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Zancudo Lodge Costa Rica Inshore & Offshore fishing

Customer Rating 96%

World Records: Big Game Fishing at Zancudo Lodge, Costa Rica

Zancudo Lodge is one of Costa Rica’s finest big game fishing holidays, a destination with more than seventy IGFA World Records to its name. Tucked between rainforest and ocean on the country’s southern coast, it combines record-class saltwater fishing with five-star hospitality.

From this privileged location between the Pacific and the Sabalo River, anglers access offshore waters rich with Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Yellowfin and Bigeye Tuna. Inshore, Roosterfish, Cubera Snapper and Dorado provide thrilling alternatives, with Roosters here known to exceed 100lb. Each strike is earned, each battle a test of strength and focus.

Fishing is tailored to the individual, whether casting poppers, swinging flies or trolling lures. Top-tier tackle and world-class guides ensure every session is optimised for success. This is high-performance saltwater fishing in one of the most productive fisheries on earth.

Back on land, Zancudo offers comfort in equal measure. With just fifteen suites, the lodge delivers exclusivity and privacy. Beachfront pools, private hot tubs and farm-to-table cuisine create an atmosphere of refined relaxation, while non-anglers can explore nature tours, horseback riding and kayaking through the mangroves. It is a setting where luxury and adventure sit side by side.

For anglers who like the idea of chasing world-record fish by day and enjoying boutique comfort by night, Zancudo Lodge offers a Costa Rican holiday that sets the standard for bluewater and inshore fishing alike.

Roosteraggressive cubera snapper

FISHING Seasons

The season runs from November to June.

Blue Marlin

Season: November to April
Peak: November & December
Weight: 150lb to 500lb
Average Weight: 250lb

Sailfish

Season: November to May
Peak: February & March
Weight: 70lb to 140lb
Average Weight: 90lb

Roosterfish

Season: All Year
Peak: All Year
Weight: 10lb to 80lb
Average Weight: 25lb

Yellowfin Tuna

Season: All Year
Peak: November & December
Weight: 10lb to 300lb
Average Weight: 30lb

Amberjack

Season: All Year
Peak: All Year
Weight: 10lb to 70lb
Average Weight: 30lb

Cubera Snapper

Season: All Year
Peak: All Year
Weight: 15lb to 80lb
Average Weight: 35lb

Package Details

Tour code COS003

Included

  • Airport transfers
  • All fishing tackle
  • Fishing as per itinerary
  • Full board
  • Fully guided
  • Internal flights
  • International flights
  • Main accommodation
  • Overnight hotel
  • Soft drinks
  • Taxes
  • Twin room

Excluded

  • Alcohol
  • Personal holiday insurance
  • Tips
  • Visa (If required)

Optional extras

  • Airport parking
  • Flight upgrades
  • Extra bags
  • Additional nights
  • Single rooms
  • Boat upgrades
  • Additional fishing days
  • Additional activities
  • Add-on tours

Itinerary

Day 1

Any international airport - San Jose

Depart Any international airport - Arrive San Jose Depart Any international airport - Arrive San Jose
 

Depart: TBA

Arrive: Tobías Bolaños International Airport

General Note General Note
 

Please note: Depending on your chosen international airport, an overnight flight and/or hotel stay may be required, which may affect your departure and return dates. Your itinerary will be finalised once travel arrangements are confirmed.

Independent flight/travel arrangements can be accommodated, though our flight-inclusive packages are recommended to ensure seamless integration into your holiday plans.

Transfer from San Jose Airport to your overnight hotel Transfer from San Jose Airport to your overnight hotel
 

Once you have touched down and collected your bags, you will be met by a representative from our partners and transferred to your overnight hotel.

San Jose Standard Hotel Overnight Accommodation
 

San Jose Standard Hotel in a Twin Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis

Day 2

San Jose - Playa Zancudo

Transfer from your overnight hotel to San Jose Airport Transfer from your overnight hotel to San Jose Airport
 

At a prearranged time, you will be transferred back to the airport for your short scenic flight to the resort.

