Copal Tree Lodge

Wake up in paradise and grab your gear, ‘cause we’re going permit fishing. If this sounds like your mantra look no further. Copal Tree Lodge is a luxurious eco-resort that sits on an 80-acre property with frontage on the Rio Grande River. Located on the outskirts of Punta Gorda, the lodge provides access to two of the world’s best permit fisheries—the Port of Honduras Marine Reserve and the Sapodilla Cayes.
The lodge features a fly shop, spa, riverside boathouse loaded with kayaks, canoes, and motorized pontoon boats, a jungle gondola, rum distillery, and 5-star restaurant that utilizes Copal Tree’s on site eco farm for all produce and meat. Copal Tree Lodge makes for an ideal base of operation for an angler who enjoys a little luxury with their fishing. It’s also great for nature enthusiasts and couples who require plenty of non-angling activities along with fishing.
To call the lodge “unique” would be an understatement. It was purchased by Todd Robinson in 2005, and after a total reimagining, was transformed from a simple, rustic space, into a luxury fishing lodge and retreat. In a few short years, Copal Tree Lodge, formerly Belcampo Belize, has grown from pioneering ideas of sustainable food production and agri-tourism to being an award-winning, world-class destination welcoming discerning travelers from around the globe. As one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, Copal Tree offers a luxurious look at the culture and cuisine of beautiful Belize in a pristine jungle setting.

Copal Tree’s guides are all local to the southern Belize region and will customize each day’s itinerary to your fishing preference and style. They’re extremely patient, professional, and understand that this is your trip. Each morning you take a short 10 minute ride from Copal to the local docks where you’ll meet your guide and head out for a day of hunting permit.
The main flats, which are a part of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, are a 20-minute boat ride from the dock, and consist of coral covered pancake flats, endless seagrass flats and small mangrove cays. On windy days, angler can take refuge in “The Lagoon”—a massive, mangrove lined lagoon, filled with banks, cuts, creeks and basins. The lagoon is well protected and is home to strong populations of bonefish and permit, making it a perfect spot to fish during less than desirable weather conditions. For the true permit fanatic, bring a handful of floating crab flies as it is not uncommon to see large permit inhale stranded crabs floating on the surface.
For anglers willing to put in the extra effort, an hour’s ride from the launch lies the jewel of Punta Gorda, the Sapodilla Cayes. This cluster of white sand islands is home to miles of seagrass beds, countless reefs, drop-offs, and coral flats—ideal permit habitat.
Boats and Equipment
Copal Tree Lodge offers limited rental gear as well an onsite fly shop stocked with flies, leaders, tippet, and fly lines. We recommend that you prepare well and bring your own equipment and a strong selection of crab flies, including Bauer and Camou crabs. You’ll fish out of panga style boats, which have been customized for fly fishing. Each panga features a casting platform, poling tower, rod holders and a center console.

Upon arriving at Copal Tree Lodge you will be greeted by friendly staff and a fresh juice drink with the option to add distilled-onsite Copalli Rum. The main lodge area has a downstairs bar and lounge that overlooks the rainforest canopy. Upstairs you’ll find a quaint dining area where the chef crafts up local Belizean ingredients to make some of the most delicious and freshest food in Belize. Each day there is a new menu with options for everyone. The lodging consists of 12 jungle suites and four upgraded canopy suites. Canopy Suites have a single king bed and use of a private infinity pool, a thatch covered bar, and a private bartender.. Jungle suites have either a single king bed or double queen beds. All rooms are appointed with their own screened-in porch and hammocks so guests can take in the sounds of the jungle. After a bright sunny day chasing permit on the flats, the soothing jungle sounds at night promise peaceful rest.
Cuisine
Copal Tree serves gourmet cuisine featuring Belizean, Creole and American dishes crafted from fresh ingredients sourced locally, most of which are grown on the resort’s farms. The on-site farms produce 70 percent of the food served to guests, showcasing a truly unique farm-to-table dining experience. If it’s not made at the Lodge, food served at the Garden Table is sourced directly from other high-quality local producers. The lodge also features a fully stocked bar. Drinks at the Rum Bar are crafted with the same approach in mind, utilizing freshly squeezed juices, coconuts, limes, exotic fruits, and fresh herbs. The eco-resort is located on a 12,000-acre nature reserve and produces cacao that’s turned into chocolate in a small onsite factory. A rum distillery is also onsite where Copalli Rum is commercially produced. This rum is served at the lodge. Note: make sure to try the watermelon smash.

