Rates
Package includes: First and last night at Casa del Balam Hotel (or similar hotel) in Merida, ground transfers to/from airport, ground transfers to/from hotel/marina, coffee and sweet rolls on the way to the marina, four nights on the liveaboard, meals and sodas/alcohol on the liveaboard, guided fishing, and fishing license for the number of days fishing, marine park usage fee.
Package does not include: airfare, meals and beverages in Merida, gratuities for guides and crew, and anything not specified in inclusions.
Suggested Gratuities:
- Liveaboard Captain $ 100 per angler per trip
- 1 st Mate $ 30 per angler per trip
- Fishing Guides $30.00 per day – fishing two guide.
- Tip hotel bell staff $2.00 USD for carrying luggage to-and-from room.
- Tip shuttle driver $5.00 USD.
- Tip waiters and others 10% to 15% of the bill.
Deposits: 50% down within 14 days of booking and the balance is due 90 days prior to arrival. Deposit instructions for a bank wire transfer will be provided by the time of booking. Hint: Invite your whole party make a deposit on the same dates.
Travel & logistics
Entry requirements
As of March 1, 2010, all U.S. citizens – including minors – are required to present a valid passport or passport card for travel into Mexico. This is the final stage of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. (WHTI) If a parent is bringing a minor child into Mexico
unaccompanied by the other parent, you need a notarized letter from the parent not making the trip, giving permission to the traveling parent to bring the child into Mexico. As of January 2, 2002, Mexico is requiring non-U.S. born Americans from certain countries to have an “Entry Visa” to be able to enter Mexico. The list of countries is changing daily, and it is highly advised to consult your nearest Mexican Consulate for the most current list and applications.
Getting here by air
Our base city is Merida, capital of the State of Yucatan. The most direct options are to fly into Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport Merida (MID) from Houston (IAH) on United Airlines or from Dallas (DFW) on American Airlines or from Miami (MIA) or Atlanta (ATL) on Aeromexico/Delta Airlines. If you find it more convenient and you prefer to fly into Cancun (CUN), then you need to consider an extra drive of 3 hours to Merida after being picked up at the Gate. At Either airport, a representative will welcome you holding up a sign that will say Scorpion Atoll or your Name.
In-land accomodations
The representative will drive you to the Casa del Balam Hotel or a similar hotel (like the Victoria Hotel in the historical area Paseo de Montejo) in Merida for your overnight stay. Very close to dining places in downtown Merida. In the morning, you´ll leave early from the hotel in Merida and drive 40 minutes to Progreso to meet the liveaboard. Our drivers will pick you up at the Hotel Lobby. In perfect weather, the boat trip is about four hours to Scorpion Atoll. After four nights on the liveaboard, you will return to the hotel for another overnight. Both nights at the hotel are included in the package price.
Weather
It is warm most of the year. Winter temperatures range from 60° to 70°F. Late spring and summer months are really hot with temperatures ranging near 90° to 100°F with a lot of humidity. Rainy season starts in early summer with beautiful crystal clear mornings and heavy showers during the evening. Fall and winter months can be a little unstable. There is always a chance of a two or three-day cold front which can drop temperatures about ten degrees, and the wind can blow about 20 miles per hour or stronger.
Currency
Mexico’s national currency is the Peso – referred to 20 pesos to the USA dollar in 2017. But if you want to exchange USD consider a 17 to 1 exchange rate anywhere. If You need to exchange dollars for pesos should do it in the USA before you depart. Banks in Mexico
cannot exchange USA dollars due of new monetary regulations. You can use your credit card at ATMs or to make purchases in most restaurants and businesses and get the best exchange rate possible thru your bank. The exchange rate varies every day.
Clothing, packing & luggage
Most days you’ll be exposed to direct sunlight all day long. Wearing full protection is mandatory. We strongly suggest the use of long-sleeve, breathable fishing shirts/pants; hats, gloves, saltwater wading shoes or boots (resistant to coral bottoms), and sunscreen (at least 50 SPF). Other items you’ll want to bring are a lightweight sleeping bag, an extra pair of polarized glasses, personal care items, prescription medicine, and a weatherproof camera. Pack really light, it is important to save space on a liveaboard—one soft-sided duffle bag with rollers can carry all you need but could be too much, a carry on size would be much better as all garment you need for the week is light fabric plus a rod and reel travel case. A chest or waist pack for the flats is helpful, too.
Physical health
What physical shape do you need to be in to fish here? For this trip it is recommended that you be in fairly good shape. You’ll be far from shore and away from any medical assistance, if needed. It is very important that you understand that the only way of getting in and out of the Atoll is by boat. There are no airports. There is a heliport in one island but Air space is restricted over the islands and only the mexican Navy unit is allowed for landing a helicopter for evacuation. The closest point is the dock where you depart from is Progreso, which is about 4- 6 ½ hours away.
