The Palometa Club

Lodging Details
With a prime beachfront location in the heart of the famous fishing village of Punta Allen, the Palometa Club is a comfortable six-bedroom lodge that is the ideal basecamp for a week of fishing Ascension Bay. All six of the lodge’s double-occupancy rooms feature air-conditioning, two beds, plenty of space for storage, comfortable pillows and bedding, and a private bathroom with a large, walk-in shower. The lodge’s dining room sits adjacent to the open kitchen, where delicious Mayan, Caribbean, and Mexican cuisine is prepared each day. While there is an upstairs fly-tying area, retail store area, and a comfortable air-conditioned living room inside the lodge, most of the socializing and fun takes place in the outside lounge and bar area. The ocean-facing bar is the epicenter of lodge activity, and house margaritas, local tequilas, Caribbean rums, and cold beer are always readily available. Post-fishing cocktail hours and after-dinner cigar and social sessions are enjoyed in the sandy bar area while enjoying the cooling ocean breezes, the sound of the waves, and the warmth of the Punta Allen community. Completely renovated and re-done in the summer of 2022, the lodge is one of the Yucatan region’s most comfortable, inviting, and all-around fun lodges. 

Palometa Club is best described as a “vibrant” operation with a lot of great energy. If you are looking for a silent, secluded, and private location, know that this might not be your spot, as the lodge is located in the heart of the village directly on the beach. That said, when you stay at the lodge, you are surrounded by the culture, color, and liveliness of Punta Allen, and the energy of the location and the entire operation is fantastic. Punta Allen is an incredible village with wonderful people, and staying at the Palometa Club allows you to surround yourself with all that makes this community special. 

Food and Beverages
The menu at the Palometa Club always features fresh and authentic local cuisine. Each morning, breakfast staples including eggs, bacon, pastries, cereals, and local fruits are enjoyed with plenty of rich Mexican coffee. Lunches are taken on the water during each fishing day and generally consist of a sandwich or pasta dish, fruit, chips, and dessert. YETI boat coolers are always packed with plenty of ice-cold water, sodas, and beer. The post-fishing cocktail hour is a special time at the lodge, with freshly caught ceviche, handmade empanadas, or warm quesadillas served for appetizers. Dinner is served family and buffet style each evening, with dishes that include fresh seafood, vegetables, braised meats, and traditional soups inspired by the local culture. House-made salsas, fresh guacamole, and warm homemade tortillas are served with every dinner. 

At the outdoor bar, the lodge provides a good selection of complimentary cold Mexican beers, wine, and top-shelf spirits for all guests. There are also proper mixers on hand including Topo Chico mineral water. The menu of spirits includes tequila (blanco, reposado and anejo), mezcal, vodka, bourbon, whiskey, and rum. If you would prefer a particular spirit not included on this list or require something specific, you are more than welcome to bring liquor with you. While all beer and spirits are included in the cost of your package, if you anticipate drinking “larger-than-normal” amounts of beer, the transfer driver will be happy to stop on the way to the water transfer to allow you to stock up on more cases.

Typical Length of Stay
The most common package at The Palometa Club is seven (7) nights and six (6) fishing days, with Fridays being the standard change-over day. Shorter trips of four, five, or six nights may be accommodated on request at certain times of the year.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
While primarily a fishing destination, the areas around Ascension Bay – as well as the bustling village of Punta Allen – do offer some enjoyable non-angling opportunities. Located next to the second-largest reef in the world, snorkeling alongside turtles, rays, sharks, and a myriad of tropical species is always an option. Trips to nearby Mayan ruins as well as area wildlife tours can easily be arranged, as well as trips to the nearby town of Tulum. Exploring the village of Punta Allen, visiting the town center, or taking in an evening soccer or volleyball game allows visitors to soak in the culture of the Yucatan. Palometa Club also has a massage therapist on staff.

Internet / Communications
Cell phones will work in Cancun and Tulum, but cell phones usually will not work once you leave Tulum or during your time at the Palometa Club in Punta Allen. The lodge is equipped with high-speed, wireless Internet access and most guests use internet calling or WhatsApp. 