At Copal Tree fly fishing is not the only activity to keep guests entertained. The jungle that surrounds the lodge offers amazing adventures. Hike through the foothills of the Maya Mountains, tour the nearby jungle farm, kayak down the Rio Grande, or breathe the day away at the Yoga Palapa. Various cultural day trips can be set up to see the ancient Mayan ruins or spend the day cave tubing and zip-lining in the Belizean rainforest. The adventures are endless.
Copal Tree Lodge also offers birding tours and guided jungle hiking where you can learn about the biodiversity of the rainforest from a local guide. Or you take a tour of the rum distillery, a coffee cupping class, or participate in the customer favorite Bean to Bar, chocolate making class. If relaxation is calling your name, sit by the pool, or enjoy the amenities of the full-service spa. It truly is an adventure in luxury.

Getting to Copal Tree Lodge is easy. It is suggested to fly into Belize International Airport (BZE), then catch a commuter flight from BZE to Punta Gorda. The domestic flight takes 45 minutes and offers amazing views of Belize’s agriculture operations and jungles. Upon arriving in Punta Gorda, a representative from Copal Tree Lodge will pick you up and take you 15 minutes up the road into the jungle where Copal Tree is located.
All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within six months of trip dates. Citizens of the U.S., the British Commonwealth, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the European Community are NOT required to have Visas. All children 18 years of age or younger accompanied by only one parent or legal guardian must have a notarized letter of consent from the other parent stating the child/children have his/her permission to travel. Single parents need notarized documentation of divorce or a spousal death certificate. Unaccompanied Minors require a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES
It is best to arrive in Belize before 2:30PM in order to connect to Punta Gorda. GFFI can arrange your connecting flights via Tropic Air. Your round-trip flights from Belize International Airport to Punta Gorda are NOT included in your trip package, but GFFI will be happy to help arrange these for you. If you also wish to arrange private air charters, GFFI can assist.

All trips are customized and can be arranged according to your schedule. However, permit are permit and each day you spend on the water ups your odds for success. In addition, the Lodge’s non-angling activities are worth pursuing if you take a day or two away from the water or have a spouse and/or children traveling with you. Guests typically spend four nights or more during their visit.

All Prices USD per person, based on double occupancy
4 Nights/3 Days Fishing
Jan 7 through May 31, 2022
Jungle $2,700
Canopy $3,025
June 1 through December 20, 2022
Jungle $2,300
Canopy $2,700

5 Nights/4 Days Fishing
Jan 7 through May 31, 2022
Jungle $3,375
Canopy $4,025
June 1 through December 20, 2022
Jungle $2,875
Canopy $3,375

6 Nights/5 Days Fishing
Jan 7 through May 31, 2022
Jungle $4,075
Canopy $4,700
June 1 through December 20, 2022
Jungle $3,500
Canopy $4,075

7 Nights/6 Days Fishing
Jan 7 through May 31, 2022
Jungle $4,635
Canopy $5,500
June 1 through December 20, 2022
Jungle $4,000
Canopy $4,635

FISHING PACKAGE RATES INCLUDE:
All inclusive package —all meals, snacks, and beverages, including local spirits and beer
Respective number of nights accommodation in selected room type
Respective number of full day fly fishing with a professional guide
Round trip land transfers from Punta Gorda Airstrip to the lodge
Complimentary use of our gym & self guided activities: kayaks, mountain bikes and hiking trails and a complimentary farm tour
Taxes and service charge

NOT INCLUDED
Airfare to BZE
Domestic flights within Belize
Gratuities for guides and staff
Non angling activities
Alcoholic Beverages
Airport departure taxes
Belizean fishing license

Bookings are confirmed with a 50 percent deposit, made no later than seven days after booking a trip. Balance must be received no later than 90 days prior to the first day of the trip. Notification of cancellation must be received 90 days prior to the first day of the trip in order to receive partial or full credit for an alternate date. All payments are final and nonrefundable, with the exception of a medical or family emergency, deemed reasonable at GFFI’s discretion.

Booking a trip or making a deposit represents that the client accepts all terms and conditions. GFFI’s terms are in addition to any terms and conditions of each individual lodge that GFFI represents. Please read those terms carefully—lodge terms, which may differ from GFFI’s terms, supersede any agreements between GFFI and a client.