Belize Travel

Travel in Belize

We are thrilled to have guests coming back to San Pedro, Belize! The government has worked hard to ensure both the locals safety as well as the safety of those visiting. The locals have spent most of the last six months on lock down -not even a little fishing! We’ve had very few cases of Covid. When outside the home, masks are required. Hand sanitation stations are everywhere. The Belize Tourism Board created  “Tourism Gold Standard” Recognition program to ensure Tour Operators, hotels, and restaurants did everything possible to prevent the spread of Covid-19. These new protocols are focused on enhanced tour operator sanitation practices, social interactions, workplace policies and standard operating procedures, while ensuring minimal impact on the guest experience. The 9-Point program introduces enhanced health and safety standards by adapting new behaviors to ensure both travelers and employees are confident in the cleanliness and safety of tour experiences. Tourism Gold Standard Tour Operators are those that:

  • Have a “Gold Standard Program Manager” who implements protocols and ensures compliance.
  • Implement Monitoring & Reporting – to conduct non-invasive temperature checks and utilize the Ministry of Health App.
  • Ensure Social Distancing protocols for workers and visitors.
  • Implement enhanced cleaning & sanitization procedures such as increased disinfection of common areas, face masks, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees, visitors, and guests.
  • Have a response plan should there be any suspected cases.
  • Ensure clear and consistent communication with employees and guests.
  • Have sanitization stations.
  • Have digital technologies for transactions and online bookings.
  • Implement a training plan for employees to ensure preparedness to manage new protocols.
Belize travel, Belize airport, Belize Tourism Board

Customs and Air Travel

The image above shows how Belize “Safe Corridors” have been created and will work. Prior to traveling you will need to take a PCR-19 test within 72 hours of departure. By showing these results in customs you will be ‘fast tracked’ and proceed as shown in the diagram above. Click on the image to visit the Belize Tourism site and learn more.

You’ll also need to download the official Belize Health Ap and starting filling out your information. You can use the links below to get your ap! If you are an Android user it is easiest to download the ap from the Belize Tourism Board. Click on the link below and scroll down just a bit.

American Airlines currently has many flights while United has flights a few days per week and will be adding more. Delta will be adding flights in November and December.

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Schools

 

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Fishing

Species

Permit

Many anglers have landed their first Permit from Belize waters. And once the angler discovers the diverse Permit fishery that Ambergris Caye offers – they can’t wait to come back. Permit from 5 – 30 lbs are seen all year. The fish often travel in schools – where a solid sixty foot cast from the bow of a flats boat is generally needed to get your fly to the fish. Then, stripped fast and still breathing, wait for the yank and run of your lifetime. Permit fishing is exciting but it’s also one that can wreak havoc on one’s nerves. Fair warning.

Tarpon

Most fly anglers that pursue big game fish will agree – there is no better fish to fight on light tackle than a fish that is over a hundred million years old – Tarpon. Averaging 20-60 lbs, this magnificent fish can be found in shallow water from 3-6 feet or up against the mangroves playing with the tide chasing sardines. White, green and Black Death toads all work well. Let that dancing rabbit entice the bucket mouth explosion bite. Generally we use 30-60 lb bite tippet, class tippet 20 – 30 lbs depending on personal preference. Most shots are 50 ft. A good solid accurate cast where the leader and fly turn over for the fish to see – expect it to happen.

Bonefish

All year long, these fish are plentiful and fun on our flats. Over the last 10 years Belize has implemented catch and release programs which have really helped our fish population grow and thrive. We now have very large bonefish residents -up to 10 pounds- that will take you for the ride of your life! But the “rice and beans” of Bonefishing – is all about testing your skill in several types of situations. Both beginners and expert fly anglers cannot deny the pure fun of watching a great cast meet the “Ghost of the Flats!”

You can also find shots at Snook, Barracuda, Jacks, Ladyfish, Snapper, Cobia and Triggerfish. Watching a Barracuda get aggressive and slam your fly on the salt flats is an adrenaline rush you won’t forget!

Guides

We have a great group of over 20 experienced guides who we choose from to work with our guests. We will provide a guide that will listen to your goals for the day and work with you. Some guides are better teachers, some are better at just saying “put it at 11:00 at 50 feet.”   We do our best to match the right guide with your prefered style. Trained by Lori-Ann Murphy in her casting styles and fly fishing experience for guests, Reel Belize wants to not only meet but exceed your fly fishing experience out on the flats.

Casting Clinics and Instruction with Lori-Ann Murphy

Lori-Ann is one of the great leaders in fly fishing. Her pioneering life as the first woman to become an Orvis Endorsed Guide took her to San Pedro, Belize in 2009. She values sharing her fly fishing life with the San Pedro Guide community.

She brought the first FFI instructor to San Pedro to bring a sense of continuity in teaching casting. Now she is crafting custom fly-fishing trips as a Belize Tour Operator under her own company, Reel Belize. Belizeans are warm hearted, fun spirited people. If you want to have a good time fly fishing the flats, Reel Belize guides will make it happen.

Lori-Ann Murphy also offers casting clinics and instruction through Reel Belize. From the basics to double hauling, Lori-Ann has won many casting competitions and been teaching for years. She has studied with many of the fly fishing greats and enjoys passing it along. If you’d like to fine tune your casting upon arrival or work on new levels and casting options, time can be scheduled with Lori-Ann and her team to help you meet your goals.

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