after yanking on that monster tarpon all day long. A well-stocked tackle shop is also on the premises that offers locally tied flies and lures in addition to forgotten items such as sunglasses and sunscreen. An internet salon is open twenty four hours for those work-a-holics who need to check email and check on the news back home.


20 Anglers in 10 double occupancy Guest Cabanas


Guests at Silver King Lodge travel to San Jose, Costa Rica the day before the first day of fishing. There are daily direct flights from the southern U.S. including Dallas/Ft. Worth and Miami. Upon arrival into San Jose, guests are met and transferred to the Holiday Inn and spend the night. Early the following morning anglers are returned to the domestic terminal of the airport and assisted onboard a charter or local airline for the thirty minute flight to Barra Del Colorado and start the first full day of fishing. On departure days, anglers usually depart Silver King Lodge around 9:00AM and can easily travel all the way home in one day.


Day 1
Depart home city for San Jose, Costa Rica. Guests are met and assisted to the Holiday Inn hotel for overnight.

Day 2
Early in the morning anglers are picked up and returned to the domestic terminal at the airport for the thirty-minute flight to the lodge. After breakfast, anglers are usually fishing by 8:00AM on the day of arrival.

Day 3-4
The remaining two fishing days begin early. Guests are awakened at approximately 5:00AM for breakfast at 5:30AM. After fishing the morning, anglers return to the lodge for lunch and a siesta around 11:00AM and are back on the water for the afternoon session around 1:30PM and fish until 5:00PM. Dinner is served around 6:30PM.

Day 5
Guests follow the same morning schedule on departure day, only are returned to the Barra Del Colorado airstrip for the charter flight back to San Jose and a connection home to the U.S.


There are a few parameters to consider when scheduling a trip to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Silver King Lodge is closed the months of July, August, and December because of typically heavy rains during this time frame. January - March are perhaps the most popular times to visit the area because of the chance of tarpon found in the river and closer to the mouth of the Rio Colorado preparing to spawn. However, some anglers feel that there are larger fish found in the fall months of September, October and November. Temperatures are quite consistently in the mid eighties throughout the season, and rain showers can occur at any time.


Although fishing is the predominant organized activity at Silver King Lodge, non-angling guests are very welcome to tag along. The swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and masseuses are favorites for many non-angling companions. Photographers are in paradise on the Rio Colorado with the zillion photographic opportunities around every corner. Interested parties are amazed by the immense array of bird and reptile life found in the area surrounding the lodge. Silver King can arrange eco-tours and provide some insight into the jungle and its flora and fauna while the rest of the party is out fishing. Non-anglers are also welcome to hop into a canoe and explore on their own.


2009 RATES

Double Occupancy/Shared Guide

The basic fishing package with Silver King Lodge is a three night / three day adventure.

January 1 – March 1st ……….…………………………………..$1925 per person

March 1st – June 10th ………….. ……….……………………..$2045 per person

September 1st – November 10th ………….. ……….………….$2195 per person

*** $325 per extra day of fishing
*** Single anglers are charged a 25% surcharge


Three full days of fishing (inshore or offshore); Three nights accommodations , meals, and domestic beverages at Silver King Lodge; Round trip air travel to/from San Jose and the Silver King Lodge; Laundry Service; All conventional fishing rods and reels


Airfare to San Jose, Costa Rica; Hotel stay at the Holiday Inn in San Jose ($100 per room); Personal travel expenses; Meals or expenses while in San Jose; All tarpon lures and flies available for sale at lodge; Fishing Licenses; Airport departure taxes; Gratuities for fishing and tour operators; Housekeeping; Imported liquors


Please note that Tailwaters Travel is subject to the cancellation policies of the guides and lodges which it represents. Silver King Lodge requires a fifty percent deposit at the time of booking in order to confirm reservations. Written notice of cancellation is required at least 60 days prior to your departure to receive a refund of deposit less a 10% cancellation fee. Cancellation within 60 days will result in full loss of applicable land and commercial air costs- no refund will be made unless replacement clients are provided. No refunds will be issued for unused land/air/fishing arrangements included in cost. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation/refund/responsibility clause.

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