Boca Paila Lodge

One of the oldest established fishing lodges in the Mexican Yucatan is Boca Paila Lodge.

It was founded in 1964, by the Gonzales family and has built a rock-solid reputation as a great destination for bonefish and permit fishing and a comfortable lodge on one of the most beautiful beaches on the Yucatan's Caribbean coast. Actually, the fishing has been better, there, in the last ten years that the ten years previous to that, thanks to enforced commercial fishing restrictions in Boca Paila and other conservation efforts within the Sian Ka'an Bioshpere.

It is only a 2 1/2 hour drive south of Cancun on the way to Punta Allen down the famous

peninsula coastal road south of Tulum. It is only 30 miles from Tulum to the tip, but in the not too distant past it was 3-4 hours of BAD road; especially after a torrential rainstorm. Now, the road is still not good but way better than the old one. Gone is the heart stopping passage over the old wooden bridge precariously spanning the main ingress and egress of saltwater for Boca Paila. Too many critical boards were missing on the bridge to make a carefree blind crossing. Someone had to be outside and in front of the car giving directions. Some of the adventure is gone from the journey, but it is replaced by peace of mind and shorter time spent on the road.

Reservations & Rates

Making a reservation is easy.

Package Cost:
The cost of the 7 Night/6 Day Boca Paila Lodge package is $3100 per person (double occupancy).

• Non-fishing rates and shorter itineraries are available upon request.

Inclusions:
Your angling package at Boca Paila Lodge includes accommodations, all meals, guided fishing, and transfer to/from Cancun.

Non-Inclusions:
Not included in your Boca Paila Lodge package are commercial air transportation (as required by itinerary from point of origin through return), alcoholic beverages, soft drinks or mineral water, gratuities (boat and lodge), baggage overweight charges, sight-

seeing for non-fishermen, costs for itinerary modifications, or Mexican VAT on drinks, transfers during any time other than scheduled. Any additional expenses incurred are payable by cash, traveler's check, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

Travel Insurance:
The Fly Shop® is not in the insurance business, but we offer the Great Outdoors Travel Insurance Plan by Travel Guard coverage as a service with a desire to see your best interests protected. It is impossible to know when an unfortunate situation (loss of luggage, fly rods, illness in the family, or an accident) may occur. However, such things can and do happen, and this insurance can provide a means of recourse against non-refundable financial losses. Great Outdoors Travel Insurance Plan by Travel Guard

Seasons at Boca Paila Lodge

You've decided that Boca Paila is the place for you, so now to plan for the best dates.

This depends upon when you can travel, what you want to get out of this trip (escape the winter blues, spring getaway, best fishing times, best weather etc.) The best time to be at Boca Paila is; "Whenever you can get there." The weather will make all of the difference in the fishing. It is just as likely to be great bonefishing in February as it is in May if there is a strong high pressure system over the Yucatan and the temperatures are in the low 80's with cloudless skies. If a cold front moves in while you are there in the winter time, then you may not have as good fishing for a day or two as later in the warmer spring months of March, April and May, but a cold front at Boca

Paila in February is better than shoveling snow back home in Michigan or any of the northern states.

By all means, consider a winter trip to Boca Paila. If you want to go during the safest (and most popular) time between March and the end of May, you should look at booking early to assure yourself of good dates. Excellent fishing is available during the summer and fall, but the weather is a little hotter than in the springtime and the chance of a hurricane is present. The upside of this season is that there are fewer anglers on the water and more fish in the water to bite your fly.

Getting To Boca Paila Lodge

You will need to get from your home to Cancun on your arrival day before 3:00 PM to get to the lodge on the same day.

The normal turn-around days for Boca Paila are Sundays. Transfers between the airport and the lodge on Sundays are part of your package price. Arrivals or departures on any other day are OK but will have to be approved and there will be a private transfer charge (approx. $260 per vehicle each way). After exiting the customs area of the airport, continue outside and you will see the transfer driver with a "Boca Paila" sign. The van is comfortable and airconditioned and will make your 2 � hour ride as comfortable and safe as possible. It is possible you will have to wait at the airport for other Boca Paila guests to arrive since high cost of transfer vehicles and drivers dictate using them for 5 � 8 passengers for each transfer. The wait is usually not very long and

there are comfortable areas to wait like the "Meeting Place" caf� just outside the airport doors as one exits the terminal. Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be greeted by the manager and staff. The lodge has a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Don't hesitate to ask about any problems or concerns. They are there to make your stay as comfortable, fun and safe as possible.

On your departure, schedule your flight out of Cancun for after 12:00 Noon, to allow enough time to drive from the lodge and to check in at the airport. There is no fishing on your day of departure. Because of time restrictions it is not possible to stop at Tulum en route to the airport.

Lodging at Boca Paila Lodge

The lodge was founded by the Gonzales family in the 60's and has been in the family since building a reputation as a destination with superb fishing, beautiful location, wonderful meals and out-of-this-world Margaritas.

