You fly into Guatemala City, it's 2 hrs from Miami and just over that from Houston, a little more from Dallas. All have direct flights each day, so easy to get too. We are 1hr 30 from the City our van with our driver will meet you at the Airport and bring u down to our private lodge. Most fly in the afternoon prior to their fishing day and back out the morning after the last day. Antigua Guatemala is beautiful and an option to spend your last night there and look around the following morning before an afternoon flight out of the City.
Our driver will be wearing a shirt with our "Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures" logo in the left side of his shirt, he will have a sign with your group name at the main entrance door at the Airport, we will then bring you to our Billfish Inn in our new luxury van, whether you flew commercial or private. This is included in your package.
We would recommend fishing a minimum of 3 days. Over 5 anglers, you would need extra boats as you go. We have just enlarged our operation and now have two identical 'Billfish Inn's" side-by-side, at our disposal. Each having 4 bedrooms. Dinning would be in our large outside rancho overlooking the channel and mangroves. Each would have their own bedroom if there is 8 anglers.
We are however in hot discussions right now arranging another boat of the same quality as the game fishermen which Capt. Brad Philipps runs, to compliment our operation. Either way there will be a second boat available for a larger group. It is more important to BLOCK OFF your dates right now!
As you can notice, our Calendar has filled up quickly but remember that our season runs right through June, so do not be hesitant to move your dates back a little if things do not pan out for Dec, Jan, Feb, March or April for example.
We are 5 minutes drive from the marina and floating docks where the boats are based, about half the distance that we had to ride when we worked for and clients stayed at Fins 'n Feathers.
All meals are included in your package. Breakfast at the lodge, eggs, bacon, fruit, cereal, etc., lunch on board the boat, hot lunch ie, fresh fried fish sandwich, hamburger, sashimi etc., dinner back at the lodge, Cindy will prepare a 3 course meal depending on your groups preference. Our fresh fish, huge prawns (shrimp) and some local recipes are always guest favourites.
The only thing not included in the package price is your bar bill and tips.
Capt. Brad runs the "Decisive". Most of the time his african english is not to bad!!
Fishermen want to fish with the best captains with the most experience in that area, and Capt. Brad Philipps numbers speak for itself, together with Cindy, they are very blessed with a winning formula.
STANDARD POLICY
DEPOSITS
Once dates are reserved on a boat and you have received the final quote for your fishing trip, you will have 15 days for us to receive a 50% deposit of the total of the final quoted price of your trip. Please send a copy of the deposit slip if you make a wire transfer. If you FEDEX a check, please allow at least 5 working days for postage to Guatemala from the USA, and then 6 days for our bank to clear the check. Please advise us by email at info@guatbilladv.com that the check has been mailed and we will then confirm you the deposit into our bank, via email.
We will expect your deposit to have been cleared into our bank within 15 days of your reservation and final quote. Will contact you via email to check on your deposit, but if no suitable agreement can be found, your name/group will be removed from the calendar at the end of the 15th day, if your deposit has not cleared into our bank, the dates will become open and available to any interested customer.
BALANCES
The final payment of the remaining 50% is due in our account 6 weeks prior the start of your scheduled fishing trip. A notice will be sent reminding you of the due date, please allow ample time for postage and the clearing of a check should you choose to pay using a check. Once again, please send a copy of the wire deposit slip by email.
CANCELLATIONS DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS
There is a very small chance that inclement weather will affect your fishing trip, although this is very rare in Guatemala. If your Boat Captain determines that for safety reasons, the trip should not be taken, you will receive a day fishing credited for a future trip, or if possible added onto the end of the current trip (this will be your choice depending on availability). However, if you choose not to go out for your own comfort considerations or any other personal reason there will be no credit given.
There is always the assumption that the following day or days will be fishable, so no credit can be given prior to the captain making the decision on the particular morning. We will however, try our best to accommodate our client requests at all costs, as satisfied clients are what make this a successful operation.
CANCELLATIONS DUE TO MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS
We strive to take the highest possible level of care in the maintenance of our vessels. Even with top quality boats, breakdowns may occasionally occur. Should your boat be unable to go fishing for mechanical reasons, we will do our best to arrange a suitable alternative boat for you. If there are no acceptable alternatives, we will offer that day fishing as a full credit aboard the same vessel you had originally booked in the future. If no agreement or suitable future trip can be arranged we will give you a full refund for the boat. If your trip is imminent and by some remote chance your reserved boat may not be ready by your arrival, we will keep you advised on the boat’s status and other alternatives.
CANCELATIONS MADE WITH LESS THAN 30 DAYS NOTICE PRIOR FISHING
There are no refunds on cancellations made within 30 days prior to your fishing trip. If there is any reason you might cancel your trip, we will immediately seek to resell those dates. If we are able to resell the dates, you will be refunded for the 50% of your trip, should it have already been paid in full. There is a cancellation fee of $150.00 per person for travel plans. If we are not able to resell your reserved dates, we cannot refund any money.
CANCELATIONS MADE WITH MORE THAN 30 DAYS OF NOTICE FROM FISHING
Any cancellations for pre-paid reservations with more than 30 days advance notice will be fully refundable if the fishing days and rooms can be sold and 50% refund will be made if the fishing days of the boat and rooms reserved cannot be sold or re-booked. A $150 cancellation fee is charged per person for any cancellation.
*** We reserve the right to change these policies and procedures without prior written notice at any time as deemed necessary. For more information please contact us at info@guatbilladv.com, in Guatemala at (502) 7880-4152, in USA at (512) 535-1751.