A Century On These Waters
Our Story
How It Started
Born From
A Love Of
The Water
Maxwell Varela, founder of Viva Fly Fishing, was born between two worlds — the mountains of Vermont and the salt flats of Isla Holbox, where his family has had roots for over two decades. From the moment he first waded into the mangroves as a kid with his friends, the island had him.
The guides on this team aren't hires — they're the people Max grew up fishing with. Men like Angel, Darwin, Eve, and Oscar have been on these waters their entire lives. Their fathers fished before them. The knowledge they carry wasn't learned from a guide school or a textbook — it was passed down, cast by cast, story by story, over decades on the water. Together, this team holds well over a century of combined experience fishing Holbox.
That's what makes Viva Fly Fishing different. When you fish with us, you're not just getting a boat and a rod. You're getting generations of local knowledge — the kind that only comes from being born here, from watching these tides and channels your whole life. Every guide on the team is someone Max personally fished with, trusted, and chose. Every experience we offer is one we do ourselves.
We are not a large operation. We don't want to be. We keep things small, personal, and uncompromising — because the fishing deserves it, the island deserves it, and so do you.
Maxwell Varela
Founder
What We Stand For
The Viva Difference
Catch & Release
On all of our fly fishing specific tours, every fish we target is released unharmed. On our other tours where we keep fish, we follow all local regulations and moral policies to ensure the health of the fishery. Sustainable harvest is our biggest priority because it's what gives our guides and the island its income and future.
Personal & Intimate
We keep our trips small and personal. You are not part of a crowd — you have a dedicated guide whose sole focus is you both on and off the water. When you fish with us, you're fishing with a family, not a fleet. We want every outing to be one where anglers can have fun, learn, and create memories that last. We want you to leave inspired and return for more.
Born Local
Every guide on our team was born or raised on Holbox. Together we carry over a century of combined knowledge of these waters — the tides, the channels, the seasonal movements, the stories passed down from father to son. This fishery is our home and our heritage. Preserving the local way of life, our waters, and the island is what we really care about — because this is all we've ever known.
No Compromise
We use quality gear, prepare good food, and go the extra mile on every trip. We'd rather do fewer trips and do them right. This is the authentic Holbox experience — not a packaged version of it. We've seen what mass fishing tourism looks like and we want no part of it. What we offer is real: real guides, real knowledge, real fish, and a genuine connection to this island that goes back generations.
The People Behind Every Trip
Meet The Guides
Every person on this team was born or raised on Holbox. Together, our guides share over a century of experience fishing these waters — knowledge passed down through generations, learned on the water long before it was ever a business. This isn't a job they chose. It's the life they were born into.
Founder & Guide
Maxwell Varela
Vermont, USA & Isla Holbox, Mexico
10+
Yrs Guiding
Snook or Permit
Fav Species
English / Spanish
Languages
Max grew up between two worlds — the mountains of Vermont and the salt flats of Isla Holbox, where his family has had roots for over two decades. From the moment he first waded into the mangroves as a teenager, the island had him. He never really left.
Head Guide
Angel "Grasshopper"
Isla Holbox, Mexico
20+
Yrs Guiding
Large Migratory Tarpon
Fav Species
Spanish / English
Languages
Born and raised on Holbox, Angel grew up as a young fly fishing prodigy on the island. The elders recognized his exceptional talents early on, and it was clear he had something special — an innate feel for the water and fish behavior that can't be taught.
Mangrove & Inshore Guide
Oscar "Tiburon"
Isla Holbox, Mexico
15+
Yrs Guiding
Snook & Baby Tarpon
Fav Species
Spanish / Good English
Languages
Oscar — "Tiburon," the shark — is the man who takes you where most guides won't go. Deep into the mangrove jungle on foot, through mud and roots and overhanging branches, into the most wild and untouched fishing you'll ever experience.
Guide & Captain
Darwin "Dawito"
Isla Holbox, Mexico
30+
Yrs Guiding
Permit & Bonefish
Fav Species
Spanish / English
Languages
Darwin — "Dawito" to everyone who knows him — is a true wizard of the Holbox fishery. With over 30 years of guiding experience, his mastery of these waters stands as a testament to his innate abilities and deep understanding of seasonal fish habits, weather behavior, and the subtle patterns that govern successful fishing.
Guide & Chef
Eve
Isla Holbox, Mexico
30+
Yrs Guiding
Grouper & Snapper
Fav Species
Spanish / Good English
Languages
Eve is a living legend on Isla Holbox. For over 30 years, he has been guiding anglers through these waters, and there is not a channel, reef, or fishing hole he doesn't know by heart. But Eve is much more than just a guide — he's a cultural fixture on the island and one of the most beloved figures in the Holbox community.
Offshore Guide
Manuel
Isla Holbox, Mexico
15+
Yrs Guiding
Amberjack & Barracuda
Fav Species
Spanish / English
Languages
Manuel has a deep passion for offshore fishing that runs in his blood. His family has been in the fishing business for generations, and he grew up on the water, learning the techniques and traditions that make Holbox's offshore fishery so productive.
Ready To Fish?
Let's Get You On The Water
Browse our experiences or reach out directly. We'll help you plan the right trip for your group.