Costa Rica

Frequently Asked Questions

Costa Rica

The Zancudo Lodge

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT DOES AN ULTIMATE FISHING PACKAGE INCLUDE?

The ULTIMATE FISHING PACKAGE includes the following 3 packages:

A. ONE FISHING PACKAGE

  • All applicable taxes
  • Your private boat and exclusive captain
  • Fishing licenses
  • Top of the line fishing gear
  • A predetermined number of fishing days

B. ONE TRANSFER PACKAGE

  • All applicable taxes
  • Roundtrip air tickets (via SANSA AIRLINES) from San Jose, Costa Rica to Golfito
  • Roundtrip taxi Golfito Airport to Golfito marina
  • Roundtrip boat transfer from Golfito marina to the Zancudo Lodge

C. ONE LODGING AND DINING PACKAGE AT THE ZANCUDO LODGE

  • All applicable taxes
  • Double occupancy lodging for predetermined nights
  • Laundry service ( washed and folded 4 pieces daily). All excess laundry charged at $2.00 per piece
  • Alcoholic beverages (nonblended) served between 12pm to 8pm
  • Daily beverages including soft drinks, coffee, tea, juices, wine, local beer served between 530a-8pm
  • Daily dining service of breakfast, lunch on boat, bocas and dinner
  • Checkin time of 7am on your first day of fishing
  • Checkout time is 545am (on the following morning from your final fishing day).
    Later checkouts are available upon request and pending availability.
  • Fiberoptic internet service in all public areas
  • Housekeeping services twice daily
    All other requests may be charged separately to each guest and payable upon checkout
WHAT IS THE ITINERARY FOR OUR POPULAR 3 DAY FISHING PACKAGE?

DAY1 International arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica. Overnight in San Jose airport hotel.
DAY2 Early 530 a.m. flight from San Jose to GLF. Boat transportation to the Lodge.
Check in and breakfast at the Lodge. Fishing day 1 starts!
DAY3 Fishing day 2
DAY4 Fishing day 3
DAY5 Check out from the Lodge. First flight out to San Jose.
Departs at 645a and arrives in San Jose at 8am.

WHAT IS AN EARLY CHECK-IN FOR THE ULTIMATE FISHING PACKAGE?

Our fishing packages' first night is normally spent in San Jose.
Quite often, guests arrive in San Jose prior to noon which affords them enough time to connect  with the domestic flight to the Lodge.
Pending space availability, guests have the option to make a same day connection and arrive at the Lodge  one day prior to the actual start of their trip. Hence the "early check in". Additional charges are based  on time of arrival at the Lodge.

WHAT IS THE NORMAL FISHING DAY SCHEDULE?

 
Your fishing day starts with breakfast at 5am and your dock call is at 6am. Your lunch will be packed for you
on the boat. You will return to the Lodge at around 330p-4p at which time you will enjoy some leisure time
either resting, swimming in our salt water pool, fish story telling, strolling on the beach, taking a dip in our
80 degree ocean, enjoying drinks and bocas at the bar, napping, etc. Dinner is normally served between
6-630P.

IS THERE NONFISHING COMPANION PRICING?

Yes, quite often, a nonfisher will choose to accompany their friend or mate on a fishing trip to our Lodge.
For nonfishing companions, the rate is comprised of a domestic transfer fee and a daily all inclusive rate.
Please check with your reservations agent on the seasonal pricing.

WHAT'S THERE TO DO BESIDES FISHING?

There are many tours and excursions offered at the Lodge. Depending on our guests'
personal interests, there's lots of beautiful rainforest hikes, a serious trek to Corcovado National
Park, a mangrove river tour, a visit to an animal sanctuary, surfing or learning to surf in Pilon, a
thrilling zipline ride through the rainforest, horseback riding on the beach, repelling down water-
falls or maybe just relaxing by our saltwater pool or walking our quiet Zancudo Beach. The Lodge
also has standup paddle boards, bicycles, fishing kayaks, etc for rent. Whether you are a nature
person or not, you won't get bored because you will undoubtedly fall in love with this off the
beaten path town of Zancudo and its natives.

WHAT IS THE WEIGHT LIMIT ON SANSA, THE DOMESTIC CARRIER?

Sansa stipulates a 30LB (13.61KGS) baggage weight limit which includes one carry on and one check in
luggage per passenger. They will also try to carry excess weight at an additional USD1.00/LB based
on weight and measure and availability. Because Sansa is very cautious on their aircrafts' weight and
balance, there may be rare incidences of luggage holdoffs however your piece(s) will be flown on the
next available Sansa flight.
We highly suggest that if you are coming to the Lodge on the early Sansa flight for your first day of fishing,
to be fully attired or at least carry on what you would need for that fishing day. This would prevent any
delays for your first day out.

WHAT SHOULD WE PACK?

