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Billfishing's Brightest Star
by Roy Attaway (cont)
GETTING THERE, COSTS,
AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS...
Tropic Star Lodge is accessible only by boat or aircraft. Guests fly at
their expense to Panama City in a private plane or commercially
(American, Continental, Copa, Delta), then connect with a charter
flight to the lodge. From there, a $350 fee covers all transfers and the charter.
After touching down at Tropic Star's cement airstrip, anglers are treated
to a scenic, 10-minute boat ride to the lodge.
United States citizens must have a valid passport to enter Panama.
Upon presentation of a passport, airlines will sell the holder a Panamanian
tourist card.
Costs for a week's fishing-six days on the water, seven nights at the
lodge, during the prime times of January to March-range from $2,830 each
(four to a boat), $3,275 each (three per boat), $4,000 each (two per boat),
and $6,450 (solo). April to September and December rates are slightly less.
The lodge is closed from September 30 through November 14. Half-week
bookings also are available, except January through March.
The tariff includes boat, captain, mate, and fishing tackle. It also includes
your room, full breakfast, box lunch, and four-course dinner with wine,
non-alcoholic beverages, and the basic gratuity for land staff. It does not
include the bar tab, tips to captain and mate ($250-$350 per boat per
week), airfare, or hotel expenses in Panama City (the lodge recommends
staying at Westin Caesar Park Hotel).
If you just want to sit and relax, do a little bird watching, or explore
some of the nearby Indian villages, per-person costs range from $1,850,
single occupancy to $1,450, double occupancy. The Palace is available for
$1,800 per week.
When you're not fishing, consider visiting Play Blanca, a white-sand
beach where you can snorkel, sunbathe, and swim. The diversion requires
about a 40-minute hike on a trail hacked through the jungle and over the
edge of the mountain. Be sure to take along water and sunblock.
Kayaks also are available if you want to explore the Piñas River.
The local Jaqué Indians frequently visit the lodge to sell, at reasonable
prices, such folk art as handmade baskets, beaded necklaces, hand-carved
paddles, canoes, hand-carved bows, and reed fishing arrows.
For more information contact Piñas Bay Resorts, Tropic Star Lodge, 635
North Rio Grande Avenue, Orlando, FL 32805. Telephone: (800) 682-3424,
or visit www.tropicstar.com.
Visit Stratos Online
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