DIY Fly Fishing the Mayan Coast, Mahahual, Mexico
The village of Mahahual lies in the middle of 78 miles of fishable coastline with excellent access for the DIY angler. A 40 minutes drive south and you are in the village of Xcalak and accessing the famous bonefish and permit flats of Chetumal bay. A 40 minutes drive north and you are entering the Sian Kaan biosphere from the southern end approaching the practically un-fished Espiritu Santo Bay. The fishing options include DIY walk and wade on the numerous beaches and rocky points up and down the coastline, kayaking the coastline and inner lagoons, & guided fishing by boat in the tarpon lagoons, (10-30 mins to the north of Mahahual) and guided flats fishing in Chetumal Bay. These trips are great for non-angling partners too!
The local waters accessible to the diy angler have excellent populations of bonefish, tarpon and permit, and jacks and barracuda are always around. For the diy angler seeking the most elusive of the flat’s inhabitants, permit are found up and down the coast and come in to shore to feed on the reefs and extensive turtle grass flats that are found all along the shoreline. These flats and reefs are easily accessible to diy anglers. The larger permit feed on the turtlegrass flats along the oceanfront on an incoming tide, often in the morning or evening. We suggest the months of May, June, and July for fishermen specifically targeting the bigger permit. Smaller school permit are present throughout the season.
For baby tarpon, you can fish the bays along the coast, or if you're adventurous, kayak into the lagoons in search of the silver kings.
Our DIY package includes inflatable SUP on The Fly paddle boards transportable on any rental car, a cooler to use for your lunches, a selection of 18 custom flies for each angler tied specifically for the Mayan Coast, fishing maps highlighting productive DIY locations, coordination of any guided days guests may desire & a meet and greet upon arrival in Mahahual. As a bonus, your host Nick Denbow, who lives & guides in Mahahual, will be available to offer advice and assistance if needed.
Guests stay at the Nacional Beach Club and Bungalows, run by US expat Evan Mckenzie and his Chilean wife Ana. These tastefully designed beach front rooms are modern and all have a/c, Internet access and safes. There is off street parking, 24 hour security and best of all, bonefish in the front garden!
Breakfast and lunch will be provided by Nacional Beach Club and dinner will be at your choice of one of the top three eateries all within a short walk of the hotel. Mahahual boasts a variety of different restaurants from classic Mexican cuisine to Caribbean Seafood specialities.
The non-fishing options include snorkeling, diving, beach activities and trips to local archaeological sites. These trips are great for non-angling partners too!
RATES:
Contact us for updated rates.
7 night DIY package includes oceanview lodging @ the Nacional Beach Club, all of your meals and non-alcoholic drinks, use of SUP's for the week, a cooler to use for your lunches, a selection of 18 custom flies for each angler tied specifically for the Mayan Coast, fishing map highlighting productive DIY locations, coordination of any guided days & meet and greet upon arrival in Mahahual.
Not included: car rental & gas, transportation to hotel from Cancun, and any alcoholic beverages. (Note: vehicle rental normally runs between $300-$450 for the week, with $100-150 for gas)
Guided trips are available, for one or two anglers in a boat.
Shorter or longer visits can be arranged. Please consult with us for a price quote.
Getting to Mahahual
Most guests fly to Cancun, and rent a vehicle for the 4.5 hour drive to the lodge.
Terms and Conditions
A deposit of 50% is required within 15 days of booking to confirm a reservation. The balance is due 90 days prior to arrival. Deposit is refundable, less a $100 per person processing fee, if written cancellation is received at least 90 days prior to the trip. A 50% refund will be made to client if written cancellation is received 31-89 days prior to the trip, and no refund will be made if written cancellation is received 30 days or less prior to the trip, unless a substitute angler is found, in which case a full refund will be made less a $100 processing fee. In rare instances with cancellations inside of 90 days, we are able to issue credit to be used for a future trip to the same lodge. In this instance, there is a $200 per person processing fee. Credits are issued at the sole discretion of Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters LLC/CCO Fly Fishing LLC/Bahamas Bonefishing Adventures LLC. Receipt of deposit is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation/refund and responsibility clauses.
Because many deposits and final payments for trip packages may be non-refundable (see above,) it is highly recommended that you purchase trip insurance in the event that you have to cancel, postpone or reschedule your trip for any reason. This is the only way that we can assist you with compensation for a cancelled trip. For more information or for assistance in purchasing trip insurance, please contact Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters LLC/CCO Fly Fishing LLC/Bahamas Bonefishing Adventures LLC.
Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters LLC/CCO Fly Fishing LLC/Bahamas Bonefishing Adventures LLC acts only as agents for contractors or owners and outfitters, airlines, charter air, and ground transportation carriers or other services. Payment of funds for fishing and other Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters trips shall be deemed acceptance and consent of the following conditions. Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters LLC/CCO Fly Fishing LLC/Bahamas Bonefishing Adventures LLC any of its affiliates or associated companies shall not be held liable for any loss or damages howsoever caused or arising from services provided by hotels or lodges, outfitters, guides, means of transportation or other services. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the traveling client at all times.
