Los Roques, Venezuela Venezuela

LOS ROQUES SLIDE SHOW

The Los Roques Archipelago is a 22 mile ring of small islands in the Caribbean Sea located 80 miles north of Caracas, Venezuela.  While the area is often referred to as an archipelago, technically Los Roques is an atoll within the Lesser Antilles characterized by magnificent coral beds, diverse and varied flats, sandy beaches, clear waters and incredible natural beauty.  The entire atoll was declared a national park in the mid-80’s and since that time there has been very little development, thus insuring the pristine nature of the area for generations to come. There are in excess of 300 distinct fishing area/flats in the region.
 
The island of El Grande Roque is the largest of the archipelago and has a permanent population of roughly 1500 people. The island is very safe and clean and popular among forgieg tourists and affluent Venezuelans alike. There are no cars on the island, leaving folk free to walk the quaint sand street barefoot.
 
Located 11 degrees north of the equator, Los Roques’ air and water temperatures vary little throughout the season. The area is also characterized by a dry climate and is relatively unaffected by cold fronts and hurricanes.  These factors make Los Roques one of the safest bonefishing locations in the world in terms of weather and water conditions much like Christmas Island.
 
Chris Yrazabal, owner of Sight Cast, is a fourteen-year veteran to guiding the Los Roques region. His guests are housed at Acurella, a small elegant lodge which is located only five minutes from the airport on the atoll’s largest island El Gran Roque.

Los Roques Travel:
You will need to make travel arrangements to Caracas, Venezuela.  You hotel in Caracas and inner country flights are included in the package price.  Anglers are met at the airport (after clearing customs) by a representative of the lodges transfer service, Grand Slam Transfers.  The employee of the transfer service will be holding a sign with the name Sight Cast and Grand Slam.  He will then take anglers to the Hotel (Best Western Puerto Viejo).  The transfer to the hotel from the airport should take 10 minutes.  The next morning, the transfer service will take Anglers directly to the LTA Airline counter for your 35- minute flight to the island.

Los Roques Documentation:
A valid passport is needed to enter Venezuela.  Note: Passports need to be valid for at least 6 months past your travel date.  US Citizens do NOT need visa to enter to Venezuela.
 
Los Roques Fishing:   
With more than 250 square miles of fishable water, the Los Roques area is a wade fisherman’s dream come true. While many of the more productive flats are covered with turtle grass, coral flats and hard sand flats also abound.   Regarded primarily as a bonefish destination, the vast and varied waters surrounding Aculera Lodge also provide ample opportunities for species such as Barracuda, Tarpon, Jacks and Spanish Mackerel. During the prime months of mid-January through mid-October, Los Roques offers impressive numbers of bonefish that average 3-4 pounds.  Fish over 5 pounds are common, and good numbers of fish in the 7-10 pound range are present.  Fish over 10 pounds have been taken, and the lodge record is an honest 13 pounder! Their season runs from mid-January through October. Fishing is done from 28 ft fiberglass boats with one guide and one captain per two clients.  The fishing day is approximately 8-hours, but times vary so as to hit the best tides.  If the best tides for tailing fish are late afternoon, the fishing day may be from 10:30 am – 6:30 pm.   When anglers tire of walking the flats or tides are not optimal for wading, anglers can fish from the boat’s casting platform.  While these boats are too large to be poled effectively, the boatman can “walk” the boat across deeper flats, while the guide helps anglers to spot fish from the bow.  The guides can also take anglers to deep-water “muds” or "secret" bonefish holes where even beginners can catch an abundance of bonefish.               
 
Los Roques Accommodations:
Lodging is at Acurela Lodge, which is located within the village of Los Roques on El Grand Roque.  Anglers stay in tasteful double and single occupancy guestrooms, each with ceiling fan, air conditioner and a private bath.  The lodge is very tasteful and appropriate for non anglers. Owner and chef extraordinaire  Angelo Belvedere serves wonderful four course dinners that showcase the region’s fresh seafood and they have a great roof top sitting area for enjoying the evening breeze.
Anglers typically eat breakfast at 7 AM and depart for the flats at 7:30 AM. Anglers typically return to the lodge at 4:00 PM and hours devours are served at about 5:30 PM. Dinners tend to be served later at 8 PM. Late afternoon naps fit well into the schedule.

Los Roques Climate:
Air temperatures are usually in the upper 80’s to low 90’s and water temperatures never vary more than a few degrees above 75°. Los Roques is a dry climate, it seldom rains. There are no winter “cold fronts”, such as those frequently experienced in the Bahamas, Mexico and Belize and hurricanes bypass Los Roques to the north.
 
Los Roques Season:
February – October
 
Los Roques Fish Species:
Bonefish, tarpon, jacks and permit
 
Lodge Capacity:
8 anglers
 
Los Roques 2008 Rates:
$3,575 per person for a week of fishing.
 
Included:
First and last overnight at the selected hotel (in Caracas: Best Western or Tamanaco and in La Guaira: Puerto Viejo Best Western); round trip flight Caracas/ Los Roques/ Caracas with LTA;, accommodation at  Acurela; all meals at the Lodge and at the boat; all ground transfers;, guided fishing, fishing licenses and permits.

Not Included:
International airfare to Caracas, meals and beverages in the mainland, Los Roques National Park Entry Fee (approx. $10), alcoholic beverages (except beers on the boat), items of a personal nature such as phone calls and laundry, domestic departure tax, international departure tax, gratuities to the lodge staff and fishing guides.