The original owners and family still manage and staff the lodge. Guests stay in very comfortable, clean and airconditioned beach-front cabanas. Wireless internet and phone service is available in every room. Each cabana is just steps away from the Caribbean Sea and on one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the Mexican Yucatan. One can choose to sleep by controlled air conditioning or opening up the screened window to let the sea breezes in to provide a cool over-night sleep listening to the ocean waves on the beach. All of the water used for cooking, ice and for drinking water furnished in the rooms is purified. Bottled water is available if you prefer it for drinking.

All rooms have private bathrooms with hot and cold water, have daily maid service and

air-conditioning.

There is space for 18 guests at one time making it one of the best places in that part of the world to host a family, group or business gathering to enjoy the flats fishing as well as non fishing activities. Non-anglers can enjoy, sea kayaks, beach hiking, snorkeling, nature tours, Mayan tours, Kite surfing,. Some of these activities require an additional fee to the package price. Just ask us for a quote.

The meals and drinks are found in the main lodge area within easy walking distance of the cabanas. It, too, is air conditioned and keeps a cool atmosphere inside. Or, if you prefer outside air and sounds, there is a large outside area to relax, visit and sip a cool drink. A tab is kept at the bar to be settled at the end of your stay.

The Fishing at Boca Paila Lodge

Start your day off with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, coffee, some fruit and an omelet with toast or something a little lighter.

Either way the kitchen is open at 6:30 AM for breakfast. After which, your guide will be waiting for you at the dock on the lagoon side of the peninsula; a very short walk from your cabana. Lunch is packed in the ice chest with drinks or, after discussing it with your guide the night before, you can return to the lodge for lunch. If you prefer not to cut into your fishing time, plan to have lunch on the water in the boat.Guests fish from 16' Dolphin Skiffs powered by 40 HP Yamahas. Most of the boats have a leaning post mounted on the fore deck for easier casting and fishing from the bow. If you prefer to target one kind of fish, be sure to let the guide know so you can discuss the possibilities. He'll want to know so he can plan the best way to accomplish your goals. Boca Paila is home to all four of the "Slam" fishes of the Yucatan; bonefish, permit, tarpon and snook. Bonefish and Permit are numerous and are the preferred fish at Boca Paila. They are around all year long. Tarpon and snook are present, also, but can be more difficult to find, depending upon the wind, weather and season (they are more numerous in the summer and fall). If either of these two fish is on your list, be sure to discuss this with us first and with your guide when you get there to give you the best chances of success.

As a rule, anglers fish with the same guide for the week. The local Mayan guides are

experienced but may not speak English well. Be sure to discuss any issues, special requests, or expectations with the lodge manager. It is a perfect place for novice as well as experienced fly fishers. Everyone should have plenty of shots at bonefish swimming as singles, doubles or maybe in small schools of a half dozen fish or so. Lots of action!

The fishing takes place between 8 am and 4 pm to take best advantage of the sun's angle on the water so guide and angler alike have the best chances of sighting the fish before casting. Before 8 and after 4, the angle of the sun makes it difficult to see beneath the water's surface. So, anglers are back at the lodge around 4 � 4:30 pm, in time to get cleaned up and join others at the bar for cocktail hour and snacks before dinner at 7:00 PM. Dinners are mostly of Mayan and Mexican cuisine specializing in fresh seafood.

For non-anglers, there are on-premise activities of snorkeling, kayaking, kite surfing (there is a fee for kite surfing lessons), beach hiking, relaxing at the beach or one can sign up for a Mayan Ruin tour (fee required) or wildlife viewing. Just let us know ahead of time when booking your space or talk to the lodge manager when you arrive at the lodge to see what activities are available during your stay.

Making Reservations to Boca Paila Lodge

To make a reservation, please give us a call at 800-669-3474 during business hours any day of the week. We can give you the answers you need, detailed explanations to questions you might have, or check on availability and confirm your reservation in minutes.

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Reservations & Rates

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Getting To Boca Paila Lodge

Lodging at Boca Paila Lodge

The Fishing at Boca Paila Lodge

Making Reservations to Boca Paila Lodge

Signature Destinations

Freshwater Destinations

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Weather Forecast | Weather Maps

Saltwater Destinations

Pages

Links

Social

Hours

Tweets from Chris

SignatureDestinations

FreshwaterRegions

SaltwaterRegions

TargetedSpecies

TravelLinks

Flip-Page Winter Travel Planner

Catalog Departments

Flip-Page Catalog

Guided Waters

Shane Kohlbeck

Private Fisheries

Shane Kohlbeck

Schools

Kidscamps

Boca Paila Lodge

Reservations & Rates

Seasons at Boca Paila Lodge

Getting To Boca Paila Lodge

Lodging at Boca Paila Lodge

The Fishing at Boca Paila Lodge

Making Reservations to Boca Paila Lodge

Signature Destinations

Freshwater Destinations

Saltwater Destinations

Targeted Species

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps

Saltwater Destinations

Pages

Links

Social

Hours

Tweets from Chris

Signature
Destinations

Freshwater
Regions

Saltwater
Regions

Targeted
Species

Travel
Links