“FINEST BILLFISHING IN THE WORLD”

PLEASE CALL 
(512) 261-2400 FOR AVAILABLE DATES

Booking dates will be held for 14 days. The space you hold will be considered available for the next interested customer after the 14 days have lapsed. Check the calendar before calling.

Includes: boat, crew, tackle, lodging, rooms, meals, wine

Not included: $500 per person charter flight, alcohol other than dinner wine, $50 per night room tax single occupancy/$25 per room tax double occupancy, any hotels or meals prior to arrival or after departure, commercial flights

To reserve date: 50% deposit of the fishing rate per person – All major credit cards accepted.

ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE LODGE

The lodge is a veritable paradise cut out of the side of a mountain at the edge of the Darien Jungle on the Pacific coast of Panama, a superstar among the world’s big-game fishing destinations. It is situated 150 miles south of Panama City, and can only be reached by boat or plane since there are no roads within a hundred miles. A charter plane lands on an airstrip in Piñas Bay. You then take a ten-minute boat ride to the lodge.

The original owner’s home is known as El Palacio or the Palace. It is reached by cable car, or for those looking for exercise, there are 122 steps up the mountainside! The Palace has three bedrooms with private baths and can sleep six. It has a sunken living room and outside terrace, both with a beautiful panoramic view of the Bay and surrounding mountains.

Main Lodging: Our spacious cabins and rooms are air-conditioned, with a beautiful view of Piñas Bay. Each room has twin beds and private bath/dressing room areas. A king-size bed can be requested. The cabins have surrounding porches with chairs.
The Lodge has a freshwater swimming pool and bar. A jungle trail has been cut across to La Playa Blanca, where you may enjoy swimming, sunning, and shelling on the beautiful white sand beach. This trail is over a small mountain and takes thirty to forty minutes to hike there. In order to really enjoy this walk, you should be in very good physical shape! Kayaks are also available to enjoy the bay and Piñas river on your own. A jungle river trip to bargain with the “indigenous” Indian tribes.

Each afternoon when the boats return to the Lodge, “fish stories” are swapped while guests relax in the freshwater swimming pool, or drink pina coladas and eat fish fingers or sashimi on the veranda overlooking the bay, or in the air-conditioned bar.

Multi-course dinners, complete with wine, are served in the scenic bay-view dining room each evening. The chef prepares various specialties, such as Baked Alaska, Cherries Jubilee, black bean soup; fresh baked pies and bread, ceviche, and many more varied and delectable dishes. A fresh “catch of the day” is offered, as well as our regular main course selection.

Guests are catered to by over 100 employees, whose “personal touch” makes your stay a memorable one! Since the Lodge can only accommodate a total of 36 guests at a time, early reservations are a must; otherwise, you might have to be wait-listed for a possible cancellation.

The lodge enjoys a very large repeat client business. It is known the world over as an exclusive fishing lodge where quality and a quantity of fish come together in Pinas Bay! While we strive to maintain our get away from it all Tropic Star Experience, we do offer limited Internet and phone service. We have a television and DVDs in the bar, used solely for the purpose of viewing fishing videos. Please bring any cords or adapters needed for your video equipment.

We offer 6-day/7-night, 4-day/5-night and 3-day/4-night packages. Special arrangements can be made for large groups.

LODGE FISHING GUIDELINE

Over the years the fleet of 31 Bertrams has been updated to include an incredible live- bait well system which holds 6-live bonito, as well as small baits like Goggle-Eyes.  The live-bait-well system has made inshore fishing for large Roosterfish & Cubera Snapper very popular, with numerous Roosterfish in the 50-70-pound range. The bait well, designed by Mike Andrews, was instrumental in making the fishing better than ever, by putting live-bait on the menu.

Offshore, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna roam the Piñas Bay waters. It’s not uncommon to catch Yellowfin in the 150-250 pound range. The Blue Marlin fishing, which was undiscovered until a few years ago can be extremely productive fishing live-baits and artificial. In September 2008 the lodge enjoyed an incredible Blue Marlin bite, with 6-boats fishing 6-days releasing 69-Blue Marlin. The week of January 24-31, 2009 produced 95-Marlin being released, a new TSL record. Most were Black Marlin caught on the reef 20-minutes from the lodge, many in the 500-700 pound range.

