Belize River Lodge

Originally constructed in the 1960’s, Belize River Lodge has a vast and varied saltwater fly fishing program that can target all the region’s species, including bonefish, tarpon, permit, snapper, and snook. The habitats surrounding the lodge are incredibly diverse, with rivers harboring large rolling tarpon, jungle creek fisheries that are home to juvenile tarpon and snook, and a vast array of outlying cays and flats where permit and bonefish prowl. Guests at Belize River Lodge will encounter monkeys howling in the trees, snook lurking beneath the mangroves, bonefish tails sparkling like diamonds beneath the noonday sun and finicky permit challenging every angling skill that they possess. Many exciting and diverse opportunities for non-fishing companions are also available from guided birding to Mayan ruins tours, the spectacular Belize zoo and numerous other sites of natural and historical significance. Belize River Lodge's incredible history, comfortable surroundings, attentive guides and convenient location provide guests an amazing saltwater experience.

Belize River Lodge is in central Belize, which is an area offering a mixed bag of saltwater fly fishing environments. During a six-day stay, anglers can fish the Belize River, Sibun River, Manatee River and Black Creek as well as numerous flats, cays, reef, mangrove islands, channels, creeks, and lagoons. The coast of Belize is a complex ecosystem that supports millions of crabs, shrimp, bait fish and other aquatic life, resulting in an abundance of game fish. This is a very large area with a great variety of fishing locations, fish species and scenery. Grand Slams are possible on any given day but depend upon skill, the fish, and a bit of good luck. Anglers fish two per guide out of fiberglass pangas, which offer versatility for the variety of water fished. Wading is minimal in this part of Belize, however, guests may always ask their guide if wading spots are available. The guides at Belize River Lodge all Belizean, professional and highly skilled.

Fly fishing for bonefish is a year-round pursuit in Belize. While the bonefish there tend to be smaller than in other countries, they can be very plentiful. The bonefish within this ecosystem average 2- to 3-pounds, though larger fish are 6-pounds plus. Explosive snook can be found in sizes of 5- to 25-pounds and they can be targeted year-round as well. Low tides make casting to these fish easier, so November through February are the more optimal months for those who want to fly fish for snook specifically.

Tarpon at Belize River Lodge are categorized into two categories - juvenile tarpon and large tarpon. Belize has a resident population of large tarpon, however in the spring and summer, migrating tarpon arrive, making for increased numbers of these big fish. While guests can fly fish for large tarpon year-round, the biggest tarpon are primarily found from to early August. The Belize coast is known worldwide for its permit fishing flats. The best time to target permit is when there is less wind – usually between April and September. Here, permit range from 5- to 30-plus pounds. Permit are extremely challenging and to land one is the ultimate fly angler's prize. Snappers, jacks, groupers, cobia, barracuda and a large variety of other saltwater game fish can be caught at various times along the coast of Belize.

The Belize River Lodge rests quietly on the lush, green banks of the Belize Olde River, only 3 and-a-half miles from the entrance to the Caribbean Sea and its classic flats fishing. The Guest House is a two-story mahogany building, containing four rooms, each with two single beds, private hot showers, ceiling fans, air-conditioning and screened verandas overlooking the Belize Olde River. The Cottage is designed for two groups of two or a family of four, as each room has two single beds. The rooms here are separated by a connecting door and share an open veranda. The Bungalow has two rooms, each with a queen- and a double-bed, private showers, ceiling fans, air conditioning and a large, screened-in veranda. When anglers return from fishing, fresh purified water and ice is ready in rooms and beds are turned down during dinner.

From the Belize River Lodge's kitchen comes an excellent combination of Belizean, Creole, and American cuisine. Lodge cooks use the freshest and finest ingredients, even coconuts from the trees in the front yard. Old family recipes are often used, creating some of the most memorable and tasty meals which have guests asking for recipes.

Belize River Lodge also offers an extensive array of eco-tours, snorkeling, horseback riding, and scuba diving.

Day 1: Arrive Belize City, where a lodge representative meets guests at the airport for the transfer to the river docks for a boat ride across river to the lodge.

Days 2-7: Full days of guided fishing

Day 8: Depart lodge. Guests are transferred back to the airport in Belize City according to flight schedules.

2025 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• 7 night/6 day package: $5,775
• 6 night/5 day package: $4,925
• 5 night/4 day package: $4,075
• 4 night/3 day package: $3,200
• 3 night/2 day package: $2,275

Included: Round trip airport transfers from the Belize City airport, accommodations and all meals, soda & drinking water, guided fishing, Belize Taxes of 9%, Hotel Taxes & 12.5% GST.

Not Included: Airfare to & from Belize, fishing license (US$25 per angler per week), alcoholic beverages, gratuities, departure tax.

Target Species: Bonefish, permit, tarpon, barracuda, snook, jacks

Season: October to July

Capacity: 16 anglers