PUERTO
chale
magdalena bay
baja cALIFORNIA SUR
PRE-TRIP &
TRAVEL PLANNER
Welcome
Aboard!
Gear up for an epic experience chasing roosterfish in magdalena bay, baja!
We have gathered all the key information you need to plan your travels.
Click below for the printable version of this planner, along with a detailed gear and packing list.
We are here for you! Don’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha@travelcreel.com for assistance with your travel plans.
Ciudad Constitución
Baja California Sur
We’ve found awesome accommodations in nearby Ciudad Constitución. Established in 1949, as the largest town in the Comondu Municipality of the Mexico state Baja California Sur, it serves as the gateway to Mag Bay.
The largest agricultural zone in all of Baja, this region happens to be one of the foremost asparagus growing regions in the world. Other exports include citrus, leafy greens, wheat, tomatillos, cotton & chickpeas.
After years of hands (and feet, at times) on the ground work, Travel Creel owner Joshua Schwartz, has built relationships with local farmers and purveyors. Our local partners play an integral part our annual programs, and will be regular - WELCOME - visitors around the lodge.
Now known for being the world’s premiere Striped Marlin (fly) fishing destination, and we can’t wait to bring angler’s down to experience TRUE hospitality - SOUTH of the BORDER!
our puerto chale
accommodations
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We will arrange shuttles to pick you up from the airport and shuttle you out to our lodge.
We’ve taken over a beautiful boutique hotel in Ciudad Constitución, called the Marie de Nadie.
Anglers will enjoy comfortable double queen air-conditioned rooms with en suite bathrooms. The property has a spacious restaurant where we will gather for meals prepared by our own Creel Crew.
Other property amenities include:
A generously-stocked cash bar
Outdoor lounge area
Large pool
Air-conditioned common spaces
WiFi
Hot water
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Marlin fishing in Magdalena Bay is as much a visual experience as a physical one. We aren’t trolling big teasers! Our Captains and guides work together to find actively feeding Marlin on bait balls.
The key is to follow the sea lions and birds. Boats will spend the day chasing active bait balls.
Other species we’ll find any day feeding on the same bait balls:
Dorado (Mahi Mahi)
Wahoo
Yellowfin Tuna
Blue Marlin
Black Marlin
Sailfish
Each fishing day, we’ll shuttle anglers about 45 minutes Southwest to Puerto Chale. We’ll meet our guides and captains, load up and launch the boats.
We’ll fish from shallow-draft pangas, which allow our guide crew to quickly position anglers right on top of the feeding frenzies, as they move in.
Captain Juan Lucero heads up our crew on the water. We’ll have a Captain plus a member of Juan’s crew. on every boat each day.
Magdalena Bay is the world’s prime Striped Marlin fishery. Anglers will be sight-casting at explosive bait balls from the panga’s.
As the fish herd sardines, their main food source, into balls near to the surface, an intense feeding frenzy ensues.
We chose prime dates that coincide with the annual “Sardine Run”: a massive migration of baitfish that runs from October to early December.
Striped Marlin here average 150 lbs and put on an absolutely
E-L-E-C-T-R-I-C aerial acrobatics show once hooked!
Bonus Point: It is a mere 30-40 minute boat ride across the channel to the Striped Marlin fishing grounds from where we launch each day.
PUERTO CHALE
LOCATION & TRAVEL INFO
Fly into your choice of local airports (within the designated windows).
We’ll take care of everything else.
If you fly into :
Loreto International Airport (LTO) = 1.75 hour shuttle to the lodge
La Paz International Airport (LAP) = 2.5 hour shuttle to the lodge
Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) = 4.5 hour shuttle* to the lodge
While SJD offers the most direct flights, it is not an ideal starting point.
That said, whatever is best for you will work for us.
JUST BE AWARE
Anglers that choose to fly into/out of SJD will incur a $300 supplemental shuttle fee on their final payment invoice.
See “Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)” section below for more detailed info.
Airport shuttle services will be arranged for you IN ADVANCE ON YOUR TRIP’S ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAYS.
Anglers planning to add time in Baja before/after joining our trip will need to meet at the closest airport within the designated windows.
We’ll send you each a detailed itinerary with everything you need for your particular travel plan, ahead of your trip.
Love travel but hate booking flights? Just want to show up and follow the plan someone outlined for you? We can help.
Email Samantha@travelcreel.com.
Airport options are outlined in detail below.
EXPAND EACH SECTION FOR MORE INFO.
REMEMBER
We’re here to help with your travel planning, as much as you’d like!
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It is VERY IMPORTANT that you book your flights within the DESIGNATED ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE WINDOWS for each airport.
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Fly to/from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
4.5-5 hour shuttle to the lodge
Most direct flights available from around the U.S.
Requires a supplemental shuttle fee of $300/way*
We recommend that you choose to travel through another Baja airport. Please reach out to Samantha@travelcreel.com for travel coordination support. We’ve done this a lot, and have it down.
