If you are a diehard kayak angler wanting to maximize your time on the water and minimize your cost, then the Kayak Fishing Trips are your best option. They are 5 full days of fishing geared toward the full-time fisherman/fisherwoman with the option of bringing your own gear or renting ours. Because of this, the cost provides the essentials while allowing for additional options to be added a la carte on site. These groups are geared more toward those looking to fish non-stop during their stay chasing the giants.
If a more relaxed schedule or mixed trip enjoying our many other activities alone or with your family or friends suits you, then you should check out our mixed sportfishing packages or private group weeks. These trips are more inclusive providing both room upgrades and fishing gear as part of the cost eliminating the a la carte addition from the Kayak Fishing trips. Schedule and activities are also more flexible and options to kayak fish can be added as well.

Our fishery for the large part is not seasonal as most of our fish are resident and thus the bite is more subject to currents, water temps and other factors that are more random and depends less on migratory pattern. There are a few exceptions such as wahoo which generally come through July to November, and Snook & Corvina which are more concentrated in the dry season of January to March.
The main difference in our fishery regarding seasonality is the windy (dry) season vs the green season. The dry season brings North Winds that generally kick up mid-January and last until the end of March and this eliminates some of our options such as kayak fishing behind the lodge and mothership trips to the east. However, using our boats, we still kayak and panga fish along our protected coastline to the West. Luckily this same season brings a migration of the larger tunas and chasing those giants is a large part of our business during this season along with fishing and camping along the remote shoreline of Cerro Hoya Park.
Don’t mistake the term green or rainy season. This period from Mid-April through December is THE PRIME fishing season for all around fishing from kayak and pangas with cooler weather, a larger variety of species and more locations available.
While like all locations we occasionally alter our plans for a storm or two its much less common than places like Florida where tropical storms can alter weeks at the time. Our normal pattern is afternoon showers that cool things down and fire up the bite. We rarely miss fishing days with fewer than 7 charter days a year missed on average.

Standard rate for the Kayak Fishing Trips includes shared accommodation, your fully rigged Hobie kayak, food and beverage (excluding cash bar) during your stay at Los Buzos including unlimited national beers, and transport to and from our pickup location in Panama City (AC Marriott) and Los Buzos.
Standard Rate for Sport Fishing Trips include what is mentioned above except for kayaks and instead includes 5 days of panga fishing. Gear is also included within the rate as well as an upgrade from standard lodgings to one of our beachfront rooms.

Other expenses outside our fee that should be budgeted include rooms, meals, and entertainment for any nights spent in Panama City. We have a special rate at AC Marriott $95 ($47.50 each) each approx. for huge double rooms including an excellent breakfast for two, and the King single $80 including breakfast for one. AC Marriott holds reservations for us without prepayment, so you just need to let us know what you want when you reserve, and you pay upon arrival. There are many great restaurants and bars within walking distance and some other nice hotels.
Some extras on site are dependent on your trips such as panga trips if you are coming on a kayak fishing trip. $150 per person per day for standard trips and $200 p.p. by day for the longer and further premium panga trips.
Other on-site extras include bar beverages (soda, liquor, special drinks), massages and other activities if not included, and store purchases such as T-shirts, souvenirs, and toiletry items.

Obviously, we try everything we can to avoid any emergencies. All our kayaks come equipped with a PFD and we require all our anglers to have a VHF radio on them (either you can bring your own or we rent them out). On land we have several staff members who also listen to the radio to make sure everything is ok. Lastly, when going out on the pangas we always carry a satellite text messenger to stay in contact, even when there is no phone signal available.
Panama in general has world class medical care, however we are remote. There is a clinic in our village and a rural hospital with good emergency facilities 17 miles away. Anything significant gets evacuated to the nearest large town 2 hours away or, if it permits, to Panama City where the care is second to none, including a Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Medical care is very affordable in Panama; however, we do advise you to get travel insurance before coming here to avoid any surprises.

