Frequently Asked Questions
Ambergris Caye Belize Information
If your question isn’t answered below, please feel free to contact us and we will be glad to assist you in any way we can.
About Xanadu Island Resort
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Yes, our resort is kids-friendly and children of all ages are welcomed. See our Family Vacation Packages Page. Children are welcome to use the heated swimming pool & other facilities however the Hot Tub is reserved for guests 14 years and older only.
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Xanadu does not have a restaurant on site as we are a sustainable resort and want to share our guests with the rest of the island. Every suite at Xanadu has a full kitchen and there is a supermarket just outside the entrance to the resort. The Bakery which is open 6 days a week from very early in the morning is a favourite place for many of our guests to have breakfast. The nearest restaurants are less than 5 minutes walk from Xanadu and there are restaurants that will pick you up at Xanadu and drop you off again after dinner when we make a reservation for you.
At the front desk we have a folder with the menus of most of the restaurants on the island and in each suite is a guest directory folder which also has the contact details of these restaurants. You can choose from pizza, hamburgers & fries, stewed chicken with rice and beans, pupusas, tacos, jerk chicken, lobster and other sea foods, steak, pastas and more – such a variety of choices that your vacation won’t be long enough to try them all! Xanadu also has an onsite bar that offers coffee and smoothies all day, and alcoholic beverages from 10am to 7:30pm.
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For your safety, privacy, and comfort only Registered Guests are allowed on the property and in the Suites. The swimming pool, hot tub, bicycles, kayaks, paddleboards, deck chairs and all facilities of Xanadu Island Resort are reserved exclusively for the use of our Registered Guests.
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Xanadu Island Resort aims to ensure that the Xanadu experience is relaxing and enjoyable for all our guests. We are a quiet, boutique resort and therefore parties in the guest suites, around the pool deck, or in the common areas are Not permitted.
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Check-in is at 3pm – if we know that you will be earlier than 3pm we try to have your room ready. However, if it is not ready when you arrive, we have a change room where you can change into more comfortable clothes and make use of the Xanadu facilities while you wait.
Check out is at 10am. If possible we will allow a later check out.
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All our guest rooms include the following amenities: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, toilet paper, facial tissue, a hair dryer along with towels, face cloth and bath mats are in the bathrooms. Dish soap, salt and pepper and paper towels are in the kitchen, along with a starter kit of coffee, tea, sugar and creamer.
At the front desk guests can purchase bug sprays, sun lotions anti-itch cream and anti-diarrheal tables.
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Yes, Xanadu has complimentary wi-fi available throughout the resort and in the suites.
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Xanadu provides every suite with drinking water throughout the guests stay. Small bottles can be bought from the Bar or Activity centre.
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No, we don’t. Xanadu has a seawall – the same as most other resorts on the island. The waters are shallow around Ambergris Caye and there is an abundance of seagrass – resorts have been forced to put in seawalls to prevent the erosion and disappearance of the beaches on the island.
You can either swim in the heated swimming pool, or go to the end of our long dock and swim in the ocean. The depth is between 6 and 8 ft. There is a buoyed off swimming area for the safety of our guests.
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The international dialing code for Belize is: 501
Our local office number is 501 – 2262814 – calls can be transferred to suites within Xanadu from this line
Toll free number – 1 866 351 4752 – you can leave a message for guests, but we cannot transfer your call.
We provide our guests with local cell phones for use while at Xanadu. Calls cost US 25c per minute for local calls and US 50c per minute for international calls. You only pay for the minutes used – there is no charge for the use of the cell phone.
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Once you arrive at the Belize (BZE) airport you can travel to the island by boat or by air. Click here for a detailed outline of your options.
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All of our policies can be found on this page: Xanadu Policies
If you have further questions, please contact us.
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Xanadu has a token operated washer and dryer on site for guests to use. A load costs US$7.50 for wash and dry and includes laundry detergent.
