About Us
Since 2017
Our story begins in 1969 with Don Fidel, who spent 44 years fishing the waters off Playas del Coco. His son, Olman, grew up on breakfasts of gallo pinto with lobster and whole fried snapper—the kind of freshness you can't fake. He watched his father cry over brutal market prices and saw how undervalued the fishing profession was, even though Don Fidel owned three boats.
Olman dreamed of helping his father while honoring the ocean that gave them everything. He started as a fishmonger, became a bilingual waiter, and spent 20 years learning how great food and service could transform lives. In 2014, he opened the Mar Azul Collection Center with Don Fidel controlling quality, species, and pricing. In 2017, they completed the circle—boat to table, father to son, ocean to plate. This restaurant isn't just about serving fresh fish. It's about honoring generations of fishermen, respecting the ocean, and sharing that passion with every guest who walks through our doors.
The Restaurant
Mar Azul is where tradition meets hospitality. We have air-conditioned indoor dining and a beautiful outdoor patio by the pool surrounded by tropical gardens and string lights. Our all-female kitchen team prepares every dish using traditional Costa Rican techniques and recipes that have been perfected over decades. You'll see your dinner at our fresh catch counter before it's cooked—whole fish, octopus, lobster—so you know exactly what you're getting.
We have earned TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2025 because we do one thing exceptionally well: serve the freshest seafood in Costa Rica with genuine hospitality. No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just honest food, honest fishing, and people who care about your experience. Open daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week.