FAQ
Commonly Asked Questions
General
Where is El Pescador Lodge and Villas located?
2.6 miles north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Who is best suited to visit this destination?
El Pescador is perfect for anglers – from beginners to expert, divers, adventure travelers, and their families.
What is the best time to travel to El Pescador?
We have year-round resident populations of bonefish, tarpon, and permit. Our weather is generally lovely all year, with average temperatures in the 80s during the day and 70s at night, year-round. If you are specifically targeting tarpon, our migratory tarpon are also in our waters from mid-June to mid-Sept.
What’s included in all-inclusive?
Our all-inclusive packages include:
- The number of nights lodging specified in your package in a standard room
- Roundtrip land, air, and sea transfers between Belize International Airport and El Pescador
- 3 meals per day and hors d'oeuvres
- Belizean beverages (including soda, beer, and rum) consumed at our bar
- Complimentary use of all amenities (pools, WIFI, paddle boards, kayaks, bikes, etc.)
Fishing
Where can I fish once on the property?
Guests can fish 400 square miles of in-shore, shallow water sight-casting flats from the Mexican border in the north, to Belize City in the south, to the barrier reef in the east, and to the Belizean mainland in the west.
How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds?
The bonefish flats start literally at our dock and permit and tarpon flats extend out as far as a 1.5 hour ride by boat.
What types of fish will I catch?
Bonefish, permit, and tarpon are our three primary species to catch among many other species that are worth targeting on the fly or with conventional tackle. There is also an endless supply of snappers and grunts, barracuda, snook, ladyfish, groupers, and six different species of jacks, cobia, and triggerfish.
How many fish will I catch?
That depends on your strength as an angler and what you are targeting. We can guarantee that you will SEE fish! Although there are exceptions to every rule in saltwater, flats fishing is typically not a numbers game. This is the most difficult fishing there is and for that same reason, it can also be the most rewarding.
How do I fish?
We have plenty of rods available to borrow, including the All-New Helios™ rods designed to enhance the angler’s fishing experience. We host both fly and spin anglers.
Does the lodge provide fishing tackle?
We are proud to offer a fully stocked fly shop featuring a complete selection of saltwater flies, lines, leaders, tippets, and more. Demo fly and spin fishing equipment is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Please coordinate with your fishing director or guide regarding your needs. Please bring the gear that you own and allow us to supplement it with our demo gear. But do not feel compelled to purchase new rods and reels for the trip.
Do the guides speak English?
Yes!
What skill level is required to fish here?
We have a teaching environment here – with complimentary casting lessons offered each afternoon. So we welcome beginner to expert anglers!
How physically demanding is this trip?
The standard fishing day is 8 hours.
Amenities
What are the accommodations like?
We have both spacious standard rooms in our main lodge (newly renovated) plus 1,2, and 3-bedroom villa accommodations. Check out our accommodations here.
What is the food like?
Our goal is to create the best menus using products from our local fisheries and farms. Our chef uses fresh, seasonal local fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood. All of our breads and desserts are homemade. Check out some of our sample menus here.
Is Internet and cell phone signal available?
Yes.
Are there other activities available?
Yes, many! From snorkeling to scuba diving and parasailing, there are a host of options to explore. Speak with our staff when you arrive or book your adventure via our cloud-based booking system.
What type of attire should I pack?
Belize is a tropical country where the average temperature is 84F degrees during the day and 75F at night year-round. Dress is informal at the lodge so bring light comfortable clothing.
Arriving in Belize
To enter the country of Belize, US citizens must have a US passport that only is valid for the days of travel and a return airline ticket. US citizens are allowed to stay for 30 consecutive days.
More information is available at https://travel.state.gov.
Guests fly to Belize International Airport (BZE). Our local Tropic Air flights are coordinated around all on-time international arrivals and departures. The local flights take 20 minutes and depart hourly between 7:40 am and 6:40 pm BZE – SPR. Tropic Air allows for two bags per person, up to 40 lbs per bag. Upon arrival at BZE, proceed through Immigration, collect your baggage, and continue through Customs. The Customs line to the far right has a green sign that states, “No Goods to Declare.” You will want to go through this line. After clearing Customs, please continue into the main terminal on your left. Go directly to the Tropic Air Counter, which is the first counter on the far left. El Pescador will arrange for your local roundtrip transfers between the Belize International Airport and El Pescador, which are included as part of the package or may be booked a la carte if you have booked on a nightly lodging-only rate.