However, if choosing SJD, please book your flights to fit the following windows:
ARRIVAL DATE: Before 12 pm (noon).
DEPARTURE DATE: After 4 pm.
NO MATTER WHERE YOU DECIDE TO FLY TO/FROM :
We’re happy to assist with travel coordination, just reach email Samantha@travelcreel.com.
We will create a detailed itinerary based on YOUR travel plans with ALL THE INFO YOU MAY NEED.
Shuttles will be scheduled once all anglers have submitted their travel info and required forms.
Let’s be real, sitting in a shuttle van, no matter how strong the a/c cranks or how smooth the ride should be. . . . 4-5 hours each way is A LONG RIDE.
Especially when there are other options!
*Angler’s who decide to fly to/from SJD will have $300/way added to their final payment invoice.
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It is VERY IMPORTANT that you book your flights within the DESIGNATED ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE WINDOWS for each airport.
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Fly to/from La Paz International Airport (LAP):
2.5 hour shuttle to the lodge
Limited direct flights from the U.S. (most layovers route you through Mexico City)
Can fly to San Diego International Airport (SAN) and take an Uber/Lyft/CBX shuttle to CBX (see “ROUTING THROUGH CBX” section below for more info)
Please book your flights to/from LAP:
ARRIVAL DATE: Between 1-3 pm.
DEPARTURE DATE: Between 12-4 pm.
**If you are routing through CBX: Please book according to the arrival/departure windows listed in the “ROUTING THROUGH CBX” section below.
NO MATTER WHERE YOU DECIDE TO FLY TO/FROM :
We’re happy to assist with travel coordination, just reach email Samantha@travelcreel.com.
We will create a detailed itinerary based on YOUR travel plans with ALL THE INFO YOU MAY NEED.
Shuttles will be scheduled once all anglers have submitted their travel info and required forms.
-
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you book your flights within the DESIGNATED ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE WINDOWS for each airport.
————————> ———————>————————> ———————>
Fly to/from Loreto International Airport (LTO):
1.75 hour shuttle to the lodge
Limited direct flights from the U.S. (some layovers route you through Mexico City)
Can fly to San Diego International Airport (SAN) and take an Uber/Lyft/CBX shuttle to CBX (see “ROUTING THROUGH CBX” section below for more info)
**If you are routing through CBX: Please book according to the arrival/departure windows listed in the “ROUTING THROUGH CBX” section below.
Please book your flights to/from LTO:
ARRIVAL DATE: Between 1-4 pm.
DEPARTURE DATE: As close to 12 pm (noon) as possible.
NO MATTER WHERE YOU DECIDE TO FLY TO/FROM :
We’re happy to assist with travel coordination, just reach email Samantha@travelcreel.com.
We will create a detailed itinerary based on YOUR travel plans with ALL THE INFO YOU MAY NEED.
Shuttles will be scheduled once all anglers have submitted their travel info and required forms.
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If you are unable to find reasonable flights to/from LAP or LTO, you can choose to route through CBX via San Diego and Tijuana International Airports.
It’s a lot simpler than it sounds. HERE’S HOW YOU DO IT:
STEP ONE
Book ROUND TRIP flights to/from San Diego International Airport on:
ARRIVAL DAY: Arrives BY 11 am.
DEPARTURE DAY:Departs AFTER 5:00 pm.
If you are not able to find flights that fit the above parameters, you can plan to overnight in San Diego either/both ways.
We can assist with coordinating that ^^.
STEP TWO
Book ROUND TRIP flights on a regional Mexican airline from Tijuana International Airport to either LAP or LTO on:
ARRIVAL DAY: 3+ hours AFTER your flight to San Diego LANDS, but NO LATER THAN 4 pm.
DEPARTURE DAY: 3+ hours BEFORE your homebound flight from San Diego DEPARTS, but NO EARLIER THAN 10 am.
You need AT LEAST THREE HOURS between your flights landing in San Diego and departing from Tijuana.
Volaris (recommended) and Viva both fly 2+ times/day between TIJ > LAP and TIJ > LTO.
The overall cost can be comparable to flying to/from SJD.
STEP THREE
Book ROUND TRIP tickets through CBX on your designated ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE days.
Cost is around $35/person round trip if booked in advance.
STEP FOUR
Determine how you will shuttle between airports:
CBX operates a private shuttle service between SAN and TIJ for around $15-25/person each way at set times each day.
You’ll catch the “Rental Car” shuttle over to the “Rental Car Terminal” and catch the CBX/MEXICoach shuttle vehicle there.
We don’t recommend relying on the shuttles, as it requires additional planning and time (you’ll need up to 5 hours from landing in San Diego to departing from Tijuana).
For groups of 6 anglers or more, MEXICoach offers private shuttles. Just let us know, and we’ll help set it up.
