Fishing

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—the Radisson's marina is being rebuilt after Hurricane Earl destroyed it in 2016—and there is also the Cucumber Marina at Old Belize, the city's best. Local fishing-guide services and lodges operate near the city. The oldest continuously operating fishing lodge, Belize River Lodge, is located near Belize City. Fishing licenses are now required for all but pier and shore fishing. Your fishing charter company can arrange them for you.

Belize River Lodge. Owned by Mike Heusner and Marguerite Miles, Belize River Lodge is the oldest continuously operating fishing lodge in Belize. The original lodge, basic but with air-conditioning and good food, is on the Belize River near Belize City. It also has an outpost at Long Caye near Caye Chapel for closer access to tarpon, bonefish, jacks, and barracuda inside the reef. Three-night, two-day river fishing trips with lodging, meals, guides, skiff, and transfers start at BZ$3,100 per person, based on four people. Five-night, four-day fishing trips from the Long Caye outpost start at BZ$5,600 per person, based on four persons. Belize Old River, Belize City, Belize District. 225/2002; 888/275–4843; www.belizeriverlodge.com.