Destination : Belize River Lodge, Belize

Main Lodge:

The Belize River Lodge is a tried and proven world-class fishing lodge in continuous operation since 1960.  The historic mahogany lodge It rests quietly on the lush, tropical banks of the Belize Olde River, only 3.5 miles from the mouth of the river – the entrance into the Caribbean Sea and classic Flats fishing.  Balmy breezes rich with the sound of bird song drift among the private cottages creating a naturalist’s paradise. Relax and delight in their Belizean hospitality and combination of fine Belizean-Creole cuisine.  Sight fishing the flats for bonefish, tarpon, permit and snook is their specialty, and many come in pursuit of the “Grand Slam.” They also offer customized eco and city tours for non-anglers.  This is a bird lover’s paradise as well.

Island Resort:

Belize River Lodge is now operating a private camp on Long Caye in Central Belize, catering to anglers & non-angling R&R, eco-tour guests.  Now called BRL’s Long Caye Island Resort, this resort has most of the amenities we are known for, along with the excellent service and tasty cuisine in beautiful idyllic scenery.

BRL’s Island Resort sits on the front of Long Caye overlooking Belize’s Barrier Reef and offers spectacular views of the sparking blue-green waters of the Caribbean Sea.  BRL’s Long Caye Island Resort’s neighbor’s Caye Chapel and is less than a 10 minute boat ride from St. George’s Caye and Miami Beach and about 20 minutes from Caye Caulker.  The Long Caye Island Resort provides the perfect get-away-from-it-all vacation.

Main Lodge:

The main Lodge houses the kitchen, the office, a small gift shop, “Mike’s Fishing Closet”, a well-stocked fly tying area, the dining room, lounge area, a screened-in porch with hammocks, and a self service bar.

From the lodge’s kitchen comes a popular selection of the best Belizean, Creole, and American cuisine, and the cooks use the freshest and finest ingredients from throughout the area. The family style, dining room’s claim to fame are the three solid-slab mahogany dining tables, for years home to some of the finest dining, socializing, and story telling in all of Belize!  When you return to the lodge from fishing each day, fresh water and ice will be ready and waiting in your room. Each evening your bed will be turned down for you during dinner.  Accommodation options at B.R.L. include the Guest House, the Cottage, and the Bungalow.

The Guest House
- A two story mahogany building that features four separate rooms. Each room features two single beds, a private hot shower, ceiling fans, air conditioning, and a screened veranda overlooking the Belize River.

 The Cottage
- Is great for two groups of two or a single family of four. Each room has a private hot shower, ceiling fans, air conditioning, and two single beds. Both rooms are separated by a connecting door and share an open veranda. One of the cottage rooms also features an additional sitting area.

The Bungalow –
Features two rooms, each with a double and a single bed, private hot shower, ceiling fans, air conditioning, and a large screened veranda.

Capacity:  16 Guests

Guest house – 8      (4 rooms with 2 single beds)

The Cottage – 4      (2 rooms with 2 single beds)

The Bungalow – 4  (2 rooms with 1 queen and 1 double bed)

Long Caye Island Resort:

The BRL Island Resort is opening with three double occupancy bedrooms, two twin beds in each room; and a shared bath (hot & cold water) for all, thereby catering to groups of up to 6 people. The main building has a full verandah overlooking the beach and sea. The rooms have ceiling fans and power is from a generator that will run while you are visiting.

Capacity:  6 Guests

6 guests (3 bedrooms, 2 twin beds in each, with one shared bathroom for all)

Main Lodge:

From the Belize River Lodge’s kitchen comes an excellent combination of the best Belizean, Creole and American cuisine. The Lodge cooks use the freshest and finest ingredients (even coconuts off the trees in the front yard), and along with some of Mags’ old family recipes, create some of the most memorable tasty meals, which will have you asking for a few of her recipes. Remember, save room for coffee or tea and dessert!

The dining room’s claim to fame are the three solid slab mahogany tables, where you can find some of the finest dining and socializing in Belize. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere, and tell a couple of fishing stories. After dinner, you can retire to the lounge or the porch for an after dinner refreshment. Located within this area, is our self-service bar and the fly tying table.

Liquor at the Lodge: 
The Lodge has a small bar and guest sign a tab for each drink. You may bring your own alcoholic beverages if you like. When bringing liquor from the USA, Belize allows one liter of wine or spirits per person duty free. However, when entering Belize, after Immigration and before luggage retrieval, there is a “Duty Free” that is open as of spring 2009. This is an easy place to pick up your liquor and tobacco supplies, and from the Belize Duty Free, you are allowed 6 liters.

