• Language & communication: Most guides at Tarpon Town Lodge speak limited English and use standard fishing terms and hand signals. Owner Raul Castaneda is bilingual and helps with translation when needed.

• Local expertise: The guides are local Campechanos with in-depth knowledge of the mangroves and brackish waters, tides, and tarpon patterns.

• Skilled guide team: Raul and his experienced crew rotate throughout trips, offering varied techniques and local insight.

• Fly fishing focus: At Tarpon Town Lodge, fly fishing is the primary method, centered on sight casting to baby tarpon along mangroves and shallow creeks. The clear, shallow water provides frequent shots at visible fish and steady action throughout the day.

• Spinning/light tackle: Spinning gear is also welcome and effective. Guides are comfortable with conventional tackle, using light setups and lures to target tarpon as well as barracuda, jacks, and snapper, making it a good option for anglers who prefer or want to mix techniques.

• Tarpon – the main attraction, especially baby and juvenile fish in the 5–30 lb class

• Barracuda – aggressive and common around the mangrove edges

• Snook – present in smaller numbers but a prized catch

• Jacks – hard-fighting fish often encountered in open water and channels

• Snapper – various species found around structure and mangroves

The fishery is best known for consistent baby tarpon action, but the variety of species adds steady opportunities and mixed-bag days on the water.

The lodge is a beautifully restored colonial home located in the heart of historic San Francisco de Campeche, just steps from local restaurants and the central plaza.

It offers three comfortable double rooms accommodating up to six guests. Each room comes with two full-size beds, a private bathroom with hot and cold water, and a spacious shower.

Guests enjoy modern amenities including high-speed Wi‑Fi, 4K Fire Stick TVs, and Alexa Echo devices, providing both entertainment and seamless connectivity during your stay.

Fishing Seasons Overview

• First Period (May–October): The rainy season brings freshwater into the Gulf of Mexico. Winds are generally low, and temperatures range from 85–100 °F. Fish are most active along the shore during early morning and late afternoon, providing excellent sight-casting opportunities.

• Second Period (November–December): This transitional period into winter features mostly steady weather with occasional slow-moving cold fronts. Juvenile tarpon form large schools chasing pinfish near offshore banks, with peak activity often in the middle of the day.

• Third Period (January–April): Ideal for travelers escaping colder climates. Bigger juvenile tarpon and large schools make this a favorite for returning anglers. Weather can be unpredictable, so guides adjust plans according to current conditions to maximize fishing opportunities.

2026 Rates:

Season:  Year-round fishery.
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
Two anglers per room, boat, and airport rides
$5,100.00 per person
One angler per room, boat, and airport rides
$6,550.00 per person

6-nights and 5-days guided fishing
Two anglers per room, boat, and airport rides
$4,550.00 per person
One angler per room, boat, and airport rides
$5,950.00 per person

5-nights and 4-days guided fishing
Two anglers per room, boat, and airport rides
$3,850.00 per person
One angler per room, boat, and airport rides
$4,950.00 per person

4-nights and 3-days guided fishing
Two anglers per room, boat, and airport rides
$3,100.00 per person
One angler per room, boat, and airport rides
$4,400.00 per person

Non-Angler Companion

A $250 per night fee applies when a non-angler accompanies an angler, as angler rates are based on fishing occupancy.

• Double Occupancy Example: If two anglers book 4 days and 5 nights and one brings a non-angler companion, the first angler pays the standard double-occupancy rate, while the second pays double occupancy plus $1,250. This ensures a private room for the couple, and the other angler has their own room.

• Single Occupancy Example: A single-occupancy angler traveling with a non-angler companion adds $150 per night for the companion.

Non-Angler Companion Package Includes:

• Lodging

• Breakfast

• Airport transportation with a matched angler companion

• Taxes

Optional Activities for Non-Anglers:
The lodge can arrange additional experiences such as:

• Poolside massages

• Tours of nearby Mayan ruins

• Museum visits and city tours

• Private Spanish or Mayan cooking classes

This allows non-anglers to enjoy a comfortable, engaging stay even while the anglers are on the water.

Fly Fishing Gear

• Line: Floating weight-forward (WF) lines are standard; for varied conditions, a sinking tip or slow-sinking line works well.

• Rods: 8–10 wt, four-piece fast-action rods are ideal.

• Leader & Tippet: 20 lb monofilament leader with 40 lb fluorocarbon tippet, or 9 ft tapered leaders ending in #40 bite tippet.

• Backing: Minimum 100 yards required to handle strong runs.

• Flies: Classic tarpon patterns such as seaducers, minnows, cockroaches, gurglers, EPs, bunnies, the Stu Tarpon Fly, or Gary Merriman’s Tarpon Toad. Keep flies under 3 inches.

Spinning / Light Tackle

• Line: 8–12 lb test, using monofilament, braid, or nanofil lines.

• Rods: Light spinning rods 6’6″–8’0″, medium to heavy action; multi-piece rods are convenient for travel.

• Leader: Monofilament leaders around #40; wire leaders for barracuda.

• Flies: Classic tarpon patterns for sight fishing can complement light spinning setups in shallow water (optional).

• Lures: 1/8–1/4 oz. marabou or bucktail jigs, leadheads with soft plastics like shads or tailed grubs in bright and dark colors.

• DOA Lures: Lightest versions of the Terror-eyz series are effective.

• Hardbaits: 3–4 inch poppers or surfwalkers with single hooks; any reputable brand works.

Tarpon Town Lodge hosts up to six anglers per week at the Colonial Lodge, with three double rooms available, each comfortably sleeping two guests.

21–23 ft pangas powered by 60–90 HP outboard motors, with a stable casting deck and seating for two anglers plus a guide.

Air Travel Options

San Francisco de Campeche (CPE) has a small international airport, but direct flights from the U.S. are limited, usually requiring a connection through Mexico City. A more convenient option is flying into Mérida (MID), which offers regular direct flights from major U.S. hubs such as Houston, Miami, Dallas, and Atlanta.

‍ ‍Transfers to the Lodge

A Tarpon Town representative will meet you at the airport and drive you to the lodge—a scenic 2.5-hour journey. Solo travelers or single anglers should note there is a $350 roundtrip charge for the ground transfer between Mérida and Campeche.

‍ ‍Additional Travel Notes

Many anglers prefer flying into Mérida due to more flight options and better pricing, especially during peak fishing season. Whether using the lodge’s transfer service or arranging your own ride, the route between Mérida and Campeche is straightforward, safe, and scenic.

THE PACKAGES INCLUDE:

• Ground transfers between the airport and the Lodge
  (MID and CPE; surcharge applies for CUN)
• Lodge accommodations
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• Welcome seafood dinner
• Breakfast at the Lodge
• Lunch on the boat
• Beer, wine, and hard liquor at the Lodge
• Guided fishing
• Daily lunch on the boat
• A cooler on the boat with water, soda, beer, and snacks
• Fishing license
• Use of satellite phone, if needed
• Los Petenes Reserve entrance and usage fee
• Sales tax on the package.

PACKAGES DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Airfare
• Single-occupancy ground transfers between Mérida (MID) and the Lodge ($275 one-way)
• Fishing equipment
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Lunches for non-anglers
• Dinners are not included (except for the welcome dinner)
• Eco-tours or other non-angling activities
• Departure tax, $65
• Global Rescue coverage
• Travel insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions. description