Included / Not Included: –
Included: Accommodations, meals, guide fees and transfers from Phillip Goldson International Airport (Belize City) to the lodge, maid service, sodas, drinking water, hotel taxes, sales tax.
Not Included: Alcoholic beverages, phone service, gratuities, airport security fees, departure taxes
Arrival Information: To get to Belize River Lodge you need to make flight arrangements to Belize City, Belize.
Getting to the Lodge: A lodge representative will meet you at the airport for the transfer to the river docks. You will then take a boat across river to the lodge.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will be transferred back to the airport in Belize City according to your flight schedule.
Documentation Requirements:
A valid passport is required to enter Belize. Visitors from the US, UK and most of the Caribbean do not need Visas.
There is a fee of US $37.50 for the Belize Departure Tax and Airport Security Fees that may be included in your ticket or must be paid at the airport at the ticket counter upon leaving Belize.
Currency:
The Belizean dollar is worth half of a US dollar. Dollars are accepted everywhere, but change will be given in Belizean dollars. For your convenience, please bring small bills to cover small expenses, such as Airport Departure Tax, bar bill, & incidentals.
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travels with approximately $600 - $800 for staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, gifts, etc.
Gratuities:
We recommend a gratuity of $40 per day to be given to your guide on the last day of your stay. We recommend 8 - $10 per person per day for the lodge staff. Gratuities for the lodge staff may be given to the lodge manager at the end of your stay.
Climate:
Temperatures typically range from the low 70’s to the mid 90’s. Isolated afternoon thundershowers are a possibility year-round. Wind can be a factor while fishing and the sun is very strong. July through November are the wet months in the region with October through November presenting the highest risk of hurricanes. Small biting flies are common in the evening hours, especially when the wind dies down.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Belize City, approximately 15 minutes from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
Power and Communications:
The lodge is fully wired and has electricity running 24 hours a day. Wireless internet is available for those who want to bring their laptops. Alternately, guests can use the lodge email computer for a small fee.
Water:
Purified water is available throughout Belize River lodge.
Clothing:
Quick dry pants and shorts, long sleeved quick dry shirts, casual cotton pants and t-shirts, shorts and shirts, sandals, bandana, “Buff” facial sun protector (www.planetbuff.com), hat with wide brim, sun gloves, light rain coat, and swimsuit are recommended. Wet wading with flats boots (Simms, Patagonia) is the norm. Supportive sturdy flats boots are best, as many flats have tough marl bottoms. Boat fishing footwear: Non- scuff - white soled deck shoes or sandals: Crocs work well and are comfortable.
Laundry:
Laundry is available upon request to guests during their stay. Please be prepared to pay for this service onsite.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge has a small bar and guests sign a tab for drinks. You may bring your own alcoholic beverages, if you like.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: Bonefish: 7 - 8 wt; Tarpon, Snook, Permit, & Cudas: 9 - 12 wt
Reels: Anodized with excellent drag systems. Capable of holding your fly line and at least 150 yards of 20 lb. or 30 lb. backing.
Lines: Light Rod: Saltwater taper floating line. Heavy Rod: Saltwater taper floating and intermediate. Scientific Angler & Rio lines are good. Sink tips for river fishing 300 to 600 grain.
Leaders:
Bonefish Tapered Leaders - 10' long leader - 10 lb tippet
Permit Leaders - 10' long leader - 15 lb tippet
Snook & Small Tarpon - Custom Fly Leader - 20 x 40's or 20 x 60's
Large Tarpon - Custom Fly Leader - 20 x 80's or 20 x 100's
Toothy Critter Wire Leaders - 7 1/2’ tippet - 30 lb shock
Shock Tippet: Jinkai or Mason (clear, 10 Yd coils) in test #60, #80, #100.
If you are tying your own leaders, here are a few guidelines.
Fish Butt Section Class Leader Tippet
Bonefish 12" to 24" of 20 lb. 9 ft. Tapered 10 lb.
Permit 12" to 24" of 20 lb. 9 ft. Tapered 12 - 16 lb.
Tarpon 4 ft of 40 lb. 2 ft. of 12 - 20 Lb. 1 ft. of 60 to 100 lb.
Snook/Jacks 4 ft of 40 lb. 2 ft. of 12 - 20 Lb. 1 ft. of 60 lb.
Barracuda 4 ft of 40 lb. 2 ft. of 12 - 20 Lb. 1 ft. of Wire
Suggested Guidelines: Below are Mike’s fly recommendations, feel free to add or subtract depending on what you would like to fish for. It is a per skiff (2 anglers) recommendation for a 7 night / 6 day package.
Tarpon
4 each Cockroach - 3/0 or 4/0
3 each Black Death - 3/0 or 4/0
4 each Red/White Tarpon - 3/0 or 4/0
3 each Whistlers - 3/0 or 4/0
4 each Grizzly Orange Tarpon - 3/0 or 4/0
Bonefish & Permit - Bonefishing is in very skinny water, all bonefish flies should have small eyes or no eyes.
2 each Chico s Bonefish Special - 6 or 8
2 each Spawning Shrimp #6
4 each Gotcha – 6
3 each Raghead Crab – Tan / olive #6
2 each Crazy Charlie - Tan or Pink - 6 or 8
3 each McCrab - 2 or 4
2 each Deep Water Gotcha 4
2 each Merkin - 4 or 6
4 each Bonefish Slider – Tan 4
3 each Bauer s Fur Crab Tan/olive - #4
Snook & Jacks
2 each Deceiver - Green, Blue - 2/0 or 3/0
2 each Big Popper - Yellow, Blue - 3/0
2 each Clouser - Red/White, Chart/White - 4, 1, 2/0
2 each Pencil Popper - 2/0
2 each Seducer - Red/White & Red/Yellow - 2/0 or 3/0
2 each Gurglers - black, yellow or white - #2/0, 3/0
Barracuda
4 each Cuda Fly - Green (double hooked tandem) - #3/0
The lodge has in stock a selection of flies & lures that work well here. Also for your convenience, they also have a fly tying bench & materials.
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.
Note: 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, however, you can follow our fishing list and bring everything that you will need and use Mike's Closet as a back-up.
