Copal Tree Lodge

Trip Overview
Copal Tree Lodge is a high-end jungle resort property perfect for couples, families, and anglers looking to combine a fishing trip with exciting activities and first-class amenities. The permit-focused fishery surrounding Punta Gorda and the Port Honduras Marine Preserve consistently produces permit opportunities for anglers with some of the finest guides in Belize. For nonanglers, southern Belize offers diverse eco-tourism activities in a pristine setting and access to a wide variety of options that immerse guests in the jungle and natural environment: birding, snorkeling, hiking, and tours of the Copal Tree farm and Copalli Rum Distillery.

Lodging Details
Southern Belize's gateway into the jungle, Copal Tree Lodge is an idyllic hideaway offering a spacious main lodge and 16 beautiful air-conditioned cabanas with private baths, one or two beds, and a large deck overlooking the jungle canopy. Lodge amenities include a spa, pool, mountain bikes, hiking trials, kayaks, and canoes. Copal Tree's location, setting, beautiful grounds, impeccable food, and service rank it among the finest destinations in the Carabbean.

Food and Beverages
Copal Tree Lodge serves gourmet cuisine featuring Belizean, Creole, and American dishes crafted from fresh ingredients sourced locally and grown on the resort's farms. The Lodge also features a fully-stocked bar.

Typical Length of Stay
Packages of any length can be arranged for Copal Tree Lodge. Guests may arrive and depart any day of the week.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
Onsite activities include biking, canoeing, birdwatching, kayaking, tours of the commercial resort's farms and gardens, river tours, and hikes along nature trails. Eco-tourism activities include snorkeling on the outer islands, manatee watching, jungle trips on the Rio Grande and Moho Rivers, visits to local villages, and tours of the Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun Mayan ruins. For cave tubing, Tiger and Hokeb Ha Caves offer trips through huge caverns.

Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi is available for guests; please bring your own device. Cell phone service is available depending on your provider. 

How To Get There
International flights to Belize City’s Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) go through Miami, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Newark, Chicago, and Charlotte. The major airlines that are currently servicing and will be flying to Belize in the immediate future are American Airlines, United, Delta, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
It is best to arrive in Belize before 2:30 p.m. in order to connect to Punta Gorda. We will arrange your connecting flights via Tropic Air. Your round-trip flights from Belize International Airport to Punta Gorda are included in your trip package, and Yellow Dog will help arrange these for you.

Documents Required
All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within 6 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.

Minors Traveling Without Both Parents
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. Please visit the Embassy of the United States website for Belize to obtain more information.  

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes. 

Travel Tools
- Travel Insurance
- Moon Phases
- Airline Ticketing
- Rent This Rod
- Global Rescue Membership

General Information
Fishing in Punta Gorda is focused on permit. Under the right conditions, you may see hundreds of permit in a single day on the extensive flats in the area. The outer reef islands (the Sapodilla Cayes) offer solid opportunities for relatively untouched bonefish within an hours boat run from the lodge. The rivers of this region offer seasonal fishing for snook, large jacks, and 10 to 50-pound tarpon.

Boats and Equipment
Guides in the area fish from 23-foot Mexican super pangas with poling platforms. The Lodge offers limited rental gear, plus a selection of flies in the small gift shop. We recommend bringing your own equipment, flies, and terminal tackle.

Package Rates
Due to the detailed nature of Copal Tree’s various accommodation options and the many activities and add-ons available, all package rates will be customized per guest. Please call us for details and full pricing. Remember that our services are completely free! When you book a trip with us, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter.

What's Included:

• The respective number of nights accommodations in a Jungle Suite (Upgraded accommodations available)
• The respective number of full days fishing (any number of fishing days can be removed from the package)
• All meals and afternoon snacks
• Round Trip land transfers from Punta Gorda airstrip to lodge
• Nightly turndown service
• Beverages and Bar Tab (Domestic, not a top shelf or imported)
• Complimentary laundry service (24-hour turnaround)
• Complimentary use of the gym, self-guided activities, kayaks, mountain bikes, hiking trails, and farm tour
• Taxes and Service Charge
• Round Trip Tropic Air flights from Belize City (International) to Punta Gorda

What's Not Included:

• Guided tours and activities
• Round Trip international airfare from your hometown to Belize City
• Spa Treatments
• Gift Shop PurchasesGratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Optional gratuities to tour guides
• Optional off-site tours and activities
• Imported beverages

Copal Tree Lodge Belize (Punta Gorda, Belize)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking to hold both space and guides on all packages. No space or guides will be held without receipt of deposit. Full pre-payment is due 90 days prior to date of trip. All cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for your trip. Trips cancelled or shortened as a result of inclement weather and/or acts of nature including hurricanes or due to airline delays, strikes or political unrest are not refundable. Any unused portion of these packages by guest’s choice are not refundable. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Once again, Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for this trip.

For cancellations received outside of 90 days from arrival date / start of trip, 100% of deposit may be transferred to another date/angler or refunded minus a $100 per person fee charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing.

For cancellations received between 45 and 90 days from arrival date / start of trip, 50% of package may be transferred to another date/angler or refunded minus a $100 per person fee charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing.

Inside of 45 days from start of trip, deposits and/or final payments are non-refundable and no credits will be issued.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT. 

"I've never had more shots at permit -- period. Over the course of seven hours, I had roughly 60 shots at schools, pairs, and singles." - Read the full Copal Lodge Trip Report

"The first day of the trip we saw a permit on a ray out at the reef, a few casts and boom I’m hooked up..unfortunately, the permit wraps me around a coral and we lose him!  I was pretty bummed but Scully was so optimistic and encouraging!  The next day we got our revenge when Scully saw him and guided me to the location!  A couple of casts and he was on!!   Excellent experience at Copal Tree and with Scully!  I’ll be back soon!  Thanks to Yellow Dog for arranging everything and making it so easy!!" - Michael F.