Customs is relatively straight forward here; you will get forms in English from the airlines. Don’t bring things in new boxes as that tends to make them think you are reselling it. If it looks like your regular gear, you will be fine, they are used to fishermen. If it looks like you are trying to stock a new Bass Pro, you’ll get an interview. We’ll give you more specific instructions shortly before your trip if you ask.

No visa is required for this destination for a stay of up to 180 days. Please keep in mind that while a visa is not required, you must:
Hold a passport valid at least six months on entry with one blank visa page

PLEASE NOTE: You are kindly advised to have a passport valid for at least 6 months as from the date of your arrival to Panama. If this is less, there is a very high chance they won’t let you into the country.

We depart from the AC Marriot Hotel in Panama City Sunday Morning (10 AM). If you are not staying at the AC Marriot, it is the guest’s responsibility to arrive at AC Marriot before the departure time. Depending on the group size we will make the trip from the city to Los Buzos by SUV, van, or mid-sized bus. Although 6 hours long, we make every effort to turn this trip into a mini tour of Panama. We will pass the stunning and very surprising modern Panama City beachfront condo towers, Casco Viejo the old town on the UNESCO World Heritage List that Captain Morgan raided three times and cross the Panama Canal just above the major entry port. After that we pass the tourist resort area of Playa Blanca and enter the Azuero Peninsula, home to the best of Panama’s boutique resorts, fishing, retirement villages and more. Drinks, including beer are available during the ride, and a couple of stops will be made along the way for lunch and breaks. We generally arrive just before one of our stunning sunsets and in time for dinner and rigging for the next day.
We are pleased to announce that Los Buzos now offers private plane transportation at an additional cost for those who do not wish to take the drive. A van will transport guests directly from AC to a private hanger on Sunday to depart on a 50-minute flight to the small town of Pedasi where our van meets you at the strip for the 1 hour and 45-minute drive along the coast to Los Buzos. Total time door to door is 3 hours with no additional security clearances or hassles. The total add-on for the round-trip flight package is $500 (assuming at least 4 in the group elect to fly)

The main difference in our fishery regarding seasonality is the windy (dry) season vs the green season. The dry season brings North Winds that generally kick up mid-January and last until the end of March and this eliminates some of our options such as kayak fishing behind the lodge and mothership trips to the east. However, using our boats, we still kayak and panga fish along our protected coastline to the West. Luckily this same season brings a migration of the larger tunas and chasing those giants is a large part of our business during this season along with fishing and camping along the remote shoreline of Cerro Hoya Park.
Don’t mistake the term green or rainy season. This period from Mid-April through December is THE PRIME fishing season for all around fishing from kayak and pangas with cooler weather, a larger variety of species and more locations available.
While like all locations we occasionally alter our plans for a storm or two its much less common than places like Florida where tropical storms can alter weeks at the time. Our normal pattern is afternoon showers that cool things down and fire up the bite. We rarely miss fishing days with fewer than 7 charter days a year missed on average.

Cotton is NOT King in Panama! We recommend light fishing style clothes, polyester, nylon etc. dry fast stuff. Normal kayaking cover-up gear for offshore and casual shorts, shirts and flip flops on shore. We won’t send you anywhere you can’t go in shorts and flip flops unless you plan to spend several extra days in the city. We have laundry service available at least once during your stay so pack light. Dramamine is also a great thing to have for your trip as even experienced offshore fishermen have gotten seasick in our fishery. If you plan to hike or horseback ride a pair of lightweight long pants and light boots/hiking shoes are recommended. Also, water shoes for reef walks and the beaches, our volcanic dark sand gets hot.

Food is very important for us here at Los Buzos and we serve you something different every day. Breakfast and bag lunches are put out in the main lodge approximately 1 hour before launch time each day. The continental breakfast changes daily and usually consist of fresh pastries, eggs, fresh cut fruit, fresh fruit juice and home baked bread. Obviously, there is plenty of fresh brewed coffee available to get your day started well.

