Mayazul Lodge is a newly opened lodge located on the Yucatán Península, approximately 56km south of Tulum in the sleepy fishing village of Punta Allen. The lodge is part of the Nervous Waters chain who have a long established reputation of managing some of the finest lodges in the world.
The Fishing
Nestled in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, the lodge has access to the vast international wildlife park that spans some 1.3 million acres. Ascension Bay has been protected from commercial fishing and development. This has allowed the local wildlife both above and below the water to prosper. With miles of coastline, shallow flats and lagoon systems, the fishing opportunities here are endless. The season is long, with eight months of prime weather, and the mangrove-lined shores with a backdrop of lush green rainforest offer the perfect habitat for all the famous flats species. The waters here offer some of the best permit fishing in the world and the guides at Mayazul Lodge regard fishing for these enigmatic fish not only as a job but as a passion. Many spend their days off scouting for new locations and as a team they make sure their guests have the best opportunity to be a successful permit angler.
Alongside permit, there are healthy populations of bonefish, tarpon and snook here as well. Snook typically hold up on the coastline under branches or mangroves waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim past. The population is protected and features some of the most significant specimens you’ll encounter anywhere in the world. There is a huge nursery of juvenile tarpon in Ascension Bay. Often referred to as ‘baby tarpon’ these fish still average between 10 and 30lb, with fish over 50lb caught each year. Migratory tarpon appear in the summer with sizes that average 70lb but which can reach 130lb or more. The bonefish population is very healthy and 20 to 30 fish in a day is a regular occurrence.
Generally, anglers will depart from the beach at around 8am, returning between 4 and 4.30pm. The comfortable, traditional pangas are beached right near the lodge so there are no bumpy roads to negotiate and no wasted time trailering. Anglers fish with two experienced guides per boat because seeing more permit allows more shots at permit. The lodge can also provide excellent fishing equipment with appropriate permit leaders and flies.
The Lodge
Mayazul is intimate, eclectic and elegant, and so near the ocean that guests will sleep soothed by the sound of rustling palms and waves. It is outside the bustle and traffic of nearby Punta Allen, but close enough to utilise any services needed. The lodge itself is a beautiful structure of stained wood, finished with comfortable sofa-filled rooms, thoughtful amenities and four en-suite double rooms with queen sized beds and air conditioning. In addition to the dining an dining and living areas, there’s a bar and fly tying area, and plenty of outdoor porches overlooking the sea. Beautifully prepared a la carte menus will delight anglers, with dishes concentrating on magnificent seafood, and cocktails to celebrate a fish released or help in forgetting the one that got away. Lunches each day are custom-order picnics with cold drinks, and these are taken on the boats in coolers. A fully stocked fly shop, daily maid service, laundry service, satellite TV, WiFi and phone complete the facilities. Mayazul Lodge comprises four rooms with two queen beds in each, providing space for eight anglers.
Getting to the lodge
Cancún International Airport (CUN) is the entry point and anglers need to arrive between 11am and 2pm, to ensure a smooth arrival at the lodge. From Cancún the drive is approximately two hours to Sian Ka’an Reserve, from where it’s a ride by panga to Punta Allen. The boat ride down the inner lagoon will take approximately one hour allowing guests to see a good deal of the flora and fauna found in the unspoiled Yucatán as well as prime permit habitat. Upon arrival in Punta Allen it is a five minute drive to the lodge.
On the return journey, back to the airport it may be possible (depending on your departure time) to stop for a visit at the Mayan ruin in Tulum or to go shopping in Playa del Carmen or Tulum. The additional cost for the stop is $30 per hour.
2024 Season Rates
Cost for a 7 night / 6 day package:
US$8,500 per person based on a single room and single boat
US$5,750 per person based on a shared room and shared boat
Cost for a 6 night / 5 day package:
US$7,450 per person based on a single room and single boat
US$5,250 per person based on a shared room and boat
Cost for a 5 night / 4 day package:
US$6,550 per person based on a single room and single boat
US$4,650 per person based on a shared room and boat
Cost includes; Road transfer to/from lodge, full board accommodation, evening drinks (cocktails, beer and punch), guided fishing, Wi-Fi, Sian Ka’an entry fee, tax and fishing licences.
Cost excludes; International flights, accommodation in Cancun, additional drinks, laundry and gratuities.
2024 Availability
March 30th to April 6th (7/6) – Private use of the lodge (all 8 rods)
April 6th to 13th (7/6) – 6 rods
April 13th to 19th (6/5) – 4 rods
April 19th to 26th (7/6) – Private use of the lodge (all 8 rods)
April 29th to May 4th (5/4) – 4 rods
May 16th to 23rd (7/6) – Private use of the lodge (all 8 rods)
May 25th to June 1st (7/6) – 2 rods
June 1st to 8th (7/6) – Private use of the lodge (all 8 rods)
June 8th to 15th (7/6) – 6 rods
If you would like more information about Mayazul Lodge please contact Peter McLeod or call our office on +44(0)1980 847 389.