TRAVEL DETAILS & GEAR

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TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

For travel to Bolivia, you must have a passport with at least six months of validity beyond your date of departure and two blank visa pages side by side.

United States citizens traveling to Bolivia for tourism must obtain a tourist visa, which is valid for 10 years. With this visa, you may stay a maximum of 30 calendar days per trip, not to exceed 90 days total per year.

You can obtain a Bolivia tourist visa upon your arrival at the airport in Santa Cruz or in advance through any Bolivian Consulate in the United States.

Our office will assist you with the required documentation for the visa.

GETTING THERE

Boliviana de Aviación (BOA Airlines) offers daily non-stop overnight flights from Miami each evening, arriving Santa Cruz the next morning. COPA and United Airlines offer one-stop flight service from Houston and Miami. Flights back to Miami usually operate early morning or late evening. We strongly suggest that you allow plenty of time between flights to make your connections.

travel sequence / logistics

For shooting-only trips: Guests are met upon arrival in Santa Cruz and transferred 1.5 hours via private vehicle to Las Palomas Lodge. Arrival is in plenty of time for lunch and an afternoon hunt. On the last shooting day, after the morning hunt, guests will have lunch then drive back to Santa Cruz to either their day room at the Camino Real or Los Tajibos Hotel (if the flight home is late that night), or for an overnight (if their flight home is the next morning).

For fishing-only trips: Guests are met upon arrival in Santa Cruz, and transferred directly to the charter aircraft terminal for their 2 hour flight to Caño Negro Lodge. Arrival, weather permitting, is in plenty of time for lunch and an afternoon of fishing. On the last fishing day, guests will have a morning of fishing followed by lunch and a 2 hour air charter back to Santa Cruz to either their dayroom at the Camino Real or Los Tajibos Hotel (if the flight home is late that night), or for an overnight (if their flight home is the next morning).

For fishing-shooting combos: Guests will be met upon arrival in Santa Cruz, transferred to the private charter area, then fly 2 hours to Caño Negro Lodge, arriving in time for afternoon fishing. On the last fishing day, guests will have a morning of fishing followed by an early lunch and a 2 hour air charter to Las Palomas lodge. On the last shooting day, after the morning hunt, guests will have lunch then drive back to Santa Cruz to either their dayroom at the Camino Real or Los Tajibos hotel (if the flight home is late that night), or for an overnight (if their flight home is the next morning).

baggage requirements

It is standard procedure to have your bags weighed before boarding the charter flight (40 lb. maximum allowed – you will be asked to lighten your load if your luggage is overweight). It is requested that everyone bring soft-sided bags with minimal casual clothing, one gun case (if you bring your own guns) and one rod case. Please do not bring hard luggage or coolers – they will not fit on the charter aircraft. There is daily laundry service, so keep clothing to a minimum. IMPORTANT: Be sure to pack your medications and two full changes of tropical clothing in your carry-on luggage, and travel in fishing/tennis shoes.

camps & accommodations

The Shooting

The Molinas offer guests two lovely lodging options—their original Bolivian-tropical-style lodge, Las Palomas, or their stylish new addition, Los Guaduales lodge and spa. Both offer well-appointed suites and guestrooms with private baths, a massage room, a beautiful pool and adjacent palapa bar, Jacuzzi, satellite television, internet access, and any and all amenities that make for a wonderfully luxurious stay. The lodges were constructed specifically as dove hunting headquarters, and are located quite close to huge concentrations of birds.

The Fishing

Caño Negro/Green Forest Lodge is a traditional wood-constructed facility on the Rio Caño/San Simon system. The new lodge features four spacious, double occupancy air-conditioned rooms with private baths, large dining and bar/conversation areas, and a lovely view overlooking huge adjacent spring-fed lagoons. Please note that the generator is turned off each night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Temperatures late in the evening/early morning will usually be in the mid to upper 60s, but will occasionally go into the mid 70s.

food & beverages

The lodges provide both quality and ample meals throughout your stay—particularly at Las Palomas, which is known for fantastic meals. A breakfast buffet is typically served from 6:30 to 7:00 each morning. Pastries, eggs, toast, fresh fruit, bacon, cereal and fresh coffee are all standard fare. Lunch is a sit -down field barbeque at Las Palomas (or guests can return to the lodge). At the fishing lodge, guests return to the lodge for lunch or may request a cooler with various cold cuts, cheeses, breads, fruit, etc. for lunch on the river. Appetizers are served when all guests return from the day’s events, followed by dinner. A mixture of Bolivian and American foods is featured in the dinner menus. Fresh fish, beef, pork, and chicken are accompanied by an assortment of delicious soups, salads, rice, bread and mixed vegetables. The camps supply bottled water, soft drinks, local liquor, beer (limited for safety reasons to six per person during the hunting/fishing day) and wine with dinner. Bring your own specialty liquor.