Local Transfer
At the Tropic Air counter, please present your e-tickets for the quick, 20-minute flight to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
Tropic Air Local Transfer
A Representative of El Pescador will meet you at the Tropic Air baggage claim area. A taxi will transport your luggage and you for the two blocks to the pier where the EP Representative will escort you to the lodge by boat 2.6 miles, 7 minutes (in inclement weather, by land taxi).
Lodge Boat for Transfers
If you miss your Tropic Air connection, you will automatically be placed on the next available flight. If your International flight has been greatly delayed and you are not scheduled to arrive until after 5 pm, please call El Pescador at 226-2398 (Internationally 011-501-226-2398) and we will reschedule your flight.
Booking Your Flight
Please book your flights to arrive and depart Belize City International Airport (BZE) between 6 am – 6 pm.
Getting to El Pescador
The best part about traveling to El Pescador is that the second your international flight arrives in Belize, we’ll take care of everything!
Here’s a quick summary of getting to El Pescador.
- Arrive at Belize International Airport no later than 6pm
- Proceed through Immigration
- Collect your bags
- Proceed through Customs
- Go to Main Terminal - Tropic Air Counter
- Tickets to San Pedro are waiting for you.
- Mention El Pescador and tell them your name
- Board flight to San Pedro (20 minutes)
- Disembark and El Pescador Representative will meet you
- We will transport you and your luggage to the dock
- Board our boat
- Enjoy a 7-minute boat ride to our Resort
What should I pack for my trip?
Belize is a tropical country where the average temperature is 84F degrees during the day and 75F at night year-round. Dress is informal at the lodge so bring light comfortable clothing.
Consider packing the following:
- Lightweight rain gear (jacket and pants) for those tropical showers (a MUST June–January)
- Bug repellent with deet
- Camera, cords & chargers
- Cell Phone & chargers
- Laptop or PDA and chargers (lodge has Wifi)
- Reading & writing materials
- Sunburn relief spray
- Sunscreens SPF 30+
- Sun block for lips & nose
- Toiletries
- Prescription meds
- Non-prescription Meds
- Eyeglasses (and spare)
- Polarized sunglasses (and spare)
- Waterproof boat bag
- Binoculars for spotting birds
- Mask, snorkel & fins (only available for rent on guided excursions)
- Fishing gear as detailed on fishing pre trip info
- Hand towel/rag for use fishing
- Passport (must be valid for no less than six months
- after intended period of stay in Belize.)
- Photocopy of Passport (packed separately)
- Airline tickets
- Itinerary with contact numbers
- Emergency Medical insurance docs
- Credit card (EP accepts Visa and Mastercard)
- Cash for tips
- Hats with brim
- Sun gloves
- Face protector (buff or bandana)
- Long sleeve shirts for fishing (SPF fabric–quick dry)
- Long pants for fishing (SPF fabric–quick dry)
- White socks (tops of feet get burned in the boats)
- Underwear
- Casual pants, shorts
- Casual shirts, short sleeve, t shirts
- Belt
- Light sweater or fleece
- Bathing suits
- Sandals or walking shoes
How much and who should I tip at El Pescador Lodge and Villas?
Tipping is a personal decision based on service. Please don’t reward us if you are not fully satisfied. Also, please let us know as soon as possible if you are not pleased with something so we have an opportunity to correct it for you.
Our lodge staff includes front desk, housekeepers, bartenders, boat drivers, maintenance and security, servers, and kitchen staff. It is customary to leave a tip of US$40 per guest per day upon check out to be pooled and divided equally for all lodge staff to encourage teamwork. It is not necessary to tip management. There are gratuity envelopes included in your checkout paperwork as well as in the office.
Fishing - We recommend US$125-150 per boat, per day given directly to your guide in cash at the end of each fishing day. We have a fishing guide apprentice program at the lodge, and sometimes you will be fortunate enough to have an apprentice aboard for an extra pair of eyes or a helpful hand. It is not necessary to tip the apprentice. The apprentice is there to learn and is not part of your guiding service. If you do not wish to have the apprentice on your boat for any reason, please let the fishing director know.
All tour guides appreciate a 15–20% tip on the cost of the excursion.
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