Cuba - Cayo Romano

Fly-Fishing-Only - Exceptional Flats fishing

Oceanfront Hotel Marina and Spa

Last-Minute Peak Season Special
Save $2,000 at Cayo Romano on select week:

• June 15-22, 2024
Reg. $6,790.00 now $4,790.00 per person


The Cayo Romano Fishery

Cayo Romano fishing

The Cayo Romano, also known as the Cayo Cruz fishery, is a small resort island in the Jardines del Rey chain off central Cuba. There are no cities or towns on Cayo Romano. The fishery encompasses 141 square miles, which means each skiff has nearly 20 square miles of protected flats, lagoons, and pristine estuaries. Fantastic year-round permit and bonefishing. The fishery is limited to 20 anglers per week.


Cayo Romano Fishing Season:

Permit and Bonefishing

The Cayo Romano fishery is open year-round. January to March has good-sized bonefish and small to medium tarpon from 20 to 30 pounds. Permit are available year-round, with peak months in July and August. In addition to bonefish and permit, April to June is often the best time for weather and the appearance of large quantities of huge tarpon. September to December are good months for bonefish and smaller quantities of medium to large tarpon.

Permit Fishing at Cayo Romano

Cayo Romano Permit

What sets this location apart from so many other fisheries is that guests can expect to encounter and get shots at good numbers of permit each day. There are very few places on earth where guests can fish for big bonefish each day and also get shots at tailing permit. The permit range between 8 and 30 pounds in size.

Exceptional Flats Fishing

Flats Fishing

The flats at Cayo Romano are a little deeper than those found in other areas of Cuba, resulting in excellent numbers of bonefish and permit throughout the year. The flats are an inviting combination of hard-packed white sand and a semi-firm mottled bottom. There are areas where you can wade for four hours straight without returning to the boat. The vast amount of wadable flats is similar to Los Roques in Venezuela.

Tarpon Fishing

Fly Fishing Cayo Romano

There are two very good tarpon fishing areas within the Cayo Romano that are about an 80-minute boat ride from the boat launch. The guides tend to save these areas for when an angler has already boated a permit and is looking for a Grand Slam. These fish will range from 30 to 90 pounds.

Dolphin Super Skiffs

Cayo Romano Flats fishing

Boats:  Cayo Romano has a mix of Dolphin Super Skiffs with 60 to 70-HP motors, and light fiberglass Mitzi skiffs teamed with 40-HP Yamaha two-stroke engines. Each skiff has a poling platform for the guide, rod holders, and generous storage space located at both the front and back of the boat. Two anglers per boat and guide.

Cayo Romano Fishing Guides:

permit bonefish Fishing

The Cayo Romano fishery is still in its infancy, and veteran guides are helping the new guides improve their language and guiding skills. If you are prepared to be patient while the guides develop, you'll find a virtually untouched flats oasis, absolutely teeming with fish and wildlife. The guides speak enough English to be understood for fishing purposes and are trained in CPR and first aid.

The Hotel Marina and Spa in Cayo Romano

Jardines Floorplan

The Hotel Romano is a stunning new hotel in Cayo Romano and only 100 meters from the fishing marina. The hotel has 60 rooms, a swimming pool, a bar and lounge, various signature restaurants, a bowling area, and more. This hotel features several activities for anglers and also for non-fishing guests. The hotel is only a one-hour drive from the Jardines del Rey Airport on Cayo Coco.
Communications:  Wi-Fi is available at the hotel with the purchase of a Wi-Fi card. You’ll need to check with your cell service provider before your trip to see if your US cell phone will work in Cuba.

Swimming Pool

Lounge Area

The Hotel overlooks a channel visited daily by tarpon schools and jacks. Some of the best fishing takes place right off the marina before dark.

Air-Conditioned Rooms

Hotel Bedroom

Spacious, air-conditioned rooms with tile floors and nice showers. The Hotel has a block of rooms assigned to anglers in a quiet area of the hotel.