Depart San Jose - Arrive Golfito Depart San Jose - Arrive Golfito
 

Depart: Tobías Bolaños International Airport

Arrive: Golfito Airport

Transfer from Golfito Airport to Zancudo Lodge Transfer from Golfito Airport to Zancudo Lodge
 

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the lodge. This transfer involves a short taxi ride to Golfito Marina, followed by a brief boat journey to Zancudo Lodge.

Day at leisure Day at leisure
 

Once you’ve arrived at Zancudo you’re free to unpack and relax around the resort.

Zancudo Lodge Overnight Accommodation
 

Zancudo Lodge in a Twin Room on a Full board basis

Days 3-4

Playa Zancudo (Fishing Days)

Fishing Fishing
 

On your first two fishing days, you will be wetting a line offshore for the fantastic array of bluewater species on offer at Zancudo Lodge; these include Sailfish, Tuna, Amberjack, Dorado, Marlin and Roosterfish, to mention just a few.

The Blue Marlin averages around 300lb, and the Sailfish around 70lb. The Tuna are mainly Yellowfins between 20lb and 50lb, and the Roosterfish are around 25lb.

Zancudo Lodge Overnight Accommodation
 

Zancudo Lodge in a Twin Room on a Full board basis

Days 5-7

Playa Zancudo (Fishing Days)

Fishing Fishing
 

During your final three fishing days and throughout your stay at Zancudo Lodge, it’s possible to fish using various methods. These include fishing with bait, poppers, lures, jigs and even on the fly.

Speak to your guides and the fishing manager, and they will try to plan your day to fulfil all your fishing wishes.

Zancudo Lodge Overnight Accommodation
 

Zancudo Lodge in a Twin Room on a Full board basis

Day 8

Playa Zancudo - Any international airport

Transfer from Zancudo Lodge to Golfito Airport Transfer from Zancudo Lodge to Golfito Airport
 

On departure day, you will be transferred back to the airport. This involves a short boat journey to Golfito Marina, followed by a brief taxi ride to the terminal.

Depart Golfito - Arrive San Jose Depart Golfito - Arrive San Jose
 

Depart: Golfito Airport

Arrive: Tobías Bolaños International Airport

Depart San Jose - Arrive Any international airport Depart San Jose - Arrive Any international airport
 

Depart: Tobías Bolaños International Airport

Arrive: TBA

General Note General Note
 

Please note: Depending on your chosen international airport, an overnight flight and/or hotel stay may be required, which may affect your departure and return dates. Your itinerary will be finalised once travel arrangements are confirmed.

Independent flight/travel arrangements can be accommodated, though our flight-inclusive packages are recommended to ensure seamless integration into your holiday plans.

Dates, Prices & Availability

Prices are shown per person and are based on twin rooms and two anglers per boat and per guide, unless otherwise specified. All prices are accurate at the time of publication but may vary slightly depending on factors such as travel dates, booking time, airline pricing, or fuel surcharges set by the operators.
Flights are always priced at the most competitive rates available at the time of enquiry to ensure you receive the best possible value when booking.
Proudly an ATOL bonded company, our trips are complete packages, including all flights, transfers, accommodation, and fantastic fishing and shooting experiences.

Travel Available Between These Dates Days Price Availability
31/05/2026 29/06/2026 8 £7,040 Enquire
31/10/2026 29/11/2026 8 £6,933 Enquire
30/11/2026 30/12/2026 8 £7,146 Enquire
31/12/2026 27/02/2027 8 £7,488 Enquire
28/02/2027 29/04/2027 8 £7,461 Enquire
30/04/2027 30/05/2027 8 £7,266 Enquire
31/05/2027 29/06/2027 8 £7,377 Enquire
31/10/2027 29/11/2027 8 £7,266 Enquire
30/11/2027 30/12/2027 8 £7,488 Enquire
31/12/2027 28/02/2028 8 £7,784 Enquire
29/02/2028 29/04/2028 8 £7,756 Enquire
30/04/2028 30/05/2028 8 £7,562 Enquire
31/05/2028 29/06/2028 8 £7,673 Enquire
31/10/2028 29/11/2028 8 £7,562 Enquire
30/11/2028 30/12/2028 8 £7,784 Enquire

If your preferred week or travel dates do not appear in the calendar above, please get in touch. Many lodges release availability in stages, and some dates depend on tides, seasons, guide schedules, or short-notice changes. By speaking with us directly, you will receive the most up to date availability and clear guidance on securing the strongest options before popular weeks fill.
Enquire now and we will check live availability for the dates you are considering.

