Zancudo dorado fishing
Zancudo Lodge - Costa Rica
Golfito Bay Billfishing
Over 70 IFGA records have been set at Zancudo Lodge, which is world-renowned for its inshore and offshore fishing. Zancudo was named "the best fishing lodge in Costa Rica" - Pacific Coast Sportfishing Magazine - 2009.
Billfishing Golfito Bay
Zancudo Lodge is located on the scenic Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, on the Bay of Golfo Dulce, four miles from Golfito. The Golfito Bay area of the Pacific Ocean is renowned for its excellent saltwater fishing.
Zancudo's property is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Sabalo River on the east. Not only do they have sailfish and marlin, but their big secret is... the variety of light tackle stand-up fishing that’s available.
Marlin: All marlin species are caught year-round. The peak time for blue marlin is November and December, March, and April, while the black marlin peak is during July and August.
Sailfish: Common year-round but peaking from November to May. It is not unusual to catch more than 20 sails in a day.
Dorado: Year-round, with seasonal highs during November to April.
Tuna: Large yellowfin, in the 200- to 300-pound range, are often found feeding under the large schools of porpoises. Schoolie sized yellowfin are available year-round.
Bigeye: Considered the bruisers in the tuna family, they are common year-round. Hooking a large bigeye will lead you on an epic multi-hour fight.
Roosterfish: Available year-round with common sizes ranging from 20 to 70 pounds.
Snapper: There are over a dozen types of snappers ranging between 15 to 100 pounds.
Zancudo Lodge YouTube video.
Triple Blue Marlin - 1:03 Vimeo
Zancudo Fishing:
Lodge Season: The Lodge is open from November 15 through June 30. Peak fishing months are from December through the end of March.
Equipment: The Lodge provides all modern and first-class gear and tackle, (except for billfish flies). Billfish flies are available at the Lodge for $22.00 each.
The Lodge recommends that you do not bring rods and reels into the country in a carry-on. You may be subject to a fine.
Boats: The Lodge has eight, custom-built 28’ center-consoles with twin Suzuki 140 HP four-stroke engines, and three 32’ Contenders with two 300 HP four-stroke Yamaha engines.
The Lodge’s newly built marina houses an I.G.F.A. certified scale for guests on the quest of breaking that world record.
Guides: The Lodge’s captains are persistent, competitive, highly trained, and are well-versed in fly fishing.
Travel Time: For offshore fishing, you may have a 30-minute to two-hour run, depending on timing and the location of the fish.
The inshore fishery is about 12 to 15 miles north or south of the Lodge, about a 30-minute boat ride.
Typical 8 to 9-Hour Fishing Day:
5:30 a.m. Your fishing days begin with an early breakfast.
6:00 a.m. You’ll meet the Captain at the dock and begin your full day of fishing.
Midday: You’ll have a packed lunch on board the boat.
3:30 to 4:00 p.m. Anglers typically return to the Lodge.
4:30 p.m. Appetizers are served.
6:00 p.m. Dinner is served.
About Zancudo Lodge
Zancudo is an excellent trip for couples. This beautiful lodge is located in a tropical setting on a remote private beach that stretches for miles. Beachfront swimming pool.
There are twelve deluxe rooms and four suites. All rooms have air conditioning, fine linens, a flat-screen
TV, Wi-Fi, a safe, Keurig coffee service, twice daily housekeeping, and free laundry service.
Pineapple, mango, coconut and more native fruits are grown on-site and are used in the Lodge's delicious gourmet meals. Many eco-tours are available such as snorkeling,
botanical gardens, kayak mangrove tour, wildlife sanctuary, horseback rainforest beach tour, zip lining, surfing and stand-up paddle instruction/rental; and a national park hike.
Meals: The Lodge showcases gourmet meals from a menu created by Chef Cosmo Goss, Chef de Cuisine in Forbes 30 Under 30 (2015).
The menu features fresh fish and organic fruits and vegetables grown on-site. For dinner, guests have two entrée choices ranging from entrees such as seared tuna over a bed of grilled vegetables,
jumbo shrimp over smoked tuna fettuccine, to steak and hand-cut fries.
