BELIZE stands out as one of those remarkable fly fishing destinations that offers a large variety of fishing in some of the least spoiled coastal environments in the world — all within a short plan ride of major U.S. airports. Beyond that, it is the only Central American country where English is the primary language. Which is not to say that Belize doesn't offer a cultural experience (one day in Belize city will disabuse you of that notion). From the uber-civilized, upscale lodge to the single-boat, single-guide excursion to a combined fishing/ecology/history adventure, there's a Belize itinerary to suit just about every taste.

Belize is known for its bonefish, which tend to be smaller but considerably more "willing" than Florida fish.
photo courtesy Yellow Dog Fly Fishing

While bonefish draw more anglers, knowledgeable travelers have been favored Belize for a tarpon season that lasts longer and is less migration-dependent.
photo courtesy Yellow Dog Fly Fishing

Belize is considered primarily a bonefish and permit fishery, but there are year-round opportunities for tarpon as well, and the season for tarpon lasts longer here than in Florida. Almost the entire range of Belize islands and flats are considered prime permit territory (indeed Ambergris Key in the north lies only 100 miles south of Mexico's famed Ascension Bay), and many anglers catch their first permit here, especially if they are able to to fish less-pressured areas. The tarpon in Belize also tend to be more aggressive than in other, more actively fished parts of the Caribbean and Florida. The bonefish average two to three-and-a-half pounds in most locations, but there are lots and lots of them, and it is not at all unusual to catch fish in the four- to seven-pound range. Belize rivals the Bahamas as a perfect place to get hooked on bonefish. Snook, crevalle jacks, barracuda and sharks round out the set of more common species pursued by fly fishers here.

About Belize

Belize ranks with Mexico as a top location to find and land a first permit.
photo courtesy Yellow Dog Fly Fishing

Belize is a small country roughly the size of Massachusetts. It has a total land area of 8,867 square miles and a population of 255,000. With just under 30 inhabitants per square mile, Belize is Central America's most sparsely populated nation. Almost 50% of the country has been protected as parkland or nature preserve, which partly explains Belize's reputation as a pristine adventurer's paradise. Centuries ago, Belize was the heart of the Mayan Empire, and archaeologists estimate that at its peak, one to two million Native Americans lived within the borders of present day Belize. The approximately 255,000 people in Belize today are a mix of Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Mayan, English, Mennonite, Asian, and Eastern Indian. More than 40% of the population are Mestizos, descendants of mixed blood Mexicans and Yucatec Mayans who fled from the Yucatan region of Mexico in the mid 1800's. The Creoles, which form 30% of the population, are descendants of the intermingling of the early British settlers with African slaves from Jamaica. Another 6.6% of Belize's population are Garifuna and 11% are Mayan — both have their own language and culture.

Weather

The climate in Belize is subtropical, with continuous, prevailing breezes from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an average temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is nicely tempered by the ocean breezes, especially on the outer islands. During the summer months, the temperature rarely exceeds 96 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter lows are seldom below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night. On the flats, the water temperature will vary between 75 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the north to 170 inches in the south. The rainy season is usually between June and August and the dry season is between February and May.

As in any subtropical setting where bug spraying is almost non-existent, no-see-ums and even mosquitoes can be a problem in Belize, so be sure insect repellent is a part of your trip supplies.

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