Boats & Crews: Our rainbow fleet of 15 customized, fully rigged, Bertram 31’s are powered by twin diesel engines, efficient enough for the Pacific Ocean.  Rest assured you won’t be left at the dock as we fish a maximum of 12 boats daily. All boats are outfitted with GPS, VHF radios, custom tuna tubes, and baitwell. Our captains are all local and have been fishing Piñas waters for many years. Several have learned their extraordinary fishing skills from past generations of captains and are considered legends in the game fishing realm. Over the years our crews have guided anglers to hundreds of IGFA world records.

SEASON RATES

RATES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 31’ Bertram yacht with experienced captain and mate, first class fishing tackle, deluxe air-conditioned room with private bath and scenic view, full breakfast, boxed lunch, and four-course dinners. Complimentary wine is offered during dinner service. Sodas and ice-tea are complimentary during your stay at the lodge.

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE: Airfare to Panama City, hotels and all expenses incurred in Panama City. Alcoholic beverages and drinks other than sodas or ice-tea will be charged to your room. A Panamanian room tax of $50.00 per room per week (or $25.00 pp double occupancy). Gratuities for your captain and mate, Director of Fishing and Dockmaster. In addition, most people leave about $150.00 per person for our waiters and chefs. Please see Info Pak under gratuities for further guidelines.

Also, a TRANSFER FEE of $550.00 per person payable to TROPIC EXPRESS is not included in the RATES and will be added to your package price. This must be paid separately with Visa, Master Card or American Express. The transfer fee includes round trip airfare from Panama City to the Lodge, a meet-and-greet at the airports, and up to four transfers between the airport and hotel in Panama City. Please see Info Pak for detailed information about transfers.

The Lodge is open from December 1, 2013, through September 29, 2014, and closed for maintenance October and November.

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY IS 6 DAYS AND 7 NIGHTS ONLY!

MARCH 16, 2014 THRU MARCH 30, 2014 and JUNE 1, 2014 THRU AUGUST 3, 2014

APRIL THRU MAY 2014 (SPRING SPECIAL)

CALL FOR RATES

CREDIT CARD DEPOSITS: A Deposit of 50% of the rate is required at the time of booking to confirm your space. We accept Visa or Master Card or American Express, and checks drawn on a U.S. bank. When making a payment with your credit card, please call your bank and advise them of the amount your credit card will be charged. Credit card rejections are subject to a $50.00 service charge for each rejection. We have had many rejections due to credit card companies being “overly cautious”. Please inquire with your bank if there will be a foreign transaction fee charged to your credit card. Riata takes no responsibility for any fees you may incur as a result of the use of your credit card.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT. 
Call INSURE MY TRIP and ask for Nancy Sanita @ 800-487-4722, EXT 230 OR use her direct line – 401-773-9230
You can also access them online at insuremytrip.com
Insurance can also be purchased through your travel agency.

OPEN DATES

Booking dates will be held 14 days. The space you hold will be considered available for the next interested customer after the 14 days have lapsed. 

Included: boat, crew, tackle, lodging, rooms, meals, wine

Not included: $500 per person charter flight, alcohol other than dinner wine, $50 per night room tax single occupancy/$25 per room tax double occupancy, any hotels or meals prior to arrival or after departure, commercial flights

To reserve date: 50% deposit of the fishing rate per person – all major credit cards accepted.

If you would like to book a trip, call us at 1-512-261-2400. Check the calendar before calling.

REQUIRED BOOKING INFORMATION

To enter your reservation into our records, we will need the following information from you:

• Your name, address, phone/fax number, and email address.
• Number of boats you will need
• Number of people in your party.
• How many people will be fishing from each boat?
• What month you desire for your trip.
• Specify if you prefer Fly or conventional fishing.
• We will send forms requesting more detailed information with your invoice

GETTING TO AND FROM THE LODGE:
In order to connect with our scheduled charter flight, which departs Panama City each Saturday for the lodge, you must arrive in Panama City, Republic of Panama, the Friday before the flight. We recommend that you stay in the Sheraton, Our Host Hotel or Bristol Hotel.

Several major US carriers service Panama City from major US markets. Continental, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines. The flight on Delta operates from Atlanta, GA.; Continental operates flights from Houston, TX; Newark, NJ; and American Airlines has several daily flights out of Miami, FL.

Copa Airlines, the national airline of Panama, operates direct flights to Panama City, from several US points of origin: Orlando, FL; Miami, FL; Los Angeles, CA. Copa Airlines was recently purchased by Continental Airlines. Copa Airlines has purchased 10 new B737’s and they now have a code-sharing agreement with Continental Airlines.

