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As someone who has waded through countless rivers, a myriad of flats, and cast lines in some of the most renowned fly fishing spots around the globe, I approached Iguana House Belize with high expectations. I am delighted to report that this hidden gem not only met but exceeded them in every aspect.
Location: A Fly Fisher's Dream
Nestled in the heart of Belize's pristine natural landscape, Iguana House offers an unbeatable location for fly fishing enthusiasts. The proximity to some of the most fertile fishing grounds I've ever seen in Belize is a major plus. The clear waters thriving with a variety of game fish, including the elusive permit, bonefish, tarpon, and snook, make for an unforgettable fishing experience.
Accommodation: Comfort Meets Rustic Charm
The Iguana House itself is a perfect blend of comfort and rustic charm. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, with a keen attention to detail that anglers and non-anglers alike will appreciate. The large windows offer breathtaking views of the surrounding nature, allowing you to soak in the beauty of Belize even when you're not out on the water.
Amenities and Service: Top-Notch
What sets Iguana House apart is the exceptional level of service. The staff are not only hospitable but also share a deep knowledge of fly fishing, which adds an extra layer of richness to the experience. The on-site amenities, including the fishing gear and boats, are top-notch. The guides are experienced and intimately familiar with the local waters, ensuring each fishing trip is productive and enjoyable.
Cuisine: A Culinary Delight
After a long day of fishing, the culinary offerings at Iguana House are a delight. The meals, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, reflect the rich culinary heritage of Belize. You can even enjoy the day’s caught seafood, it is a highlight and is cooked to perfection.
Sustainability: A Commitment to Conservation
As a fly fisher, the commitment of Iguana House to environmental sustainability and conservation is something I deeply appreciate. Their efforts to maintain the health and vitality of the local ecosystems are commendable and evident in the abundance and variety of fish in the surrounding waters.
Overall Experience: Unforgettable
My time at Iguana House Belize was nothing short of magical. It's a place that beautifully marries the thrill of fly fishing with the serenity of nature, luxurious comfort, and impeccable service. For anyone passionate about fly fishing, or just looking for a tranquil escape in nature, Iguana House Belize is a destination that should be at the top of your list.
Christian Bacasa
There’s no better place in the world to relax, fish and eat than iguana house. The staff is AMAZING! So helpful, caring and full of excitement. The location of the lodge is fantastic being right on the water. Endless opportunities for good fishing as well as easy access to town for a night out. They made every step of the process so easy including arranging guides, flights and snorkeling! Thanks to everyone at iguana house for a memorable experience
Coy Coker
The Iguana House truly put together a five star experience for our fly fishing trip. To start they did an amazing job coordinating the logistics of the trip. They made all the small details like booking the flights to the island or having transportation during our stay as easy as can be. The lodge itself was perfect. It was exreamly comfortable and had all the amennaties you need like gear rooms and hammocks to hang after a long day of fishing. One of the highlights of the stay was the food. Every meal was home cooked and incredible. Finally, the fishing was amazing! We had great guides everyday that put each group on fish.
Max Armstrong
The Iguana House an absolute hidden gem in San Pedro Belize. Right on the ocean, this beautiful house will make you feel right at home. Great location. I caught bonefish right off the dock in front of the house. The owners Chris and Mary Alice and incredible host! I will be back!
Cody Griffin
I was fortunate to find the Iguana House when looking for lodging on a trip to Belize. Five star ratings are seemingly thrown around without any clear basis but the Iguana House earns every star. The location is excellent. A pleasant golf cart ride up from the airport leads you to a more secluded portion of Ambergris Caye, affording you a level of privacy and peace not found on larger resorts. The lodging itself is extremely comfortable, clean, and spacious, with ample beds for family and friends. Some of the more rural lodging options may lack amenities but the Iguana House was well equipped with everything I needed for my stay. There is a dock immediately outside the front do0or that allows for pickup for diving and fishing tours, both of which were arranged by the hosts Chris and Mary Alice. I spent my downtime snorkeling off the dock and found a few permit fish a short cast away from where I climbed in the water. Overall, it is a special place with an unassuming name that will really impress anybody who is fortunate enough to stay there.
B F
Off-Season Rental Reviews
“We visited the Iguana House after meeting Mary Alice and Chris at the Denver Fly Show. We spoke for all of 20 minutes and needless to say the vibes were so great that we booked our flights the next day to visit their little slice of heaven down in San Pedro Belize.
In that first conversation with them, we were captivated by their passion and honesty. They’re those kind of people that have never met a stranger. We were drawn to their desire for creating a space where people could come with their best amigos, not be on a strict schedule, not break the bank, have the option to DIY fish or book guides, and flat out just have a damn good time.
We spent 7 days at the Iguana house, I would’ve happily extended had it not been booked. Below are some things to note that set them apart:
The house was spotless and comfortable and as a rustic home it had everything we felt we needed. The beds were extremely comfortable and the AC units were great to come home to after a long day in the sun. The kitchen has all the tools you need to cook a great meal (don’t forget the local handmade grill!). Don’t feel like cooking breakfast? No worries! Victor rides the beach on his bike every morning selling his delicious homemade breakfast burritos. We may or may not have had these every single day. There was plenty of space to relax and hangout even for large groups and a spacious area specifically for rinsing the salt off your gear as well as a large lockable closet and rod rack. The porch was truly my favorite part, the view is unmatched especially with a cup of Joe or a cold Belikin. Sunrise or sunset, this was hands down my favorite part of each day.
