Fishing in Belize City

If you're a serious angler, you'll likely end up in Placencia, Punta Gorda, or even San Pedro, but you can arrange fishing charters from Belize City. Both the Radisson Fort George and the Princess Hotel & Casino have marinas, and local fishing guide services and lodges operate near the city.

Action Belize (Mile 3½, Northern Hwy. 223/2987; 888/383-6319 in the U.S. www.actionbelize.com) has 23-, 25-, and 27-foot boats and fishing guides that will take you out on the Belize River to try your luck with snook, cubera, and tarpon for BZ$240-BZ$800 per person for a full day, depending on the number of anglers.

Belize River Lodge (Box 459, Belize City, Ladyville. 225/2002. www.belizeriverlodge.com) is the oldest continuously operating fishing lodge in Belize. Six-night fishing cruises on a 52-foot Chris Craft, with lodging, meals, guides, and transfers, start at about BZ$6,060 per person, based on four people.

Sea Sports Belize (83 N. Front St. 223/5505. www.seasportsbelize.com) has five- to six-hour deep-sea fishing trips for BZ$1,430 for up to four people, and reef fishing for BZ$1,120. Flats and river fishing expeditions for up to three people cost around BZ$825 for three to five hours of fishing.