Book with confidence

Our ATOL protection, means you have financial security on your booking.

All our destinations are thoroughly researched by our team of experts.

We have worked hard to be able to provide you with the best prices possible.

>

We offer complete holiday packages, making booking a holiday simple.

Customer Reviews

Average customer satisfaction score 96%
Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"Gregg and Goldine were fantastic and very inviting and hospitable. They have definitely created an amazing gem down there in the rain forest. The entire staff was just wonderful and made our stay just as perfect as possible. I would drop names but do not want to risk missing anyone since every single person we interacted with was great. The fishing, the environment, the wildlife all amazing and cant wait to go back"

Deborah

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"The resort has luxury accommodations, tropical gardens, outstanding customer service and gourmet dining which are all inclusive. They have top of the line 32 ft. Contenders with dual 300 hp motors. You have your own private boat and our outstanding captain, who are very knowledgeable on the fishing in the area but also made our fishing adventure a lot of fun. We caught 5 Yellow-fin Tuna, one over 65 lbs., Sailfish, Rooster fish, Crevalle Jack and Red Snapper on our three days of fishing."

Barry

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"Every aspect of this trip to Zancudo Lodge was first rate. Twice daily laundry service, incredible food, courteous
staff, attention to detail and incredible fishing. This lodge is very much about the fishing. Expect to rise early and start the day with a hot breakfast and then off to the boats at 6:00 am. You really are in the best of hands and the staff need a gold medal for their services. Well done to all involved"

John

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"Zancudo Lodge is Incredible. The fishing was amazing! Eating your fresh catch prepared by awesome chefs! The owners and her their staff go above and beyond to make your adventure come true. I recommend this to everyone from seasoned fishermen to beginners."

Isaac

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"The fishery at Zancudo is second to none.I caught my Grand Slam; ie marlin,sailfish, tuna and Dorado all in one day.

The following day we did inshore; boated 14 Rooster fish with Clive monster Rooster fish at 45 lbs. "

Kelvin

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"Incredible food. Incredible staff and service! And for the non fishing wife an amazing beach!"

Trevor

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"There is plenty to do besides fish at the lodge. However, the fishing is what we came for Our captain Tito was extremely knowledgeable and fun to be around. Every day was an adventure. The boats and equipment are first class. The fishing is spectacular and we all enjoyed our experience "

Peter

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"Their attention to detail includes many amenities to make you feel like you are truly on holiday in a remote part of Costa Rica. The owner Gregg and wife and staff are incredibly accommodating. The Contender fishing boats are extremely well kept and well-equipped, and the captains really know their stuff. Topmarks all round and thanks for a great holiday"

Larry

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"I was fortunate enough to stay at Zancudo Lodge during July. The fishing was superb! The Lodge itself is a beautiful oasis, with incredible views and landscaping and excellent amenities. Thanks for an awesome week and we will be back very soon"

David

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"The food was terrific and dining in the open air restaurant is a great way to end the day. The staff was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The Lodge recommended some great eco-tourism centred day trips, which were lots of fun"

Lauren

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"My wife and I just returned from another amazing trip to Zancudo Lodge. It is our 4th time to the lodge. Everything at Zancudo is 5 stars....the staff, the food, the lodge itself, the boats and especially the fishing captains"

Barry

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"Zancudo Lodge is an excellent place with superb staff and very good food. The standard of the fishing skippers is very good, they all work really hard to put you on fish.

Unlike some other big game lodges they let you hook your own fish and you stand up and fight them with just a waist harness.

I caught the lodge grand slam - marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado and rooster fish, as well as a lovely cubera snapper. An excellent if costly 5 days fishing."

