Accommodations

Lodging Details

Nestled along the coastline of Iztapa, Guatemala, the Blue Bayou Lodge is located just five minutes from La Marina Pez Vela in a secure and private residential complex built on a series of water channels leading out the Pacific. The Lodge can hold groups as large as 15 guests, and all rooms feature air conditioning and private bathrooms. Amenities also include a beautiful pool, decks overlooking the water, and lots of shade from the exotic plant life surrounding the property. The Lodge’s bar is set up just a few paces from the temperature-controlled pool, which is great for post-fishing swims. The Lodge also offers Wi-Fi for those wanting to keep in touch throughout their trip, as well as a Skype phone line for unlimited internet phone calls.

Food and Beverages

Every morning before your departure, the Lodge serves a family-style Guatemalan breakfast (juice, coffee, eggs, fruit, and beans). A packed boat lunch features both a hot meal and – usually – fresh ceviche (depending on the Dorado bite). Ice-cold beers, plenty of iced-down sodas and water, and rum on the boat will keep you lubricated and hydrated throughout the days. The evenings consist of a cocktail hour, appetizers, and the main dinner course.  Local seafood is typically on the menu, but a variety of quality meats are always available for those who want to mix it up.

Typical Length of Stay

The most popular trip package at Blue Bayou Lodge is four (4) nights / three (3) fishing days, although longer trips can certainly be arranged. Contact Yellow Dog for more details.

Non-Angling Activities and Options

For non-anglers, Guatemala is an interesting and diverse country. Side trips can be arranged to Antigua, Tikal and the Lake Atitlan region. These areas offer national parks, ruins, biosphere reserves, incredible wildlife viewing, Mayan temples, shopping, horseback riding and more.

Internet / Communications

Wi-Fi is available at the Lodge and some cell phone providers may have service that works in this part of Guatemala.

Photos

The Fishing

General Information

Guatemala has gained an international reputation as having one of the highest year-round concentrations of billfish, particularly Pacific sailfish. In fact, scientists who have studied the large numbers of sailfish off the coast of Guatemala have concluded this region may be the largest breeding ground for Pacific sailfish in the world. While the prime season in Guatemala is November through May, sailfish can legitimately be caught twelve months a year. The coast in this area of Guatemala forms a giant bay with strong rotating currents flowing west-to-east from the Mexican coast having turned back after hitting the coast of El Salvador. This creates an enormous “ocean eddy” – rich with bait and pelagic fish. Sailfish, dorado, tuna, blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, and a large number of other species congregate in this area in great numbers. Inshore fishing in the region offers good action for roosterfish and jack crevalle as well. 

The sport fishing fleet in this area is fairly small, meaning that overall fishing pressure is light. It is a rarity to see another boat while fishing offshore and you will usually have Guatemala’s calm ocean all to yourself. Depending upon water conditions, fishing may be as close as eight miles from shore or as far as fifty miles out. You will find captains and crew to be educationally focused, so no matter if you are a veteran bluewater angler or someone who is completely new to this exciting style of fishing, they will teach you how to be successful.  The Lodge carries a variety of top-notch fly equipment, and lightweight conventional tackle is available onboard as well. The Lodge also does offer a unique snook program in the channels around the Lodge. After your bluewater fishing day, guests can often use smaller panga-style boats to blind cast around structures in the inland canals.

Boats and Equipment 

Blue Bayou’s fleet consists of 28 to 38-foot, twin-diesel yachts.  Bertrams, Albemarle, and Hatteras are what they typically run. All the boats are well-maintained, consume minimum fuel, and have a very experienced crew for all tackle approaches (fly, light conventional, inshore, live bait, etc.). In addition, the head Captain is a USCG certified 100-ton master captain with seven-plus years in Guatemala and lots of personal fly fishing experience throughout the US.  This will make communication easy! The equipment on board for those renting includes Tibor, Abel and Penn 12 to 13-weight reels and Temple Fork rods.

Photos

Travel Details

How To Get There

Fly from your home city to Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airpot (GUA). After processing through immigration and customs, you will walk outside the arrival lobby where a Blue Bayou representative will meet you. You will then be transferred to the lodge 90 minutes away.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times

Upon arrival into Guatemala City (GUA), guests will be transferred by private vehicle to the Lodge, a trip that takes under 90 minutes. To accommodate early flight departures at the end of the trip, clients will typically spend their final night at the first-class hotel in Guatemala City. These are true five-star hotels located in the heart of Guatemala City’s most popular restaurant and nightlife district. Located ten minutes from the airport, these are among Guatemala’s finest hotels. When making your flight arrangement, we suggest not departing Guatemala City before 12:00 PM.

Documents Required

A valid passport is required for all visitors to Guatemala and must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the duration of your stay. Citizens of the U.S., the British Commonwealth, and Canada are NOT required to have Visas.