Los Roques DIY? Other suggestions?

[alamborne]

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip for February or March and have found so many cool-sounding places that I can't decide which to choose. It has to be a nice vacation spot for my non-fishing wife, with good do-it-yourself fishing for me. My primary concern from the DIY aspect is easy access where I can fish on and off at the same places where my wife can snorkel and read on the beach (sea kayaking is good too). I would get a guide for a few days to learn the area, but can generally manage to catch fish on my own as long as I can get to them. We like out of the way places (don't want shopping, nightlife or lots of other people around), but we want someplace reasonably nice and my wife doesn't want complete isolation.

At the top of my list right now is Los Roques. Our main concern there is traveling through Caracas (though I see there's no current travel warning from the state dept). If anyone has traveled there recently, I'd like to know how iffy or safe you felt on the overnights in Caracas. I'd also love to hear from anyone who's successfully fished the flats by themselves (sounds like there are none on Gran Roque, but you can arrange drop-offs to some of the nearby islands where I assume we could find secluded beaches/flats for combined snorkeling & fishing). I'd also appreciate any suggestions on posadas (besides Mediteraneo), as we'll probably book direct to save some $$.

If anyone cares to suggest other good spots, advice is much appreciated. We're also looking at Ascension Bay Mexico and Belize (have been there once, know we like it but would also like to see somewhere else as we don't get to travel much). Eleuthera sounds great to me, but my wife thinks it will be too cool there in February. Little Cayman also looks great, but sounds like it's out of commission from last summer's hurricanes.

Thanks,
Andy

[Dpollipo]

I visit Los Roques every year, except when there's a State Dept advisory in effect, as was the case in 1993. If you need to stay overnight, stay at the Hilton. It's five minutes from the airport and I've heard no reports of difficulties there. It;'s a five minute cab ride from the airport. The area aound the airport is well protected, although I certainly wouldn't wander around on my own at night.

I stay at Mediterraneo and except for Macanao (which I hear very good things about) have no recommendations for other posadas, because I am not familiar with them.

The flats in front of the airport on Gran Roques are very productive, and you can easily walk there from any posada in Gran Roques. As you suggest, transportation to nearby islands - Madras Key, Francis Key, Cayo Pirato, etc. is readily available. However, you may not find them quite as secluded as you expect. They are never crowded but you will see other people; and a few of the beaches are quite popular.

Buy as much guiding as your budget permits. In addition to showing you where to fish, the guide will be able to take you to places that you could not reach on your own, such as the famous Pancake Flats and the more remote keys. Also, there are areas, usually the most productive ones, that you are allowed to fish only with a licensed guide.

Enjoy.

[Mark Dougherty]

Check this out.....comes with 2 sea yaks....looks like a nice place...I have fished Robinsons and it is productive......
http://bahamasvacationsonline.com/

:-%

[Jim Royston]

Looks are deceiving. Three of us rented this place for two weeks last june and would not do it again. Beautiful location with an ill conceived, cheaply built house.

[Mark Dougherty]

Thanks Jim.......I was seriously looking at renting the place......possibly in the Spring.....what were some of the problems ?

[Tord]

I have visited and fished Los Roques several times DIY, and am going back this year in March.

It's a nice place for fishing and also non-fishing people. Actually, most of the visitors are not anglers. People visit LR for the beaches, swimming, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling. LR is a national park and a large part of the area has more or less severa restrictions wrt access. Your wife will love the place I am sure -- provided she likes sun, sand and water...

Half a dozen islands can be reached by taxi boat at low cost, and offer some food and drink facilities to more or less extent. Safest is howver to bring a lunch pack in a cooler. Oscar down by the tourist jetty is the guy that manages the boat taxi business, ask him.

All these islands offer both fishing and relaxation. Good snorkelling is readily available, virtually on every island. Watch out for speed boats.

Avoid Easter, July-Aug and Xmas-New Year if you can. These periods coincide with Venezolans holidays and the place gets crowded.

LR is mostly Bonefish. Flats are usually shallow, ankle deep - knee deep. All fishing is done wading, or walking along the shore. I emphasize that solid wading foot gear is a must. Pieces of corals and sea conchs are everywhere and treacherous.

Caracas is not the safest place on earth. I would strongly recommend arranging transportation service in advance, should you need to stay over night in Caracas. Your local guide may also help with exchanging money at good rates.

Avoid Trans Aven when flying flying Caracas-LR. I have bad experience from their undersized aircrafts. Better travel with LTA instead.

Air luggage is often limited to 10 kgs.

Airport security in Caracas may, or may not let you bring your travel rod case into the cabin. Decision seems to be ad hoc. Just FYI.

Hope this helped.