At the end of your trip to the lodge, you will be transported from the Lodge, via a ten-minute boat trip to the Pinas airstrip. From there you will board a charter flight to Panama City. Should you have a problem with a delayed flight, and our main reservation office is closed, you can contact Bonnie on her cell 407-267-6231 or our Panama City Office at (011)507-232-0084 or (011)507-232-0143. If there is no answer call (011)-507-6678-3500. If you are in Panama omit 011-507, when dialing.

DEPARTURE FROM PANAMA CITY:
You should be able to make an afternoon flight from Panama City back to the USA, or elsewhere, provided your flight is 6:00 pm or later.  We recommend you stay overnight and go out the next day.  Again, we recommend the Sheraton, Our Host Hotel,  Bristol Hotel, Or Holiday Inn – Canal

There are many new things to see in and around Panama City, fishing for peacock bass, enjoying the Spa, aerial canopy tour, guided rainforest tours, and other exciting activities at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, golfing at Coronado, and the always-popular tour of the Panama Canal. We can assist you in making arrangements to enjoy these and other exciting activities while you are in Panama.

BOOKING FLIGHTS AND HOTELS:
The staff in our reservation office in Orlando, Florida will assist you with booking your hotel in Panama City, at our special rates and upgraded rooms. You may make your flights direct with your own agent, the airlines, or contact Cathy @ Adventure Travel at 800-327-8967.

THE CHARGES SENT TO YOU ON YOUR INVOICE WILL INCLUDE:
Room/s, meals, wine with dinner, appetizers, soft drinks, (fishing tackle, boat, captain, and mate — fishing guests only), and basic gratuity for the land-based staff at the Lodge.

TRANSFER FEE:
The Transfer Fee of $500.00 per person payable to TROPIC EXPRESS is not included in the RATE and must be added to the package price. This will be billed separately. The Transfer Fee includes round trip airfare from Panama City to the Lodge, meet-and-greet and up to four transfers between the airport and hotel in Panama City. This is a bulk-rate, non-commissionable package. If you choose to charter in or out at a different time, date, or do not use any portion of the package, no credit will be given for unused portions. Form of payment must be by Visa or Master Card only.

The Transfer Fee does not cover “special charters” in our out of the lodge. Should you wish to travel on dates or times other than the regularly scheduled airline flights. If you need a special charter please contact us for pricing and reservations.

The Ground Transfer portion of this package includes four transfers in Panama City (international airport – hotel – domestic airport on arrival and domestic airport – hotel – international airport on departure). This transfer service is available when staying at the Sheraton, Our Host Hotel or Bristol Hotel.

FORMS OF PAYMENT (FOR RESERVATIONS):
Acceptable forms of payment to are personal check, money order, cashier’s check drawn on the U.S.A. Bank, and credit card (Mastercard, Visa or American Express).

We recommend that if you plan to use your VISA or MASTER CARD for payment of your Deposit or Balance, that you call your bank and alert them that you are authorizing a large dollar amount charge to Riata Hunting Ranches & Outdoors, LLC. Sometimes credit card companies will decline a charge when it is over a set dollar limit and being run by a foreign bank, this has the effect of rejecting the charge, regardless of the amount of available credit on the card. In the event that this happens, you may be charged an administration fee.

DEPOSITS:
Deposits are due (14) days after booking in our Orlando reservation office. Deposits are 50% of the weekly rate times the number of guests. RESERVATIONS ARE NOT CONFIRMED until your deposit is received. If no deposit is received and/or posted 14 days after you have been invoiced, your reservation is subject to cancellation and space can be sold to customers requesting space. We will then waitlist you for that week as a courtesy, should space become available.

FINAL PAYMENT: 
The final payment (the balance on your invoice) is due in our Orlando office (120) days before the departure date of your trip. If payments are not received by the designated time, we reserve the right to sell the space in question with forfeiture of all monies previously paid.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Payments are non-refundable. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended to protect your investment.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS – IMPORTANT NOTICE:
When making a payment with your credit card, please call your bank and advise them of the amount your credit card will be charged by Riata. We have had many rejections due to credit card companies being “overly cautious”.
AND
Please inquire with your bank if there will be a foreign transaction fee charged to your credit card. TSL takes no responsibility for any fees you may incur as a result of the use of your credit card.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:
It is recommended in the event of a family emergency, an act of God, or any other unforeseen situation that would require you to cancel your trip. If you are booking your flights through a travel agency, ask them about travel insurance. There are many companies that offer travel insurance, and most of them require the policy to be purchased at the time of making the initial trip deposit.  Clients that have already paid their deposit or final payment can still purchase trip insurance.