How To Get There
The Palometa Club operates on a standard Friday-Friday schedule throughout the season, and guests can book international flights into either Cancun (CUN) or to the recently opened international airport in Tulum (TQO). Cancun and Tulum are serviced daily by nearly every airline with multiple flights daily to and from the U.S. There are multiple non-stop flights from Dallas-Ft. Worth and Miami (American Airlines), Houston (United), Atlanta, Salt Lake and Minneapolis (Delta), New York, and many more. Cancun (CUN) offers more flight options than Tulum (TQO) and is still the primary point of entry. Guests are welcome to book flights to Tulum when flight schedules allow, however there are a few stipulations to consider with all connecting transfer logistics, and additional expenses may apply. The lodge can accommodate cohesive groups of 5 or more guests who would prefer to utilize Tulum’s new airport as part of the inclusive transfer packages with no additional charge. Ground transport from Tulum for individuals or smaller groups can be arranged but note that an additional transfer expense will apply. Please contact Yellow Dog for more details. 

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
When booking your commercial flights to/from Cancun (CUN) or Tulum (TQO) there is a schedule that you must adhere to in order to guarantee a safe and timely ground transfer to the lodge and back to the airport in time for your commercial connection home. On your arrival day, please plan to arrive no later than 1:30 PM. If you cannot schedule a flight that gets you to either Cancun or Tulum by 1:30 PM, then it may be necessary to fly in one day early and overnight before transferring to Punta Allen on the lodge’s scheduled arrival day. On departure day at the end of the week, please schedule your flight to depart no earlier than 12:30 PM from either Cancun or Tulum.

Upon arrival into either Cancun or Tulum, a representative from the lodge’s transfer service will be waiting just outside the airport doors to greet you and direct you to your shuttle. From the airport, you will be driven through the town of Tulum. Drive time from the Cancun airport is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes, and from Tulum’s airport roughly 45 minutes. After passing through Tulum, travelers enter the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve and drive only two kilometers before hopping in boats for a smooth one-hour water transfer (in the lee of the Boca Paila Lagoon) to the village of Punta Allen. Because the water transfers have to run during daylight hours, the lodge is very stringent with the recommended arrival and departure times. In case of later arrivals or bad weather, the lodge may have to cancel the water transfer and have guests brought to the lodge entirely by shuttle van which can take between two and three hours, depending on road conditions.

Half Day Fishing Options on Arrival and Departure Days
For those travelers with super early arrivals into Cancun or Tulum, it can be tough to sit around the airport waiting for hours on the rest of the crew to arrive before loading up and heading south. Inversely, those travelers with late afternoon or early evening departures must often spend several hours at the airport before boarding to head home. The layover on the way home is usually the most arduous – especially given that departure times from the Club are usually scheduled for 7:00-7:30 AM in order to take advantage of the water transfers all the way to the Ultima Maya. Guests who have early arrivals or late departures are welcomed to take advantage of a proper half day of guided fishing to minimize downtime at the airport. On arrival days, we can arrange a private driver to provide transport to the Boca Paila Bridge (not the Ultima Maya dock), where guides will be waiting to take you out for a half day of afternoon fishing. On departure days, guests can fish a proper half day in the morning, ending at the Boca Paila bridge where a private driver will be waiting to get you to the airport in time for your afternoon or evening flight. The cost for the extra half day fishing option (with a private transport) is $950 USD total for either one or two anglers.

Documents Required
All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within six months of trip dates. No visas or vaccinations are required for U.S. citizens. There is a Mexican departure tax, although this is almost always included in the cost of your airline ticket. Note that in 2024, the Mexican federal government introduced a mandatory one-week fishing license for all resident and non-resident anglers. The cost of the fishing license is $35 and will be added to your incidental expenses when checking out the end of your lodge week.

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
Ascension Bay is one of the most famous fisheries in the entire world of saltwater fishing – a destination that serves as a right of passage for anglers looking to target the “big three” of the Caribbean. And while Ascension Bay receives a consistent number of anglers and steady amounts of pressure throughout the year, it continues to produce some of the best permit, tarpon and bonefish action in the world. Like any saltwater destination, the Bay delivers epic days, difficult days, and everything in between. The key is to stay focused, fish as many days as you can, and hope for great weather and overall conditions. When the action in Ascension Bay turns on, it is nothing short of incredible.

