Tropic Star Lodge

Piñas Bay Billfishing - Panama

Over 300 IGFA World Records have been broken in Piñas Bay, more than anywhere else on earth. Tropic Star Lodge currently holds over 50 world records. Tropic Star Lodge is a world-renowned fishing resort carved into the side of the Darien Jungle. The Lodge is situated 150 miles south of Panama City, and 35 miles from the Columbian border. There are no roads within 100 miles, so the Lodge is only accessible by boat or plane. Early booking is a must.

Fishing Tropic Star Lodge:

Tropic Star Lodge was named the best saltwater fishing resort in the world in the 1999 Robb Report.
In Piñas Bay, black, blue, and striped marlin abound in numbers unheard of elsewhere. Plus Pacific sailfish, dorado, roosterfish, cubera and muller snapper, yellowfin tuna, and more can be caught in these pristine waters. The Lodge has a fleet of 16 classic 31’ Bertram yachts for up to four anglers plus captain and mate.
Most of the best fishing is only 20 minutes away, making this a truly unique location. The seas are usually quite calm, which makes Tropic Star Lodge an ideal family fishing trip.
Zane Grey spent a lot of time marlin fishing in this area in the 1920s. Zane Grey's Reef is now known as Piñas Reef, and to this day, the population of fish has not diminished.
Fishing Season: Peak marlin fishing months are January and February. The prime black marlin season runs from December into April. All species of billfish and non-billfish can be caught year-round in the pristine waters off Piñas Bay. The Pacific sailfish start moving in April through June. July brings another run of marlin, many in the 500-pound range. Most of their fishing is done six to 15 miles offshore in calm waters. In late January and February, the north wind brings cooler water and tailing marlin. That’s the only time it gets a bit bumpy.

Fishing Boats and Equipment:

Boats: The Lodge has a fleet of 16 customized, fully rigged, 31-foot Bertram yachts. The standard Bertrams have twin diesel engines and an open salon with no air-conditioning. The upgraded Bertrams have brand new Volvo Penta engines and an enclosed salon with air conditioning and a stand-up head (toilet). Each boat hosts one to four anglers and is outfitted with GPS, VHF radios, tuna tubes, and live baitwell. The Lodge also has a 45-foot Hatteras fishing yacht, the Pollyanna, which hosts up to six anglers.
Guides: Local Captains and mates with years of training and experience.
Equipment: The Lodge provides the use of all conventional tackle. Even though the boats are stocked with a variety of poppers, jigs, and plugs, you should bring some of your own secret weapons. Fly anglers must bring their own equipment.
Fishing Licenses are not required in Panama. The boats have the necessary licenses onboard.
A Typical Fishing Day:
5:45 a.m. Hot coffee is delivered outside your door.
6:00 a.m. Breakfast is served.
6:30 a.m. The boats leave the dock. You’ll have a packed lunch on board.
3:00 p.m. You'll reel in for the day.
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Boats are back at the dock.
7:00 p.m. Dinner is served.

About Tropic Star Lodge:

Lodge season: Tropic Star Lodge is open from December through the end of September, and is closed for maintenance in October and November.
Tropic Star Lodge is a paradise cut out of the side of a mountain at the edge of the Darien Jungle on the Pacific coast of Panama. The Lodge has 19 deluxe air-conditioned rooms with private baths and ocean views. The Lodge hosts up to 40 guests and is catered to by over 120 employees. 85% of their business is repeat clients, so early booking is a must.
They now offer limited internet in the rooms, pool area, the bar, dining area, and on the veranda, as well as phone service. Lodging options vary from spacious cabin rooms to the Palace upgrade with three master suites for larger families.
View a 1-minute YouTube video on Newly remodeled Casa Grande Rooms at Tropic Star Lodge.
Meals: You’ll enjoy a made-to-order breakfast at 6:00 a.m. in the Bay View dining room. If you’re fishing, you’ll have a packed lunch aboard the boat. At noon, non-anglers can dine at the restaurant or poolside. At 7:00 p.m., a four-course dinner with wine is served in the Bay View dining room, and every other evening, buffet-style dinners are served near the pool. With advanced notice, the Lodge can accommodate special dietary needs.
Lodge Activities: Hike jungle paths, snorkel, whale watch from the Lodge, comb the white sandy beach, enjoy a massage, swim in the freshwater swimming pool, and more.

Getting to the Lodge:

You'll fly to Panama City and stay overnight. In the morning, a lodge representative will drive you to the local airport. You'll take a 55-minute charter flight to the Piñas Bay landing strip. You'll board the jungle cruise bus for a short ride to the boat. You will then board a panga, which is similar to a wide canoe, for a ten-minute boat ride to the Lodge. When you arrive at the Lodge, you'll be assigned your room. Lunch is served shortly after that. (The first and last hotel nights in Panama City and the charter flight are not included in the package.)

RATES & PACKAGES

Tropic Star Lodge

January and February - Peak season:
Non-angler companion $3,490.00

7-nights at the Lodge
and 6-days guided fishing
Two anglers per room/price per person.
Upgrade to a Single-Occupancy Room Add $250.00 per night or $1,750.00 for the week.

