Not Fishing? Here’s Why Casa Vieja Lodge Is Still Worth It
We go back to Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala every year for one simple reason: they have the best fleet in the best sailfishery on earth. That’s enough for us.
But what if you don’t fish?
We understand that not everyone wants to be out on the boat for eight hours a day. Sure, we’ve taken couples where one partner doesn’t fish and they’ve joined us offshore—and ended up loving it—but others have no interest in going out at all, even for the sun and scenery.
That’s okay.
Casa Vieja was never just a fishing lodge. It’s a luxury resort that happens to revolve around fishing. So if someone in your group is headed there on a bucket-list trip, you can absolutely be the “plus one” without ever stepping on a boat—and still have an incredible experience.
It’s safe, comfortable, and relaxed—more like a boutique Caribbean resort than anything most people picture when they hear “fishing lodge.”
If you go as the non-fishing companion, you won’t be an afterthought or a tagalong. You’ll wake up on your own schedule, ease into the day, and decide how you want to spend it. Lounge by the pool, book a massage, or just find a quiet spot and unplug.
The staff will take care of you as much—or as little—as you prefer, with outstanding food and drinks available throughout the day. It’s an ideal environment to relax and recharge.
Then in the evenings, everything comes back together. Drinks, dinner, and stories from the boats—it becomes a shared experience again.
This isn’t the trip for non-anglers who need highly structured days (think adult summer camp), but if you want more than just pool time, that’s available too.
Some guests spend time at a nearby beach club.
Others take day trips to historic Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its culture, history, and incredible scenery.
If you’re looking for something more active, you can hike a volcano and roast marshmallows—or even pizza—over natural heat.
And if you want to share those experiences with your fishing partner, it’s easy to add time in Antigua or Lake Atitlán (highly recommended) before or after your stay.
This is where Casa Vieja really shines: it works for couples with different definitions of a perfect day.
One person can chase sailfish offshore. The other can relax, explore, or recharge. And at the end of the day, you’re still experiencing it together.
So if you’ve been holding back on the fishing trip of a lifetime because your spouse or partner doesn’t fish, this is the place that removes that barrier.
You might even convince them to catch their first billfish—we’ve seen that happen more than once. In fact, we’ve had multiple guests arrive as non-anglers and return the next year as full-on converts.
But if that doesn’t happen, it doesn’t matter.
Casa Vieja delivers a world-class experience either way—and no one has to compromise to enjoy it.
If you’d like to check it out for yourself, email us ASAP. We head back every year for good reason and we’d love for you to experience the Casa Vieja Lodge magic.