Several Restaurants in the Hotel Complex

Hotel Restaurant

The open-air main lodge has comfortable lounge chairs and a fully stocked bar with a bartender. After a long day on the flats, sip an ice-cold beverage and choose from freshly prepared snacks. After a shower, make your way to the dining room to enjoy the chef’s daily specialty.

The Hotel Complex

Hot Tub

The modern Hotel Romano complex.

Getting to Cayo Romano:

There are two options for U.S. Residents:
1.) You can arrive in Havana on a Friday. A representative will greet you at the airport and help you arrange a taxi to take you to the hotel of your choice. The cost for double-occupancy four-and-five-star hotels in Havana varies from $250.00 to $350.00 per night and is not included in the package. On Saturday, you’ll be driven from Havana to Cayo Romano, an 8.5-hour drive. The ground transfer is not included in the package, $400.00 per person roundtrip.
2.) To avoid an overnight stay in Havana, on Saturday, you can fly to Cayo Coco (CCC) or Camaguey Airport (CMW) on direct flights from Canada, Mexico, and Europe. One-stop flights can be booked from Miami to Cayo Coco. You’ll be met by a Lodge representative at the airport and transferred to the Hotel Romano, a one-hour drive from Cayo Coco and about a two-hour drive from Camaguey. The ground transfer is included with a minimum of two passengers per group.

Sample Weekly Itinerary:

Saturday:  Flight to Camaguey or Cayo Coco airport with a group transfer to the hotel in Cayo Romano. Individual transfers can be arranged for an extra fee. Overnight at the Hotel.
Sunday- Friday:
7:00 a.m. - Wake-up call.
7:30 a.m. - After the buffet-style breakfast, you’ll pack your lunch to take on the skiff. You’ll walk from the hotel to the dock, a 5-minute walk.
8:00 a.m. - Your guides are ready to depart for fishing.
Midday - You’ll have a packed lunch on the water.
After seven to eight hours of guided fishing, you’ll return to the liveaboard.
Saturday:  Morning transfer to the airport for departure.


2024 USD Rates

Low Season:
December 30, 2023 - Feb. 17, 2024 and July 13 - Dec. 28, 2024
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
Two anglers per boat and room: $3,990.00 per person
One angler per skiff: $5,540.00 per person
Single-occupancy room:  Add $350.00 per week

Peak Season:
February 17 - July 13, 2024
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
Two anglers per boat and room: $6,790.00 per person
One angler per skiff: $9,790.00 per person
Single-occupancy room:  Add $350.00 per week

Non-Angler Companion:
Year-round rate:
$1,590.00 per person

The Packages Include:

• Reception at Cayo Coco or Camaguey Airport
• Ground transfers between the airport and the Romano Hotel
• 7-nights at the Hotel Romano, double occupancy
• All meals at the hotel
• Open bar at the hotel
• 6-days guided fishing
• Fishing license
• Four (4) drinks per day on the skiff (beer, water, and soft drinks).

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare
• Cuban tourist visa, about $85.00
• Hotel nights, meals, and ground transfers in Havana
• Ground transfers between Havana and Cayo Cruz $400.00 p.p.
• Ground transfers between Cayo Coco or Camaguey Airport
• Optional fly rod and reel rental, $350.00 p.p. per week
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Tips for the Cubatur representative and driver
• Personal expenses
• Global Rescue
• Travel Insurance
• $300.00 Marine Park Conservation Fee
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
• Fishing with Larry adds a 2.5% convenience fee to all credit card transactions (as of 2020).

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Fishing Travel Experts


Guy Schoenborn

1-800-205-3474 ext. 1

MT Office:  406-322-5709

Email:  guy@fishingwithlarry.com

Brad Staples

1-800-205-3474 ext. 3

Cell (503) 250-0558

Email:  brad@fishingwithlarry.com