Mark

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"We had an absolutely fabulous trip to Costa Rica. The organisation for our travel out all went smoothly, we were met when we were opposed to be met and the hotel accommodation in Madrid and San Jose was perfect for our needs. The Iberia flight from Madrid to San Jose was disappointing, poor food, inadequate drinks offering and rather surly staff. The services, food, rooms etc at Zancudo lodge were excellent and the fishing was brilliant. The boat and fishing tackle was top quality and the captain/guide was superb. He worked incredibly hard to make sure we were in the right place at the right time and ready to fish at any given moment. All in all it was a fantastic trip"

Ian

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

"Zancudo Lodge is great. Accommodations, food, and service are amazing. One might be tempted to say that it was almost too luxurious for a fishing trip. They will wash your clothes daily, so you can just travel there with your hand luggage. Fishing can be very good, although it should be clear that the lodge has at least three types of boats, differing in comfort, speed, and price. If your goal is fishing for tuna, which can be great, you may want to consider faster boats. We saw a 200 pound tuna caught on one of the other fast off-shore boats. We had a basic boat, which was fast but not as fast as the remaining two types. If tuna are far off-shore, it may take you two hours to get to the fishing grounds. We still caught a couple of 75 pounds tuna when they were just a few miles off shore and it was fun! Rooster fish, snappers, and others can be fished inshore and the boat we had was excellent for that."

Marek

accommodation

Zancudo Lodge engulfed by the pure beauty of the Costa Rican wildlife and tropical rainforest. Stretching for miles is the stunning private Zancudo beach that offers the perfect setting for a relaxing massage or the tranquil surroundings for some downtime. You can also enjoy the picturesque scenery from your very own beachfront pool and hot tub.

The Resort

The luxury accommodation consists of 15 deluxe rooms and suites all come complete with the finest of linens, fibreoptic TV, Air conditioning, safes, coffee service and an excellent daily laundry service.
The onsite facilities have planned to ensure your stay is as enjoyable as you would expect from this first-class resort. You will find a pool, bar/lounge, business centre with internet access, concierge, shuttle bus service, restaurant, babysitting service, children’s activities, meeting rooms and wheelchair access throughout.

The brand new part of the lodge/reception has an elegant fountain area, gift shop, three lounge areas and a fine dining restaurant capable of seating 40 guests. There is a games room complete with widescreen TV, pool table, shuffleboard table, card table, foosball, and a massage and relaxation room on the second floor.

Food & Drink

The Gamefisher Restaurant has a very high level of service and they pride themselves on sourcing local produces from the bountiful resources of their ideal location in Costa Rica. You will soon realise their true genuine love of delicious and healthy cuisine.

The fleet of boats will bring in daily fresh fish that will be processed on the dock and transferred directly to the kitchen to keep the chain of food as fresh as possible which is the hotel’s prime goal. You will find surrounding the resort Zancudo’s orchid full of fresh organic produce for the guests to enjoy. You will find a vast selection of organic food here from fresh ginger to ripe plantains to green papayas, and they use local farmers to fill the other gaps so you can rest assured that your food will be as fresh as possible.
For the guests who like to eat meat, Zancudo Lodge has raised their own pigs and feed them on local organic coconuts, rice and pineapples. For the beef eaters, they also have their own cattle that go through a dry-ageing process which escalates the calibre of the grass-fed beef.

Other activities

At The Zancudo Lodge, you will experience magical ecological journeys in the Southern zone of Costa Rica. Most tours will showcase abundant wildlife, sea life, flowers and plants in its finest natural state. Any guest staying at the resort should come and explore the beauty of the untouched Southern Zone. A few examples of the tours on offer are, Wildlife Sanctuary tour, Rio Claro Botanical Gardens, Cabo Matalpo Horseback riding, Kayak Mangrove tour and so much more. If you are interested in booking any of the tours or would like a more detailed list, please speak to a member of the Sportquest team who will be more than happy to help.

the stunning grounds of Zancudo lodgeSwimming pool on the sportquest packaged fishing holidayfresh fish meals at the lodge

Big Game fishing in Costa Rica

Zancudo Lodge is home to over 70 IGFA records and is world-renowned for its lure and fly fishing inshore and offshore. You will receive access to all the required fishing tackle. From ultra-light tackle to heavy fly fishing tackle with poppers, lures, jigs and small flies all included completely free of charge. All tackle is of a very high standard taking away the need to carry unnecessary amounts of luggage when travelling. Each day the fishing will be tailored to suit what you want to catch and how you wish to catch it. If you are unsure of how to popper fish we have given some great tips on top 10 tips for successful popper fishing which is well worth a read

Zancudo Fishing Lodge is one of the only beachfront resorts along this coast and located in Playa Zancudo. With luxury accommodations consisting of 15 deluxe rooms and suites. All complete with the most beautiful linens, fibreoptic TV, Air conditioning, safes, coffee service and an excellent daily laundry service. Zancudo Lodge has earned its fantastic reputation globally to offer the first-class service, and after spending a relaxing holiday at this resort, you will not need anything. You will want to return year after year.

