FAQ
What travel documents do I need when visiting Guatemala?
Which airlines service Guatemala City?
Flight Times
What do I expect when I arrive and depart at the airport (GUA) in Guatemala City?
How do we get to and from the lodge?
What is the address and contact info for the lodge in Guatemala?
What is the address and contact info for the US office?
How safe is it in Guatemala?
Is the water safe to drink?
What types of tours or day trips from the lodge are available in Guatemala?
How many rooms does the lodge have?
Do you provide laundry service?
What is your cancellation policy?
Are all my food and drinks included in the package price?
What forms of payment does Buena Vista Sportfishing Lodge accept?
Do you provide ground transportation from the airport to the lodge?
Where is Buena Vista Island, Iztapa Guatemala?
We are located 60 miles south of Guatemala City, just east of the pacific port of Guatemala, Puerto Queztal.
What travel documents do I need when visiting Guatemala?
A valid passport.
Which airlines service Guatemala City?
American, United, Continental, Delta, Taca, Spirit, Copa, and Iberia.
Flight Times
Miami and Ft. Lauderdale - 2 hrs
Houston - 2.5 hrs
Atlanta and Dallas - 3 hrs
Los Angeles - 4.5 hrs
What do I expect when I arrive and depart at the airport (GUA) in Guatemala City?
Built in 2009, the airport is new and modern. Once you clear immigration and customs, a lodge representative will be waiting for you outside holding up a sign with your group's name.
How do we get to and from the lodge?
An English-speaking representative will transport you in our air-conditioned courtesy vehicle to the Lodge. The vehicle is stocked with beer, sodas, and water. After leaving Guatemala City, the trip is along a modern four-lane highway and takes about 1.5 hrs. Along the way you will pass volcanoes, coffee plantations, and sugar cane fields.
We can also arrange transportation from the Guatemala City airport to the Lodge via helicopter. Private plane owners can also fly into a regional airport located in nearby Puerto San Jose. Please call for more details about these options.
What is the address and contact info for the lodge in Guatemala?
Buenavista Sportfishing Lodge
Calle Bajamar Lote 19
Buena Vista, Iztapa
Guatemala, C. A.
011-502-7880-4203
F011-501-7880-4204
www.buenavistasportfishing.com
info@buenavistasportfishing.com
What is the address and contact info for the US office?
Buenavista Sportfishing
885 Marlboro Road
Lothian, Maryland 20711 USA
866-699-3277
305-735-2387
F 410-741-0622
www.buenavistasportfishing.com
info@buenavistasportfishing.com
What is the currency and exchange rate in Guatemala?
The currency is the Quetzal. The exchange rate varies between 7.4 and 7.8 Quetzales per dollar. You may exchange currency at the airport or the Lodge.
How safe is it in Guatemala?
Guatemala has a police and military presence that is recognized by the US government as effective and cooperative. A rule of thumb is to exercise common sense while travelling anywhere in the country. There has never been any reported incident involving fishing tourists. We provide 24-hour security at the Lodge to ensure a secure and comfortable environment.
Is the water safe to drink?
The Lodge provides bottled water and uses only purified ice.
What types of tours or day trips from the lodge are available in Guatemala?
We offer several secure day trips from the lodge:
Mayan Ruins Tours - Antigua /Jade Factory Tour
Please call for information on available tours and prices.
How many rooms does the Lodge have?
The main Lodge, or "Yellow House," has one Master Suite with a private bath upstairs and a view of the river. Downstairs there are three bedrooms, each with a queen-size bed and its own private bath. One of these has a twin bed as well, and the others are large enough for one to be added if necessary. Next to the Yellow House and the pool, there are six new rooms with queen-size beds and private baths - all overlook the river. Each client/couple has a private room. For larger groups, we use a friend's new hotel right next door to our Lodge.
Do you provide laundry service?
Yes, we do provide complementary laundry service. We recommend that you bring a minumum of clothes. This means you travel home in the same clothes you arrive in, a couple of bathing suits, fishing shirts, and T-shirts are all you need here (T-shirts are available for purchase here at the Lodge). Weather during the day is usually in the 90's and at night, cools off to the 70's. The dry season is from November thru May and the rainy season is June thru October.
What is your cancellation policy?
A deposit of 50% of your trip's total cost is required in order to book your desired dates; the remaining balance is to be paid 30 days prior to your trip. If, for any reason, you are unable to make it to the Lodge for your confirmed days, we will do our best to reschedule your stay and return all but 20% of your initial deposit, which will be retained as a handling fee. However, if you are unable to reschedule the trip, your deposit will not be refunded. We highly recommend you purchase trip cancellation insurance.
Are all my food and drinks included in the package price?
All meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included. We have access to the freshest seafood anywhere, and our restaurant offers a full selection of USDA meats. We also offer chicken and vegetarian meals. Our food is really good! The Lodge offers a full bar service with domestic and imported beer and liquors. Premium cigars including from Cuba are available. You can purchase domestic beers for $3.00 each, imported beers for $5.00 each, and mixed drinks with top-shelf liquor and freshly squeezed juices for $6.00 each. Your bar tab will be settled upon your departure.
What forms of payment does Buena Vista Sportfishing Lodge accept?
US currency, local currency, and credit cards. Please do not bring travelers' checks to Guatemala, for local banks may not change them.
Do you provide ground transportation from the airport to the lodge?
Yes, ground transportation to and from the airport is included. An English-speaking representative provides transportation.