Fly fishing
Fly fishing in Mexico: Holbox, Ascension Bay and where to stay
Summer tarpon off Holbox, permit in Ascension Bay and bonefish on the flats at Isla Blanca. The places and the hotels for fly fishing on the Yucatán Peninsula.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
Holbox has no ordinary cars. The streets are sand, people get around by golf cart, and the ferry from Chiquilá takes about half an hour across the lagoon. In summer, tarpon move along the coast north and east of the island, rolling on the surface in the early morning where the guides are waiting.
Holbox is only one of three places to fly fish on the Yucatán. Further south, inside the Sian Ka'an nature reserve, Ascension Bay draws anglers above all for permit. And just north of Cancún, Isla Blanca has flats with bonefish and permit, a short drive from the airport.
In short
For tarpon, stay on Holbox between May and September. For permit, Ascension Bay is the place, with the fishing village of Punta Allen as your base. With only a couple of days, Isla Blanca north of Cancún is the easiest option. Mexico requires a sport fishing licence, which guides usually arrange.
Our first choice: Casa Las Tortugas on Holbox. A small beach hotel close to the village, with a short walk to the boats.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Casa Las Tortugas
Holbox: summer tarpon
Guides run out towards Cabo Catoche, the north-eastern tip of the peninsula, or fish the lagoon behind the island. The season lasts from May to September. The fish often feed in open water, so casts are long and the wind decides a lot.
Whale sharks arrive in the waters offshore from June to September. Many anglers swap one fishing day for a whale shark trip.
Ascension Bay: permit in Sian Ka'an
The bay lies within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its wide, shallow flats hold permit and bonefish, with tarpon in the channels, and many fly anglers come hoping for a grand slam in a single day. Punta Allen, the only village, sits at the end of a long dirt road from Tulum. Allow several hours by car.
Most anglers here stay at fishing lodges sold as packages. If you would rather book a hotel and hire a guide yourself, Punta Allen is where to do it.
Isla Blanca: closest to Cancún
Isla Blanca is a narrow peninsula north of Cancún, with a lagoon on the inside and shallow flats where guides scan for bonefish and permit. It is under an hour from the airport. It suits anglers who want a day or two of fishing within an ordinary Mexico holiday.
Playa Mujeres
Playa Mujeres lies next to Isla Blanca, where guides look for bonefish and permit on the flats inside the peninsula. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Hotels on Holbox
Casa Las Tortugas
A small beach hotel with a spa and a thatched palapa over the rooftop terrace, looking north across the water. Breakfast is included, and the village restaurants are close by.
Best for couples, and for anyone who wants both the boat and dinner within a short walk.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Casa Las Tortugas
Punta Caliza
Punta Caliza is a small hotel with wood and thatch rooms around an outdoor pool. Breakfast is included, and the beach is a few minutes on foot.
A calm choice when your days start before sunrise.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Punta Caliza
Nômade Temple Holbox
Nômade is built with curved roofs and open pavilions facing the beach. It feels more like a retreat than a resort, with a pool and breakfast included.
Best for anglers who want quiet and striking architecture between fishing days.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Nômade Temple Holbox
Hotel Villas Flamingos
The thatched villas sit right on the beach, a little outside the village. Breakfast is included, and a golf cart gets you into town in a few minutes.
Best for waking up with the sea outside the door.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Villas Flamingos
Ser Casasandra
A boutique hotel with a pool and two bars. It is small and personal, and the beach is a few minutes away.
Best for couples who want more than a place to sleep between trips out.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Ser Casasandra
Mystique Holbox by Royalton
Mystique is a beachfront resort in Marriott's Tribute Portfolio, with two restaurants. It brings full service to an island without ordinary cars.
Best for families, and for anglers who want resort comfort between outings.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Mystique Holbox
Hotels in Punta Allen
Hotel Cielo y Selva
A simple hotel in the fishing village, with a pool and rain showers in every room. The harbour where the guide boats tie up is a short walk away. The hotel closes in autumn, in 2026 from mid-September to early December.
Best for fishing Ascension Bay independently rather than on a lodge package.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Cielo y Selva
Hotels near Isla Blanca
Atelier Playa Mujeres
An adults-only, all-inclusive resort at Playa Mujeres, with a landscape of pools and a golf course next door. The guides on Isla Blanca are a short drive away.
Best for couples who want to fish one day and rest the next.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Atelier Playa Mujeres
Tips before you go
Licence: Mexico requires a sport fishing licence, even for catch and release. Ask your guide whether it is included.
Holbox: The ferry leaves from Chiquilá, about two and a half hours by car from Cancún. Your car stays on the mainland.
Punta Allen: The road from Tulum is rough and can be poor after rain. Drive in daylight.
Hurricane season: It runs from June to November. Choose a refundable rate.
Frequently asked questions
When is tarpon season on Holbox?
Tarpon season on Holbox runs from May to September, with fish present right through the summer. They move along the coast towards Cabo Catoche and into the lagoon behind the island. The same summer brings whale sharks, which arrive from June.
Where is the best permit fishing in Mexico?
Ascension Bay in the Sian Ka'an reserve is Mexico's best-known place for permit on the fly. The bay has large, shallow flats with permit and bonefish. Isla Blanca, north of Cancún, also has permit and is far easier to reach.
Do you need a fishing licence in Mexico?
Yes. Mexico requires a sport fishing licence for all fishing from a boat, including catch and release. You can buy one online, but guides usually sort it out for you. Ask when you book the trip.
How do you get to Holbox?
Drive or take a bus from Cancún to Chiquilá, a trip of about two and a half hours. From there the ferry crosses to Holbox in around half an hour. Small planes also fly to the island from Cancún.