Fly Fishing the Riviera Maya of the Yucatan
The sleepy Mexican fishing village of Punta Allen, known as the permit capital of the world, is the setting for this fantastic fishing Adventure! Located close enough to Cancun to be convenient but far enough away to avoid the crowds, Punta Allen boasts miles of deserted white sand beaches, and the surrounding Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve provides excellent habitat for Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon. We will arrive in Cancun and immediately head South through the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Punta Allen. We will spend seven nights at Ascension Bay Lodge and five full days on the flats fishing from boats with local guides. On our off day, we will complete a community service project, wade fish, and challenge the guides to a game of soccer. We have the entire lodge to ourselves, serving as our base for the week. Huge breakfasts are served each morning, lunch is served on the boat, and we return each evening to appetizers and a delicious dinner. All food and beverage, lodging, and transport to and from Cancun to Punta Allen are included in the trip price. All tips for guides, lodge staff, and shuttle drives are included and paid for by LFFE, so participants do not need to travel with excess cash. Roundtrip airfare to Cancun is not included.
*Returning student and early registration discounts can not be applied to this trip
Upcoming Trips
| Dates | Cost | Arrive/Depart Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 07 - Jun 14, 2025 | $4,495 |
Cancun, Mexico |
- Ages
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Entering 10th GradeEntering 11th GradeEntering 12th GradeEntering College FreshmanCollege Student
- What to Bring
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We have put together a list of all that you will need for a successful and comfortable expedition. We offer a rental program for most of the big ticket items like fly rods, reels, sleeping bags, etc.. If you are already enrolled, you can rent gear by logging into your account at: https://lillard.campintouch.com/v2/login/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f and navigating to Forms & Documents —> Rental Options.
- Visit Mayan ruins
- Go for the Caribbean Grand Slam
- Experience Mexican culture and cuisine
Day 1
Arrive in Cancun, catch our transport to Punta Allen and the Ascension Bay Lodge.
Day 2 - 5
Saltwater Fly Fishing with local guides in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
Day 6
Community service project in Punta Allen followed by a boat ride to a nearby flat for a sunset wade fishing session and a final banquet dinner.
Day 7
Drive from Punta Allen to Cancun, depart back home from Cancun.
HOW, WHERE, AND WHEN DO PARTICIPANTS MEET THEIR GROUP?
NEW for 2024! The Ascension Bay Expedition now has two options for arrival/departure. Your LFFE guide will fly down the day before the trip starts and home the day after. They will meet you at the airport when you arrive and help you check in on departure day. As in years past, participants can arrive and depart from Cancun. It is very important that participants book flights that arrive in Cancun before 2 pm on arrival day and depart from Cancun after 2 pm on departure day. New for 2024, we can meet participants flying into the new Tulum International Airport. This makes for a much shorter van ride to meet our boat to Punta Allen, so flight times are a little more flexible. Please be sure to book flights that arrive in Tulum before 5 pm on arrival day and depart from Tulum after 11 pm on departure day. After gathering the group, we will load into the shuttle to meet our guides inside the Sian Ka'an Biosphere for our boat ride to Ascension Bay Lodge in Punta Allen.
Do I need to have fly fishing experience?
Saltwater fly fishing presents many unique challenges. Participants will benefit from some fly-casting experience. Beginner anglers will focus on Bonefish. More experienced anglers looking to chase tarpon and permit should be prepared to make accurate 30ft+ casts in windy conditions. Some time spent practicing with an 8 or 10-weight rod is encouraged.
Do I need my own fishing equipment?
Students are responsible for their own fly rod, reel, line, and a few other personal fishing items. Please contact us for a full packing list. Don’t have your own gear? Not a problem. We have top-quality Orvis rods and reels available to rent.
What other equipment will I need?
Not much! You should be able to pack everything you need for the trip into a carry-on bag. Review the packing list to be sure you don't forget anything.
Our two teenaged boys love the Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions! My wife and I have been very impressed with the management. If you have a child that is into fishing and the outdoors, I highly recommend Lillard Fly Fishing.This is a top notch program. Our two boys look forward to it every summer!
-Randy
