Mexico’s Chetumal Bay has the best saltwater fly fishing you’ve never heard of. Here’s why it’s a hidden gem

Gateway to adventure: Chetumal city and the bay

Nestled along Mexico’s southern Caribbean coast, Chetumal Bay is a vast expanse of shallow water spanning over 700 square kilometres,  straddling the border between Mexico and Belize. The city of Chetumal, capital of the state of Quintana Roo, serves as the perfect base for anglers exploring these pristine waters. Despite being a bustling administrative centre with around 150,000 residents, Chetumal has never been a major destination for beach-seeking tourists, and retains a laid-back Mexi-Caribbean vibe. Waterfront restaurants serve fresh seafood, colonial-era architecture dots the downtown area and the recently renovated malecón (waterfront promenade) provides pleasant views of the bay that you’ll be fishing.