Eat in or Dine out?

[Squidnation]

Been on a little bit of an international roll hear in this 3 month winter. We are staying in 3 different types of lodges.

1. All Inclusive where absolutely everything is included. No need to leave the lodge whatsoever. Guatemala

2. Hotel next to the boat where breakfast is included - all meals and drinks are included on the boat and they even threw in a snorkling tour. But we are on own for dinners and other non fishing activities. They took care of most of the travel arrangements. Galapagos

3. A la Carte - We got the boat, rented a condo, made our flight and transfer arrangements. On our own for all of our meals off the boat. Costa Rica

So which do you guys prefer? What have beens some of your most successful trips - not fishing wise but ease, comfort and enjoyability?

[WAHOONBOX]

I AM A DINE IN GUY....LOVE TO COOK MYSELF!


HOW ABOUT SOME LODGE PICTURES FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE POSSIBLY CONSIDERING DUPLICATING A SQUIDNATION ADVENTURE?

[Shortfin]

Seriously wish I had that problem

I like the option of both ,sometimes dinner at the all inclusives do not align with extended cocktail hours

[Hatterized]

preference......hmmmm....

lickher in the front and poker in the rear....

ala carte or delivered to boat......my kind of dining experience...

[Deep C]

I asked my passengers for years in the islands. They loved being as close to all inclusive as practical. We split the nights with us doing a fish cook out one night. Grill steaks another. Then eat at the restaurant two nights. Nice mix.
On board we supply skimpy breakfast but full lunch. Drinks except alcohol are on me.

[clt_capt]

We've done it a few different ways;

In St Thomas we did an all inclusive - What we found out was that we never were at the resort during lunch - no biggie, probably cheapest meal of the day - It was nice getting a good breakfast to start the day - Most days didn't even stop for lunch, then a sitdown dinner...

In Hawaii we took that into consideration and got a plan that included Breakfast and Dinner - worked out pretty well, although in Hi we were often doing other things for dinner

The last time we went to Hawaii, we didn't do any meal plan - just ate where we wanted to each day. I think it was a good bit cheaper.

So what did we learn - Location, Location, Location - If there are a lot of sites you are going to see, then all inclusive may not be the way to go.

If you are gonna be a sun bunny, go all inclusive

[Anthony of the ARK]

I really like to go out. When I/my family go out to eat we like to go and find where the most local people are eating then eat there.

[Squidnation]

here are some pics for ya Marty

In Guatemala people usually stay in a fish camp where absolutely everything is provided.

This is a pic of one of the places we have stayed in the past



They pick you up at the airport and bring you to the lodge where the staff is waiting with welcome drinks and appetizers. After checking in and relaxing, they bring out dinner. The good news is the dinners are usually excellent. But the bad news is unless you specify then you eat what they serve. This can be a problem when the beef is poor or someone is not fond of chicken etc. After dinner you relax by the pool and wait for the next days fishing. A very relaxing atmosphere if your group occupies the entire camp. Can be a pain in a small lodge if there are other guests that clash with your plans of either a good nights sleep or you opt to party all night long.

The fishing is great. wake up, eat breakfast and jump on the boat right from the backyard. after fishing the staff awaits with appetizers and drinks. The whole experience can be great.

Places like this are usually in remote locations like Tropic Star in Panama, Casa Vieja, Pacific Fins and Buenavista in Guatemala.

Option 2 - The do it yourselfer - This is a place we stay in Isla Mujeres.



Isla is loaded with great resturants and bars. Places like Jacks and Rolandis will make everyone happy. So we avoid the all inclusive and opt to fend for ourselves. Here you book you boat, accomodations and air all seperately and hope they mesh together for a great experience. The marina is a short cab ride away from our hotel but a 6 am there is not any traffic. hell there is barely any traffic any of the time. The crew takes care of the food and beverages on the boat. Sometimes you hit the jackpot with crews and they prepare an incredible meal as you fish. Nothin beats a good deerburger. then again sometimes you get the crew that seems bothered that they have to feed you. Like, there's the ham, cheese and bread. go ahead and make a sandwich.