Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page

The Hotel

The Tides Beach resort is at the north end of San Pedro, a fishing village just trying to make it into the modern world.   There is a nice mix of shops a with an internet cafe, some swim suit shops, a jeweler or two, some hotels, markets, bakeries and of course restaraunts and bars. There is no pavement and most people get around on golf carts or bicycles ( although there are a few cars in town.  The Tides was a dream of Patojo and Sabrina, the husband and wife team that owns and operates the hotel.  It has a English Colonial Feeling that fits right into the town as if it has always been there.   Patajo is a diver by trade and runs the dive center which is on the pier in front of the hotel. There are twelve rooms on three floors and all of them face the Caribbean. 

Each room has two double beds ( a king size is availalbe on request) a full bathroom, refrigerator and views of the Caribbean breaking over the reef.  Air conditioning is avialbale in 6 of the rooms so be sure to request it if you like it.

  
Lisa likes the cieling fans better but I prefer the A/C.  No TV or phones in the rooms but calls can be made through the office.  There is internet access in town just a few blocks away.  For those who want to adventure to the north side of the island you can rent a bike or walk.  Ther is a hand pulled ferry to get you across the river that runs between the north and the south side.  You can walk the beach up there at high tide and expect to see some bonefish on the shelf that is flodded at high tide.  You can also venture onto the lagoon side with a few access points that hold bonefish within wading distance.

The Tides is a unique trip for budget minded travelers where we match up a fine hotel in the town of San Pedro with the best guides on the island. You get the flight to the island, great lodging, the best guides but meals are not included in these packages because of the plentiful supply of markets, bakeries and restaurants in town. This saves quite a bit of money. For example, Lisa and I like to grab something from the bakery in the morning for breakfast along with some coffee. The night before I'll usually pick up something at the market for lunch like sandwiches and   fruit and lots of water and stash it in the fridge in the room. ( The guide will have a cooler with him).  For dinner we splurge and go out to one of the bars or restaurants in town , there are 6 or so that are well worth it.  You can even head out to restaurants like Capricorn, Rendezvous or Sundiver or Portofino on the north end of the island by using the water taxi service. It runs about $10 round trip.  Even with the splurging for dinner we usually are well fed for about $20-30 a day each.

The trip begins in Belize City where you will board a small plane for your flight to the town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. Here you will grab a taxi to the Tides Beach Resort .  After checking in you have plenty of free time to explore the beach and the rest of the town.  You will meet the manager of the tides ( if not the owners Sabrina and Patajo) and they will let you know what time to meet the guide in the morning.  He will be at the hotels dock usually around 8 or so.  After that you can set the time with the guide each night when he drops you off.

The Mexican style Pangas and English speaking guides will put you onto fish quickly as the flats are actually closer from this location than any of the other lodges!  About 50% of the flats are hard and pretty easy to wade. Some areas on the lagoon side are  wadeable while others are best fished from the boat with the guide poling in search of fish.  It is a perfect place for beginners to get the hang of flyfishing for bonefish.  There are lots of fish in this area of Belize and not many have seen a fly before.  If you can cast 30-40 feet you will catch bonefish here. If you can't cast that far the patient guides will help!

The nice part about this area of Belize (besides your family thinking you are not such a bad person after all) is the mix of fish available year round.  Unlike the Bahamas or Florida Belize is far enough south that even during cold fronts, the flats stay warm enough to hold fish.  Having Tarpon, bonefish and permit available year round is a very unique part of this destination. If there is an ideal place for a grand slam 365 days a year it is Belize.

Each boat carries a guide and two anglers.  Remember on this trip you are not provided with lunch so make sure you are prepared with food and water!!

For the diving guest the routine is pretty much the same except you will head out for the days dive right after breakfast.  Patajo has the best dive center on the island and will take good care of you. The second largest barrier reef in the world and the finest dive facility and staff in Belize await you.  With the reef 100 yards from your room we are the logical choice for your diving vacation.  Beginners through expert will appreciate the diversity of the sites and the quality of  guides and instructors.

If you don't want to dive or fish everyday you can just enjoy a leisurely vacation relaxing on the beach or exploring the island.   There are bicycles and golf carts for rent if you feel like going a bit further.   The Tides can also arrange any day trip like snorkeling, diving or any of the many different tours we have on Ambergris Caye.

 
Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page

PO BOX 180446  BOSTON  MA 02118
Phone: 888-857-6700  
Fax: 617-427-7890
ed@flyfishingheaven.com