Standard 31-foot Bertram yacht:
4-anglers per boat:
$6,420.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$7,225.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$8,710.00 per person

Premium 31-foot Bertram with enclosed cabin with AC:
4-anglers per boat:
$6,975.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$7,950.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$9,800.00 per person

32-foot Blackfin:
5-anglers per boat:
$5,800.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:
$6,975.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$8,005.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$9,940.00 per person

45-foot Hatteras:
6-anglers per boat:
$6,720.00 per person
5-anglers per boat:
$7,320.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:
$7,920.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$9,310.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$13,295.00 per person

December 2020 and June - September, 2021:
Non-angler companion $3,440.00

7-nights at the Lodge
and 6-days guided fishing
Two anglers per room/price per person.
Upgrade to a Single-Occupancy Room
Add $250.00 per night or $1,750.00 for the week.

31-foot Bertram yacht:
4-anglers per boat:
$5,375.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$6,285.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$7,555.00 per person

Premium 31’ Bertram with new engine and enclosed cabin with AC:
4-anglers per boat:
$5,940.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$7,020.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$8,650.00 per person

32-foot Blackfin:
5-anglers per boat:
$5,800.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:
$6,165.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$7,320.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$9,100.00 per person

45-foot Hatteras:
6-anglers per boat:
$5,820.00 per person
5-anglers per boat:
$6,270.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:
$6,990.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$8,400.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$12,100.00 per person

March, April and May, 2021:
Non-angler companion $2,885.00

7-nights at the Lodge
and 6-days guided fishing
Two anglers per room/price per person.
Upgrade to a Single-Occupancy Room
Add $250.00 per night or $1,750.00 for the week.

31-foot Bertram yacht:
4-anglers per boat:
$4,465.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$5,235.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$6,115.00 per person

Premium 31-foot Bertram with enclosed cabin with AC:
4-anglers per boat:
$4,885.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$5,820.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$7,140.00 per person

32-foot Blackfin:
5-anglers per boat:
$4,400.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:
$5,110.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$6,120.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$7,590.00 per person

45-foot Hatteras:
6-anglers per boat:
$5,250.00 per person
5-anglers per boat:
$5,700.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:
$6,340.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:
$7,700.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:
$11,500.00 per person

A transfer package of $660.00 per person is additional to the rates above. This transfer package includes round-trip airfare from Panama City to the Lodge in Piñas Bay, meet-and-greet Service at the Tocumen International Airport upon arrival to Panama, and up to four ground transfers between the airport and your hotel in Panama City. The charter flights are only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Upon booking, you’ll receive a confirmation packet with detailed information about transfers.

Premium Accommodations

Tropic Star Lodge also offers room upgrades from the standard rooms that are included in the fishing rates above. If desired, you can upgrade to a Premium Villa or choose the Owner’s Palace. Upgrade accommodation rates are per booking, not per person. Add to package rates listed above.
The Palace - Three bedrooms:
Marlin Season: $500.00 per night
Billfish Season: $475.00 per night
Inshore Season: $400.00 per night
The Villa - Two bedrooms, 3-guest minimum occupancy:
Marlin Season: $250.00 per night
Billfish Season: $235.00 per night
Inshore Season: $200.00 per night
The Villa Suite - One bedroom, 2-guest minimum occupancy:
Marlin Season: $175.00 per night
Billfish Season: $160.00 per night
Inshore Season: $135.00 per night
Upgrade to a Single Occupancy Room
Add $250.00 per night or $1,750.00 for the week.

Packages Include:

Deluxe air-conditioned double-occupancy room with private bath, use of a standard 31-foot Bertram yacht with an experienced captain and mate, use of fishing tackle, full breakfast, boxed lunch, four-course dinners, sodas, iced tea, and afternoon snacks. Complimentary wine is offered during dinner service. (Fishing licenses are not required in Panama.)

Packages Do Not Include:

$660.00 transfer fee, airfare to Panama City, first and last night hotel and all expenses incurred in Panama City, alcoholic beverages (other than the complimentary wine served at dinner) and drinks (other than sodas or iced tea) will be charged to your room, laundry service, spinning gear, special excursions, gratuities, Global Rescue, Signature Travel Insurance, a Panamanian room tax of $70.00 per room per week (or $35.00 p.p. double occupancy), $60.00 departure tax, and anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Fuel Surcharge:

Rates are subject to change without notice. The rates for the 2020 season are fixed on fuel prices up to $4.00 per gallon delivered to Piñas. If fuel prices increase above this amount, a fuel surcharge may apply.

Tropic Star Lodge

Deposit Policy: 50% of the rate is required at the time of booking to confirm your space. The remaining balance is due 135 days before arrival at the Lodge.
Cancellation Policy: Payments made on your trip are refundable for cancellations received, in writing, at least 121 days prior to your arrival date at TROPIC STAR LODGE®, less a $1,000.00 per person cancellation fee, ($500.00 may be applied toward a trip within one year of your cancellation). If you cancel your trip for whatever reason, 120 days or less, before your arrival date at TROPIC STAR LODGE®, all payments made on your trip will be non-refundable. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended to protect your investment.