December marks the grand reopening of The Zancudo Lodge – Check Availability Here!
December at The Zancudo Lodge: Doors Opening to Epic Costa Rica Fishing
December marks the grand reopening of The Zancudo Lodge—just in time to chase Costa Rica’s epic offshore and inshore fishing season reopening in style: Epic Fishing and some large renovations and upgrades that we were going to share with you in this email but think it will be more fun to surprise the first guests of the year! With these new high-end renovations and our fleet of Contenders tuned for peak performance, the stage is set for another legendary season of angling adventure.
We’ve been busy this off season preparing for our 20th season and you won’t believe the surprises we have waiting for our new and return guests! At the Zancudo Lodge we’re all about the details and we are sure you’ll appreciate and enjoy our latest additions and renovations here at the lodge.
Our doors swing open in early December
—kicking off a season with a fleet equipped for excellence. Leading the charge is our 44’ Contender powered by triple Yamaha 450s, built for speed and comfort offshore as well as our Contender 35′ ST with Triple Yamaha 300s. Supporting the fleet are our world class custom Contender boats with dual Yamaha 300s, ensuring anglers can reach the bite quickly and efficiently.
All boats feature upgraded Simrad electronics and permanent Starlink antennas for seamless communication and connectivity while exploring the Osa Peninsula. Accommodations and the restaurant have also received a fresh, farm-and-sea-inspired makeover.
The Lodge’s premiere status is well-earned: over 70 IGFA records have been set here, and anglers enjoy top-tier captains, gear, and service.
December Fishing Action: What’s Biting
December consistently delivers action-packed fishing days:
Blue Marlin & Roosterfish
In December 2024, over 75 blue marlin were released since the season’s start on December 1—and inshore anglers reported double-digit roosterfish counts daily.
In 2022, “marlin and roosterfish bites stayed hot” with 18 blue marlin and 35 roosters caught in a standout three-day span.
Back in 2018, the opening December report included over 70 blue marlin, wide-open tuna and dorado action, plus sailfish.
Yellowfin Tuna & Dorado
December historically features abundant dorado and tuna—some breaking the 130lb mark.
Sailfish & More to Come
As the month progresses, sailfish typically begin to show in increasing numbers—adding another exciting species to the mix.
Peak Fishing Season on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coastal region is from December to June. After June the lodge closes for the year but we offer year-round custom Contender charters out of Zancudo/Golfito and Puerto Jimenez regions.
Guest Praise & Experience
TripAdvisor reviews consistently highlight not just thrilling catches but exceptional service and atmosphere. Guests rave about attentive staff, luxurious accommodations, relaxing design touches, and a genuine “home away from home” feel.
6 star fishing and lodging experience!
“This is our second visit to Zancudo Lodge, we came last year as well. We have already booked our next trip in December 2025. Excellent service, food, accommodations, and fishing boats/gear/captains-mates. The owners, Greg and Goldine will look after all your details from the moment you get to San Jose and until you depart. The lodge staff are amazing, Chalrberth, Anderson and Ryan will ensure you are well fed and taken care of during your stay. The housekeeping staff did my room and laundry each day ( you really don’t need to bring much of anything down here, their shop has all the fishing clothes you will need ). You will be pampered the moment you get off the airplane into Golfito. The food was way beyond me and my friends expectations, very creative, very fresh and delicious. Our rooms, bathrooms, linens/bed/pillows, and the overall common areas and pool at the Lodge are outstanding, understated luxury. The boats, fishing gear and tackle, captains and mates were all outstanding both times we have visited. The team are super knowledgeable and can do inshore and offshore fishing for any skill level. On this most recent trip, my friends and I fished four days and we landed 13 Blue Marlin and 2 Sailfish. Others in the lodge caught lots of tuna, roosters, and one angler landed a Tarpon! This lodge is not so big and not so small, perfect size where you get a lot of attention from the Zancudo team and it feels very private. Everything here is turnkey for fishing the moment you get here. There were a lot of couples fishing together on boats and many partners who didn’t fish went to the beach, pool or took boat cruises around the bay. Definitely worth a try if you a hard core fisherman or beginner.” – Jack H
Spaces fill up fast—your best window for December is now. Contact us to book your “Ultimate Fishing Adventure” and secure your spot to ride the wave of Costa Rica’s most exhilarating season.