In regards to fishing there are so many options here! You can book a guide that will pick you up right at the Iguana House dock which is incredibly convenient! Or you can strap on your boots, grab your best pair of polarized sunnies and take the golf cart up the road north (not for the faint of heart.. this road can get pretty rough in a golf cart but if you’re willing, odds are you’ll have shots at bones, permit, Cuda and maybe even tarpon form the shore!) Not for you? Thats okay because you could spend your whole trip fishing/wading off their dock and still not cover all the fishable spots! There is truly something for everyone!! With that being said, the fishing can be tough. It truly is DIY in every sense of the phrase so be ready and prepared to put some work in if this is your plan. If DIY saltwater fishing is something new to you, it could be wise to book a guide early on in the trip to get reacquainted with spotting fish, tying knots, etc so you’re ready to get after it on your own! When we go back we will definitely be booking a guide for at least one day. It’s a great way to support the local economy, cover more water, and see Ambergris Caye by water!
Last note: we loved that the the house was situated 20-25 minutes by golf cart, North of the town of San Pedro. So whether you are looking for nights out at the beach bars (Wayo’s is the best!), cheap street food (Tortillaria!!), or a low key game night, you can have the best of both worlds. There is also a small market with simple provisions around the corner form the house, as well as an awesome collective of small restaurants in an outdoor beach bar food court kind of setup about 10 minutes by golf cart away. Our favorite was Enell’s, owned and operated by Mac and Ingrid, some of the best humans you will EVER meet!!! Make sure to try the blackened fish burger and onions rings! If you have dietary restrictions there is a small market/ cafe called FarmHouse just north of town with vegan options and fresh fruit/ yogurts and such which comes in handy when you start to feel like you’re turning into a tortilla from all the delicious street food.
All in all, the Iguana house has so much to offer and in my opinion is really the only place like it out there. We will definitely be returning as soon as we can!!!! Thanks for sharing this slice of heaven with us Chris and MA! :-)”
Olivia, March 2022
“This was a darling little guest suite! It has a lovely porch, perfect for relaxing, reading, and just hanging out. A beautiful beach to enjoy and everything you need!”
Laurel, February 2022
“Best Airbnb ever. Best hosts, best house, best location. We suspected early on when we reserved the Iguana House that we had made the right decision. Chris and Mary Alice were very quick to respond to our many questions and took the time to call us personally. They facilitated our golf cart rentals and advised us on tours and local transportation to the island. During our stay they were just an email away and provided instant and valuable assistance with a personal concern. They are well connected on the island and have planned for every contingency. They absolutely want you to have a wonderful experience. Iguana House: comfortable, clean, beautiful! The home has an old world Caribbean feel with gorgeous wood floors and cabinets, local and ocean themed artwork, a large beautiful porch, plentiful and comfortable beds and a kitchen with ample cooking and dining utensils. The house is located an easy distance north of San Pedro giving it a private and quiet feeling. And of course, saving the best for last: the Caribbean Sea, just steps from the front door! If you don’t get up in time to watch the sunrise over the sea, you will regret it! If you don’t rent this house you will regret it more!”
Jill, January 2022
“This place is amazing. If you’re going to San Pedro Belize Check out the iguana house first...The house was super comfortable and Perfect for our group of 6. We loved how the house was a few miles outside of town. Also having the dock so we could fish off of and to have our fishing guides pick us up right in front of the house was extremely helpful. we also love the porch that overlooked the water right in front of the house. Chris and Mary Alice were so awesome to work with and wanted to make sure that we had a great time... I would give them a 10 out of 10 if I could. Already booked our trip for next year can’t wait to go back. Thanks again Chris & MA Much love!!”
Ryan, Yampa Valley Angler, April 2021
“We all screamed with delight upon our arrival to The Iguana House! It’s such a cute little yellow beach-house, on the water with a view from every room. It accommodated our family of six perfectly, with a bathroom off of all three bedrooms. We loved the location, being 20 minutes north of San Pedro and away from the busy town. We rented a six passenger golf cart to get around. We bought fish and lobster from Genie next door and grilled at the house a couple of times & there are lots of grocery stores in town (a bit expensive) where we bought rum and mixers and snacks. If we had it to do over, we would probably check one bag full of non-perishable food. Lots of small restaurants and we actually loved the taco/burritos stands right off the ferry pier! ALSO, there is a “burrito man” that stops buy every morning with your breakfast burritos!!!!! Yesssss! Of course, it’s all about the snorkeling/scuba diving or fishing while you’re here, so don’t miss your chance to see the beautiful underwater views! Don’t miss Hol Chan, Shark Reef Alley & Caye Caulker. Definitely take a drive over to Secret Beach for a fabulous tropical “beach” day of sun and drinks. Get there early to pick your lounge chairs with a view of calm, turquoise water where they bring you drinks in a coconut with an umbrella. We booked our cave tubing and zip lining trip to Jaguar Paw with Genie next door and he arranged everything right down to renting an suv and driving us to the park. Cave tubing is a magical experience that should NOT be missed. Go on a Saturday to avoid the crowds from the cruise ships that stop in Belize City. The owners, Christopher and Mary Alice were off the charts with responsiveness and willingness to help with any and all questions, as well as booking the golf cart and tours. They arranged for us to be picked up and driven to the house (all included in the deal). We used her recommendation for the golf cart and it was delivered right to the house. If you are looking for a laid-back vacation or an action packed trip of excursions, don’t hesitate to book here. I highly recommend. Everyone speaks English and they take either US dollars or Belizean dollars. Bring less clothes than you think. Tee shirts and shorts, swim suits and cover ups. It’s VERY CASUAL. Bring lots of bug spray and reef-safe sun screen. We didn’t want to leave the Iguana House. I hope you go and have as much fun as we did!”
Lora, January 2020
“Iguana house is a special place with a great Island vibe and super amenities. The hosts are awesome and hooked us up with the perfect guides, restaurants etc. The house was perfect for our family of 5 and the location was excellent. Hopefully we will go back in the near future!”
Jill, December 2019