How a Fishing Trip Turned Into Our Favorite Couples Getaway
Our first fishing trip to Guatemala’s Casa Vieja Lodge was with one of our favorite couples – my parents.
They’re both now in their 80s, been married for nearly 60 years and still complement (and compliment) each other. They’re not anglers, but that didn’t matter. In fact, every time I tell my mom that Hanna and I are going on a fishing trip, she asks hopefully: “Are you back to Casa Vieja?”
It’s not just that it’s the only fishing lodge she remembers. It’s that we’ve returned every year since that 2020 trip – and we’ve always gone with another couple.
We’ve had big groups, too, including my brother and his set of business school friends, but the core of every trip has been the same: four of us on a boat, Hanna, me and another adventurous couple – from Virginia, Alabama, Texas and Tennessee – and we’re headed back in February with another couple from Wisconsin.
We’ve hosted couples (including some of the ones alluded to above) in Mexico, Brazil, Panama and Alaska, but for a trip that adds just the right touch of romance, I don’t think you can beat Casa Vieja Lodge. It’s like subtle marriage counseling in paradise.
Join us on an upcoming trip or reach out and we’ll help you plan the perfect fishing getaway for you and your partner or spouse or someone you’re dating and really want to impress. You’ll be glad you emailed us.
Sure, it’s great if you both already love to fish – but honestly it’s even better if your significant other is lukewarm, unenthused or flat-out skeptical. This trip changes minds --and brings you closer.
Here are a few reasons why:
Casa Vieja Offers All the Little Luxuries
For me, a fishing trip is first and foremost about fishing. Everything else is secondary – not necessarily unimportant, but certainly less important. I realize that’s not necessarily the case for everyone, particularly first-time anglers or those on a couples trip. Creature comforts make a difference, so if your traveling companion is expecting a “fish camp” they’ll be surprised by everything at Casa Vieja. There are high thread-count sheets, Mercedes Sprinter vans, premium toiletries, fluffy towels at the (now enlarged) pool, and daily laundry service that’ll leave your clothes smelling fresher than you can get at home. You don’t want to give a potential skeptic anything to complain about and they don’t. It’s like staying at the Four Seasons, just with the best sailfishing on earth as an included amenity.
Fishing Fleet, Captains and Mates at Casa Vieja Lodge: Comfort and Big Game Success
Casa Vieja has a diverse fleet that’s the envy of the other lodges and outfitters in Guatemala – indeed of those throughout Central America. Big boats with air-conditioned lounges, bathrooms (not everyone likes to pee over the side or hold it all day) and hot lunches. They’re made to take on big water comfortably and safely. There’s nothing wrong with a bass boat or jon boat in the right circumstances – indeed I spend more time in a bass boat than anything else – but these are luxury craft made to pamper you. You can even cuddle up and take a nap together on the way back after a day in the sun wrestling pez vela.
Romantic, Luxurious and Comfortable Accommodations at Casa Vieja Lodge
Again, the rooms are first-class with comfortable beds, showers where you can shave your legs (that’s meant for the ladies, but we don’t judge), and awesome A/C. If you still have the energy for some level of intimacy come evening time, they provide sufficient privacy and comfort to take it wherever your feelings lead. You can even get a poolside mini-massage or full-body private massage to get you in the mood, and the tropical drinks get you in the mood. All of that makes it one of the best fishing trips you can imagine for couples who want to keep the fire lit.
Why Casa Vieja Lodge Offers the Best Chance for Sailfish Success in Guatemala
Going back to the big fleet, Casa Vieja’s boats work together to keep you on the sailfish, covering massive amounts of water and communicating constantly to ensure that you’re in the prime strike zone. If you’re taking your partner who doesn’t fish, you want him or her to understand why you’re so passionate about angling – and a leaping sailfish is the perfect gateway drug to that feeling. This is fishing, so success is not guaranteed, but over our first five trips we’ve averaged double digit sailfish every day. The picture of your partner and a fish, both lit up, will remind you for years of the shared experience.
Beyond the Fishing: Exciting Pre- and Post-Trip Activities for Couples in Guatemala
I know that not everyone could fish dozens of days in a row like I’d prefer. For some people, one, two or three is enough to give them a positive feeling, even a desire to come back. While Casa Vieja itself is a fishing lodge, there is a ton for adventurous and luxury-oriented couples to do nearby. We’ve stayed a few nights in Antigua, climbed a volcano and also went to Lake Atitlan. There’s a lot more to see in Guatemala that’s couple-friendly, and a couples fishing trip to Casa Vieja Lodge can be the foundation of an exceptional relationship-building experience.
If you think that you and your partner would benefit from time on the best sailfishery on earth, amidst beautiful surroundings and first-class service, reach out to us with a quick email and we’ll get you the information needed to book this amazing trip.
