XFlats Lodge

Xflats is not luxurious, but it is spacious, very comfortable and offers all the amenities visiting anglers require for a pleasant stay. The construction and colorful decor reflect the Mayan influence, and various outdoor gathering areas feature prominently to take full advantage of the fantastic ocean views. The area’s largest palapa (tiki-style roof) sits but a few steps from the lodge’s seven roomy, beachfront suites, and it houses the kitchen, a large dining room, the bar and a seating area next to it, complete with large satellite TV. Accented by palm trees and natural foliage, the well-kept grounds incorporate a broad patio, shaded and paved, with picnic tables for hanging out and nearby rod racks, handy for rigging or stashing your quiver. A couple of small tikis provide shade closer to the beach for a chair or two. There are hammocks for a nice siesta after fishing. And before you reach the water and the 200-foot-long pier, a rope loosely coiled on the sand makes a nifty target for casting practice.

Chetumal Bay and the adjacent coastal waters are a prolific fishery famous primarily for the abundance of permit and bonefish, as well as the availability of other prized species like snook, tarpon, barracuda, jacks and others. Vast, shallow flats and numerous natural channels and drop-offs afford the perfect habitat for roaming gamefish, while mangrove shorelines and nearby troughs and potholes, along with a few cenotes (natural springs or blue holes), serve as lairs for lurking ambush predators. 

It takes approximately 30 minutes for boats to reach Zaragoza Channel, the nearest inlet leading to Chetumal Bay, and it could take an additional 10- to 30-minute ride to get to your first fishing spot of the day. Depending on the conditions and the time of year, however, your guide may choose to stop far sooner and fish oceanside shallows or the edges of Zaragoza Channel, both of which are known to yield big permit, tarpon, barracuda, and even large snook at certain times of the year. For bonefish, a number of lagoons and protected coves inside the bay, and certain flats that run parallel to its longer shorelines, are home to countless schools that meander in and out with the tide.

Xflats sends two guides on every boat so one can run and pole the panga while the other contributes to fish-spotting and assists anglers with their fly line management and rigging needs. You can expect to do most of your fishing from the bow deck of the panga, but wading is possible in a number or areas, and it’s often encouraged, particularly when your guide deems it will provide better odds of hooking a sighted permit or trophy-size snook. Then you’ll be prompted to slip into the water escorted by one of the guides and silently close in on the target. Flats-wading footwear is highly recommended for better footing and protection against sharp rocks and coral. 

Fishing Schedule

Fishing days begin at around 8:00 am after anglers walk out on the pier, right in front of the lodge, to meet their guides and board the respective boats. After a full day on the water, boats return at around 4:30 pm.

Boats 

Xflats guides run 23-foot pangas, all rigged with a poling platform at the stern and equipped with a graphite push pole, gunwale rod racks and comfortable seats. Extremely popular throughout the Mexican and Central American coasts, these seaworthy and reliable boats offer an elevated casting deck up front with plenty of uncluttered fishing room, and are designed to float in pretty shallow water and cruise efficiently, even in a moderate chop. 

Loaner Gear

While the lodge tries to keep a couple of fly outfits to lend guests should their gear be lost or damaged, its remote location makes fixing and replacing tackle difficult, so it’s always best to bring you own gear and at least one spare rod and reel, as well as a good selection of flies, leaders and other essentials, like a rain jacket, flats-wading footwear and polarized sunglasses.

There are seven suites, all of them spacious, air-conditioned and set up for either single or double occupancy. Each one is adequately furnished and has a full, private bath, in-room rod racks and a terrace facing the ocean to watch the sun rise with your first cup of coffee in the morning or nurse a cold drink before dinnertime. In the evenings, the lodge’s big palapa becomes the main social zone as guest gravitate toward the bar and dining room to grab a beer or cocktail, nibble on appetizers and join the storytelling.

Cuisine

You won’t go hungry at Xflats Lodge, where the talented kitchen staff excels at preparing a wide range of Mexican favorites and international dishes. Fresh fish and seafood are frequently featured on the dinner menu, which changes nightly and also includes quality meats and poultry, along with delicious sides that make great use of top regional vegetables and fruit.