Super light weight clothing (shorts, shirts, pants)
Light weight rain jacket
Bathing suit
Rubber sole shoes and or sandals
Fishing gloves
Sun protection lip balm
Wide brim hats
30+ sunscreen (although we do sell them at the pro shop)
Mosquito repellant (for those who are mosquito magnets)
Sunglasses and sunglass holders or straps
A good book or Netflix or some form of evening entertainment (for the night owls)

WHAT IS THE RESTAURANT DRESS CODE?

For day service at the restaurant and bar, we suggest a tee shirt or a light cover for your bathing attire.
Footwear is required upon entering the restaurant and bar for safety reasons.
Casual elegance is suggested for dinner service.

HOW DO WE CONFIRM OUR RESERVATION?

A deposit of $1,000.00 per guest is required to secure the dates.
All deposits are nonrefundable however they are transferable within a 12 month period from the original trip start date. This applies only when a change request is made before the 75 day pre trip start date.

DOES THE LODGE OFFER TRIP INSURANCE?

The Zancudo Lodge has partnered with GLOBAL RESCUE to offer travel insurance to our guests.
We strongly recommend that you enroll as an integral and strategic part of your trip planning.
Please refer to the link on our website www.thezancudolodge.com (under FISHING PACKAGES)
for further details.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LODGING AND DINING PACKAGE?
  • Gratuities to Lodge staff and Lodge captains
    • Recommended minimums for Lodge staff are $60 per guest per night
    • Recommended minimums for Lodge captains are $250 per captain per day
  • All purchases, services, drinks and meals in San Jose
  • All expenses in San Jose during transit
  • All other personal expenses in San Jose and during transit
  • Extra or specialty meals at the Lodge
  • Extra laundry requirements (in excess of the daily 4 garments)
  • All tours and excursions
  • Equipment rental
  • Massages
  • Pro shop items
  • Premium liquor, wine, champagne, blended drinks
  • Cigars
  • Medical assistance
  • Hotel and fishing staff gratuities
  • All meals and beverages between the hours of 8pm and 5am
WHAT ARE THE RESTAURANT AND POOL HOURS?

Breakfast 5a-9a
Lunch 1230p-230p
Bocas 4p-5p
Dinner 6p-8p
Bar 12p-8p
Pool 8a-8p

HOW SAFE IS THE WATER TO DRINK?

Our Lodge is self filtered, actually 3 times filtered! Therefore the water is completely safe to drink.
Water at the Lodge is bottled, in glass or non toxic plastic containers, utilizing the VERO system.

HOW'S THE INTERNET AT THE LODGE?

In all public areas, complimentary fiber optic wifi is available to all guests.

IS LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE IN ZANCUDO?

An independent taxi service is available for our guests. Please contact the staff if you require local transportation. This service is privately owned and independently operated.

SHOULD WE BRING US DOLLARS OR COLONES (LOCAL CURRENCY)? CAN WE CHARGE OUR PURCHASES?

All major credit cards are welcomed at the Lodge but guests may choose to use cash for purchases and
gratuities. There are no banks or ATM's in Zancudo so getting cash is relatively difficult.
We strongly suggest that our guests call their credit card companies prior to their arrival in Costa Rica and
alert them that they will be traveling and using their credit cards internationally for a specified period.
US dollars and Costa Rican colones are both accepted in Costa Rica.

WHAT ARE THE SUGGESTED GRATUITIES FOR THE STAFF?

For Bar, Restaurant, Housekeeping, and Guest Services staff.
Gratuities are earned and very much appreciated by our staff.
For guests who choose to leave a consolidated tip, the average is between $50.00-$100.00 per guest per night.
Envelopes are available in the guest rooms and this may be given to the manager at the end of your stay.
We suggest bringing cash for all gratuities.

WHAT ARE THE SUGGESTED GRATUITIES FOR YOUR FISHING CAPTAIN?

Gratuities are earned and very much appreciated by our staff. The normal range for our captains is between usd 200.00-usd 300.00 per day per boat. This is normally given directly to the captains after each fishing day or at the end of your trip.
We suggest bringing cash for all gratuities.

WHEN IS THE FINAL PAYMENT DUE ON A RESERVATION?

The balance of your trip is due 60 days prior to your arrival in San Jose.
All trip payments are nonrefundable within 75 days of your your trip start date. We highly suggest trip insurance.

CAN WE BRING OUR FRESH CATCH BACK HOME?

Unfortunately no. Firstly, the Sansa domestic flights are small, 12 seater aircrafts with strict weight restrictions (30lbs per luggage/ 1 max per passenger). Air transportation and ground refrigerated transportation is scarce from our area. Secondly we are a catch and release Lodge and proudly support the conservation efforts of our beautiful waters. We bring back to the lodge only enough fish for our guests to enjoy.

COSTA RICA
The Ultimate Fishing Adventure

Reserve Online

or Call us at +1 800-854-8791

Zancudo Lodge flag logo