Fishing license requirements in Central America

[Sailor Deb]

We are cruising down the Pacific Coast of Central America in November/December. Will we be required to have a fishing license for each country if we throw a line in the water?

[dridas]

Where are you cruising from? If I remember correctly, yes, you have to get a Mexico fishing license, but they are relatively inexpensive. ($60 USD / year)

If you are cruising or stopping by San Diego, Oceanside, Dana Point, most of the charter boat fishing places will set you up with a license for Mexico.

Good Luck and safe travels.

[Sailor Deb]

Currently the proud owner of a mexican fishing license in Puerto Vallarta. Looking for feedback for Central America. Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras.

[MYTraveler]

Originally Posted by Sailor Deb

We are cruising down the Pacific Coast of Central America in November/December. Will we be required to have a fishing license for each country if we throw a line in the water?

I don't know the answer to your question but caution you that the rules may be even more restrictive than you may think. In Mexico, for example (and I see below that you have Mexican licenses, so I offer this only as an example), even if you don't actually wet a line, if you have any fishing tackle on board (which apparently means so much as a fishing hook), everyone on board is required to have a license. That at least used to include new born babies.

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Mexico's neighbors are equally restrictive -- there seems to be some competition / pride (in not being taken advantage of by gringos fishing for free) in that regard.

[Sea Life]

I worried about the same thing when we came down through. We are on the Caribbean side though. We have not had a license yet, never asked for one etc.....It took me a while to be OK with it, but all the cruisers here don't worry at all. Offshore, no one stops you, even spearfishing, I have never seen a law enforcement boat. Only worry might be showing up with fresh fish in reffer during customs/agriculture inspection. They tend to like USDA packaging. Not saying it is legal or right....just my experience overcoming the same worries. Currently in Panama