power sources/batteries

Both lodges have diesel generators that produce 220-volt electricity. You may need a converter (depending on your electrical device) and you will need an adapter – European two-prong and three-prong plug ins. The generators at the fishing lodge go off at 10 pm and are turned back on at 6 am.

language

Spanish is spoken in Bolivia. The guides only speak some fishing/shooting English, but both facilities have a full time bilingual host.

laundry

Each lodge/camp has daily laundry service. The laundry personnel pick up the clothes and wash them while you are out and return them to your room, usually before dinner. In the fishing area, if the day is excessively rainy, laundry may be returned later, as all clothing is air-dried.

currency

Most Latin American currencies fluctuate against the U.S. dollar, so it’s pointless to list even approximate exchange rates. Bolivian hotels and shops readily accept U.S. dollars, so there is really no need to exchange money, even for gratuities.

alcoholic beverages

Import allowances restrict import of excess amounts of liquor and tobacco, so keep them to a minimum (one carton of cigarettes or 25 cigars, and 2 liters of alcoholic beverages maximum). Beer, local liquor, soft drinks and wine are included in the weekly rate at all lodges/camps.

gratuities

For fishing the suggested tip is around $60/day (60% to the guide and 40% to house staff).  For the shooting the suggested tip is $50/day per hunter for the bird boys and $40/day per person for the house staff.

Please do not bring traveler’s checks for tipping purposes. Tens and twenties are appreciated and most easily divided among the staff.

health/insects

All of our lodges and camps are located in remote areas. Those who have serious health problems should think twice about going to such a location with limited medical attention available. Both camps use bottled water and also have their own deep wells for water, therefore water-born contagious diseases are uncommon. Do not drink the tap water in any hotel rooms or public areas! The fishing and hunting areas have some mosquitoes and biting gnats. Be sure you have some long-sleeved clothing and bring insect repellent—use a product with at least 50% D.E.E.T. Also, clothing with insect shield works well.

weather/climate

Semi-tropical temperatures prevail in the fishing and shooting areas with day-time highs in the 80s to mid-90s. At night, the temperature drops to a very pleasant 60-70º F. Rain may occur throughout the week, so bring along a good quality, lightweight rain suit.

clothing

We recommend wearing loose fitting, lightweight cottons or synthetics (Orvis, Patagonia, ExOfficio insect shield). Long pants and long sleeves are best to protect from sunburn and hide ankles and wrists from biting insects. The camp/lodge has daily laundry service, so please don’t over pack (remember weight restrictions).

boats & motors

The fishing boats vary from aluminum sleds to local custom-made wooden boats. They are quite adequate for the various river and lagoon conditions, and are equipped with outboard motors, casting decks, comfortable seats, and ample coolers to store drinks and lunches.

shotguns/chokes

Hunters may either take their guns or utilize Bolivian Adventures’ shotguns—they have a fine selection for rent at $65/day. Most are new model Benelli and Beretta auto loaders in 20 and 12 gauges. 

ammunition

Bolivian Adventures uses top quality shells (from Europe and Argentina), available in 12, 20 and 28 gauge at $16/box (subject to change). At the end of your stay, a shell bill will be presented, payable in cash, check or credit/debit card (Visa or Mastercard only). There is a 2% fee added for credit/debit cards.

spinning or baitcasting tackle

Take medium-heavy to heavy largemouth bass tackle with long-handled 6 to 7 foot rods and strong reels of at least 80 to 100 yards capacity with high-speed retrieve ratios. Bring at least two rods and reels. For lines, we suggest 30-65 lb. Spectra or Power Pro braided line or similar. Peacock bass do not require steel leaders, which take some action out of the lure. For payara and pacu, use a 30-pound plastic coated, bronze color, steel leader (Tyger Leader). Use a firm-action-tip rod, as the fish may exceed 20 lbs. We recommend breakdown travel rods.

The lodge provides spinning and baitcasting rods and reels and a basic lure package. Additional lures are available for purchase.