Lunches consist of fresh tuna salad sandwiches, lunch wraps, paninis or sandwiches. Also, we will put out a wide variety of packed snacks (granola bars, Pringles, candy, Oreos, biscuits etc.), water bottles, ice packs, and apples to take out with you on the water. Afternoon snacks are served when the fishermen come in consisting of fresh guacamole, salsas, bean or tuna dips, served with chips and plenty of cold beer, tea or water. Dinner is served family style each night as a group including the guides. It generally consists of fresh fish and seafood specialties caught that day or the day before prepared in a variety of ways.

If you don’t eat fish (or other food items), have food allergies or special dietary requirements: please let us know in advance via the pre-trip registration form. We are more than happy to change the menu to your requirements and taste.

We are happy to tell you that we now offer unlimited Wi-Fi at our lodge! Share fishing pictures of the day on your social media, call your family and friends or check your social media.
If you use T Mobile, Verizon, or ATT they have international plans you can add temporarily that work in Panama. They have signal about a mile down the road from us.
We highly recommend connecting with us by WhatsApp before your trip if you have a data plan or even Wi-Fi only. It is the communication of choice in Latin America and works when email and other things will not. It is the best way to ensure you can always reach us if you need help.

Our gear rental program for kayak fishing is owned and operated by Adam Fisk independently, gear rental payments are collected via a payment link provided here. If you are interested in either of the gear rental options (Rod Only or Full Gear) please check out this link and Adam will notify us to have your package ready upon your arrival.

Los Buzos Panama Rentals

We also recommend purchasing his gear insurance options if any gear is lost or damaged during your stay.

Our sportfishing program includes gear.

Absolutely, anyone is welcome to bring their own gear and tackle. Adam Fisk also offers a basic “rods only” package where you bring your reels but avoid cumbersome rod tubes. To learn more, please check package options at https://sleighriders.com/collections/los-buzos-panama

If you forget something or want to try some of our set ups, we have all terminal tackle for sale at competitive prices on site. We stock a full line of jigs, poppers, hooks, leaders, and rigging tackle in our center at US prices.

Managing partner Adam Fisk is happy to consult with you in advance of your trip to help you know exactly what you need to bring. We highly recommend that you take advantage of his knowledge of our fishery – most who don’t, arrive severely under sized for some of our aggressive species. For information on recommended tackle and gear visit https://sleighriders.com/collections/los-buzos-panama

The kayak group rate can be converted to panga only fishing by adding $150 per person (minimum 2 persons) each day of panga fishing. This rate includes the use of rental tackle and some basic lures and bait rigs. Using this formula, you can also mix and match kayak and panga trips. There is also the option to “ride along” on mother ship trips for only $150. You will go with a pair of kayakers and fish from the panga, but the panga stays with the kayakers and remains in support of them. This is only available for single anglers and is based on available capacity on scheduled mother ship trips.

We also offer Mixed Sportfishing options which are weeklong fishing trips by boat and are all inclusive with room upgrades, tackle and gear, and other amenities. These trips are also flexible in their scheduling and itinerary as panga fishing is not as subjected to tides as kayak fishing. Kayak mothership trips can also be added a la carte for those wanting to try it out during their stay.

Our classic kayak group trips are geared to produce a more affordable trip for experienced offshore kayak anglers who typically prefer to pedal out and fish their own (or sponsors) gear for as much time as possible. This is the trip that made Los Buzos famous. To make it more accessible and available for those who might not have or want to bring their own equipment we offer an optional rental package of the specialty fishing equipment needed for kayaks. Likewise, we offer panga mothership trips as an option during these weeks. For those wanting to fish from a panga daily we offer our sportfishing package which includes the cost of the boat and the gear and tackle for fishing from the boat in the trip package