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El Pescador Lodge & Villas El Pescador, award winning since 1974, is the premier saltwater flats fishing destination in Belize, specializing in bonefish, tarpon, and permit. Located on 1.5 private beachfront acres on Ambergris Caye, the resort offers colonial-style lodge rooms and luxury 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom beachfront villas, all with stunning Caribbean views. Guests enjoy complimentary use of 50 Orvis Helios rods, unmatched fishing adventures, and eco-experiences like scuba diving, snorkeling, and Maya explorations. Proudly eco-conscious, El Pescador offsets carbon emissions for guest flights through contributions to local conservation initiatives. Perfect for anglers, couples, families, and groups, El Pescador combines world-class fishing with authentic Belizean hospitality and adventures, just steps from the world’s largest living barrier reef.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Harbor View
Marina View
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
2.6 Miles North, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye Belize
El Pescador Resort
4.8 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We returned to El Pescador to a warm welcome by the staff who once again embraced us as family. The staff delivers unsurpassed customer service with genuine kindness and warmth. The rooms are well appointed, the food delicious and the fishing guides always put us on fish, and provided pointers along the way which was helpful to me as a less experienced fisherman. Although we didn’t use any of the pools, they were certainly inviting. We look forward to our next visit, only next time we will stay longer.
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:The breakfast burrito and fresh fruit is the best way to start a day on the water!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Caparella, Owner at El Pescador Resort
Responded 5 days ago
It was wonderful to welcome you back to El Pescador! Our team truly enjoys making each guest feel like part of the family, and we’re delighted that you felt that warmth once again. We love hearing that your guides helped enhance your fishing experience, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to them. Next time, we agree—you should definitely stay longer! We can’t wait to see you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Went to El Pescador Resort at the recommendation of Orvis. The staff were always very friendly and helpful. The food was well made, and they accommodated dietary restrictions without issues. The housing was neat and comfortable; it was cleaned daily and the laundry was collected and returned without a snag. They were working on the main pool area at the time which brought with it inconveniences (e.g., noise pollution with hammering and sawing at times). We moved to the other two pools on the premises. Fishing was fun and challenging. We had one guide (2 days) that was not the best. He seemed withdrawn and disengaged at times. However, we all felt the other guide was outstanding (Nestor). We all highly recommend Nestor. He was patient, a great instructor, and he made the whole experience both fun and educational. I really enjoyed El Pescador and would certainly consider going back.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:It can get very hot so take all precautions against the sun. Also, there were some very windy...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were looking for a place to fish with reasonable accommodations for a non-fishing person as well. After checking out reviews, we decided on El Pescador for 3 days of fishing and nights lodging. What a great find this place is for anything you may want to do in San Pedro. Our guide for the 3 days was Michael and we couldn't have been more pleased. He worked very hard at getting us fish and we caught many bonefish and several permit. We had several tarpon hooked up but failed to get them to the boat.
One of the things that make this place so special is the staff. They work so hard at making your visit a very enjoyable experience from the time you're picked up at the airport until they drop you off.
While we expected good food, we didn't expect how outstanding every meal was prepared. They have a great chef with wonderful servers and we throughly enjoyed every meal.
El Pescador operates a first class resort with wonderful fishing and is worth your time if you're looking for a place to do flats fishing with great accommodations.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Caparella, Owner at El Pescador Resort
Responded Feb 18, 2024
Greetings Terry! Thank you for taking the time to write this note. Our family are thrilled to hear you appreciated them and their efforts. Chef Lupo is also grateful for your comments. Let us know when you plan to visit again. Best Regards,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hospitality is unmatched! Spent 4 fantastic days at El Pescador and it couldn’t have been a better experience. The staff takes great pride in calling you by name and making you feel like you are their only guest. The food was incredible and the bar/pool area was an amazing place to kill time with friends.
They also hosted the first annual Nashville Singer Songwriter event, which exceeded all expectations! Three of Nashville’s great songwriters performed some of their biggest hits and shared the stories behind the songs from artists like Riley Green, Gary Allan, Brad Paisley, and Luke Combs. All of this in a tropical paradise setting that was magical.
Not to be forgotten was the fishing. From mangroves to coastal islands and miles of flats made for some epic moments. The fishing guides are knowledgeable and dedicated to putting you on some fish. Nestor is a gem and highly recommended.
Already looking forward to my next trip, thank you to the El Pescador family for an unforgettable stay!
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Caparella, Owner at El Pescador Resort
Responded Jan 28, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear your 4 days at El Pescador were nothing short of fantastic. It means the world to us that you felt like our only guest—our team truly takes pride in creating that personal connection. We’re so glad you enjoyed the Nashville Singer-Songwriter event and found the performances as magical as we did. We’re already working on plans for next year’s event, and your kind words fuel our excitement to make it even better! Of course, it’s wonderful to hear you loved the fishing experience—Nestor will be thrilled to know his expertise made your time on the water unforgettable. We can’t wait to welcome you back for more adventures, delicious food, and poolside memories with friends. Thank you for being part of our El Pescador family!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was an amazing week! Of the four of us traveling, 2 fished and 2 did not and we had equally amazing stays! The villa was spacious, clean and well equipped. The food was AMAZING with the added benefit of a community style dinner each night complete with the ability to interact with management, connect with the other guests and celebrate all the successes of a fishing day. The fishing was professional and well guided. ALL staff members were FABULOUS! This includes all guides, servers, office staff, bar tending, house keeping, grounds keeping, security...we already miss them! They were kind, professional and made sure to quickly learn our names and how to make our stay enjoyable. For those of us who did not fish, staff supported us by helping us schedule excursions (snorkeling, visiting Mayan ruins...shout out to Shamira for coordinating for us!), spa services (can't be beat!) or we just enjoyed the area by golf cart rental and use of the pools. Exceeded our expectations and I would highly recommend. Thank you, El Pescador!