Long Caye Island Resort:

At the Lodge, we are very well known for our Belizean hospitality and our delicious Belizean Creole cuisine; diets are usually set aside for your visit. Our same wonderful BRL cooks will be preparing your meals at the Island Resort, so a delicious variety of meals will be served daily.

Liquor at Long Caye Island Resort: Beer & other alcoholic beverages are not included in the package, however, the Island Resort will have 2 cases Belikin Beer and a bottle of One Barrel Rum & guest sign a tab for drinks. If anything else is needed, please e-mail with any requests, which can be purchased by the bottle or you may bring your own alcoholic beverages. When entering Belize, after Immigration & before luggage retrieval, there is a “Duty Free”.

Please inform us of any dietary restrictions in advance, before departure.

Belize River Lodge is located in Central Belize, an area offering a very diverse fishing environment. The FLATS, channels, cayes, reef, mangrove islands and channels, Belize River, Sibun River, Manatee River, Black Creek, and several other creeks & lagoons in between are the areas fished from the Lodge in a normal five day fishing package. This is a very large area with a great variety of fishing conditions, fish species and scenery.

Species

Game fish species generally found in this area include PERMIT, BONEFISH, TARPON, SNOOK, SNAPPER, JACKS, BARRACUDA, GROUPER and others. Visual Saltwater Grand Slams and Back Country Grand Slams occur every day. Landed Slams will depend upon your skill, the fish and a little luck!

Bonefish within this ecosystem, average from two to four pounds, with larger fish found on a regular basis throughout the year.

The Tarpon fishing in this part of the Caribbean can be amazing, as the area is home to resident fish that range in size from five to over 200 pounds. The greatest number of larger tarpon are typically found in the months of March through July and September through November, although “giants” have been caught every month of the year.

As far as the Permit fishing goes, this part of the coast offers some excellent habitat and flats that are home to fish ranging in size from five to over 30 pounds. Permit in this area can be found throughout the year.

For anglers interested in chasing Snook, the rivers, creeks and mangrove lagoons fished from the lodge offer some of the best possibilities in the region.

For nature lovers, many species of birds and other wildlife such as manatees, howler monkeys, iguanas, turtles, and occasionally crocodiles may be seen while fishing from the lodge.

Equipment           

Comfortable skiffs, modern outboard engines, with GPS.

Guides

The experienced guides are English speaking, professional licensed guides help make this a memorable fishing vacation. Tell your Belize fishing guide what your desires for the day are and he will try to fulfill your every request. All of the Lodge guides are Belizeans experienced in saltwater fly-fishing and spin casting. Our guides know the waters of Belize and are friendly, talented, hard working, patient, and very capable of instructing.

Boats and Equipment

Anglers fish from 23-foot pangas (flats skiffs) – usually two-to-a-boat. Each panga is equipped with a poling platform, removable lean-bar (casting brace) on the bow, rod holders, and a modern outboard engine. All of the lodge guides are Belizeans who know the area waters well. The guides are friendly, talented, hard working, patient, and very capable of offering instruction, whether you are a fly caster or spin fisherman.

Catch & Release Only

Belize River Lodge was the first to practice catch and release for Permit, Bonefish & Tarpon and as of the summer of 2009, and is now law!       Belize law states that all permit, tarpon and bonefish are Catch & Release only. Even though not protected by law, BRL continues it’s goal to improve the fishing environment, so only one snook per day at guide’s size discretion (and only if wanted by the guest) may be kept. Some snapper, barracuda & grouper may be kept for the table, again only if wanted by the guest.

Rental Equipment

Belize River Lodge does provide rental equipment, subject to availability. Fly fishing equipment is top quality, mainly RPLX & RPLXI Sage rods, 8 wt through 12 wt, & Teton 9/11 saltwater reels, cost is US$25.00 per day, per rod/reel combo. Spin fishing equipment is also top quality, mainly Ugly Sticks with Shimano reels and the cost is US$15.00 per day, per rod/reel combo

Mike’s Closet (Tackle Shop)

Belize River Lodge has a small tackle shop with a small assortment of fishing supplies – backing, lines, leaders and tippet. Mike’s Closet has a good selection of flies and lures on sale (based on the BRL recommended lists), however, you can follow our fishing list and bring everything that you will need and use Mike’s Closet as a back-up.

Fly Tying Bench

Belize River Lodge has a fly tying bench with tying materials available for guest use. If you have a particular fly that you like to tie, maybe bring a few of those materials with you. If you would like some instruction or would like to learn to tie flies during your stay, Mike and a few of the guides can help you.

