Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at the Soleil Pacifico Resort, four days guided fishing, accom- modations in Guatemala City on last night, all local drinks (including beer, rum, red wine, and some premium imported liquor) at resort, transfers from Guatemala City to the resort, cell phone with limited minutes, your first fly, and use of quality fly tackle.
Not Included: Airfare to Guatemala, meals and transfers in Guatemala City, additional flies, specifically requested alcohols, espresso drinks, additional cell minutes, and optional tours to places like Antigua.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To reach the Great Sailfishing Company, anglers will need to make flight arrangements to Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Getting to the Lodge: After clearing customs and exiting the terminal, anglers will be met by a representative of the Great Sailfishing Company (typically the greeter will be one of the owners, Carlos or Les) carrying a sign with your name on it. From there you will be driven in an air conditioned van approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to Puerto San Jose and the resort.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will be transferred to the airport in Guatemala City in the morning.
Approximate Flying Times to Guatemala City: Los Angeles: 5 hours • Dallas: 3 hours • Miami: 2 hours • New York: 4 hours.
Documentation Requirements:
You will need a valid passport to enter Guatemala and it must be valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry.
Currency:
The national currency is the Guatemalan Quetzales. No money exchange is required as US dollars are readily accepted.
Travel Cash:
Credit cards are not readily accepted so please come prepared with cash in denominations of $50 and lower. Gratuities will be your only significant cash requirement so please consult the following guidelines, taking into account the number of anglers and numbers of days that you will fish when planning your cash requirements.
Gratuities:
A gratuity of approximately $100-$150 per boat per day is recommended. This should be given directly to the captain at the end of each fishing day and he will distribute it to the crew. When staying in the private cupulas we recommend tipping the cook directly a total of $20 per day (for the group) at the end of your stay. We also recommend leaving a total of $5-10 per day (for the group) for the housekeeping staff. These monies should be left on the main dining room table.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are included and the lodge will issue your license when you arrive.
Climate:
Typical daytime temperatures range from 80-95 degrees with 70% humidity. Drinks lots of water and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Antigua, approximately one hour and fifteen minutes from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.
Power and Communications:
The cupulas have standard 110 volt outlets that accept two or three prong plug-ins. You will be given a personal cell phone with Q100 credit for the duration of your stay at the coast. You will be given a direct number for this phone as soon as you arrive. Additional 30 minute increments can be purchased for an additional $15.
Wireless internet in your room is available upon request and based on availability. Please keep in mind the wireless internet is dependent on whether the resort has working transmitters at the time of stay. There is no guarantee of WIFI due to the sea breeze which corrodes the transmitters. There is an $8 per night fee for the Wi-Fi. Please be prepared to pay this onsite at check out.
Water:
We recommend NOT drinking the tap water. Plenty of bottled water is available.
Clothing:
Quick dry pants and shorts, long sleeved quick dry shirts, casual cotton pants and t-shirts, shorts and shirts, sandals, bandana, “Buff” facial sun protector (www.planetbuff.com), hat with wide brim, sun gloves, light rain coat, and swimsuit are recommended. Wet wading with flats boots (Simms, Patagonia) is the norm. Supportive sturdy flats boots are best, as many flats have tough marl bottoms. Boat fishing footwear: Non- scuff - white soled deck shoes or sandals: Crocs work well and are comfortable. Dress at the lodge is neat but casual.
Laundry:
If you would like any of your clothes washed, simply leave them on the floor and housekeeping will be glad to wash them for you.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge provides alcohol, including beer, red wine, rum drinks and various imported spirits. If there’s a special 20 year old single malt you enjoy, consider bringing it yourself.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Sailfish:
Rod: 12-14 wt. fly rods
Reel: large arbor direct drive or anti reverse reels with strong drags and at least 300 yards of 30 pound backing
Lines: Floating or sinking lines work equally well for fishing poppers or wet flies. Many like to fish sinking lines (even with poppers) as they load easily for the required short casts.
Leaders/Tippet: Your crew will likely want to take control of this element but but standard tarpon leader with 20 pound class tippets and 80-100 pound shock tippets are recommended.
Flies: Cam Sigler double hooked poppers in pink and white as well as in blue and white are the go to flies. All offshore poppers with tandem hooks work well and large tandem hooked wets can be useful for days when the fish aren’t exceedingly aggressive.
Dorado, Jacks and Roosters:
Rod: 9 ft. 10 wts
Reel: large arbor direct drive with at least 200 yards of 30 pound backing
Lines: Weight forward floating salt water lines
Leaders/Tippet: Your crew will likely want to take control of this element but standard tarpon style leaders with 20 pound class tippets and 40 pound shock tippets are recommended.
Flies: Assorted 1/0-3/0 salt water baitfish patterns like Clouser minnows, sea habits, and Puglisi streamers. Bring along a few poppers just in case.