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Caparella, Owner at El Pescador Resort
Responded Apr 22, 2024
Thank you for the wonderful review, our team/family are thrilled to hear you had a great stay. Thank you too for calling out Shamira, we are so proud to have her on our team. Were glad you were able to explore both the fishing experience and the resort experience - as well as the adventure travel options! Looking forward to your next visit!
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This review is to help others considering a trip to this resort. Resort wise, couldn't have been better. Food, rooms, staff, location - top notch. My issue was with the fishing guide (after all, fishing was the main reason for going there). We (another fisherman and I) were assigned a guide for the 6 days of fishing. Katchu was ours, a Belize native. Granted, I was new to saltwater fly fishing (fresh water experienced), and there was a lot to learn. My fishing partner was saltwater experienced. Katchu had no tolerance for being inexperienced. Throughout the 6 days, he would berate, cuss, yell and belittle me. I felt I just wanted to crawl in a hole and not fish. Fish were caught, although when tarpon and jack fish were seen, he would always cater to the experienced fisherman. I overheard a conversation between Katchu and the other fisherman that he did not like to take out inexperienced fisherman. At orientation at the resort, the fishing director said that if we were not happy with our guide, to tell him and he would change guides. I did after the 1st day, but nothing changed. So if you plan a trip to El Pescador, be aware and be adamant about fishing guides. Make sure they know what you want in a guide. After all, a good fishing experience is the main reason for going.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are expats who loved going here but since the management changed they are rude and only want guests who are staying on the property. We will not be going fly fishing, buying items from the shop or eating at this place any longer. We will offer other fly fishing options to our Orvis friends and others.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Alissa Flota, Other at El Pescador Resort
Responded Oct 28, 2022
Hello. We do not have new management - same for 3 years. You also did not speak with the management. You did interact with our bartender who has run the bar 18 years. While I am sorry you feel offended, I do not understand why. You stormed into our bar cursing and throwing the F-bomb around. We are not that kind of establishment. Our staff are friendly and courteous. They should never be treated that way. Our guests were also offended and shocked by your violent outburst.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
El Pescador is like staying with family! From the escort from the airport to fresh and delicious food from their well-staffed kitchen (handmade tortillas and fried jacks are a must try), everybody works diligently to make your stay wonderful. Very comfortable beds, villas are beautiful, and 3 pools to keep you cool when not fishing or out on an excursion. Intimate family style dining with all guests gives the chance to meet new friends.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Caparella, Owner at El Pescador Resort
Responded Feb 18, 2024
Greetings and we are so happy you appreciated our family dining experience, and the resort. Please let us know when you plan a return trip. Thank you! Best Regards,
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There is no reason not to come and fish Belize at El Pescador. Belize and it's Covid protocols are extreme and El Pescador is on top of it with their own protocols and daily disinfecting of the grounds, boats, fishing equipment and all areas. The staff is as always amazing and will accommodate your every need. The meals are first class.
But the fishing. 400 square miles to yourself. Unfished for months. Tarpon, bonefish and permit everywhere. Big jacks and snooks will round out your day. World class guides will put you on fish and tune up your casting (if needed).
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity (I hope). Pull the trigger and take advantage now. We had a blast.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was a fishing/family trip with my wife and two adult daughters. I fished every day and they took turns sharing the boat with me. We chose El Pescador as a location for the extra things to do if not fishing. It was a great choice. First and foremost, the entire staff, to a person, are the nicest, warmest and most genuine people you will ever meet. They are beautiful souls and we all missed them as soon as we left. They know their jobs, work hard, but always have time to stop and answer a question or just have a short conversation. The food was incredible! The staff would seat you in designated seats so that you would have an opportunity to interact with some new folks. Happy hour around the bar or pool is a great place to socialize and tell the stories of the day. The fishing is insanely good. Bonefish are plentiful and cooperative. The tarpon and permit are also plentiful, but not always easily fooled. I caught my first permit, snook and tarpon on a fly. My family had never caught bonefish, but they all scored multiple times. The amazing office staff organizes other activities like snorkeling, diving, catamaran trips, or just getting a golf cart to ride into town. We stayed in the main lodge and the rooms were clean, quiet and had a great shower. I've got to say, coming back from a hot day on the flats, grabbing a cold beer at the bar and jumping into the beautiful pool was heaven. I can't say enough about the great people at this place and the pride they take in satisfying their guests. There are a lot of businesses that would kill for this culture. I would completely recommend a visit.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are proud to offer a fully stocked fly shop featuring a complete selection of saltwater flies, lines, leaders, tippet, etc.
Please bring the gear that you own, and allow us to supplement with our demo gear. But, do not feel compelled to purchase new rods and reels for the trip.
Richmond, Virginia, United States186 contributions41 helpful votes
Definitely no kids club. It is a small resort that is family friendly. You would need to email/ call to ask them about sitters and see what they would do
There are more places to choose from in the San Pedro area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
el pescador hotel san pedro, el pescador san pedro
LOCATION
BelizeBelize CayesAmbergris CayeSan Pedro
NUMBER OF ROOMS
23
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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