Trident Travel is your complete fly fishing travel service. We offer incredible fly fishing destinations around the globe with new locations being added frequently. With Trident, you'll get our low-price guarantee, and you'll never pay any credit card or booking fees. For a limited time, you'll even earn reward points on every trip you book! If you find this review informative, please consider booking your next fly fishing trip through Trident Travel to support our reviews.

Copal Tree Lodge brings the perfect blend of luxury, nature, and outstanding fly fishing to anglers and their families. Nestled in the jungle of southern Belize near Punta Gorda, this resort-style lodge isn’t like most saltwater fly fishing lodges. In today’s review, we’ll go into detail about what makes Copal Tree unique. We’ll discuss the food, the rooms, the location, and of course the quality of the fishing. Read along to learn more about Copal Tree Lodge and find out if it's the right destination for your next saltwater adventure.

Who It’s For

Copal Tree Lodge is the ideal destination for hardcore Permit junkies or anglers who are traveling with non-angling companions.

Southern Belize is known for its Permit fishing, largely because they’re the most abundant shallow water species available. Although Bonefish are present in this fishery, they’re not the primary focus. The guides here, the Garbutts brothers, are world-class Permit hunters who specialize in finding fish in the dark-bottomed lagoons of the area. Like any Permit fishing, you’ll need to bring your A-game to find success at Copal Tree. All that being said, this probably isn’t the best fishery for first-time saltwater anglers due to the focus on tricky Permit and the more limited availability of easier species like Bonefish.

For non-anglers, Copal Tree offers tons to do over a weeklong stay. Daily options include kayaking, organic farm tours, bird watching, cultural tours, or simply relaxing poolside with a cold beverage. The diversity of non-angling opportunities found here is unrivaled in the world of fly fishing lodges, ensuring your spouse or family members will be entertained and pampered while you’re out chasing fish. 

Food & Beverage

We always say that good food can make a good fishing trip great, and the food and beverages at Copal Tree are truly next-level. Unlike many fishing lodges that offer family-style buffet dining at set times, Copal Tree features made-to-order dishes at their Garden Table restaurant, allowing you to eat breakfast and dinner at your leisure. The beautiful presentation of every dish is on par with fine dining found anywhere in the world, and fresh ingredients are largely sourced from their on-site organic farm. The menu consists of delectable Belizean and Creole favorites, with dishes that are sure to please any palate.

The well-stocked bar is equally impressive with its homemade Copali rum and imaginative cocktails. We found the bartenders to be genuinely friendly and delightful folks to chat with while relaxing after a day on the water. Overall, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better culinary program at a fly fishing lodge just about anywhere.

Rooms

If you’ve stayed at many fly fishing lodges in the Caribbean, you’re probably not expecting much in terms of plush sleeping arrangements. At the most, you hope for cold air conditioning and clean, comfortable bedding. Prepare to be completely blown away by the guest rooms at Copal Tree Lodge, which are absolutely massive and feature amenities you’d expect at luxury hotels as opposed to a fishing lodge.

There are two styles of rooms at Copal Tree; spacious Jungle Suites and luxurious Canopy Suites, each offering 24/7 air conditioning and a screened veranda. We opted for a Jungle Suite on our most recent visit, and it was hard to believe that this was the more basic of the accommodations. With its comfortable queen beds and massive walk-in shower, we were able to relax and get supremely comfortable sleep every night.

We also toured the Canopy Suites, which offer California King bedding and expansive views of the jungle from the second story. Talk about penthouse vibes, the luxurious and very private Canopy Suites would make the perfect spot for a romantic getaway with your significant other. 

Amenities

One of the biggest draws of Copal Tree Lodge is its luxurious and entertaining amenities on-site. You’ll have access to a pool, a gym, and the Garden Tree Restaurant open for three meals a day. You can also take out a kayak to explore the Rio Grande, spotting tropical birds and howler monkeys in the dense jungle forest as you paddle. Because Copal Tree builds bespoke packages for their guests, we’d encourage you to take advantage of these amenities during a rest day from fishing.

In addition to everything on-site, the small town of Punta Gorda is just a short jaunt from the lodge should your group decide to experience the authentic southern Belizean culture for a day. This isn’t a touristy location like Tulum or San Pedro, but rather a true local’s town that happens to be near very exceptional Permit fishing. Of course, use common sense when exploring the town, but generally, we found the locals to be incredibly friendly and welcoming.

Non-anglers

Copal Tree Lodge is unique in that it offers excellent fishing opportunities and lots of non-angling activities. Well-traveled anglers know that finding both in one location is not always easy. With engaging options such as bird-watching, farm tours, kayaking, and full access to a private gym and spa, non-anglers can enjoy the trip just as much as their fishing counterparts. Additionally, the lodge’s elevated level of cuisine, drinks, and guest rooms make this a perfect couples' destination!

Location

Although the Punta Gorda region is excellent for Permit fishing, there are a few drawbacks to the lodge’s location. None of these are deal-breakers, but worth considering if you’re accustomed to a certain type of travel itinerary.

