Set in the verdant hills above the Caribbean coast of southern Belize, Copal Tree Lodge is a sanctuary from the everyday world. Copal Tree offers the best in local food and culture, active adventures, wildlife viewing, saltwater fly-fishing, and world-class hospitality, making it one of our top destinations for couples, families, and corporate groups. The variety of activities means that you can go fishing while your family or non-angling spouse goes snorkeling, scuba diving, bird watching and more.
Perched above the Rio Grande River and just a short boat ride from the Caribbean Sea, Copal Tree is a fly fisher’s paradise. Cast for tarpon and snook on the river and in the mangroves, fish the flats for permit, or when the weather permits, head out to the white sand beaches of the Sapodilla Cayes for bonefish. The majority of our fishing takes place in protected marine reserves and national parks in the Port of Honduras.
Southern Belize is best known as a world renowned permit territory, and while most anglers who visit the region are intermediate to advanced, our expert guides also accommodate beginners for a one-of-a-kind fishing experience. The fishing guides out of Copal Tree are all local to the Southern Belize region and are happy to accommodate your fishing preference and style. They are extremely patient and professional and understand this is your trip.
Recent Trip Report to Copal Tree Lodge
Rates
Activities
Accommodations
Travel
Rates
Fly Fishing Packages
All prices are in US Dollars
Per person price based on two per room and two per person
Please call for rate quotes. Rates vary by time of year and also duration of trip and number of fishing days. 3 night 2 day rates start at $1,617 per person in shoulder season
Includes: round trip flights between Belize City and Punta Gorda, lodging, meals, ground transfers in Punta Gorda, taxes and service charges. Guests are encouraged to bring their own equipment; however, the lodge does have gear available on loan. Copal Tree Lodge also has a fly shop on site stocked with flies, leaders, tippet, fly lines and other accessories.
Not included: Gratuity for guide and staff, optional activities, and beverages.
Activities
Fishing Overview
Fly fishers traveling to fish the waters nears Punta Gorda should be focused fly fishing for permit. It is the "Permit Capitol of Belize". Daily, anglers will hunt the permit flats of the Port of Honduras and when the conditions are right you will likely see hundreds of permit and to experience a dozen or more "shots" a day. There are many of prime permit flats in the area, many less than thirty minutes from town (approximately a 45-minute boat ride from the resort).
Aside from being a fantastic permit fishery, Punta Gorda also offers a number of other opportunities for those seeking diversity. The Sapodilla Cayes offer good opportunities for bonefish, and can be well worth the hour-plus run from the lodge. Relatively untouched and numerous, the bonefish on the Sapodilla's average two to three pounds, with four to five-pound bonefish occasionally found. The rivers of the Punta Gorda region offer some seasonal fishing for snook, large jacks, and tarpon that can run anywhere from 10 to over 50 pounds.
Non-Angling Activities
Birding: Copal Tree's birding guides demonstrate a remarkable depth of avian knowledge. Mentored by some of the regions leading experts, including noted ornithologist and author of the “Birds of Belize” Dr. Lee Jones, they know where to find the regions most common and rare species.
Snorkeling and Diving: Copal Tree's guided reef snorkeling tours take guests to Belize's Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, to spot a wide range of aquatic species including sea fans, coral, colorful tropical fish, seahorses, rays, eels and turtles. Divers looking specifically for an encounter with whale sharks should plan their visit between March and June when the gentle giants are just off the coast. These activities are offered to all Belcampo Belize guests and require advance reservations.
Canoe/Kayak on the Rio Grande: Copal Tree's 12,000-acre nature reserve is bordered by the winding Rio Grande River. Its gentle current allows for easy paddling up or downstream. Spot iguanas, howler monkeys, tropical birds, rolling tarpons and crocodiles among the plethora of indigenous jungle creatures. Explore on your own or ask a front desk clerk about a guided kayak adventure.
Onsite Hiking: Copal Tree has several moderate hiking trails to points of interest throughout the property. Trails on the farm include the Chocolate Trail through the cacao plantation and Sugar Cane Run, which extends around the sugar cane fields outside of the gates. Hiking with a guide at least once is highly recommended as they are overflowing with information on the flora and fauna and are experts at spotting wildlife. Along the trails, you will see birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and tracks of larger nocturnal animals, such as tapirs and jaguars, and various medicinal and edible plants and mushrooms.
Mountain Bikes: The lodge has Gary Fisher bikes provide superb maneuverability through the narrow streets of Punta Gorda town. Biking through town offers a unique perspective of the sights and sounds of the area while offering a fun fitness tour. Ask the front desk clerk or a guide for a bike key. Helmets are provided.
Guided Farm Tour: We are proud to produce 70% of the food that we serve in our restaurant right here on site. This guided tour takes an hour and a half and is a great introduction to organic farming. We will introduce you to our large organic gardens, green house, our pastured chickens raised in mobile coops, our egg mobile, and our free-range lambs and pigs.
Accommodations
Copal Tree Lodge has 16 private suites and one 3 Bedroom Villa offering the best in luxury and comfort. A testament to Belize’s natural beauty and craftsmanship, nearly every detail, from the woodwork to the tiles to the artwork, is sourced from local artisans. Whether you’re relaxing on one of the canopy beds or lounging on your own private veranda, you will experience the magic of the jungle within the comfort of your room.
3 Bedroom Family Villa
Our three bedroom Family Villa provides a wonderful retreat for your group or family to experience the luxury of the lodge with all the comforts of home with sweeping views of the jungle. Featuring an en-suite king bedroom with its own private screened in porch and 2 smaller queen bedrooms with a shared bathroom. The Family Villa includes a central lounge and full kitchen, which opens up onto a private luxurious porch.
Deluxe King Suites
Nestled amidst lush, tropical foliage lies our Deluxe King Suites. These spacious rooms with tall ceilings and full-length windows afford an airy retreat. From freshly cut tropical flowers to locally made soap, we make sure that no details are overlooked.
Ridge Suites Ridge
Our four Ridge Suites offer stunning views from the Maya Mountains to the Caribbean Sea. Each 750 sq. ft. suite provides a private screened porch, outdoor soaking tubs, and access to a 40’ salt water infinity pool, spacious decks and wet bar.
Jungle Suites
Surrounded by beautiful vistas and spacious areas to lounge, our Jungle Suites offer the best in hospitality and affordability. Situated just a short walk from the Main Lodge, you are never too far from the action.
Travel
Getting There
Belize International Airport is a small airport that provides excellent signage to help travellers get through customs and transfer to your in-country flight to Punta Gorda. At the point of entry, a passport and proof of return or onward ticket are required. There is a $35 USD departure tax that must be paid at the airport prior to leaving the country, however please check with your airline as this may be included in your international ticket. Tropic Air flights do not included the taxes and these will need to be paid on departure.
Transferring to the Punta Gorda Airstrip, your final destination
We work exclusively with Tropic Air, the in-country airline that will complete your journey to Punta Gorda. Tropic Air has a small fleet of new, safe and comfortable 14 seat Cessna caravans. You will take a breathtaking 1 hour flight down the coast of Belize with a couple of short stops along the way. Punta Gorda is the last stop in southern Belize and getting here is part of the adventure!
As you land, one of our guides will be waiting to pick you up in our open air Land Cruiser. In only 15 minutes you’ll be pulling up to the Copal Tree Lodge.
All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within six (6) months of trip dates. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages remaining in back, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way. Citizens of the U.S., the British Commonwealth, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the European Community are NOT required to have Visas.