Paradise Fishing Lodge & Marina - Panama
World-Class Saltwater and Inshore Sportfishing
Paradise Fishing Lodge is 50 miles from the famous Hannibal Bank, Montuosa Island, and more. The entire region is known to have some of the best saltwater sportfishing in the world. The Lodge is less than a one-hour drive from the international airport in David.
Fishing at Paradise Lodge
Strong underwater currents flow north along the west side of South America, up into the Gulf of Chiriquí. Cold, nutrient-rich water from the ocean floor is brought to the surface, supporting abundant microscopic life, which supports baitfish. These plentiful baitfish bring thriving game fish species to the area.
Offshore Species: Fish for giant yellowfin tuna and record-sized black or blue marlin. Marlin are available year-round, with peak fishing for blues from December to March and peak black marlin season from May - November. On occasion, offshore fishing can be rough. If it gets too choppy, there is always good fishing around the islands.
Inshore Season: Paradise Fishing Lodge offers anglers excellent inshore fishing for snook, 20-to 70-pound cubera snapper, pompano, huge roosterfish (15-to 80-pounds), mahi-mahi, and jacks flourish here. Anglers may retain some species of snapper, jacks, snook, dorado, wahoo, or tuna for the chef to prepare for dinner.
Hannibal Bank: The USS Hannibal discovered the world-famous, five-mile-long Hannibal Bank in the early 1900s. Plankton-rich currents sweep across the bank, carrying an enormous food supply, attracting spectacular numbers of tuna, black marlin, and blue marlin. Hannibal Bank is 50 miles from the Lodge, a one-hour and 45-minute boat ride. The Lodge fishes Hannibal Bank upon request and at no additional charge.
A Typical Fishing Day: Breakfast is at 6:00 a.m. At 6:30 a.m., you’re transported by side-by-side/UTV to the dock, less than a mile from the Lodge. The boats are stocked with lunch, drinks, and snacks. After fishing all day, you’ll return to the dock around 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. Appetizers are served upon your return to the Lodge. Dinner follows at 7:00 p.m.
Fishing Facts
Season: The Lodge is open year-round for great fishing, with peak fishing from November through August.
Marina: The Lodge's new marina (built in 2021) is the only full-service marina in the Gulf of Chiriqui. The marina has Wi-Fi and video surveillance.
Boats: The Lodge has a diverse and versatile fleet. (See pictures below.) All boats have tuna tubes, live wells, T-tops, modern Garmin and Lowrance electronics, required safety gear, and bean bags for added comfort. Lunch, snacks, and drinks are provided onboard.
Guides: Experienced local captains speak enough English to be understood.
Equipment: The Lodge provides rods, reels, poppers, and rigging. We recommend bringing some popper lures such as YoZuri Bull Sashimi 150 grams, large pencil poppers, etc. The Lodge's new bait system includes two tanks holding up to 700 live baitfish. You can purchase bait within minutes and spend more time fishing. A comprehensive tackle-and-gear list is in our confirmation packet.
Fishing Licenses are not required in Panama.
28 and 32 ft. Contenders
The Lodge has a total of six Contenders--four 28-ft. Contenders with twin Suzuki 175 HP motors and two 32-ft. Contenders with twin 250 to 300 HP motors. The Contenders accommodate up to four anglers.
33-ft. World Cats
Two new 33-foot World Cats were added to the fleet in 2023.
31-ft. Bertram
The Lodge added a 31-ft. Bertram to their fleet in 2022. The Bertram has twin Yanmar 315-HP diesel motors, an enclosed air-conditioned cabin, a bathroom, and a dinette. The boat hosts five anglers.
Mahi-Mahi or Dorado, the common dolphinfish
Dorado, the Spanish name for this fish, means gold. Mahi-mahi, its Hawaiian name, means very strong. Once hooked, this beautifully-colored fish is fast and acrobatic.
Cubera Snapper - Intimidating
Joe Crane with Snapper (2023).
With their large teeth, these predatory fish can tackle large prey. Cubera snapper fishing is available year-round.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing
Yellowfin tuna often travel in large schools. Yellowfin tuna are available year-round, with peak fishing from March to August.
Joe Crane with Roosterfish
The Lodge offers excellent inshore fishing with incredible variety. Trophy 50-pound-plus roosterfish. Roosterfish are available year-round.
Paradise Fishing Lodge
Paradise Fishing Lodge sits on 25 private acres on a high hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean with breathtaking 360-degree views.
Standard Bedroom at the Lodge
About the Lodge
The Lodge has nine air-conditioned guest rooms with comfortable beds and private bathrooms. All rooms have ocean views. A brand-new generator is in place in case of power outages. Free daily laundry service.
