No problem, amigo. Many folks speak "Span-glish" which is
a great mix of Spanish and English. Universal words such as "Please" and "Thank
You" go far in any language.
2. Can I use U.S. dollars?
U.S. currency is welcome and you need not exchange money before
coming. Small bills under $20 ...especially lots of
1's and 5's are handy and great for everyday purchases. Try not to
use your credit card unless
you absolutely must because it will cost more when you finally get
your bill later due to the exchange rates. Keep it handy for an emergency.
3. How about my paperwork?
Beginning January of 2007, you will need a passport to travel
to any North American destination.Don't
wait until the last minute! It's not difficult to get
a passport, but can take several months. Click here for more information: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
4. Can I drink the water?
Sure, drink the water. Eat the vegetables! Just watch out if
you overdo it on the tequila! Bottled water is in abundance and all the major
hotels and restaurants have drinkable tap water and ice. La Paz is
quite a modern city. You will probably find everything from Evian to
Perrier here.
5. Groceries and Amenities in La Paz?
As a modern city, being the capital of the state and the home
of the university, La Paz has everything from medical to dental facilities
and anything from your favorite brand of beer or potato chips can be
bought in our grocery stores. We are famous for our seafood, steaks
and of course REAL Baja-style cuisine. But, we also have some darned
great Italian, French, and yes... even Chinese food as well as fast
food... if you really must!
6. Are tourists, families and kids safe?
When was the last time you left your car or house unlocked
in your own home town at night? We do! Bring your common sense, but the crime
rate in La Paz is incredibly low. Our police ride bycyles and the town
is extremely family-oriented rather than adult-oriented. Bring your
smile. I'ts pretty common in La Paz.
7. What about my fish?
We encourage C.P.R. (Catch - Photo - Release), but
you're welcome to take home fresh fish within limits or have some deliciously
cooked
up at your hotel or any restaurant. It's great. Bring a small ice chest
(20-50 qt) and some zip lock style bags and some duct tape. Your captain
will happily clean your fish and it will be frozen in the hotel freezers
until you are ready to take it home.
8.
DO NOT Forget:
Sunglasses Suntan Lotion (no Banana Boat... Bananas
are bad luck for fishing) Small Bills (1's, 5's, 10's, 20's) Hat Thongs (the kind for your feet!) Light Windbreaker or Sweatshirt (for
the mornings or evenings) Zip Lock Bags (good for fish or keeping things dry) Camera / Film / Extra Batteries Your Paperwork (and make extra copies and hide them somewhere else) Extra Personal Medications (for extra days longer than your vacation) Big Smile!
Rule 1 - Keep it Simple
Rule 2 - When in doubt you probably don't need it
Rule 3 - Refer to Rule 1 and 2
Remember, La Paz is mostly a tropical place with a dry climate which
explains all the desert we have! Daytime temps range from the high
60's in the winter to occasionally 100 in the summer. (But it's a "dry
heat!") Dress accordingly. Our hottest month is July, but your
most humid month is August, but these are also two of our busiest months.
You can get away with shorts and t-shirts full time in La Paz. Socks
are considered formal wear and slacks are for funerals, weddings and
church! Everything is casual. Flip flops or tennis shoes are the footwear
of choice. If you will be on the water, bring a sweatshirt or windbreaker
just-in-case, but otherwise pack light. Anything you forget, you can
probably get it here in La Paz.
Here's some other general packing tips:
Pack your fishing rods in plastic tubes. Wrap them in towels or clothes
or something to pad them.
Bring zip lock bags for fish and duct tape.
Bring an ice chest (30-50 quart) is about right to bring home fish.
Most international airlines allow two check-in bags of less
than 50 pounds each. Rod tubes must be less than 8 feet long.
You can carry-on two smaller bags. I suggest you put your clothes in
a soft duffle bag
that goes in your empty cooler. When you go home, hopefully with fish,
put the fish in the ice chest. Your duffle bag now becomes a carry-on
bag! Some airlines do charge for fishing rods and rod tubes, so check
with your individual airline.
Bring locks for your baggage!
Some airlines prohibit carrying on reels that have line on
them so you will have to check them in. Some just say that and don't do anything
once you're there. Check with your airline.
Don't forget your passport or other ID. Make copies and pack them
in a separate place in case you lose the original on your trip.
Don't
forget your medications and other important personal items. Pack for
a few extra days in case of emergency. Bring insurance cards too.
If
you are traveling with a child under 18, and you are the only parent
traveling, get a notarized note from the other parent allowing you
to travel with the youngster but also giving you the power to make
medical decisions if necessary.
Pack
your passport, ID, money, medications in your carry-on luggage. Do
NOT send it to be checked in. If your suitcase goes to Paris accidentally,
you'll be having a hard time in Mexico.
Remember that domestic flights (flights that
originate and end in the same country) usually allow less baggage, so check with your
air carrier. For example that flight you're taking
from Chicago to Los Angeles will allow less luggage than
the international
flight from Los Angeles to
La Paz. The amount is almost half of what you can bring
on the international flight.
We certainly encourage "catch and release", but you're welcome
to catch and keep fish within limits and most of our clients do bring
home fish or at least keep enough to have it prepared at their hotel
restaurant or one of the other excellent La Paz restaurants. Believe
me...
Here's some options with your fish:
Good
for you! We enjoy watching "C.P.R." (Catch
- Photo - Release). You're also welcome to give any of your fish
to your captain
or bringing back fish to hotel staff. Meat is always welcome and
NEVER wasted
Most of our clients bring fish home.
If you'd like to do so, bring a small ice chest (usually 30-50 quart
chests are best and will be
fine for the airline weight restrictions). You will also need ziplock
style bags and some duct tape. At the end of your day, your captain
will be happy to clean your fish as part of our service. Have it filleted,
skinned, steaked or gilled and gutted whole. Bag your fish. It will
then be brought back to your hotel to be stored in the large freezers
until you are ready to leave. Before checking out, retrieve your fish.
Pack it in your ice chest. You may want to wrap your dirty fishing
clothes around it or some crumbled newspaper for extra insulation.
Do not add ice. It's prohibited by the airlines. Duct tape it closed
tightly. It will last as long as two days like this.
Same procedure as above except
bring some of your fish either to your hotel restaurant or any restaurant
in town. They'll be happy to cook
it up with all the fixings. This is a real treat. Save some leftovers
and grab extra tortillas and bring some leftovers out on the boat the
next day. Tastes great!
If you'd like to capture the moment
and the fish-of-a-lifetime from your La Paz fishing adventure, we can
have an incredible fish mount
crafted and delivered right to your home or office. We don't even need
the exact fish. If you have a good photo or even a great description,
our taxidermy artist will get you set up with a spectacular fiberglass
mount that will help you re-live the moment and be the center of attention
and conversation. The work of our artists has been featured in some
of the most famous marine and natural history museums in the U.S.;
Hollywood; Las Vegas; homes and offices of celebrities; as well as
scores of some of the largest seafood chains in the U.S. Money back
satisfaction guaranteed. Ask us for a quote that will surprise you.
Jonathan
Roldan's
Tailhunter International Sportfishing, Travel, Diving
& Adventure Service
U.S.
OFFICE:
Telephones:
(626) 333-3355 (direct) (626) 333-0115 (fax)
Toll Free: (877) 825-8802
Address: 3319 White Cloud Drive,
Suite A
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
Email: riplipboy@aol.com