While the fishing program at Palometa Club of course includes bonefish, tarpon and numerous other species, the focus is very much geared toward permit. Illusive, unpredictable, and downright frustrating at times, permit demand plenty of patience as well as a degree of skill. It is important to remember that these fish are never easy, and chasing the elusive “black-tailed devil” can be challenging. The good news, however, is that the Palometa Club guides are some of the very best in the business when it comes to scouting for fish, reading conditions, and catching permit. The guides work in teams of two per boat, with one guide on the poling platform and the second guide on the bow to assist the angler. With this unique two-guide system, they work in tandem to spot fish, assist with line management, and maximize the potential for finding and hooking up with permit. The benefit of a second guide cannot be oversold! At times – when shallow water opportunities present themselves – one guide and one angler may wade fish while the poling guide and the second angler continue to fish from the boat. This incredibly effective two-guide set-up is a major component of Palometa Club’s success rate. We can tell you from our own experiences of fishing with Palometa Club that the entire guide team is outstanding. All have years of experience on the water, all are incredibly patient and nice, and all are completely proficient in English. The Club rotates guests daily through the guide staff so anglers will have the opportunity to fish with as many as twelve different guides throughout the week.

Along with permit, the waters of Ascension Bay and the nearby Boca Paila Lagoon system are home to impressive numbers of Yucatan bonefish, snook, tarpon, barracuda, jacks, sharks, and several other species. The bonefishing is very dependable throughout the year, and the guides are always happy to include a bonefish session throughout the course of a regular day. The tarpon fishing in Ascension Bay is excellent when it comes to juvenile tarpon, and downright electric when the large migratory tarpon roll through in the spring and summer months. An 11 or 12 wt. rod, strong tippet, and plenty of tarpon flies are all critical when the migratory fish are in the area. 

Boats and Equipment
While all anglers should plan on bringing their own fishing equipment and tackle, the Palometa Club does have an arsenal of rental rods and reels, as well as a basic selection of flies, terminal tackle, and accessories. Since rod and reel set-ups are available on a first-come basis, please let Yellow Dog know in advance if you are planning on using lodge equipment. All anglers should be prepared with a good selection of flies and terminal tackle as well as appropriate clothing, rain jacket, polarized glasses, and wading footwear. Please be sure to follow Yellow Dog’s gear and equipment recommendations from the pre-trip planning materials provided when a trip is booked and confirmed. 

The fishing boats used by the lodge are 23-foot traditional Mexican Pangas that are set up to accommodate two anglers and two guides at a time. While each guide team has a slightly different set-up and layout with their individual panga, all are equipped with 50 horsepower Yamaha outboards, spacious casting decks, tandem passenger seats, Yeti coolers, rod storage for at least six rods, and a poling platform for the guide. The pangas are the ideal boat for running distances in Ascension Bay and Boca Paila Lagoon, as they are designed to not only handle rough seas, but to draft shallow while poling on the flats. All offer plenty of casting space, storage, and lean-bars on the casting deck.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. The rates below are per person, based on double occupancy and quoted in US Dollars. Shorter stays can be accommodated based on availability as long as you either arrive or depart on a Friday or pay an additional transfer fee. The lodge does have a 4-night minimum stay.

2026 Rates
Spring Season: January 16th – June 26th
Summer and Fall Season: July 10th – December 11th

Double Occupancy Rates (Shared Room & Boat)
4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days = $4,000.00
5 Nights / 4 Fishing Days = $4,400.00
6 Nights / 5 Fishing Days = $4,800.00
7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days = $5,250.00

Shared Room / Private Boat
4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days = $5,200.00
5 Nights / 4 Fishing Days = $6,000.00
6 Nights / 5 Fishing Days = $6,800.00
7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days = $7,600.00

Private Room / Shared Boat 
4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days = $5,000.00
5 Nights / 4 Fishing Days = $5,650.00
6 Nights / 5 Fishing Days = $6,300.00
7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days = $6,950.00

Private Room / Private Boat
4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days = $6,550.00
5 Nights / 4 Fishing Days = $7,200.00
6 Nights / 5 Fishing Days = $7,850.00
7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days = $8,500.00

What’s Included:

• Double occupancy accommodations at The Palometa Club
• Guided fishing as specified in your package
• Ground and boat transfers from Cancun or Tulum
• All meals at the lodge
• Packed cooler lunch for all fishing days
• All bottled water, breakfast juices, and coffee
• Full bar with standard spirits, beer, and wine
• Wi-Fi
• All applicable Mexican VAT taxes
• Sian Kaan Biospehere Reserve entrance and park fees
  
  

What’s Not Included:

• International flights to and from Cancun
• Gratuities for guides, lodge staff, and transfer drivers
• Mexican fishing license
• Flies, equipment, and terminal tackle
• Rental equipment (available on site)
• Laundry (available for $10 per load)
  
  

The Palometa Club (Punta Allen – Yucatan Peninsula)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all trip packages and reservations, and final payment if due 90 days prior to arrival. All trip cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. For cancellations outside of 60 from the start of trip, a refund or trip credit will be given minus 10% of the package cost charged by the lodge plus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee. Cancellations inside of 60 days to 30 days from the start of the trip can be refunded or credited minus 50% of the package cost charged by the lodge plus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee. For cancellations inside of 30 days from arrival date, deposits and final payments will be forfeited. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person cancellation fee charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing. Under the threat of a hurricane, Palometa Club will evacuate the lodge or cancel trips if needed, and refunds will not be granted. For this reason, The Palometa club and Yellow Dog Flyfishing strongly recommend that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for your trip. The Palometa Club will not refund payments in the event of a hurricane or poor weather. 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.