Laundry can also be collected at Xanadu by a laundromat company in the morning and returned in the afternoon – washed, dried and folded. This costs around US$12.50 for an average load.
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Xanadu has snorkeling gear available in all sizes from little children to large men’s size. The gear is complimentary if you use it on site – in the swimming pool or at the end of the dock. If you would like to use it for a tour we charge US$3 for the mask and snorkel set and another US$3 for the fins. You can rent equipment from the tour operators but the quality cannot be assured and the rental price is higher. If you plan to do a lot of snorkeling or diving and prefer to bring your own mask/snorkel and/or fins you can certainly do so.
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Yes, you can. However, there is not much to see close to shore. For a wonderful experience where you will see a large variety of fish and other sea creatures, a boat trip to Holchan and Shark Ray Alley is a must.
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We are a member of Pack for a Purpose and the project we support is Women in Need – see our Community Involvement Page to see how you can help us help our community.
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We recycle organic matter for our compost heap for our gardens. Each suite has an organic collection bin in the kitchen, which will be emptied daily by the housekeepers.
There is no other recycling on the island.
You can help us by using the organic recycling bin and rinsing out any glass bottles that you use. See our Eco-Friendly Page.
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No we don’t offer day passes from the cruise port.
About Belize
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Legal Requirements for Non-Resident Marriage in Belize
If neither of the parties has been previously married:
- Fully completed marriage license application form notarized by a J.P. (available at the Xanadu office upon arrival)
- Photocopy of front 2 pages of passport and page showing arrival date into Belize.(Will be done at the Xanadu office)
- Original birth certificate
- Both of the parties must be in Belize for 3 full working (Mon-Fri) days prior to filing the petition for the license.
If either or both of the parties have been previously married:
(Same as 1-3) above PLUS the final divorce decree which must be the certified original.
If either or both parties is a widow or widower:
(Same as 1-3) above, PLUS a copy of the original death certificate.
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Yellow feaver (2016)
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
WHO vaccination recommendation: no
Malaria (2016)
Malaria risk due predominantly to P. vivax exists in some areas of Stan Creek and is negligible elsewhere.
WHO recommended prevention in risk areas: A
Other country requirement(s) (2016)
All travellers coming from polio-endemic countries as well as Belizeans or persons living in Belize travelling to countries where polio cases have been confirmed must have proof of polio vaccination.
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See full INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND HEALTH document.
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Belize has certain restrictions for drone users. Please see the Belize Tourism Board’s Drone Requirements & Authorization for International Travelers to Belize.
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Airport Departure Fees are generally included in the airline ticket. Once you’re leaving from the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA), the departure fee is US$35.50 for non-Belizean residents (to be paid in US cash only) and BZ$35.00 for Belizean residents. Additionally, a security fee of US$0.75 is charged for domestic security screening.
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Adding Travel Insurance can make sure your getaway goes smoothly, no matter what.
Protect your payments in case you need to cancel. Travel with peace of mind.
Here are links to two recommended Travel Insurance companies: World Nomads & Travel Guard.
Check out our blog “Do you need travel insurance when traveling to Belize?“.
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The exchange rate is a standard US$1.00=BZ$2.00. US$ are accepted in Belize, but if you would like to exchange them for BZ$ you can do so at the Xanadu Front Desk.
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All outlets are standard 110-volts and 60 hertz, the same that is used in the USA. There is no need for converters. If you are coming from other countries, please bring an adapter with you.
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All U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid beyond their planned departure date.
All documentation must agree – if you are divorced please make sure that your passport, airline ticket etc., all have the same name. If your documentation does not agree you may not be allowed to board a flight.
No visas are required for citizens of the United States for tourist visits of up to 30 days, but they must have proof of their intent to depart Belize (such as onward or return air tickets) and proof of sufficient funds to maintain themselves in Belize.