For those who wish to bring their own lures, we recommend the following:

spinning or baitcasting lures

Topwater – a mixture of around 8 total lures for a full week:

  • Barboleta Nitro Peacock Bass propeller lures: 3 ½” – 5”, All colors
  • Heddon Zara Spook and One Nocker Spook: 3 ¾” – 4 ½”, All colors
  • Heddon Baby or Magnum Torpedo: 2 ½” – 3 5/16”, All colors

Spinners and Spoons—a mixture of 12 total lures:

  • Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon: 1/2 – 3/4 oz., Silver, gold
  • Acme Kast Master: 3/8 – 1 oz., All colors

Diving Minnows—a mixture of around 8 total lures:

  • Bomber Long A, Original: 4 ½” – 6”, Fish colors
  • Rapala or Cordell Redfin, shallow: 3 ½” – 5 ½”, All colors

Diving jointed minnows:

  • Bomber Long A, Original: 4 1/2 – 6″, Fish colors
  • Rapala or Cordell Redfin shallow-diving jointed minnow: 3 1/2 – 5 1/2″, All colors
  • Yo-Zuri Hydro Squid: 7 ½“, Purple, pink, red
  • Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow: 5 ¼”, Fish colors
  • XCaliber Rattlebaits (rattletraps): ½ — ¾ oz., All colors

NOTE: Single laser-sharp hooks work best for payara.

For spinning and bait casting tackle and lures, contact J.W. Smith at (800) 211-4753 or [email protected]

flyfishing tackle

The aggressive jungle species are well suited to fly fishing with many fly fishing world records to be set.

Payara: Eight or nine-weight, four-piece travel fly rods are recommended. Bring a 200-300 grain fast-sink-tip line for payara. Use 30-40 pound monofilament for leader/tippet.

Peacock Bass: A six-weight fly rod is best for peacock bass. Reels should have a smooth drag, hold at least 100 yards of 30-pound. backing, and be spooled with weight forward bass taper or saltwater floating or clear intermediate sink tip lines such as Orvis floating Wonderline, Rio or similar.

When fishing for payara and pacu, use 20-30 pound plastic coated, bronze color, steel leader (Tyger Leader). Take two rods and reels.

FLIES – 6 total topwater, 40-80 total underwater flies for a full week

Large Poppers (topwater): 2/0 to 3/0, red, white, yellow, chartreuse combinations

Minnow and deceiver patterns (underwater): 2/0 to 3/0, chartreuse/white, blue/white, red/white, orange/white, yellow/white, all with flash

Spuddler or Clouser type payara flies: 2/0 to 3/0, black/red, silver grey/red, blue and olive, with weighted eyes, all with flash

Clouser for Sardinata: #4 to #2, red, white, yellow, chartreuse combinations

For flies, contact Feather-Craft Fly Fishing www.feather-craft.com, (800) 659-1707 or J.W. Smith 800-211-4753.

For payara, pacu, peacock bass and exotic catfish replicas we recommend:  Advanced Fish Taxidermy – Josh Kelly – [email protected] – (214) 288-9814 – www.advancedfishtaxidermy.com. 

fishing – clothing

  • Travel clothes
  • Two light-weight long-sleeved shirts
  • Two pair light-weight fishing pants
  • One pair shorts or swimsuit
  • Several polo or tee shirts
  • Light-weight rain jacket
  • Fishing/boat/tennis shoes
  • Fishing hat, preferably with long bill
  • Fishing gloves, socks, bandana

personal items

  • Cash for camp tips, etc.
  • Passport and photocopy of first two pages
  • Sunscreen and sunblock lip balm
  • Insect repellent with DEET or Geraniol
  • Small first aid kit and Band-Aids
  • Individual medications
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Small flashlight and batteries
  • Waterproof gear bag or large zip lock
  • Camera with extra batteries
  • Travel dictionary English/Spanish
  • Credit cards and personal checks

fishing accessories

  • Amber polarized sun glasses
  • Line clippers or scissors, small knife
  • Hook sharpener (important for payara)
  • Fishing pliers
  • Clear plastic tackle boxes for flies
  • Reel lubricant
  • Small towel
  • Tape measure
  • Extra line and leader material
  • Fly line cleaner if fly fishing

hunting – need all personal items plus:

  • Hunting shirts: dark brown, dark green or camo
  • Medium to lightweight cotton or synthetic pants and/or shorts—in browns and greens
  • Lightweight boots
  • Hat in green/brown or camo
  • Shooting safety glasses: yellow for dark days, dark for sun (either is a safety fundamental requirement)
  • Thin, soft leather shooting gloves to protect hands while loading and firing
  • Earplugs for protection while shooting
  • Recoil reduction device to wear under/over shirt or vest