For travel insurance, clients residing in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico can call Insure My Trip, which represents 19 different insurance companies, please speak with:

Nancie Sanita
1-800-487-4722, extension 230.
Her direct line is 401-773-9230.
The office hours are Mon–Fri, 7 am to 3 pm, EST.
http://www.insuremytrip.com.

Nancie is familiar with the Lodge and will recommend the best policy for you, taking into consideration any medical issues you may have.  Clients living outside the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico must contact a travel insurance company in their own country.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

UNITED STATES CITIZENS:
Required Documents for United States citizens: A Valid passport is required to enter the Republic of Panama and the expiration date must be valid 6 months prior to Arrival.

You will need to purchase a Panamanian Tourist Card. Either your airline will sell you a Panamanian tourist card before departing the United States or you will be asked to purchase the card when arriving in Panama. Or you will be asked to purchase the card ($5.00 each) when arriving in Panama.

GUESTS VISITING PANAMA FROM OTHER COUNTRIES: Must check with officials in their respective homelands as to what documents are required to enter the Republic of Panama.

If you arriving from a country other than the US, please check on a new Yellow Fever Vaccination requirement: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinationPanama.aspx

GOVERNMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Be advised that required documentation is subject to revision; what was acceptable last month or last year may not be acceptable on the dates you are traveling. 

Please check the Panamanian Embassy website: http://www.embassyofpanama.org/cms/immigration3.php.  It is your responsibility to check with your airline, your travel agency and about any changes that may have been made by the Government of Panama that would require any additional information or documents.

PANAMA CUSTOMS INFORMATION (IMPORTANT):
Local Panamanian Customs Regulations are very similar to US Customs Regulations that make it illegal to import fresh produce, fruits, and meats in the country.

Please be aware all arriving foreign or local nationals must declare all monies, valuables or negotiable instruments( includes checks and traveler’s checks) that exceed the sum of $10,000.00 on their person or luggage.

If you fail to omit or follow the law you will forfeit the monies, valuables or negotiable instruments that you failed to declare and worse yet you will face criminal prosecution, which if convicted is sanctioned with a:

INFORMATION WE REQUIRE:
You will be sent a release form and a form requesting your date of birth, weight, passport number, and expiration date, and arrival and departure flight information. Please fill these in and send them back to us as soon as possible. We must have this information in order to satisfy domestic (Panamanian) airline requirements and to enable us to meet you upon your arrival at the international airport and arrange your transfers in Panama City. If you are arriving on a private jet into Panama City, we will need to have the following information: point of origin of the flight, tail number of the aircraft, and estimated time of arrival in Panama City at Tocumen International Airport.

DISCLAIMER: We request that you or your travel agent send us your hotel, personal, and flight information in a timely fashion (no later than with your final payment which is due (61) days before you travel). We send out forms for this purpose with your invoice. If you do not receive them, or they get misplaced, please call us for replacements. We waive responsibility for complications arising from the last minute bookings of hotels, charters, and ground transfers, though we will assist you to the best of our ability.

RELEASE FORM: All guests going to the lodge must fill in, sign, and return a release form to us at our Orlando, Florida reservation office prior to their trip. This form may be faxed or mailed. Release forms will be sent with your initial invoice. If you need more or have lost the one sent to you, contact us and we will replace it. THIS FORM IS MANDATORY FOR EACH GUEST.

DOMESTIC PANAMA AIRLINE CHANGES:
THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN REVISED DUE TO NEW AIRLINE RESTRICTIONS AND CHANGING OF AIRCRAFT. We are pleased to inform you that the domestic airline companies are replacing the current Twin Otters with New Caravans. But, as a result of this change, beginning February 27th, we will no longer be able to guarantee your flight from the lodge to home on the same day.

Please make flight arrangements to stay overnight. If you do plan on flying home the same day, you must arrange the flight for 6:00 pm or later.

There are flights in the evening with Copa Airlines to New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando and Washington, DC. (Copa Airlines is a Panamanian Airline affiliated with Continental One Pass program and seats are a bit larger and a free alcoholic drink is offered as part of their service.)

PACKING & LUGGAGE

BAGGAGE LIMITATIONS: Due to the isolated nature of the Lodge, we have to observe the limitations and regulations listed below. Please use discretion when packing for your trip to the lodge and remember that we do have a laundry service available twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday).

