THE PACIFIC COAST - Guatemala - page 315

Antigua-based Century 21 Casa Nova ( www.century-21casanova.com ). Homes here rent
for about $700 a week, or $400 for a weekend. This is a self-contained, gated community
and you won't find much of anything in this sparsely populated area of the Pacific Coast.
See JUAN GAVIOTA: GUATEMALA'S PACIFIC PARADISE
PUERTO QUETZAL
The main attraction here is the Puerto Quetzal Cruise Ship Terminal, where an increas-
ing number of boats calling on Guatemala's Pacific Coast make landfall. Within the larger
terminal area is the Marina Pez Vela, harboring boats for sailfishing adventures. Cruise-
ship passengers will find several amenities, including Internet access, telephone commu-
nications, and stands selling a variety of local handicrafts. You can also book sailfishing
tripsfromhere. Guatemala Sport Fishing (tel.[phone])hasacharterdeskthatoperates
out of the marina. There's also an excellent restaurant, 7 Caldos del Mar (Seven Soups
of the Sea, tel. [phone]), run by the amiable Dimitris Moliviatis. You”ll find more than
seven soups on the menu—including tapado, sancocho, and kakik —as well as a variety of
meat and seafood dishes, and a fully stocked bar. Order a Cuba Libre (rum and coke) with
Guatemala's famous Zacapa Centenario rum.
IZTAPA
Farther west along the coastline are the lovely beaches of Iztapa, which are remarkably
clean, wide, andsandy.Although the townitself isadilapidated oldporttown,it isbecom-
ing increasingly popular as the jumping-off point for some of the world's best sailfishing.
Iztapa is Guatemala's original port, used by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Alvarado to
build boats and set sail for his onward journey to Perú. Anglers will find first-class accom-
modations tocomplement theworld-class fishingjustoffthecoast.Surferswillfindplenty
of waves to ride here, as there is a fairly decent break. All beach access in Iztapa is private
and visitors have to cross the canal to get to the beaches. Your best bet is to stay at an area
lodge.
Sailfishing Outfitters
Afive-night fishingpackage (includes boat,captain, meals, transport fromGuatemala City
airport, accommodation in Iztapa and Antigua/Guatemala City hotels) generally starts at
US$1,550perperson,basedonagroupoffour.Add-onsincludegolfinginGuatemalaCity
or La Antigua. Tips for the boat captain generally run about $100 per day per group.
Among the recommended outfitters is the American-owned and -operated Sailfish Bay
Lodge (tel. [phone] direct or 800/638-7405 U.S. reservations, www.sailfishbay.com ) .
Packages include food and accommodations at a beautiful eight-room lodge right on