Pacific Fins Resort
Pacific Fins Resort & Marina is not a beach resort or a couples retreat. It is a small, purpose-built sportfishing lodge in Iztapa on Guatemala's Pacific coast, and for anglers it is about as good as it gets. The boats fish an underwater canyon known as the Pocket, often starting just 12 to 15 miles offshore, and the resort cites 15 to 20 sailfish bites a day on average, with 40 or more on good days in the October to June peak. Blue marlin in the 300 to 600 pound range are the common marlin, most concentrated from September to December, and dorado and yellowfin tuna round out the catch. All billfishing is catch and release on circle hooks.
Things to Know
- No Online Booking
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Some of the best sailfishing in the world: the resort cites 15 to 20 bites a day on average and 40 or more on good days in the October to June peak, with sailfish averaging 90 to 100 pounds
- +Every package includes a private boat with a captain and two mates, all tackle and bait for conventional or fly fishing, and fishing from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm
- +On the boat the crew serves a hot lunch, snacks and fruit, makes ceviche or sashimi in the galley, and keeps beer, rum, vodka, sodas and Gatorade cold
- +All-inclusive back at the lodge too: a la carte breakfast by the pool, a gourmet dinner menu with fresh seafood or prime steak, and beer, wine and spirits all day
- +Road transfers from La Aurora airport in Guatemala City are included, in a private air-conditioned van with an English-speaking driver and an optional stop in Antigua
- +Small and personal, with just 4 two-bedroom villas and 2 one-bedroom suites, all air-conditioned, plus daily laundry and Wi-Fi across the resort
- +Guests consistently single out the managers, captains and mates for going out of their way, from cooking your catch to handling a sick guest
Cons
- −Beyond the pool, bar and gardens there is little to do on the property itself, so non-anglers depend on the resort's day tours and golf outings
- −Pricing is per angler and built for groups: a 2026-2027 Performance package is $3,550 each for four anglers sharing a boat, but $7,950 for one angler alone
- −No online booking: every reservation goes through a contact form, email or phone, and lodging without a fishing package is quoted only on request
- −The 65-mile road trip from Guatemala City takes about two hours and can run longer in traffic; the 20-minute private plane or helicopter transfer costs extra
- −Guatemala's Pacific coast has dark volcanic sand and big surf, not the calm white-sand beach a Caribbean resort trip suggests
- −Gratuities for the resort staff and boat crew are not included, and fuel surcharges may apply
- −Billfish are strictly catch and release, and some guests wish the crew paused longer for photos before letting a fish go
The lodge itself is comfortable rather than flashy: 4 two-bedroom, two-bathroom villas with four queen beds, a living room and a sun deck, and 2 one-bedroom suites, all air-conditioned and set around tropical gardens and a pool. Breakfast is served by the pool, dinner is an a la carte menu of local seafood and steaks, and the bar is open all day. On the water, each boat has a captain and two mates who cook a hot lunch and make ceviche or sashimi from the day's catch. Daily laundry, Wi-Fi and road transfers from Guatemala City are all part of the package, and guests regularly praise the managers and crews by role in their reviews.
It suits serious anglers, groups of fishing friends and corporate trips, and the price rewards filling a boat: a 2026-2027 Performance package runs $3,550 per angler for four people sharing 3 days of fishing and 4 nights, while a solo angler pays $7,950. Non-fishing companions are better served than they used to be, with day trips the resort arranges to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, volcano hikes, the surf town of El Paredon and mangrove birdwatching, plus rounds at the Mayan Golf Club with transport included. There is no online booking, so plan to call or email.
Common Questions
What species can you catch at Pacific Fins, and when is the best time to go?
Is this a catch-and-release operation?
How do you get to Pacific Fins from Guatemala City?
Is there anything to do if you are not fishing?
What does the package include and what costs extra?
Can I book online?
What's nearby
45 min drive · 20 mi
More things to do (6)
- Iztapa · town9 min drive · 3.6 mi
- Marina Pez Vela · marina20 min drive · 5.3 mi
- Sailfish sportfishing charter from Marina Pez Vela · excursion20 min drive · 5.3 mi
- Puerto San José public beach · beach20 min drive · 7.6 mi
- Monterrico · town45 min drive · 20 mi
- Sea turtle hatchling release at Monterrico (August to December) · excursion45 min drive · 20 mi
Amenities
Google Reviews★ 4.7 · 251 reviews
“Excellent resort, mainly catering to thise who want to fish for sails, marlin and other pelagics. Service is spectacular. Resort is a 15 min van ride to the marina. Captains and mates are all top notch. Food at the resort is great with a good variety...”
“My family and I had a fantastic all-inclusive sea fishing weekend at the Pacific Fins Resort. The staff was super attentive. On our first day of fishing, my 11-year-old son got seasick, so we had to turn back early. Despite this, we still managed to...”
“My family's recent stay at Pacific Fins Resort was outstanding & exceeded our expectations. They went above and beyond to accommodate us so we felt completely taken care of. They had exceptional service when one of us fell ill. They handled the situa...”