If this style of holiday interests you, we have other destinations in Costa Rica which may appeal.

Rooster fishing costa Ricadorado bite is great
Dorado fishing is greatmonster rooster fish

Where is Zancudo Lodge

The hotel nestled in the Puntarenas Providence, Playa Zancuda in Costa Rica. Set amongst some stunning Costa Rican Jungle right on the beach. The beaches are unspoilt, and one can walk for many miles without coming into any contact with any other people. Surrounded by fantastic wildlife and foliage, this fishing lodge overlooks amazing Pacific waters in the West. On the east side of the lodge, there are the excellent freshwaters of the Sabalo River.

Within close distance from the lodge, you will find regional attractions. These include Fortunato Atencio Stadium, Golfito Marina, Parque Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Golfito, Corcovado National Park Office, and Playa Cacao. Any of these attractions are a must-visit part of Costa Rica. You can reserve as many eco-tours as you like at the fishing lodge speak to the staff on arrival. 

Zancudo Lodge can be 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. The Pacific Ocean borders Zancudo’s property on the West and the Sabalo River on the east. Head over to your YouTube Channel to see the fantastic fishing available at Zancudo Lodge.

Fishing Around Costa Rica

We can tailor your entire stay to suit your desires from inshore, offshore, and fishing the river banks. Our fishing guides have years of fishing these waters. There is not much they do not know. A significant advantage of fishing with these guides is that they are very experienced in all fishing techniques. If you are a die-hard fly angler, the fishing plan will revolve around areas more suited to this fishing style. If you wish to popper and lure fish all day, your guide will take you to deeper areas searching for these hard fighting pelagic species.

To some people travelling out to the fishing grounds is a big part of their fishing holiday. For a rough guide only, the grounds are around 1hour – 1hr30mins minutes away from the hotel on your offshore fishing days. The inshore fishing splits between zones, and depending on what zone you will be fishing that day; it can range anything from 5 minutes to 45minutes away from the hotel. 

A typical day fishing offshore will be either spent trolling artificial lures, or you can use popper/baitfish. Depending on what you are fishing for your skipper will suggest the best methods. Inshore fishing is a lot more active as there are many more species willing to take your bait or lure.

anglers looking pleased with marlinguide with a rooster fish
lure caught jackmassive marlin landed in costa rica

Peak fishing times in Costa Rica

There are certain times of the year that produce better catches for individual species but this isn’t set in stone and all species can turn up at all times of the year. The 

  • 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. When you get a Sailfish bite, you will know about it.
  • Dorado: Year-round, with seasonal highs during November to April.
  • Tuna: Large Yellowfin, in the 200- to 300 lb 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 typical sizes for Rooster fish ranging from 20 to 70 lbs.
  • Snapper: There are over a dozen types of Snappers ranging between 15 to 100 lbs.

Boats & Guides In Costa Rica

Zancudo Fishing lodge has eight boats with custom-built 28′ centre-consoles with twin Suzuki 140 HP four-stroke engines. And three 32′ Contenders with two 300 HP four-stroke Yamaha engines. The Contender comes fully equipped with all the necessary navigational electronics. Along with an icebox to keep the refreshments cool. There is a toilet onboard – an essential requirement when spending a day in the ocean or on the river banks. Please call if you wish to upgrade to the contender boats. All the guides and Captains speak excellent English, and it is vital to talk with your crew as a happy team equals more fish.

Zancudo Lodge staff helping angler land huge fish
huge Rooster

is fishing experience needed

This destination is perfect for a wide variety of anglers from beginners to the most expert of anglers. Your skipper will help you with every fishing style and if you have never lured fished for hard fighting species before they will give you some lessons. Fly fishing is also an excellent method, and again our skippers will be on hand to help you with everything.