Alcohol: There is an open bar from noon until 8:00 p.m. with top-shelf liquor (such as Johnnie Walker Black Label), beer, and wine. Alcoholic beverages are included in the package.
Communications: Free calls to the U.S. are available in the reception area. There is complimentary fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout the Lodge.
Getting to the Lodge:
Upon arrival in San José, Costa Rica, you'll be greeted at the airport by a member of the lodge staff and driven to a four-star hotel. In the morning, you'll be driven to a local domestic airport for your 45-minute charter flight to Golfito Bay, where you'll be met by the Lodge staff. You'll take a short boat ride to the lodge. You will then begin your first full day of fishing. (The hotel night, ground transfers in San José, 45-minute charter flight, and boat transfer are all included in the angler package.)
2020 USD Rates:
28-foot Standard Boat Packages
28-foot Standard center-console with twin 140 HP four-stroke engines
4-nights at the Lodge
and 3-days guided fishing:
2 per boat $3,695.00 per person
3 per boat $3,295.00 per person
4 per boat $2,995.00 per person
5-nights at the Lodge
and 4-days guided fishing:
2 per boat $4,295.00 per person
3 per boat $3,795.00 per person
4 per boat $3,495.00 per person
6-nights at the Lodge
and 5-days guided fishing:
2 per boat $4,795.00 per person
3 per boat $4,195.00 per person
4 per boat $3,4895.00 per person
7-nights at the Lodge
and 6-days guided fishing:
2 per boat $5,295.00 per person
3 per boat $4,595.00 per person
4 per boat $4,395.00 per person
Non-angler companion sharing room
$395.00 per day
2020 USD Rates:
32-foot Contender Packages
32-foot Contender with two 300 HP four-stroke engines
4-nights at the Lodge
and 3-days guided fishing:
2 per boat $4,795.00 per person
3 per boat $4,095.00 per person
4 per boat $3,595.00 per person
5-nights at the Lodge
and 4-days guided fishing:
2 per boat $5,895.00 per person
3 per boat $4,795.00 per person
4 per boat $4,295.00 per person
6-nights at the Lodge
and 5-days guided fishing:
2 per boat $6,895.00 per person
3 per boat $5,695.00 per person
4 per boat $4,895.00 per person
7-nights at the Lodge
and 6-days guided fishing:
2 per boat $7,895.00 per person
3 per boat $6,495.00 per person
4 per boat $5,595.00 per person
Angler Packages Include:
Airport reception and ground transfers in San José, Costa Rica; ground transfers from the San Jose International airport to the hotel, one night at a four-star hotel in San José (double-occupancy), roundtrip charter flights to Golfito ($600.00 per person—included in angler package but an additional cost for non-anglers), boat transfers to and from the Lodge in Zancudo, lodging in deluxe air-conditioned rooms, all meals and snacks at the Lodge, all alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages (except ultra-premium liquor), guided fishing, fishing license, use of all tackle, free daily laundry and maid service, Wi-Fi, and all pertinent taxes.
Packages Do Not Include:
International airfare, meals and beverages in San José, tours, gratuities to captains and lodge staff, billfish flies at $22.00 each, ultra-premium liquor and cigars, blended beverages, specialty wine and champagne, airport departure tax (approximately $29.00 if not included in airfare), overweight baggage fees, change ticket fees, and anything not mentioned under inclusions.
Non-angler companion:
$385.00 per day, p.p. + $600.00*
Non-angler price includes:
all meals, drinks, and lodging at Zancudo Lodge.
*There is a Transfer Fee per non-fishing guest for the ground transfers in San José,
one-night hotel accommodation in San José, round-trip airfare between San José and Golfito, roundtrip ground transfers in Golfito, and round-trip boat transfer between Golfito and Zancudo Lodge.
(Package is based on two people traveling together.)
Non-Angler Activities
There are many non-angler tours and activities that could easily fill three to five days. Massages are available on-site. The grounds are beautiful, as well as the swimming pool area. It’s a relaxed atmosphere that is also great for kids. The tours are listed in our information packet.