Juice and freshly brewed coffee are served every morning, followed by a traditional American breakfast or more typical Mexican fare. Of course, fresh fruit is also available. Boat lunches are generous, prepared freshly every morning and packed in the boat coolers before going fishing. By the way, meals may be customized to meet most dietary restrictions, just be sure your needs are conveyed to the lodge at least two weeks prior to your arrival. 

Cemented into fly-fishing lore by traveling anglers from all over, Xflats’ Fish Bar frequently stays open late and serves great appetizers, ice-cold beer and a variety of popular cocktails. As you might imagine, margaritas are one of the specialties.  

Connectivity

Certain U.S. cell phones may work in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and perhaps even Mahahual, but service will be spotty or nonexistent well before you reach Xcalak. Once in a while, you’ll get a strong enough signal from Belize while fishing in Chetumal Bay, but you can’t really count on it. Fortunately, Xflats offers Wi-Fi free of charge and the use of a satellite phone for a nominal fee.

Xflats is by and large a fishing-focused lodge, and nearby Xcalak doesn’t really get enough visitors to support a wide range of tour operators. Nevertheless, non-angling guests do have some options. The lodge offers kayaks, there are plenty of opportunities for bird watching and beachcombing nearby, and you can rent a scooter in Xcalak and explore the town and the outskirts. In addition, massages, snorkeling tours or a visit to Mayan ruins can be arranged.

Anglers coming to Xflats should book a flight to Cancun International Airport (CUN) arriving by 1:00 pm; several airlines offer direct flights from major U.S. cities. After retrieving your luggage and clearing Mexican immigration and customs, you should walk to the airport’s lobby and reception area to meet the lodge representative who will escort you to the air-conditioned vehicle that will shuttle you down to the lodge. Instead of that 5 ½-hour drive, incoming guests have the option to book a charter flight from Cancun to Mahahual, which leaves less than a 1-hour drive to reach Xflats. For a stress-free and timely transfer back to Cancun airport at the end of the trip, be sure to book a flight departing after 2:30 pm for your return home. 

No visas or inoculation are required for U.S. citizens to enter Mexico, but they must have a valid passport that will not expire within six (6) months of the trip dates, has at least two blank pages remaining, and is not torn or damaged in any way. All minors (under 18 years of age) traveling to Mexico accompanied by only one parent or legal guardian must have a notarized letter from the other parent granting permission to travel. Single parents need a notarized divorce decree or death certificate of the spouse. Unaccompanied minors require a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents. 

Midcurrent’s services are completely free. Clients will not pay more than if booked directly with a lodge. All rates are per person based on double occupancy, and listed in U.S. dollars.

2023 Rates

Double Occupancy (shared room and boat)
7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing $4,495 per person
6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing $4,195 per person
5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing $3,895 per person
4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing $3,595 per person
3 Nights / 2 Days Fishing $3,295 per person

Single Occupancy (single room and single angler per boat)
7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days $6,400 per person
6 Nights / 5 Fishing Days $5,900 per person
5 Nights / 4 Fishing Days $5,400 per person
4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days $5,100 per person
3 Nights / 2 Days Fishing $4,800 per person

Included:

• The number of nights lodging specified in the package 
• Daily guided fishing
• Airport transfers from Cancun (only for Saturday-to-Saturday stays) 
• Breakfasts and dinners at the lodge and boat lunches
• All bottled water, coffee and fruit juices
• Daily happy-hour drink
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Fishing license
• All applicable Mexican VAT and hotel taxes 

Not Included:

• Airfare to Cancun, Mexico 
• Hotel in Cancun (if necessary)
• Airport shuttle surcharge for off-Saturday transfers 
• Gratuities for fishing guides and lodge staff
• Alcoholic beverages and sodas
• Fishing tackle and flies
• Special services or tours

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 Midcurrent’s discretion.

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