Fishing in Mexico is world class on both coasts, and for most travelers the easiest trip to plan is a private charter on the Caribbean side, where deep blue water starts about 15 minutes from Puerto Aventuras Marina. Private boats run 3 to 8 hours from $450 for the whole boat, with gear, bait, licences, drinks and snacks included.
This guide is for planning a fishing trip in Mexico as part of a vacation: where the main fishing regions are, why so many families and groups pick the Riviera Maya, what a trip costs in 2026, whether you need a licence, and what to pack.
Quick answer: fly into Cancún, stay anywhere between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, and book a private charter out of Puerto Aventuras Marina. You get short runs to deep water, fish that bite all year, and the rest of your trip for beaches, cenotes and ruins.
Where to go fishing in Mexico
Mexico has two long coastlines and some great lakes, and every region has its own style. Here's the short version of the big three:
Baja and the Sea of Cortez
Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are legendary for striped marlin, dorado, tuna and roosterfish. A fantastic choice if Baja is already your vacation spot.
The Pacific coast
Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay, Mazatlán and Zihuatanejo have big sailfish and tuna runs, and friendly charter fleets of their own.
The Caribbean coast
Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and Tulum sit beside a reef that drops off fast into deep water, so the blue water is very close to shore.
Inland, lakes like El Salto and Baccarac draw serious bass anglers too. All of these are great trips. The difference is how much travel it takes and what else you want to do while you're there. If your group wants fishing to be one great day inside a beach vacation, the Caribbean side is hard to beat.
Why the Riviera Maya works so well for a Mexico fishing vacation
- Short runs, more fishing. The shelf drops off close to the beach, so you're trolling in deep water about 15 minutes after leaving the dock instead of running for an hour.
- Something bites all year. The water is warm in every month, so there's always a target, from sailfish and mahi mahi to barracuda and snapper on the reef.
- Easy to get to. Cancún airport has direct flights from most of the US and Canada, and Puerto Aventuras is about an hour south.
- Great for mixed groups. Anglers get a real fishing day, and everyone else can snorkel the reef on the same trip, then spend the rest of the week on the beach.
- A private boat for your group. Every Fish Riviera Maya charter is 100% private, with an English-speaking captain and mate.
Staying further north? Our guide to fishing in Cancún covers the drive down, and fishing in Playa del Carmen and fishing in Tulum cover the two most popular bases.
What you can catch fishing in Mexico's Caribbean
In the blue water the headline fish are sailfish, blue and white marlin, mahi mahi, tuna and wahoo. Along the reef you'll find barracuda, kingfish, bonito, amberjack and snapper, which are fun on lighter tackle and great for kids.
Billfish peak in spring and early summer, with May and June the best months. Mahi mahi are strongest from spring into summer, and wahoo like the cooler months. For month by month detail, see the Riviera Maya fishing calendar. If you're chasing one fish in particular, our species guides go deeper: marlin and sailfish, mahi mahi and tuna.
The crew will clean and bag the fish you keep, and they make fresh ceviche on board from your catch, with guacamole on the side.
What a Mexico fishing trip costs in 2026
Prices are for the whole private boat, not per person, in US dollars:
| Boat | Guests | 3 hrs | 4 hrs | 6 hrs | 8 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32' Blackfin | Up to 6 | $450 | $550 | $750 | $1,000 |
| 38' Luhrs Express | Up to 10 | $670 | $750 | $1,050 | $1,150 |
| 45' Viking Express | Up to 15 | $700 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,450 |
Add a $15 per person dock fee. Licences, tackle, bait, snorkel gear, ice, water, soft drinks, fruit, chips, guacamole and ceviche are all included, and 6 and 8 hour trips add ham and cheese sandwiches. Want beer or margaritas? You can bring your own drinks, or add them from the extras menu (unlimited margaritas are $30 per person).
For four people on the Blackfin for four hours, that's about $150 each including the dock fee. Compare all three boats on the boats page.
Getting to the boat
Private, air-conditioned roundtrip transport can be added to your booking. Sample prices:
| Pickup from | 1 to 6 guests | 1 to 14 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Playa del Carmen | $160 | $200 |
| Tulum | $180 | $200 |
| Tulum hotel zone | $220 | $240 |
| Puerto Morelos | $200 | $240 |
How to plan your fishing trip in Mexico
- Pick your base. Playa del Carmen is about 20 minutes from the marina, Akumal and Tulum are a bit further south, and Cancún is around an hour away.
- Choose your hours. Four hours suits most families and first timers. Book six or eight if billfish are the goal, since that gives the crew time to work the deeper water.
- Size the boat to your group. The Blackfin is perfect for up to 6, the Luhrs for up to 10 and the Viking for up to 15.
- Fish early in your trip. If weather moves a day, you still have room to reschedule.
- Hold the date. A 30% deposit secures your charter, with the balance paid at the pier. If weather cancels and no new date works, the deposit is refunded in full.
Check availability
Pick your date, group size and trip length. We confirm by email, usually within 24 hours.
Do you need a fishing licence in Mexico?
Yes. Mexico requires a sport fishing licence to fish from a boat, and the rules can apply to everyone on board when gear is in the water. If you're on a charter, the good news is that it's handled for you. Licences are included on every Fish Riviera Maya trip, so there's nothing to buy or print before you go.
What to pack for a fishing day
- Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Polarized glasses help you spot fish and weed lines.
- A light long sleeve shirt for sun cover in the afternoon.
- Seasickness tablets if anyone is prone to it. Take them before you leave the dock.
- Swimsuit and a towel for the snorkel stop. Masks and fins are on board.
- A small cooler bag if you want to take fillets back to your kitchen.
- Cash for the dock fee and a tip for the crew.
There's no need to bring rods or tackle. The boats carry everything from heavy trolling gear to light reef rods, plus fresh bait. For more on what the day looks like out on the deep water, read our deep sea fishing guide, or see every trip option on the private charters page.
Your Mexico fishing trip, sorted
Private charters from Puerto Aventuras. Blue water in 15 minutes, licences and gear included.
Check AvailabilityFrequently asked questions
Where is the best fishing in Mexico?
Baja (Cabo San Lucas and La Paz), the Pacific coast and the Caribbean coast are all excellent. On the Caribbean side, the Riviera Maya is popular because deep blue water is about 15 minutes from Puerto Aventuras Marina and fish bite all year.
Do I need a fishing licence to fish in Mexico?
Yes, you need a Mexican sport fishing licence to fish from a boat. Licences are included on every Fish Riviera Maya charter, so there's nothing to buy before you go.
How much does a fishing trip in Mexico cost?
Private charters from Puerto Aventuras start at $450 for the whole boat for 3 hours on the 32' Blackfin and run to $1,450 for 8 hours on the 45' Viking, plus a $15 per person dock fee.
What fish can you catch in Mexico's Caribbean?
Sailfish, blue and white marlin, mahi mahi, tuna and wahoo in the deep water, plus barracuda, kingfish, bonito, amberjack and snapper on the reef. Billfish are released.
When is the best time to go fishing in the Riviera Maya?
Something is biting all year. Billfish peak in May and June, mahi mahi are strongest from spring into summer and wahoo like the cooler months. The fishing calendar on the main site has month by month detail.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Yes, within the rules. The crew cleans and bags the fish you keep and makes ceviche on board from your catch. All billfish are released.
How far is the marina from Cancún?
Puerto Aventuras Marina is about an hour south of Cancún airport and 60 to 75 minutes from the Cancún hotel zone. Playa del Carmen is about 20 minutes away.