First and foremost, anglers should realize that the Permit fishery of Punta Gorda is primarily restricted to lagoons and dark-bottom grass flats. If you’re looking to hunt Bonefish on white sand bottom flats, this is not the place for you. Additionally, running out to some of the smaller atolls and pancake flats to the east is dependent on wind conditions, and can be quite the bumpy panga ride at times. This isn’t to say that the lagoons aren’t great fishing grounds - they are - but rather that you should be prepared for a certain style of fishing that is very different from other fisheries in the Caribbean.

Another thing to consider is the lodge’s location relative to the water and the town of Punta Gorda. Copal Tree is located in a dense jungle near the Rio Grande, so there isn’t a beach here, nor is there a beach within walking distance from the lodge. In fact not much is walkable from the lodge, meaning you’ll need to arrange any visits into town with the lodge staff ahead of time. This location also requires a short vehicle ride every morning to get to the boat. It's a short ride, but certainly not a beachfront dock like other lodges.

Lastly, getting to Punta Gorda is more involved than, say, Ambergris Caye. From Belize City, you’ll need to take another short flight to Punta Gorda, and then transfer by vehicle to the lodge. In the grand scheme of angling travel, this is still an easy destination to get to, but it is worth mentioning that it involves one extra leg compared to some lodges in Northern Belize or Yucatan, Mexico.

Fishing

The fly fishing in Punta Gorda has its pros and cons like any fishery. On the plus side, the Permit fishing in the surrounding lagoon system is world-class. Your guides are the Garbutts brothers, a family team of dedicated professionals who pioneered the Punta Gorda fishery several decades ago. You can be certain that you’ll be fishing with highly experienced and attentive fishing guides each day at Copal Tree. In terms of fishery health, the Permit here are very abundant, and big fish can be found year-round. What’s more, these lagoons are fairly well-protected from adverse weather conditions, meaning that fishing can still be productive on gusty or overcast days.

On the other hand, anglers seeking lots of species may find this fishery tougher. As we’ve already mentioned, this is a Permit fishery first and foremost, so it's better suited for intermediate to advanced saltwater anglers. Furthermore, this area doesn’t get big migratory Tarpon like Northern Belize or Mexico. There are, however, great opportunities for smaller resident Tarpon and Snook throughout the area. As long as you understand what type of fishing you’re in for and are up to the challenge, this area is one of the best in the world for Permit enthusiasts.

Value

2024 Fishing Packages

Trident Travel’s expert planning service is free of charge. The rates below are the same as you would pay by booking directly with the lodge. 

All rates below are per person for a 7-night, 6-day fishing package for 2024. Rates are subject to change at any time. Contact us for the most current pricing. 

Jungle Suite Double Occupancy (Per Person)

January 4, 2024 to May 31, 2024 = $5,275

June 1, 2024 to December 18, 2024 = $4,525

Canopy Suite Double Occupancy (Per Person)

January 4, 2024 to May 31, 2024 = $6,250

June 1, 2024 to December 18, 2024 = $5,275

Jungle Suite Single Occupancy (per person)

January 4, 2024 to May 31, 2024 = $9,100

June 1, 2024 to December 18, 2024 = $7,450

Canopy Suite Single Occupancy (Per Person)

January 4, 2024 to May 31, 2024 = $10,825

June 1, 2024 to December 18, 2024 = $9,000

What's Included:

• The respective number of nights of accommodation in the selected suite
• Respective number of full days of fly fishing with a professional guide
• All meals, afternoon snacks, and beverages including local spirits and beer (Farm-to-Table All Inclusive Package)
• Loaner Fishing Equipment (rods, reels, and line)
• Round trip land transfers between Punta Gorda Airstrip to the lodge
• Complimentary use of Jungle Gym and self-guided activities: kayaks, mountain bikes, and hiking trails
• Complimentary laundry service
• Taxes and service charges

What's Not Included:

• Airfare to and from Belize
• Fishing License
• Gratuities for the guides
• Gratuities for the lodge staff

We see tons of value in Copal Tree’s packages, largely because they are customizable to fit your group’s needs. Whether you’re bringing the family or going on your honeymoon, the lodging accommodations and excellent lodge amenities will keep you and your group entertained and comfortable from beginning to end. What’s more, if you’re all about fishing hard for Permit, the excellent guides will work tirelessly to give you shots at the black-tailed devil. Copal Tree truly offers the best of both worlds along with the flexibility of choosing dates and accommodations that work best for you.

Conclusion

Traveling anglers are familiar with the age-old conundrum of trading off good fishing for good accommodations, or vice versa. Fortunately, Copal Tree Lodge offers both in spades, meaning you can enjoy fantastic Permit fishing by day and luxurious lodging and delicious cuisine by night. Even non-anglers repeatedly say this is their favorite vacation ever, which is high praise for a fly fishing lodge in a remote corner of the Caribbean. If you’re considering your next Permit trip, but need a location that’s comfortable and fun for your family or spouse, Copal Tree Lodge should be at the top of your list!

If you have any questions about Copal Tree Lodge or want to book your trip, give us a call at 888-413-5211, or shoot us an email at [email protected]. Our team of travel experts is ready to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime.

Start planning your trip Here