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

What makes Chetumal Bay so special

Chetumal Bay’s diverse ecosystem supports an impressive array of gamefish that will test any angler’s skills. So, why haven’t you heard of it? As I mentioned, Chetumal is tucked away in the extreme southeast corner of Mexico, literally just across the border from Belize. (It’s so close, that on my first day of fishing, Carlos suggested we check the settings in our phones, so they didn’t accidentally connect to the network in Belize, and rack up extra roaming fees.) Chetumal is also about about 100 kilometres south of the well-known fishery of Ascension Bay, and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, both of which border on the popular tourist destination of Tulum.

Chetumal isn’t difficult to get to (at least by the standards of the travelling angler), but it is harder to get to than some better-known tropical fishing hot spots. And until recently, few anglers went the extra distance. As a result, the fishing is virtually untouched by sport anglers—an extreme rarity for any tropical fishing locale. In fact, Chetumal was only opened up as a fly fishing destination in the last five years, largely thanks to the trailblazing guide Carlos Godoy, and his Fly Fishing Chetumal service.

In addition, dining and accommodations in Mexico are considerably cheaper than at most other Caribbean destinations, even more so in Chetumal, since it’s well off the beaten tourist path. Add in a fishery that’s relatively unknown, and full-service fly-fishing trips to Chetumal cost much less that they do to other places. In fact, there may be no better deal out there for mixed-species Caribbean fishing.

Many anglers fly directly to Chetumal’s modern regional airport via Mexico City. However, the timing of flights from Canada often means spending a night in Mexcio City, both before and after your connection to Chetumal. Mexico City is a vibrant and welcoming place, so that’s not exactly a hardship for many travellers. But if you’re aiming for efficiency, another option for Canadians is taking one of the many inexpensive flights available to the ever-popular vacation spot of Cancun. From there, you can rent a vehicle, and drive about six hours to Chetumal. For a larger group, this can be less expensive and more convenient. Plus you’ll enjoy better snacks at roadside cantinas than on any plane.

UPDATE: In December of 2024, the new Tren Maya train serving five states in southeastern Mexico added a stop Chetumal. It’s now possible to travel from the Cancun airport to Chetumal via train in about five hours. Fares vary by service class, but average Can$ 40 to $70.