There's a large swimming pool, a swim-up bar, and up to 25 acres of beautiful grounds to explore. For added comfort and privacy, upgrade to a villa with five bedrooms and bathrooms and a private swimming pool.
Communications: The Lodge has complimentary high-speed Fiber Optic Wi-Fi. Cell phones work at the Lodge. The Lodge also has a phone for guests to use for free on a reasonable basis.
Swimming Pool Pavilion
Open Air Dining
Meals: The Lodge restaurant seats 28 guests, with open-air dining overlooking the ocean, plus a 55-inch screen TV and Apple TV so you can share your videos or pictures while dining. Hot, hearty breakfasts, a packed lunch on the boat, and pre-dinner appetizers such as sushi and chicken wings. Family-style three-course dinners. The Lodge serves gourmet coffee from the owner's private coffee plantation.
Alcohol: An Afternoon-Open-Bar with beer, wine, and cocktails after the anglers return from fishing is included in the package. The Afternoon Bar is Open at both the restaurant and the swim-up bar. In addition to standard non-alcoholic drinks, they have a wide variety of local and imported liquors, beer, and wine.
Getting to the Lodge:
There are two options for getting here.
1. You can fly to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. The Lodge is approximately a five-hour drive from the airport; this ground transfer is included in your package. Depending on your flight times, you may need to spend a night in Panama City. Many of the hotels run $90.00 - $180.00 per night. Airfare and hotel nights are not included in the package.
2. You can fly to the Enrique Malek International Airport in David and take a one-hour drive to the Lodge. Both ground transfer options are included in the angler package.
2023 USD Rates:
Double Occupancy Rooms
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing:
Rates Include a 7% Sales Tax on Total Package.
28 or 32 ft. Contender Packages:
2-anglers per boat $7,975.00 per person
3-anglers per boat $6,295.00 per person
4-anglers per boat $5,669.00 per person
6-nights and 5-days guided fishing:
2-anglers per boat $6,858.00 per person
3-anglers per boat $5,498.00 per person
4-anglers per boat $4,750.00 per person
5-nights and 4-days guided fishing:
2-anglers per boat $5,556.00 per person
3-anglers per boat $4,550.00 per person
4-anglers per boat $3,979.00 per person
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing:
2-anglers per boat $4,550.00 per person
3-anglers per boat $3,748.00 per person
4-anglers per boat $3,330.00 per person
3-nights and 2-days guided fishing:
2-anglers per boat $3,685.00 per person
3-anglers per boat $3,100.00 per person
4-anglers per boat $2,799.00 per person
Non-Angler Companion:
6-days and 7-nights stay $3,350.00 per person
5-days and 6-nights stay $2,880.00 per person
3, 4, and 5-night (non-angler packages)
do not include $225.00 ground transfer fee.
4-days and 5-nights stay $2,334.00 per person
3-days and 4-nights stay $1,911.00 per person
2-days and 3-nights stay $1,548.00 per person
Upgrade to 31 ft. Bertram or 33 ft. World Cat. Please call for rates.
Upgrade to a 5-bedroom Villa.
Request an information packet for complete details.
Packages Include:
• Ground transfers between Panama City or David and the Lodge
• Oceanview lodging
• All meals at the Lodge
• Beverages at the Lodge (beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks)
• Daily happy hour snacks and appetizers
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge and Marina
• Guided fishing
• Use of sportfishing gear and lures
• Daily laundry service
• 7% Panama sales tax on the total package
Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare to Panama, and return
• Royal Saloon VIP Airport Service (approx. $65.00 per person)
• Hotel nights and meals in Panama City if needed
• Meals and beverages en route to the Lodge
• Gratuities to your captains, mates, and lodge staff
• Frozen commercial-grade sardine
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
Non-Angler Sharing Room (2023):
Package Includes: Lodging, an open bar, meals, and appetizers.
Does Not Include: A $240.75 ground transfer fee applies for the 3, 4, and 5-night packages for the roundtrip ground transfer from Panama City to the Lodge. Otherwise, the exclusions are the same as the angler package.
Non-Angler Activities: Relax by the pool, explore the nearby white-sand beaches, or hike the spectacular grounds. You can also arrange to go horseback riding or snorkeling. In David, tour the Museum Of History and Culture Jose De Obaldia, shop, or watch a movie at the Mall Chiriqui.
About two hours from the Lodge, in the mountain town of Boquete, they have ATV tours, zip-lining, bird watching, and a coffee plantation tour.