General knowledge of fishing from a boat is an advantage but not necessary.  On the whole, the trip is not that physical apart from playing the fish. The boats are easy to walk around and have comfortable seats for moving around from spot to spot. If you are new to this style of a holiday we recommend you reading Big game fishing holidays for beginners this article is very useful

Videos

Watch the latest videos from this destination.

Reviews

Deborah

Gregg and Goldine were fantastic and very inviting and hospitable. They have definitely created an amazing gem down there in the rain forest. The entire staff was just wonderful and made our stay just as perfect as possible. I would drop names but do not want to risk missing anyone since every single person we interacted with was great. The fishing, the environment, the wildlife all amazing and cant wait to go back

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Barry

The resort has luxury accommodations, tropical gardens, outstanding customer service and gourmet dining which are all inclusive. They have top of the line 32 ft. Contenders with dual 300 hp motors. You have your own private boat and our outstanding captain, who are very knowledgeable on the fishing in the area but also made our fishing adventure a lot of fun. We caught 5 Yellow-fin Tuna, one over 65 lbs., Sailfish, Rooster fish, Crevalle Jack and Red Snapper on our three days of fishing.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

John

Every aspect of this trip to Zancudo Lodge was first rate. Twice daily laundry service, incredible food, courteous
staff, attention to detail and incredible fishing. This lodge is very much about the fishing. Expect to rise early and start the day with a hot breakfast and then off to the boats at 6:00 am. You really are in the best of hands and the staff need a gold medal for their services. Well done to all involved

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Isaac

Zancudo Lodge is Incredible. The fishing was amazing! Eating your fresh catch prepared by awesome chefs! The owners and her their staff go above and beyond to make your adventure come true. I recommend this to everyone from seasoned fishermen to beginners.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Kelvin

The fishery at Zancudo is second to none.I caught my Grand Slam; ie marlin,sailfish, tuna and Dorado all in one day.

The following day we did inshore; boated 14 Rooster fish with Clive monster Rooster fish at 45 lbs.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Trevor

Incredible food. Incredible staff and service! And for the non fishing wife an amazing beach!

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Peter

There is plenty to do besides fish at the lodge. However, the fishing is what we came for Our captain Tito was extremely knowledgeable and fun to be around. Every day was an adventure. The boats and equipment are first class. The fishing is spectacular and we all enjoyed our experience

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Larry

Their attention to detail includes many amenities to make you feel like you are truly on holiday in a remote part of Costa Rica. The owner Gregg and wife and staff are incredibly accommodating. The Contender fishing boats are extremely well kept and well-equipped, and the captains really know their stuff. Topmarks all round and thanks for a great holiday

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

David

I was fortunate enough to stay at Zancudo Lodge during July. The fishing was superb! The Lodge itself is a beautiful oasis, with incredible views and landscaping and excellent amenities. Thanks for an awesome week and we will be back very soon

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Lauren

The food was terrific and dining in the open air restaurant is a great way to end the day. The staff was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The Lodge recommended some great eco-tourism centred day trips, which were lots of fun

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Barry

My wife and I just returned from another amazing trip to Zancudo Lodge. It is our 4th time to the lodge. Everything at Zancudo is 5 stars....the staff, the food, the lodge itself, the boats and especially the fishing captains

Response from Sportquest Holidays

Hi Barry, so glad you guys keep going back. Says everything anybody needs to know

All the best, Paul

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Mark

Zancudo Lodge is an excellent place with superb staff and very good food. The standard of the fishing skippers is very good, they all work really hard to put you on fish.

Unlike some other big game lodges they let you hook your own fish and you stand up and fight them with just a waist harness.