You can take an Uber/Lyft/Taxi if the scheduled CBX shuttle time isn’t going to work for you. We’ll help anglers coordinate with each other to share rides.
Uber/Lyft/Taxi is $35-60/way for a standard ride. For 3+ anglers sharing a ride, we recommend selecting XL/XXL cars.
Uber/Lyft/Taxi does NOT need to be arranged in advance. Wait time is 5 minutes or less when arranged after collecting luggage and exiting the airport.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to memorize all this. We’ll share a VERY DETAILED itinerary for every step of your route.
We’re here to help! Please don’t hesitate to reach out!!
Documentation
Travelers MUST have (and provide a copy of) a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months of trip date, with 2 blank unstamped pages and it must not be damaged. US Citizens traveling from the U.S. for less than 180 days are not required to get a Tourist Visa.
NEW(ISH) INFO!!!!!
Regardless of your method of travel, you will need to fill out The Mexico FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple, also known as the Mexican Tourist Card).
We’ll share the details that apply to your mode of travel (using CBX = crossing by land) once you’ve booked your flights.
striped
marlin
practice your casting
and double haul
before you get to baja!
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As of 2026, Baja requires visitors (staying longer than 24 hours and less than 180 days) to pay a TOURIST TAX (currently around $34).
This fee is added to your MEXICAN FISHING LICENSE if you book through THIS WEBSITE.
You will fish a total of 4 days.
Your first day of fishing is the SECOND DAY of the trip (day after arrival).
You don’t need a license to fish from the beach in Baja, but you MUST HAVE a license if you are on a boat - even if you are NOT fishing AT ALL.
Make sure to DOWNLOAD and SAVE your license to your phone. We’ll remind you to take a screenshot of it before the trip!
It is most cost effective to purchase a 7-day (one week) license.
Get your Mexico fishing license & pay your Baja tourist tax HERE.
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Please see the PRINTABLE PLANNER for an in depth gear and recommended packing list, as guides WILL NOT be providing gear for you.
You will need to bring your own rods, reels, line, leader, tippet and flies*.
Mexico DOES NOT allow nearly ANY gear to be carried onto the plane.
Pack your gear accordingly. Trust us, to be safe, please plan to check it all when heading home (or if traveling through CBX, you will need to check your gear flying from Tijuana, also).
**As we get closer to the date, a curated fly collection will be available for anyone booked on our trip to purchase. Purchased fly sets will be waiting for you at the lodge when you arrive.
We’ll share those details soon!**
We are happy to recommend gear for you to purchase upon request.
*we may earn a commission on sales made through partner links.
your
typical day in
puerto chale
magdalena bay
fish.
Eat.
sleep.
repeat. . . .
fish. Eat. sleep. repeat. . . .
All meals
Prepared by your
Travel Creel
private chef
No matter where we go in the world, our standards remain the same. Our team of chefs take great consideration when sourcing ingredients for each meal that we share with our clients. Quality, local purveyors and producers are engaged throughout the region, with the help of our local partners. We’re on site well in advance of your arrival to ensure every detail meets our specifications.
Enjoy a variety of eclectic dishes, from a fresh spin on a traditional chimichurri to delectable dulcé de leche sauces, we mix it up! Each aspect of every meal comes together to tell a story, and it all becomes part of our shared experience.
This unique location allows us to shop like residents of Mexico. Small, family owned and operated businesses make up the majority of our Puerto Chale suppliers. On our final night, we’ll gather the whole crew from your week - the Captains and guides, plus we extend the invitation to our friends, partners and purveyors.
You never know who may make an appearance at our send-off BBQ. . . . All are ALWAYS welcome! We’ve found that this often becomes the highlight of the trip. Reminisce about the week’s events and insane on-the-water moments, share photos, swap stories, belly up to the bar for shots, and indulge in the Creel Chef Crew’s buffet.
WHAT is INCLUDED:
4 Days of Guided Fishing
5 Nights of Accommodations
Airport Shuttles to/from LAP/LTO
All meals prepared by your Private Creel Chef Crew
AIRFARE/TRAVEL EXPENSES, BEER/BOOZE, EVACUATION & TRAVEL INSURANCE (RECOMMENDED) & GRATUITY ARE NOT INCLUDED.
*Rates are based on double occupancy*
GRATUITY
Gratuity is a personal choice based on the service you receive and your overall experience. No need for currency exchange, US Dollars are accepted in Baja (please consider currency exchange fees when tipping in U.S. dollars).
Recommended gratuity amounts:
Guides/captains: $150-200/day/boat (so split between boat mates)
Lodge Staff: $250-300/angler at the end of your stay
Housekeeping: $20/angler left in your room at the end of your stay.
Everyone will receive our Cashless Creel Gratuity Links page on your departure day, if you prefer to tip lodge staff electronically.
Guides/captains should be tipped IN CASH AT THE END OF EACH DAY OF FISHING.
