THE PACIFIC COAST - Guatemala - page 316

the beach across the canal in Iztapa. Another option is the upstart Buena Vista Sport-
fishing Lodge (Calle Baja Mar, Aldea Buena Vista, tel. [phone],
www.buenavistasportfishing.com ) , owned by an American expatriate. Its developer sees
huge potential along the Guatemalan coast after having drifted here from Costa Rica.
Based in Antigua, and a joint Guatemalan-American venture, is The Great Sailfishing
Company (tel. [phone] Antigua or 877/763-0851 U.S.,
www.greatsailfishing.com ) .Youcanfishusingconventionalmethodsaswellasfly-fishing
and the company's informative website can point you in the right direction when planning
a sailfishing trip to Guatemala. Guests stay at Villas del Pacífico Resort or a private villa
within the same compound.
Under new ownership, Pacific Fins Resort & Marina (tel. [phone] U.S.,
www.pacificfins.com ) operates out of its very attractive namesake lodge and restaurant.
They also offer whale-watching tours. Guatemala Sport Fishing (tel. [phone]) has a
charter desk at Puerto Quetzal's Marina Pez Vela.
Based in Florida and operating out of its namesake lodge one mile west of Puerto San
José, Casa Vieja Lodge (tel. [phone], www.casaviejalodge.com ) is one of the larger
outfitters.ManyofitsstaffmembersworkedforIztapa'soriginalsailfishinglodge,Fins'N
Feathers.Thelodgeisinanoldwoodhouse(asitsnameimplies)thathasbeenwonderfully
restored to afford anglers a comfortable place to come back to after a day of fishing. Last
but not least is Rods & Reels Sportfishing Adventures (tel. [phone] or 305/432-2554
U.S, www.rodsandreelssportfishing.com ) .
Accommodations and Food
In town, adequate accommodations can be found at Sol y Playa Tropical (1a Calle 5-41,
tel. [phone], $22 d), which has rooms with private bath and ceiling fan or air-condition-
ing built around a nicely landscaped swimming pool. Across the Canal de Chiquimulilla
and right on the beach, Iztapa's nicest accommodations are at the Sailfish Bay Lodge
(tel. [phone] direct or 800/638-7405 U.S. reservations, www.sailfishbay.com , $125 d).
Accommodations here are usually sold as part of a sailfishing package, but you are more
than welcome to stay on your own. The Guatemalan Pacific Coast's best-kept secret is
a modern, well-designed lodge featuring a thatched-roof seaside bar and swimming pool
with whirlpool bath, comfortable ocean-view rooms with all the usual amenities, and an
excellentrestaurantfrontingthecanal.Youcanenjoyphenomenalviewsofthreevolcanoes
rising above the surrounding mangroves while you dine. The outstanding feature of this
place is that it's the only lodge sitting right on the broad, black-sand beach. A number of
luxurious beach villas are the only neighbors. There are surfboards for guests' use. Trans-
portation to the lodge from Guatemala City or Antigua is also available.