Costa de Cocos Lodge, Mexico
From the Atlantic side of Central America, the Yucatan Peninsula juts north for over 200 miles into the fish-rich waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the Yucatan’s angling attention is centered around Mexico’s Ascension Bay and Ambergris Cay in Belize. Many of the peninsula’s most venerable fishing lodges are located near these two areas. But near the border between these two countries, where Chetumal Bay meet the blue waters of the Caribbean, is a lesser known but just as productive, estuarine system. Because Chetumal Bay is too far south to be reached easily in a day from Ascension Bay, this area has been virtually ignored by the Mexican angling establishment. And while the Belizeans know full well the area’s potential, it is illegal for them to cross the border into Mexico. As a result of this happy coincidence of political and geographical isolation, the Chetumal Bay area has remained virtually untouched and unfished.
The Costa de Cocos lodge is strategically located on the peninsula between Chetumal Bay and the open Atlantic making it a perfect base for fishing these prime waters. Built on a beautiful beach two kilometers north of the small village of Xcalak (Ish-ka-lak), Costa de Cocos is located on the doorstep to a fishing paradise.
In the past two years, thirty-three productive flats and lagoons have been mapped and we are continuing to explore new areas each season. Our clients rarely see another fisherman during their time at Costa de Cocos. In order to insure the flats are not overpressured and to guarantee a solitary experience, we book only four fishermen per week. The lodge can accommodate over twenty guests, but our clients will be the only fishermen at the lodge and will, most likely, have the company of only the staff and possibly a few incidental divers. The service and attention to detail is excellent at Costa de Cocos. The guides have an extensive knowledge of their local area and they understand well the habits of the fish that prowl these waters. These guides have excellent fish spotting ability and have become experts in the needs of itinerant anglers. Two new 19’ El Pescador flats boats are moored at the lodge’s private dock for the exclusive use of these guides.
The local waters have excellent populations of bonefish found on the numerous hard and soft bottom flats. It is important to note that the area’s bonefish generally run larger than the fish you will find both north and south of Costa de Cocos. Various theories abound on the reasons for this, but this anomolie delights the seasoned angler accustomed to the smaller fish found at Ascension Bay.
For the experienced angler seeking the most elusive of flat’s inhabitants, permit are found in the bay and at the lagoon mouths. These fish sometimes school in numbers of five to twenty. The larger permit feed both in the turtlegrass flats along the ocean front on an incoming tide and in Chetumal Bay, often in the morning. 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 cast to mangrove edges in 6 to 10 feet of water or fish the flats and shallower lagoons for larger fish.
Anglers are housed in individual cabanas constructed of native stone and hardwoods. These spacious rooms have two double beds and a private bath with hot shower... perfect for two fishermen. Single occupancy requests can also be accommodated. Three meals per day are included in your package. Breakfast is generally light, but special requests for hardier appetites will be accommodated. Lunch is almost always on the flats, taken on the run between casts. Gourmet dinners are served family-style and include a full range of seafood, local fare, and more traditional foods.
If you take a break from fishing, the snorkeling is excellent right off the dock. Diving, including full day excursions to Banco Chinchorro, can be arranged though the on-site dive shop. This area is well known for its varied and plentiful marine life and sea kayaks are available for exploring the nearby lagoons and rivers. At your request, we can arrange ruins exploration through Rancho Encantado at Laguna Bacalar. This overnight excursion offers the best of the best in exploring ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula.
The quickest way to arrive in Xcalak from the U. S. is to fly to Belize City and take an air taxi to San Pedro on Ambergris Cay. Here you will be picked up by boat for a one hour ride back to the lodge.
PRICES
$3395.00 Per angler, per week, double occupancy
(6 days fishing / 7 nights lodging)
$4405.00 Per angler, per week, single occupancy
(6 days fishing / 7 nights lodging)
2018 Off Season Fly Fishing Package
Available June 1st through November 30th
One week, all inclusive for: $2,400.00
per person based on two per room/two per boat Saturday to Saturday trip
Shorter or longer visits can be arranged with Costa de Cocos. Please consult with us for a price quote.
Terms and Conditions
A deposit of 50% is required within 15 days of booking to confirm a reservation. The balance is due 60 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. 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 CCO Fly Fishing/Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters
Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters 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 or 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.