Fishing License

The Belize Fishing License is available at the lodge for $25.00 per angler per week

3 Night / 2 Day                                                                                           $1,400
5 Night / 4 Day                                                                                           $2,560
7 Night / 6 Day                                                                                           $3,668

•  Double occupancy
•  Two anglers per guide
• All prices are per person. A package of any length of stay can be arranged
• Please email us for rates on single angler/single room packages and eco-adventure tour packages
• Non-Fishing, less 25% of cost of package
• Children 12 years and under, less 50% the cost of Lodge packages only
• Add 15% Holiday Surcharge when trip commences or terminates on or during Dec 24^th – Dec 27^th or Jan 1^st – Jan 3^rd

Remember Fishermen’s Spot Travel services are always FREE to you!  You never pay more than what you would pay if you booked directly with the lodge.

• All Meals
• Guides (one per two anglers standard)
• All transfers to and from Belize City Airport
• Belize Taxes: 9% Hotel Tax & 12.5% GST

• Airfare to and from Belize City
• Fishing equipment & tackle
• Belize Fishing Licenses
• Alcoholic beverages
• Belize Departure Tax (approx. $39.25 per person)
• Gratuities for guides and staff

Belize is the northernmost country in Central America. Bordered on the North by Mexico, on the West by Guatemala and on the East by the Caribbean Sea. Fly into Goldson International Airport in Belize City, Belize (Airport Code: BZE)

When you arrive you will be met by a member of the Lodge staff, who will shuttle you to the Lodge, which is only a few miles away.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times

The close proximity of Belize River Lodge to the International Airport means that you can arrive into Belize at any time of the day and easily transfer to the lodge without worrying about additional in-country flights and further travel time.

Main Lodge:

The country of Belize is a very interesting place to visit, with a diverse culture, a varied landscape and a plethora of activities. Requests from anglers and non-fishing visitors wishing to know and see more of Belize have prompted Belize River Lodge to develop a program catering to non-angling guests and visitors. 

The fact that Belize River Lodge offers a multitude of customized, personalized half-day and full-day tours makes this one of our very favorite places in Belize for non-anglers. If you’re an angler that will be traveling with non-anglers, or if you’re looking to take in a day or two of alternate activities to compliment your fishing, then this is a destination that should seriously be considered. All of the tours arranged through the lodge are guided by professional, English speaking guides and tour operators.

Tour choices include:

• Numerous Mayan ruins, caves and waterfalls
• Horseback riding
• Bird watching
• Manatee watching trips
• Wildlife trips to view howler monkeys, iguanas, turtles, and crocodiles
• Belize Zoo
• Snorkeling (Bring your snorkel gear with you)
• Scuba diving San Pedro and Hol Chan Marine Park
• Day trips to Ambergris Caye
• Tikal in Guatemala
• And much more.

Long Caye Island Resort:

If you are a group looking to get away from it all or a non-fishing spouse or someone who likes to fish only a half-day, then BRL’s Long Caye Island Resort is a great choice as it is on the beach. While relaxing part of the day, you can also schedule a snorkel at the Barrier Reef. Visiting neighboring islands is also an option, and we can “run” you to Caye Caulker, so that part of their day is spent exploring the village and souvenir shops. For the R&R/Eco-Tourist, any of our water tours are offered while staying on the island – Snorkeling, Manatee watching, Miami Beach and St George’s Caye, all are within easy boat distance of Belize River Lodge’s Long Caye Island Resort.

6:00 AM
Coffee or tea served on the lodge verandah, followed by a full breakfast served in the dining room.

7:30 AM
Guides are ready and waiting at the dock, where you and your guide can determine where and what to fish for that day based on weather and target species. Typical run time to where you will be fishing averages 30 minutes.

8:00 AM to 4:00 PM 
A full eight to nine hour day of guided fishing. Mid day, depending on what’s happening with the fishing, the guide will find a cool, shady spot for lunch (usually under an overhanging mangrove.) Lunch is prepared by the lodge kitchen and consists of sandwiches, fruit, chips and dessert packed in a cooler with an assortment of soft drinks, beer, water, etc. The afternoon fishing usually continues until about 5:00 PM, when the skiff heads back to the lodge. Rods and reels are rinsed off dockside and stored in a convenient rack near the main lodge, safe from screen doors and ceiling fans.

6:00 PM
Relax on the verandah with appetizers, drinks and stories from the day.

7:00 PM
Dinner served in the main dining room. Later, you can relax on the screened-in porch, enjoy an after-dinner cocktail, and reminisce on the day’s fishing. Feel free to tie flies for the next morning’s fishing at the community fly tying bench.