Surface Transportation to Casa Blanca

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:48

If you encounter any problem at the lodge, please report it to the staff immediately. "No hot water, a missing light bulb, etc.." can be corrected easily, but only if we know about it. Please do not suffer in silence. The staff is there to help.

One of the great things about the island is that it is very isolated...no phones, no curio shops or timeshare condos. But, it also means that all our supplies must be brought in by boat. It is a very long trip with a large number of potential delays. Consequently, we will occasionally run short of certain items. We would appreciate your patience should this occur. Any problem will be corrected quickly.

Also, saltwater fishing can be somewhat unpredictable. The weather can play an important part in your fishing success. Unfortunately, the lodge cannot control the weather, but the guides will make every effort to insure the best possible angling under whatever the prevailing water and weather conditions might be.

Last Updated on Monday, 29 June 2009 08:48 Monday, 29 June 2009 08:48

There is no guided fishing on the day of departure. Each departure day is scheduled differently depending on guests' airline departure times. Generally, you will depart the lodge in the morning. Your schedule will be posted the evening before you depart for your convenience. On the day you depart, please be sure to clear your lodge account and have your bags packed and ready for transfer to the airstrip on hour before you scheduled departure. If you are scheduled to depart on an early flight, you should clear your account the evening before.

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:47

In Mexico, it is the custom to tip the staff and guides for the services they provide. This can sometimes become a confusing proposition, so we would like to suggest the following general guidelines. We recommend tipping your guide $40 per day, per boat.

!If your guide provides you with exceptional service, such as putting you on a grand slam, you might consider a larger tip. You may wish to tip your guide directly each day, but most guests tip at the end of the week.

We suggest a tip for the staff of $90 per week, per guest. This should be given to the clerk on the day of departure, when you clear your lodge account for distribution to the staff. If any of the lodge staff provides you with service you consider exceptional, you may wish to tip them individually, a bit more.

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:46

Casa Blanca's rooms are air conditioned.! Not all of Playa Blanca rooms are. Rooms without a.c. are very comfortable.! Since the guest rooms are on the beach, most of the year, they can be cooled by opening the shutters and allowing the sea breeze to blow through. On especially cool nights, you can adjust the shutters to limit the breeze. Playa Blanca also has large pedestal fans in the rooms and ceiling fans in the common areas.

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:45

All electricity at Casa Blanca is provided by the lodge's generators. It is I I OV AC. The generators operate daily from approximately 3:30 P.M. until 8:00 A.M. This schedule will vary seasonally. In the spring and summer, the generators are operated all night to power the fans.

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:44

All drinking water and water for ice is purified using the "reverse osmosis" process. You will find drinking water in your room in a cooler which is filled daily. The water from the tap is from a natural well, or "cenote" The locals drink it, but we recommend that you do not drink it. Also, please help us by conserving the water when possible.

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:44

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:43

All bar charges and purchases at the lodge will be placed on your personal account which you is payable on the day of departure. We accept Dollars or Pesos (no credit cards or checks).

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 15:00 Monday, 29 June 2009 08:43

The guides are very knowledgeable about angling, but not all are fluent in English. If you have any problems communicating during the day, speak to the fishing coordinator so he can correct the situation immediately.

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:42

Most boats used by the lodges are 16 foot, Dolphin, flats skiffs that will accommodate two fishermen and a guide. Each is constructed with a forward casting deck, tandem passenger seats, rod racks, and a poling platform.

Before you board the skiffs each day be sure you have reel covers on all your reels.While running, the reels often bounce and can be damaged.

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:42

Casa Blanca is known for its fine "bone" and "permit" fishing, but you can take other species as well. If you would like to go after these other species, the fishing coordinator can give you advice on angling methods, availability, and fly or lure selection. You can fish from a skiff or wade. You can walk, pole, troll, fly-fish, spin or bait cast. You have a lot of options; so, it's a good idea to discuss your plans with the fishing coordinator.

The bays offer the light-tackle saltwater fisherman one of the most diverse selections of game fish in the world.

When conditions are right, an angler can cast to bonefish, tarpon, snook, permit, jacks, barracuda, cubera snapper, mutton snapper, sharks, and several different reef species in a single week of fishing. This kind angling opportunity can be found only in a few locations in the world. In the sections that follow, you can find more detailed info regarding each species.

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:41

There is no guided fishing on the day you arrive, but feel free to wade the flats around the lodge or fish along the beach. Guests have had very good luck in these areas. On the day you arrive, after dinner, lodge staff will provide a general orientation explaining daily schedules and lodge policies. If you are unsure about some aspect of your trip, please be sure to ask questions.

Monday, 29 June 2009 08:40

When you arrive at Casa Blanca, you will land on the lodge's airstrip, approximately 3 minutes by boat from the main lodge. There is a short walk from the plane to the boat dock, so change into your boat shoes before departing Cancun. Insects can be a problem on the airstrip because it is protected from the wind. Pack your insect repellent where it is handy. Or, when you arrive, walk immediately from the plane to the small pier at the end of the runway where the breeze will alleviate the problem. Your baggage will be transferred by the lodge staff and placed in your room. The boat ride can be wet, so dress accordingly or pack your rain gear on top and put it on before you leave the pier.

When you arrive at the Casa Blanca main dock, lodge staff will greet you and show you to your room. Your baggage will arrive a few minutes later.