Mena Fly Fishing, Formerly Tarpon Cay Lodge San Felipe Mexico
Are you looking for Tarpon Cay Lodge San Felipe Mexico? Welcome to Mena Fly Fishing — the only true fly fishing lodge located right on the San Felipe Estuary, widely recognized as the Tarpon Capital of the World.
With over 20 years of dedication to the sport and to our guests, we’ve stood the test of time. While our name has changed from Tarpon Cay Lodge to Mena Fly Fishing, everything that made anglers fall in love with our lodge remains unchanged — the same peaceful location, exceptional service, and warm family atmosphere.
If you’ve fished with us in the past and are having trouble locating that colorful, welcoming lodge you remember, rest assured — you’ve found us again, just under a new name.
Not to be confused with Rio Lagartos, a mainstream tourist spot, where lodges usually advertise as San Felipe – Rio Lagartos.
As a family-run lodge, we care for you from the moment you land to the day you leave. We’ll pick you up from Cancun, Mérida, Tulum airports, or any resort in Riviera Maya — no extra fees, no stress.
You’ll fish in a protected National Park near a quiet fishing village with just 2,000 residents. No tourists, no crowds — just you, your guide, and nature. Enjoy year-round juvenile tarpon and a chance to catch corvina, snook, permit, and more.
- Our signature split-day fishing. Sunrise fishing, midday break, sunset fishing session and dinner.
- Private Airport or Resort transportation (optional)
- Exclusive lodge for just 8 anglers per week
- The only hotel in San Felipe — truly local
- No middlemen, best quality at the best price
All year long season
Juvenile Tarpon Fly Fishing
March-September recommended
Top-notch experience
We take care of everything
March-October
Silver King peak season
Price & Reservations
Direct booking, no middlemen — better prices and the highest quality, just the way it should be.
*All prices are per person and in US Dollars.
Double Occupancy Rates
3 nights / 2 fishing days = $2,090
4 nights / 3 fishing days = $2,190
5 nights / 4 fishing days= $2,490
6 nights / 5 fishing days= $2,820
7 nights / 6 fishing days= $3,600
Single Occupancy Rates
3 nights / 2 fishing days = $2,890
4 nights / 3 fishing days = $3,190
5 nights / 4 fishing days = $3,590
6 nights / 5 fishing days = $4,100
7 nights / 6 fishing days = $4,700
Non-angler rate: $100 per night (when paired with an angler booked at the single occupancy rate)
Private Roundtrip Transportation: $600 (up to 8 people) from Cancun International Airport (CUN), Merida International Airport (MID) or any resort in Cancun, Costa Mujeres or Riviera Maya.
What's included
- Three meals a day (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Fishing license
- Taxes
- Accommodation
- Drinks (sodas, water & coffee, juice / alcoholic drinks only during lunch)
- 8 hours fishing a day (split-day)
Not included
- Roundtrip private transportation from/to Cancun Airport or resorts in Riviera Maya (optional)
- Tips (optional)
- Flights
- Fishing equipment and flies
- Personal Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks outside lunch
Travel Itinerary
Arrival.
Optional Pick-Up.
Enjoy a stress-free arrival. Your friendly driver will greet you by name at the airport exit or your resort lobby and help you get comfortably settled. We offer pickups from Cancun, Costa Mujeres, Riviera Maya, Cancun International Airport (CUN), and Mérida International Airport (MID).
For the best experience, we recommend flights arriving before 4:00 PM.
Lodge Check-In & Warm Welcome.
Arriving by car? We have plenty of safe street parking.
Once at Mena Fly Fishing lodge, not Tarpon Cay Lodge anymore, you’ll be welcomed as part of the Mena Fly Fishing family. Receive your welcome kit, meet the team, and settle into your sea-view room.
You’ll also meet Fili, our beloved cook, who’ll ask about your preferences and dietary needs to tailor your meals — combining fresh, local ingredients, his signature recipes, and your personal taste.
Departure.
Check-Out: 12:00 PM.
Enjoy a final breakfast with the family, share stories, and say goodbye — we’ll be here to welcome you back anytime.
Drop-off (optional).
If you’ve arranged transportation with us, we’ll schedule your departure about 5.5 hours before your flight or coordinate the best time if you’re continuing your vacation in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
Fishing Experience
The local Area – San Felipe, The Tarpon Capital of the World
A true escape from the crowds, noise, and hurry of everyday life.
Welcome to San Felipe, Yucatán — a quiet, colorful fishing village with only 2,000 friendly residents. Known for its charming wooden houses, breathtaking sunsets, and delicious home-style meals, it’s a peaceful haven for those seeking tranquility and a deep connection with nature.
And while there is a similarly named lodge in Belize (Tarpon Caye Lodge), please know that it’s not located in the Tarpon Capital of the World, as San Felipe, Yucatán truly is. Here, juvenile tarpon are present year-round, and the untouched estuary offers an unmatched setting for fly fishing.
Tarpon Fishing all year long!
Juvenile tarpon are present all year long, but the ideal time to visit is from May to October, when the waters are teeming with baby tarpon and the weather is perfectly warm for fishing.
Chasing the Silver King
From June to August, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to head out to the ocean flats and take on the mighty migratory tarpon — some weighing up to 120 pounds! (under request).
Snook, jack crevalle, barracudas and more species are found as well!
What’s a day fishing with us? Our signature split-day fishing sessions
Thanks to our privileged location right at the estuary, you’re just steps from the fishing grounds — no long boat rides required. It allows for a beautifully paced day built for comfort and success:
- 05:45 AM – Breakfast: Start the day with fresh coffee and a hearty meal.
- 06:30 AM – Sunrise Fishing Session: Enjoy 4.5 peaceful hours on the calm morning waters — the perfect setting for your first catch.
- 11:30 AM – Lunch & Rest: Return for a nourishing lunch followed by well-deserved downtime. Take a hot shower, relax in your room with A/C, take a nap, or prep for the next round. This midday break is essential — it’s the hottest part of the day and the least active time for tarpon, so we pause to care for you and maximize the fishing results.
- 03:30 PM – Sunset Fishing Session: Head back out for a 3.5-hour session. The evening light, cooler weather, and active fish make for an unforgettable experience.
- 07:00 PM – Dinner: Wind down with a delicious meal prepared by Fili, our beloved cook who tailors dishes to your taste.
Boats and equipment recommended
We fish from sturdy, comfortable 18-foot pangas, perfect for navigating the shallow lagoons and coastal waters with ease.
Fishing equipment and flies.
- For juvenile tarpon, we typically use 8 to 9-weight rods with floating lines, ideal for making accurate casts in shallow water — sometimes just a foot deep. Our go-to flies are small 1/0 wet flies and gurglers, designed to trigger aggressive strikes.
- In the calm waters of the lagoons, we use 40–50 lb monofilament leaders, which sink more slowly than fluorocarbon — a big advantage in these conditions.
- For those targeting larger, migratory tarpon, we gear up with 10 to 11-weight rods, intermediate sinking lines, and 2/0 flies.
- Heavier 60–80 lb fluorocarbon leaders help manage the power of these giants. (Seasonal and under request)
If you have any question, give us a call.
Acommodation
A Fishing Lodge Exclusive for Mena Fly Fishing Anglers
All rooms feature air conditioning, ceiling fans, and private bathrooms. Your accommodation will receive daily room service, including fresh towels, linens, bottled water, glasses, and soap. And after the day is done chasing tarpon on the flats, unwind in the large lounge and dining spaces with a drink or on the rooftop balcony, cooled by the soft sea breeze. There’s a workspace for fly tying and wifi at the common areas.