Expert Bilingual Fishing Guides on the Golden Dorado River Cruiser.

The Golden Dorado River Cruiser team features local, bilingual guides who were born and raised along the Paraná River and its tributaries. With intimate knowledge of the delta’s backwaters, channels, and structure, these guides give anglers a significant advantage in locating aggressive golden dorado and other freshwater predators.

Most guides are fluent in both Spanish and English, ensuring clear communication and expert on‑water instruction throughout the week, from casting techniques to fish presentation.

Fly Fishing: Use 8‑ to 9‑weight rods with floating or intermediate lines and large poppers or streamers to sight cast aggressive dorado from elevated platforms or boats. Precision, timing, and line control deliver high-adrenaline strikes and spectacular aerial displays.

Spin Fishing: Perfect for beginners and experts, using medium-heavy rods with poppers, spoons, or swimbaits. Cast from skiffs or the cruiser to prime dorado holding areas, where heavier tackle helps control large fish in currents or near structure.

Golden Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis)
The flagship species of the River Cruiser and the primary target for anglers. Golden dorado are famous for explosive strikes, acrobatic runs, and exceptional fighting power.

Pacu
A powerful, hard-fighting fish related to piranhas, pacu provide exciting action and are a frequent bonus catch.

Pira Pita
A fast, predatory characin native to the Paraná River system, prized for its speed and aggressive takes.

Wolf Fish (Tararira)
An ambush predator known locally as tararira, this species is a favorite among fly anglers for its violent surface strikes.

Catfish (including Surubí)
Several large freshwater catfish inhabit these waters, including surubí, offering anglers the chance to battle impressive bottom-dwelling fish.

Vampire Fish (Payara/Chafalote)
A striking, toothy predator occasionally encountered, adding variety and excitement to the catch list.

Other Freshwater Species
Depending on river conditions and location, anglers may also encounter additional native species such as maku and other regional catfish.

Guests aboard The Parana Gypsy stay in air-conditioned private cabins with ensuite bathrooms and hot water, ensuring comfort and privacy while fishing Argentina’s Paraná River. The boat features four double cabins and one single, offering a floating lodge experience in a remote river setting.

The 70-foot, three-level catamaran includes:

• Lower deck: guest cabins with climate control, ideal for relaxing after fishing.

• Main level: lounge and dining areas with chef-prepared meals and panoramic river views.

• Upper deck: observation spaces for sunsets, birdwatching, or downtime between fishing trips.

The Golden Dorado River Cruiser operates year-round, but the prime fishing season runs from September through April. The best action typically occurs October through March, when golden dorado are most active. January and February bring hot summer weather but excellent fishing, while September and April are strong shoulder months that still offer very good conditions.

Two anglers per room and boat:
7 nights / 6.5 days guided fishing  $5,400 per person
6 nights / 5.5 days guided fishing  $4,800 per person
5 nights / 4.5 days guided fishing  $4,200 per person
4 nights / 3.5 days guided fishing  $3,500 per person
3 nights / 2.5 days guided fishing  $2,800 per person
Two anglers per room and one per boat:
7 nights / 6.5 days guided fishing  $7,100 per person
6 nights / 5.5 days guided fishing  $6,250 per person
5 nights / 4.5 days guided fishing  $5,450 per person
4 nights / 3.5 days guided fishing  $4,550 per person
3 nights / 2.5 days guided fishing  $3,650 per person
One angler per room and one per boat:
7 nights / 6.5 days guided fishing  $8,100 per person
6 nights / 5.5 days guided fishing  $7,200 per person
5 nights / 4.5 days guided fishing  $6,300 per person
4 nights / 3.5 days guided fishing  $5,250 per person
3 nights / 2.5 days guided fishing  $4,200 per person
Non-Angler Companion, sharing a room:
7 nights / 6 days $2,700 per person
6 nights / 5 days $2,400 per person
5 nights / 4 days $2,100 per person
4 nights / 3 days $1,750 per person
3 nights / 2 days $1,400 per person

Fly Fishing:

• Rods: 8–9 weight, 9 ft, ideal for large flies and powerful dorado. Bring multiple rods — one with a floating line, one with intermediate or sink-tip.

• Reels & Lines: Large-arbor reels with smooth drag; weight-forward floating lines for sight fishing, intermediate or sink-tip for subsurface patterns.

• Leaders & Tippet: 30–40 lb wire bite tippet protects against sharp teeth.

• Flies: Large streamers and poppers (4–6″, 2/0–4/0 hooks) in varied colors for aggressive strikes.

Spin Fishing:

• Rods: Medium-heavy freshwater rods, 6–7 ft, fast action.

• Reels & Lines: Smooth-drag spinning or baitcasting reels, 100 yds of 30–60 lb braid.

• Leaders: ~60 lb wire bite leaders to handle dorado teeth.

• Lures: Surface poppers, spoons, swimbaits, and subsurface baitfish imitations.

 The Golden Dorado River Cruiser liveaboard typically accommodates up to 8 anglers at a time.

The trip uses 17.5‑foot Carolina Skiffs, which are shallow-draft, stable, and highly maneuverable, making them ideal for navigating the Paraná River’s channels, backwaters, and flats.

Each skiff is equipped with twin elevated casting platforms, allowing two anglers to fish simultaneously with full visibility of the water for sight casting dorado.

Skiffs are powered by remote-controlled electric trolling motors, giving guides quiet and precise control to approach fish without spooking them.

• Fly into Argentina: Most international travelers arrive in Buenos Aires at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE).

• Ground transfer: From Buenos Aires, guests are driven by private vehicle to a marina on the Paraná River system. The drive typically takes 2.5–4 hours, depending on the cruiser’s location, and may be shorter if the boat is positioned near Rosario or another access point.

• Boat transfer: At the marina, guests board a smaller boat or speedboat for the final ride to the River Cruiser. This water transfer usually takes 30–90 minutes, depending on where the mother ship is anchored.

The Packages Include:

• Roundtrip ground transfers from Buenos Aires (8 hrs) or from Santa Fe/Paraná airports (3.5 hrs)
• Transfer on a 26 ft. boat to the liveaboard
• Liveaboard lodging
• Meals on Liveaboard
• Open bar with wine/beer/soft drinks/cocktails
• Use of fly outfits (in case of breakage)
• One free load of laundry ($15 after that)
• Starlink Wi-Fi on the Liveaboard
• Guided fishing
• A fishing license

The Packages Do Not Include:

• International or domestic airfare
• Hotels, meals, and ground transfers in Buenos Aires
• Fishing gear, tackle, and flies
• Use of satellite telephone
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Global Rescue coverage
• Travel insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions.