Belize River Lodge Caribbean Tarpon and Bonefishing

Caribbean Tarpon and Bonefishing

Great Flats Fishing - Fly or Spin Fishing

Belize River Lodge is only three miles from the mouth of the Belize River and the Caribbean Sea and only 10-minutes from the international airport. The Lodge is open year-round for bonefishing and world-class flats fishing.

Belize River Lodge Fishing

Sight casting the flats is Belize River Lodge's specialty with variety--bonefish, tarpon, permit, and great snook fishing on the rivers. Reef dwellers include jacks and barracuda. Three out of four anglers pursue the Super Grand Slam. Ninety percent of their fishing is on the flats. During a typical 6-day package, you'll fish the saltwater flats, cayes, reef, mangrove channels, Belize River, Sibun River, Manatee River, Black Creek, and several other creeks and lagoons. Great flats fishing is a short easy run from the Lodge. Bonefishing is year-round. Belize’s bonefish tend to be smaller than in other countries; however, they are very plentiful. Bonefish within this ecosystem vary from 2 to 8-pounds, with a majority of 3 pounders.
Typical Saltwater Fishing Day:
At 6:00 a.m., You'll enjoy coffee on the veranda. Early morning is a great time to get out your binoculars to see the many wild, tropical birds.
At 7:00 a.m., You'll have breakfast.
At 7:30 a.m., Grab your gear and head to the dock. The guides are on the skiffs. Depending on the weather, you and your guide will discuss where to fish, what to target, and what to use. From the Lodge, the travel time to fishing ranges from 20 to 40 minutes.
Mid-day: Your guide will find a shady spot for lunch. You'll enjoy a delicious boxed lunch of sandwiches, fruit, chips, and a dessert. Plus soft drinks, beer, or water. This is a good time to take a power nap. Anglers return to fishing. Many species of birds and other wildlife such as manatees, howler monkeys, iguanas, turtles, and crocodiles may be seen while fishing from the Lodge.
5:00 - 5:30 p.m. The skiffs head back to the Lodge. Before dinner, enjoy drinks, appetizers, and fishing stories on the verandah--screened-in porch.
7:00 p.m. After a delicious family-style dinner, relax or tie flies.

Belize River Guides and Boats

Season: The Lodge is open year-round.
Methods: Spin casting or fly fishing.
Guides: English-speaking local guides are licensed, knowledgable, helpful, and friendly.
Boats: 23’ fiberglass panga skiffs outfitted with Honda four-stroke 50-HP motors, a leaning/casting post, chairs, and a guide platform. Two anglers per boat and guide.
Rotation: One angler fishes at a time – the rotation is set by fish caught, number of casts, or simply by the clock. The guides will help ensure each angler has equal time to fish throughout the day. Permit, bonefish, and tarpon are always released. Barracuda, grouper, and one snook can be kept for the table with restrictions on size.
The flats are a short, easy run from the Lodge - only about three miles up the river. The river mouth is about 10 minutes away by boat, and the nearest bonefishing flat is about 20 minutes from the Lodge. About 90 percent of their fishing is on the flats.
Fishing Equipment: No equipment or tackle is included in the package. Both fly and spin outfit rentals are available. The Lodge has a small tackle shop with an assortment of flies, lures, backing, lines, leaders, and tippet. A comprehensive gear and tackle list is included in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License is not included, $25.00 for the week.
Brad Staples with his largest fly-caught tarpon and Jose the guide.
Over the years, we've hosted many groups here. Larry Schoenborn used to host annual groups at Belize River Lodge.

Belize River Lodge

Belize River Lodge sits on 47 acres; ten acres are beautifully manicured. The well-kept and comfortable mahogany lodge sits on the lush, green banks of the Olde Belize River. The Lodge's screened-in porch overlooks the river (pictured above). The Lodge is a nature lover's paradise with tropical birds, iguanas, and lizards in the trees and crocodiles in the river. Eco-tours to the Maya Temples, Barrier Reef, and the mangrove cathedrals are easily accessible from the Lodge.
The Lodge accommodates up to 16 people in eight air-conditioned rooms. Each room has two twin-size beds, wireless internet, ceiling fans, a private bathroom with a shower, and screened verandas overlooking the river.
Communications: Free Wi-Fi is available at the Lodge. There is no public computer, so you'll need to bring your own device to access the internet. Some cell phones work at the Lodge; please check with your service plan.
Meals: Excellent family-style meals feature Belizean, Creole, and American cuisine using the freshest and finest ingredients—even coconuts from the trees in the front yard. The Lodge can accommodate special dietary needs.
Alcoholic Beverages: are not included in the package but are available for purchase at the Lodge or you can bring your own alcohol if you like.

Getting to the Lodge:

You’ll fly to the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, just north of Belize City. You’ll be greeted by a lodge representative who will drive you to the Lodge, a 10-minute drive.

2023 USD Rates

At Belize River Lodge, a non-angler companion is allowed to join the angler in the boat as a non-fishing guest.

Two anglers per skiff and room:
3-nights and 2-days guided fishing $2,125.00 per person
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing $2,975.00 per person
5-nights and 4-days guided fishing $3,775.00 per person
6-nights and 5-days guided fishing $4,550.00 per person
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing $5,350.00 per person
8-nights and 7-days guided fishing $5,995.00 per person
One anglers per skiff and room:
3-nights and 2-days guided fishing $3,050.00 per person
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing $4,250.00 per person
5-nights and 4-days guided fishing $5,425.00 per person
6-nights and 5-days guided fishing $6,550.00 per person
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing $7,695.00 per person
8-nights and 7-days guided fishing $8,575.00 per person

Fishing Packages Include: Ground transfers between the airport and the Lodge, accommodations, air conditioning in BRL rooms, use of hair dryers and toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap), daily housekeeping, all meals (including a box lunch for the boat with soda and drinking water), guided fishing, use of skiff and fuel, 9% Belize Hotel Tax and 12.5% GST tax.

Packages Do Not Include: Airfare to and from Belize, fishing equipment and tackle, Belize Fishing License ($25.00 per week/per angler), alcoholic beverages, gratuities for guides and staff, and Belize Departure Tax ($55.50 per person – included in your ticket or paid at the airport), Global Rescue, travel insurance, and anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Holiday Surcharges: Add 15% to package chosen when the trip commences or terminates on or during the following dates: December 25, 2022 to December 27, 2022, and January 1, 2023 to January 3, 2023.
Special rates for children 12 years and younger = 50% of the lodge package only. For children 2 years and under, contact us for pricing.

2023 USD Rates

Non-Angler Companion Rates:
3-nights and 2-days guided fishing $1,225.00 per person
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing $1,650.00 per person
5-nights and 4-days guided fishing $2,050.00 per person
6-nights and 5-days guided fishing $2,450.00 per person
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing $2,850.00 per person
8-nights and 7-days guided fishing $3,175.00 per person
There are numerous tours and packages available. Request an information packet.
Non-Angler Packages Include: Ground transfers between the airport and the Lodge, accommodations, air conditioning in rooms, use of hair dryers and toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap), daily housekeeping, all meals - including a boxed lunch, soda and drinking water, going in the boat with a fishing guest or R&Ring around Lodge, 9% Belize Hotel Tax and 12.5% GST tax.
Packages Do Not Include: Airfare to and from Belize, Fishing packages and tackle, eco-tours, alcoholic beverages, tips to guides and staff, Belize Departure Tax (approximately US$55.50 per person: already included in the cost of your airline ticket or paid at the airport).

Deposit Policy:

To confirm your reservation, a deposit of 50% is required at the time of booking, with full payment to be received within 90 days prior to arrival.

Cancellation Policy:

Deposits are refundable only if written cancellation is received at the Lodge 120 days prior to guest’s arrival. Less than 120 days, deposits will be refunded only if a replacement can be found. Cancellations must be in writing to the Lodge. Please note that there is a $100.00 per person processing fee per person on all cancellations.