Each guest is allowed:

• One suitcase not to exceed 30 lbs. (13.67 kg.)
• One carry-on bag not to exceed 15lbs. (6.8 kg.) – We recommend that when preparing to visit T.S.L. you pack a small travel bag to keep with you, in the event we use the SWIFTSHIP to transport luggage that week. In this bag, you should pack the following: medications, toiletries, clothing you will need from Friday night through 3:00 p.m. Saturday, comfortable shoes, bathing suits, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses,  cameras, and lightweight rain suit. The SWIFTSHIP normally arrives early in the afternoon in Pinas Bay.

We will send you 2 yellow I.D. tags for each person in your group. Please attach them to your baggage. They help us identify and expedite your rod cases and luggage through customs in Panama City. They also help us identify luggage that is going to the lodge.

Excess pieces of luggage and excess weight will be charged at $1.50 U.S.D. per pound and will travel standby. Note: Coolers are not permitted, and cannot be substituted as luggage (no exceptions). Excess baggage pieces are standby and, therefore, subject to space and weight restrictions. A situation may arise when your excess baggage may not travel with you to the lodge. We will make all diligent efforts to deliver excess baggage in a timely fashion; however, in the event that this occurs, it might be a few days before the excess baggage will be delivered to you.

PACKING LIST: 
The lodge is located in the tropics; we suggest that you pack the following items for maximum comfort. Laundry service is available twice weekly (Tuesday and Thursday). Lightweight rain gear (keep in your carry-on luggage)

• Good quality sunscreen with a high SPF
• Polarized sunglasses
• Casual attire (light, loose cotton clothing, include a long-sleeve shirt)
• Swimsuits and shorts
• Rubber-soled shoes and older tennis or beach walking shoes
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Personal items (e.g. medication, toiletries)
• Cameras (standard and video) film batteries, etc.

TRANSPORTATION OF YOUR LUGGAGE: (weekly packages only)
A lodge representative will meet you at the International Airport in Panama City upon your arrival on Friday and give you written notification of when your suitcases will need to be in the lobby, and at what time you will be picked up the following day for transport to the Lodge.

We recommend that when preparing to visit T.S.L. you pack a small travel bag to keep with you, in the event we use the SWIFTSHIP to transport luggage that week.

FISHING TACKLE: If you do not wish to bring your own tackle, the lodge provides Shimano and Penn International reels and custom rods in the 16 to 50-pound class and two 80 pound class outfits. If you are going to fish with light tackle (anything under 16 pounds), or fly fish, gear for these purposes should be brought. We have on board each boat: spinning rods, bait rods, hand lines, harness, belly gimbals, Moldcraft lures, one set of teasers, Marlin and Sailfish leaders, gaffs and, upon request, a limited supply of plugs. We suggest that all our guests plan on spending some time fishing the rocks. If you would like to try this, you should bring some of your own “lucky” plugs and lures.

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES

GRATUITIES:A small gratuity is built into the booked rate.

As we are located 100 miles from a bank, once you are here it is difficult to provide this service. So, cash advances are virtually impossible. Below, please find information so you can establish how much you feel you will need. Safes are conveniently located in each room at the lodge.

Gratuities are at your discretion and are based on the quality of service received while at the lodge. Typically each guest awards the Restaurant Staff approximately $100.00 – $150.00 per person per week. For your convenience, this gratuity can be added to your final bill at the lodge.

The customary gratuities for Fishing Crews and Dock Staff are as follows and should be handled in cash at the end of your stay.

• Captain and Mate: $100.00 per day per boat
• Fishing Director: Albert Battoo, our Director of Fishing is at your discretion
• Dock Assistant is recommended @ 20.00 per person for your stay

INCIDENTAL EXPENSES: (at the Lodge)
Incidental charges you incur (e.g. purchases at the gift shop, laundry, bar tabs, and a Panamanian Room Tax of $50.00 per room per week. Excursions up the Jaque river and other side trips are optional activities during your stay at the lodge; charges for these are not included in the published rates.

FORMS OF PAYMENT: (at the Lodge)
Acceptable forms of payment, made in panama are cash in U.S. dollars, traveler’s checks, and credit cards (Mastercard, Visa and American Express only with a pre-approved limit, which should be handled with the manager on arrival). Please note that we only maintain a small amount of cash on property; therefore cashing multiple traveler’s checks may be a problem. We suggest you bring approximately $500.00 to $800.00 per person in U.S. dollars. For families and couples the amount may be a little less. There are safes in each room for your piece of mind. On Friday evenings the local Indians usually come to the Lodge to sell their handcrafted baskets and other wares. Please bring approximately $100.00 in small bills ones, fives, and tens.