Grand Slam Lodge

Whether you seek great fishing, seclusion and relaxation, first-class, all-inclusive lodging or an unforgettable getaway to a place that encompasses all of the above, Grand Slam Lodge is always a top contender. Located just outside the small village of Punta Allen, about halfway down the Yucatan Peninsula, this world-class operation offers immediate access to the vast, uncrowded flats of Ascension Bay and a network of lagoons, where visiting anglers can expect numerous chances to test their mettle with wily permit and an exciting supporting cast that includes bonefish, snook, tarpon, barracuda and more. 

Built on a quiet, private beach, Grand Slam offers duplex-style villas, each with two separate spacious and luxurious double rooms boasting many of the lavish amenities most often seen in high-end resorts. All rooms have a semi-private veranda with rod racks and outdoor seating overlooking the water. There’s also a small pool, complete with a raised deck and loungers, an inviting restaurant serving excellent food, a bar stocked with a good selection of beer, wine, soft drinks and spirits, and a bartender that takes pride in mixing cocktails to perfection.

Permit and bonefish are frequently encountered tailing or cruising on the flats, snook and juvenile tarpon lurk in the mangroves, and larger silver kings, some exceeding 100 pounds, stage a seasonal pilgrimage through the region similar to that of the Florida Keys in late spring and summer. But this part of the Yucatan is known as “permit alley” for good reason, permit are quite plentiful and, as such, many visiting anglers come to target them exclusively. Of course, other species, highly coveted like the aforementioned bonefish, snook and tarpon, or simply fun like barracuda, jacks, triggerfish, snappers, etc., are also available and the guides will gladly track some down. If catching a flats slam is your intention, a definite possibility around these parts, you just need to communicate your wishes to the guides before leaving the dock so they can plan the day accordingly. 

Whether fishing alone or sharing the boat with a buddy, anglers at Grand Slam Lodge benefit from having two guides with them on the water. The more seasoned usually runs the panga and, when it’s time to look for fish, keeps the boat gliding stealthily over skinny water with a push pole. The other guide helps with the fish search, plus also assists anglers with their rigging needs and their fly line management during crucial moments.  

A great deal of the fishing is done from the bow deck of the panga, nevertheless, wading is possible in many spots, and it’s frequently encouraged when a permit is spotted and the lead guide deems that approaching the fish on foot will ultimately afford the best chance to score. Bringing proper flats-wading footwear is, therefore, recommended to provide more stability and safeguard your feet against rocks, coral and any other submerged obstacles. 

Grand Slam Lodge has six beachfront, duplex-style villas, all incorporating two spacious rooms (one at ground level and the other directly above) with elegant and modern interiors, two king-size beds, air-conditioning, a full bath with jacuzzi tub, a veranda overlooking the ocean, 24-hour electricity, and a number of additional comforts and conveniences. The main lodge features a large restaurant, a bar, a comfortable lounge area and exterior deck with ample seating for those who’d rather have breakfast or dinner alfresco. The expansive grounds, laden with palm trees and natural foliage, also include a pool just steps from the beach, with plenty of loungers around it to relax and take in the great views.

Cuisine

Grand Slam Lodge has a full-service restaurant serving a varied menu that includes international, Mexican and Caribbean dishes featuring local seafood, quality meats, and fresh vegetables and fruits. A full breakfast is served daily, with fruit juices and plenty of coffee to get you going. Lunch changes daily and is packed right into the cooler that will ride with you on the boat, along with bottled water, soft drinks and beer, should you request some. Come dinner time, you’ll get to sink your teeth into some of the most delectable food you’ve ever tasted, featuring grouper, snapper, lobster or shrimp, as well as prime beef, chicken and pork expertly prepared in a range of ways, often complemented by lip-smacking sauces and sides. Guests with dietary restrictions can be accommodated, but prior notice (at least two weeks, preferably) is strongly recommended. 

Connectivity

Service from certain cell providers works in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and sometimes Tulum, but you should expect the signal to quickly wane once you enter the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, the expansive tropical forest and marine reserve in which Grand Slam Lodge and Punta Allen, the nearby village, are located. Nevertheless, the lodge has a phone and offers complimentary Wi-Fi.

Non-angling guests can enjoy a variety of activities, from visiting Mayan ruins to snorkeling, bird watching, beachcombing, spending the day in Tulum or exploring Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, one of the world’s largest protected wild areas, encompassing some 1.3 million acres inhabited by myriad bird, reptile, mammal and fish species.

Anglers traveling to Grand Slam Lodge should fly to Cancun International Airport (CUN); several airlines offer direct flights from major U.S. cities. After retrieving your luggage and clearing Mexican immigration and customs, you must walk to the airport’s lobby and reception area, where a representative of Grand Slam Lodge will be waiting to escort you to an air-conditioned vehicle for your ground transfer to the lodge. When sea conditions allow it, anglers arriving to Cancun before 2:00 pm make the final, 20-mile leg from Ultimo Maya dock (located 15 minutes from Tulum’s Mayan Arch) by boat through Boca Paila Lagoon. To ensure a timely and stress-free transfer back to Cancun airport, be sure to opt for a flight departing after 2:00 pm for your return home. 

No visas or inoculation are required for U.S. citizens to enter Mexico, but they must have a valid passport that will not expire within six (6) months of the trip dates, has at least two blank pages remaining, and is not torn or damaged in any way. All minors (under 18 years of age) traveling to Mexico accompanied by only one parent or legal guardian must have a notarized letter from the other parent granting permission to travel. Single parents need a notarized divorce decree or death certificate of the spouse. Unaccompanied minors require a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents.

Midcurrent’s services are completely free, so you never pay more than if you booked directly with the lodge or outfitter. All rates are per person and listed in U.S. dollars.

2023 Rates

Double Occupancy – through June 2023 (shared room and boat)
7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing $4,520 per person
6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing $3,895 per person
5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing $3,270 per person
4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing $2,645 per person
3 Nights / 2 Days Fishing $2,020 per person 

Single Occupancy – through June 2023 (single room and single angler per boat)
7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days $7,290 per person
6 Nights / 5 Fishing Days $6,290 per person
5 Nights / 4 Fishing Days $5,290 per person
4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days $4,290 per person
3 Nights / 2 Fishing Days $3,290 per person 

Included:

• The number of nights lodging specified in the package 
• Daily guided fishing
• Airport transfers
• Three meals per day
• All bottled water, breakfast juices and coffee
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• All applicable Mexican VAT and hotel taxes
• Fishing License 

Not Included:

• Airfare to Cancun, Mexico 
• Hotel in Cancun (if necessary)
• Gratuities for fishing guides and lodge staff
• Alcoholic beverages, sodas and mixers
• Laundry service
• Phone calls 
• Fishing tackle and flies (rod-and-reel rental and flies and leaders available for purchase) 
• Additional tours and non-angling activities

Bookings are confirmed with a 50 percent deposit, made no later than seven days after booking a trip. Balance must be received no later than 90 days prior to the first day of the trip. Notification of cancellation must be received 90 days prior to the first day of the trip in order to receive partial or full credit for an alternate date. All payments are final and nonrefundable, with the exception of a medical or family emergency, deemed reasonable at Midcurrent’s discretion.

Booking a trip or making a deposit represents that the client accepts all terms and conditions. Midcurrent’s terms are in addition to any terms and conditions of each individual lodge that Midcurrent represents. Please read those terms carefully—lodge terms, which may differ from Midcurrent’s terms, supersede any agreements between Midcurrent and a client.