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. 

RENTAL ROD & REEL EQUIPMENT 
The Palometa Club has a nice selection of Sage rental fly rods and reels in 8, 9 and 10 weights. Please give advanced notice if you are planning on renting rods and reels from the lodge.
There is a $25 per day fee (per outfit) for rental equipment, as well as a $150 fee if a rod is broken. 

CURRENCY 
The Mexican currency is the Peso. U.S. currency is widely accepted and we recommend not exchanging dollars for pesos. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted all throughout Mexico. Note that ATM machines do not exist in the village of Punta Allen, so we recommend bringing enough cash with you for tips and incidentals. 

TIME ZONE 
The Yucatan Peninsula is aligned with Eastern Standard Time, but no longer used Daylight Savings Time.  

EXTRA EXPENSES & CHECK-OUT FROM THE LODGE 
Any extra charges including fishing licenses, gifts and souvenirs, rod and reel rentals, hats, shirts, Buffs, flies, terminal tackle, and massages will be billed to your room account during your time at the lodge. While cash (US dollars) is the preferred method of payment, Palometa Club can easily process credit cards by emailing you and end-of-week invoice and collecting payment through an on-line portal. Personal checks and traveler’s checks are not accepted. 

FISHING LICENSES 
In the spring oof 2024, the Mexican federal government introduced a mandatory one-week fishing license for all resident and non-resident anglers. The lodge will purchase and provide all guests with a hard copy of this fishing license, which should be carried with you in the boat during each day of fishing. The cost of the federal fishing license is $35 USD, and will be added to your incidental expenses when checking out at the end of your week. 

A FEW NOTES ABOUT WATER TRANSFERS 
Please remember that all guests must schedule arrival into the Cancun or Tulum Airports no later than 1:30 PM. This ensures enough time to get through customs and immigrations and make the drive down to the Ultima Maya boat docks with enough daylight to navigate by boat to the lodge. Delayed travelers or later arrivals should expect to be driven all the way down to Punta Allen. *** Also note that water transfers are sometimes not possible in the event of poor weather or unusually low tides. 

WEATHER 
While there is no weather station on Ascension Bay and the weather can be drastically different from Cancun and Tulum, the best resources for checking local weather in Tulum are with Weather Underground and Wind Guru as follows: 
Weather Underground: https://www.wunderground.com/weather/mx/tulum 
Wind Guru: https://www.windguru.cz/85080

DAILY SCHEDULE AT THE PALOMETA CLUB (FISHING DAYS)

6:00 AM - Coffee is available in the kitchen for early risers. 

7:00 AM – Breakfast is served. Lodge managers will announce the guide rotation and assist with any special needs or requests. 

7:30 AM – Guides gather at the lodge to collect lunch coolers and meet with their anglers for the day. As soon as you are ready, you and your guides are free to load up your boat and head off onto Ascension Bay. Your guide will determine your destination for the day based upon the conditions and what species you want to target. It is not uncommon to run upwards of an hour first thing in the morning to reach good water, which oftentimes results in fishing your way back to the lodge over the course of the day.

12:30 PM – A delicious lunch complete with your choice of beverages is packed in a cooler on board. 

3:30-4:30 PM – Depending on your location, the water and weather conditions, and whether or not you are covered up in fish, your guides will begin heading back to the lodge. It is important to be safely off the Bay before sunset. Upon returning to the lodge, your rods, reels and lines will be rinsed with fresh water and stored safely on the rod racks ready for the next day’s action. 

5:00-6:30 PM – After a shower, join your angling amigos at the outside bar for cocktails and appetizers. 

6:30 PM – A dinner of regional Mexican and Mayan cuisine is served in the dining room.

LATE NIGHT – If you are up for it, there is usually a crowd that gathers outside at the bar for after-dinner drinks, cigars and fishing stories. There is wireless Internet access in the lodge for those who want to bring their own laptops or devices.