I caught the lodge grand slam - marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado and rooster fish, as well as a lovely cubera snapper. An excellent if costly 5 days fishing.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Ian

We had an absolutely fabulous trip to Costa Rica. The organisation for our travel out all went smoothly, we were met when we were opposed to be met and the hotel accommodation in Madrid and San Jose was perfect for our needs. The Iberia flight from Madrid to San Jose was disappointing, poor food, inadequate drinks offering and rather surly staff. The services, food, rooms etc at Zancudo lodge were excellent and the fishing was brilliant. The boat and fishing tackle was top quality and the captain/guide was superb. He worked incredibly hard to make sure we were in the right place at the right time and ready to fish at any given moment. All in all it was a fantastic trip

Response from Sportquest Holidays

Hello Ian thank you so much for your feedback. These forms are so important to us as it shows our staff that they are doing their jobs correctly. It also helps the lodges to see if there are any improvements needed. So glad you had a great trip and whereto next?

Tight Lines, Paul

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Marek

Zancudo Lodge is great. Accommodations, food, and service are amazing. One might be tempted to say that it was almost too luxurious for a fishing trip. They will wash your clothes daily, so you can just travel there with your hand luggage. Fishing can be very good, although it should be clear that the lodge has at least three types of boats, differing in comfort, speed, and price. If your goal is fishing for tuna, which can be great, you may want to consider faster boats. We saw a 200 pound tuna caught on one of the other fast off-shore boats. We had a basic boat, which was fast but not as fast as the remaining two types. If tuna are far off-shore, it may take you two hours to get to the fishing grounds. We still caught a couple of 75 pounds tuna when they were just a few miles off shore and it was fun! Rooster fish, snappers, and others can be fished inshore and the boat we had was excellent for that.

Response from Sportquest Holidays

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review. We’re truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed the accommodations, food, and service, and that the overall experience exceeded your expectations, even to the point of feeling luxurious for a fishing trip!

We also really appreciate your balanced and helpful comments about the fishing and the different boat options. You’ve highlighted exactly what we aim to offer: flexibility, transparency, and choices that match each guest’s fishing goals. It’s great to hear that you still had exciting success with tuna, along with inshore species like roosterfish, and snappers, and that your boat was a perfect fit for those adventures.

Your note about packing light made us smile, we’re glad our daily laundry service helped make your stay even more comfortable and carefree.

Thank you again for your kind words and for sharing insights that will be valuable to future guests. We’d love to welcome you back for another trip, whether it’s chasing offshore tuna or enjoying more inshore action.

Warm regards,
Paul

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

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Latest Reports

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If variety is the spice of life, The Zancudo Lodge has been the place to be in Costa Rica for sport fishing this past March with some anglers boating over 4 species in a single...

Zancudo Lodge Fishing Report MARCH 2022 – PART 1

March Madness: 500lb Black Marlin leads the charge this month at the Zancudo Lodge, Costa Rica. March has been a literal blue-water buffet at Zancudo Lodge with Marlin, Tuna, Dorado and Sailfish keeping the reels...

Zancudo Lodge Fishing Report January 24th 2022

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FAQ

Zancudo Lodge is a beachfront resort in Playa Zancudo, on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, set between the Golfo Dulce and the Sabalo River, and surrounded by tropical jungle and unspoilt beaches.
Both inshore and offshore fishing are available, with species including Sailfish, Blue and Black Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye, Roosterfish, Cubera Snapper.
Offshore grounds are typically around one to one-and-a-half hours away, while inshore zones range from just five to forty-five minutes from the lodge.
Guests can troll, popper fish, jig, or fly fish depending on conditions and target species, with each day tailored to personal preferences.
All fishing tackle is included, from ultra-light to heavy fly gear, featuring poppers, lures, jigs, and small flies of the highest standard.
The lodge holds over 70 IGFA world records and is world-renowned for its exceptional lure and fly fishing both inshore and offshore.
The beachfront lodge offers 15 deluxe rooms and suites with air conditioning. This is a first-class resort and has something for everyone, from business centre to swimming pool, children’s activities and a babysitting service.
Guests enjoy freshly prepared meals and soft drinks, a complimentary coffee service, and full access to all resort amenities in a relaxed, tropical setting.
Yes, guests can enjoy local attractions such as Corcovado National Park, Golfito Marina, wildlife tours, and rainforest treks arranged through the lodge.
With its prime beachfront location, record-breaking catches, luxury accommodation, and world-class guides, Zancudo Lodge offers one of the most complete fishing experiences in Costa Rica.
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