booking & reservation faq's
Browse a range of Frequently Asked Questions below, or reach out to us if you need to know something in particular.
Fishing is good year-round and really depends what you would like to target. Mid-November and December is predominately offshore fishing with our fleet targeting Blue Marlin and Dorado. Towards the end of December Black Marlin become more common. January and February is our prime time to target Black Marlin. The beginning of January you will see more Blue Marlin and as the season progresses the Blue Marlin are replaced with more and more Black Marlin. As the Black Marlin move in, the Dorado get less and less plentiful. Yellowfin Tuna are present throughout November, December, January, and February. March marks our change of season when the currents change and the cooler water moves in. This marks the start of inshore season with Roosterfish, Cubera Snapper, Grouper feeding on the surface. In May, we host our annual Roosterfish Tournament. Offshore season begins in June when we begin to see Pacific Sailfish and Blue Marlin. Inshore fish are still around through August and into September. Tropic Star Lodge is one the rare places where you have a chance to target a Black Marlin every day of the year.
Please visit our fishing calendar. We are closed October to mid-November.
Panama’s weather is a tropical maritime climate with temperatures ranging between 75 and 90 °F. Warm and humid at sea level. Panama has two seasons. A dry season (December to mid-April) and a wet season (mid-April to early December). Rains are frequent and last about one to two hours, very seldom do they last for long periods of time.
You are welcome to take a shore side day during any of your trips. This will not alter your package during January and February. We can add a shore side day to your three day fishing trip. For our four day fishing trip packages you will need to add two shore side days as the charter flights do not allow for a one day add on. Guests can always book private charters if they wish.
It varies over what month you would like to come for. For January and February, we recommend one to two years in advance as those months fill up fast. March, July, August, September, and December we recommend six to nine months in advance. November, April, May, June three to six months.
We do! Please call: 800-682-3424 or email reservations to check specials and availably.
Yes, except for January and February where we only offer six-day fishing trips. Add a private charter or extend one or two days. Please note that charter days (except for January and February) are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Yes, we do have a weight limit for our guest luggage. 40 lb for checked luggage and up to 15 lb for your carry on. This is per guest.
We accommodate up to 45 guests.
We can fish up to 15 boats at a time.
Yes, we have visiting yachts year round. Tropic Star Lodge does require a private yacht membership that you can apply for. Please follow this link for more information and to submit your application.
In order to receive a refund, cancellations must be received, in writing, at least one hundred twenty one (121) days prior to your trip start date, less a $1,000 per person cancellation fee ($500 may be applied towards a trip within one year of your cancellation). If you cancel your trip, for whatever reason, 0-120 days prior to your arrival at the Lodge, all payments will be nonrefundable.
In the history of Tropic Star Lodge, we have not had to cancel fishing due to bad weather. Panama has no hurricanes or other natural disasters.
Extra charges include gratuities, purchases at the boutique, laundry, bar tabs, beer consumed on your boat, massage therapist, special air charters, any special excursions and taxidermy orders.
We highly recommend that you protect the cost of your trip and other non-refundable travel expenses with a travel insurance. Global Rescue or similar. Safety is our top priority, but unforeseen emergencies can occur. Global Rescue’s Signature Travel Insurance specializes in covering fishing/hunting activities. Consider purchasing your policy within 20 days of making your initial trip deposit as this gives you the widest range of options.
A travel protection plan is highly recommended to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and emergency evacuation/repatriation, trip delay, baggage delay and more.
Panama requires a valid passport valid for six months or more to enter the country. A visa is not required for US, Canadian, and British citizens. Please check your country requirements for any other passports. The arrival airport is Tocumen (PTY).
Panama’s official language is Spanish although most waiters and hotel staff in Panama speak English. On arrival at the International airport, we will have a VIP arrival service waiting for you at emigration at the airport. They will assist you through and pick up your bags for you. Your driver will speak English and will assist with any other arrangements as you arrive.
The core lodge staff speak English and can assist and translate with everything you need while at the lodge. We also offer fishing ‘cheat sheets’ that have a few of the more common fishing terms and they can come in handy on the boats.
No vaccines or immunization are required to enter Panama from the USA and Europe, a yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from a region with yellow fever. The lodge carries medical emergency supplies as well as many basic first aid kits. Please click here to find out more about our medivac out of Piñas information which is included in your trip.
You can fly a private plane to Panama City regional airport – Marcos A. Gelabert Albrook . The runway in Piñas Bay is 2297 feet long (700 meters), and therefore restricts private jets or larger aircraft landing. We can set up a connecting charter for you should you wish to land at Marcos A. Gelabert Albrook and connect direct to Pinas.
The US Dollar is legal tender in Panama. Although the official currency is the Balboa it is only seen in some coins.
We do recommend that you bring smaller bills as the majority of the smaller restaurants and stores in Panama prefer accepting smaller notes.
As our charters to Pinas Bay leave in the morning you need to be in Panama before 6:00am. Therefore, in most cases, you do need to overnight at least one night before your arrival day to the lodge.
For departures you may not need to overnight depending on the time of your international flight. We strongly advise that your international flight leave after 5pm due to charter times, traffic, and weather.
Arrival times depends on your charter from the city but is usually between 10:00am and 12:00pm. Departure from your room at the lodge is between 7:00am and 8:00am depending on your charter departure time.