All tourists and non-Belizean citizens are required to pay an exit fee of approximately US$40 (this fee may be included in your airline ticket, please check with your airline before your trip).
Belize allows visitors a maximum of one month’s stay in the country before Belize Immigration requires an extension in one month increments obtained from Belize Immigration offices throughout the country.
No specific immunizations are required for visitors to Belize.
Travelling with minors
Due to the increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and as possible victims of child pornography, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a notarized letter from the child’s other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, friends, or in groups*, a note signed by both parents) stating “I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so.” Birth certificates of each child should also be available. CBP also suggests that this note be notarized.
While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if we do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.
If you are in a dispute with your husband/wife over the custody of your child, you may not be able to travel internationally without his/her permission. However, if you have already been awarded sole custody, your husband/wife has no legal claim on your child, so you don’t require his/her consent to travel. If this applies to you, you should carry a copy of the court’s decree confirming this. Some custody decrees specifically prevent either parent taking a child outside the United States. If you are in doubt, check the wording carefully.
Adults traveling with children should also be aware that, failure to produce notarized permission letters and/or birth certificates could result in travellers being refused entry.
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All visitors arriving and departing Belize must be properly documented.
You will need:
Passport (valid for 6 months after the dates of your visit)
Return Ticket To Country of Origin (Non-Residents)
Valid Visa for Countries from which a Visa is required (must be obtained in the Country of Origin at the Belize Embassy or Consulate)
Nationals of the following countries do NOT require a visa to enter Belize as a tourist for a period of 30 days
- Citizens of the European Union Member States (EU)
- Citizens of the Caribbean Community Member States (CARICOM)
- Citizens of the United States of America and dependent territories
- Costa Rica
- Chile
- Guatemala
- Iceland
- Mexico
- Norway
- South Africa
- Switzerland
- Tunisia
- Uruguay
- Citizens of the Commonwealth Realms & Monarchies
Nationals of most other countries REQUIRE a visa to enter Belize.
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Belize operates on Central Standard Time (CST) However, Belize does not observe daylight savings. During those months, Belize operates on Mountain Standard Time (MST)
About San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
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For basic groceries and beverage, Super Buy & Marina’s Markets are located just south of the entrance to the resort. For fresh baked bread and pastries daily, visit The Baker opposite Super Buy. There is also a fast food store and pharmacy in the same area.
If you would like to have someone do your grocery shopping for you Lagniappe Provisioning can have all of your groceries, wine, beer and beverages delivered to your room prior to your arrival. Please visit www.belizegrocery.com for further details.
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Yes, there is cellular service available on Ambergris Caye in San Pedro. You may want to check with your cellular service carrier to ensure that service is provided in this specific area of Belize. You will also want to check with your carrier prior to departure about the charges to use your cellular service in Belize, as roaming fees can be steep!
Xanadu has local cellphones for guests to use – the only cost is the air time used.
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As with any tropical location there will be mosquitoes and sandflies around. Fortunately, the regular breeze on the island helps to keep them manageable. We spray with an eco and human friendly cedar spray to keep them away. We do however encourage guests to bring along insect repellant.
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Getting around the island is easy. We drive on the right hand side of the road and most people travel around the island on golf carts which are available for rent. Please bring your driver’s license and a credit card with you.
Taking a taxi into town from Xanadu costs US$5 one way.
Xanadu also provides bicycles for the complimentary use of our guests. It is a comfortable 20 minute walk along the beach into town (1 mile)
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There are numerous restaurants within easy walking distance of Xanadu. The closest which are also where most of our guests will go for breakfast, are The Beach Bar and The Baker, both are less than 5 minutes’ walk from the resort.
Some restaurants will pick you up and drop you off after dinner if we make reservations for you: Hidden Treasures and La Palmilla.
Then there are plenty of restaurants and beach bars on the beach north of Xanadu and in town. We have menus from the restaurants, at the front desk, and our guest services staff can recommend places to eat depending on what you are looking for. A stroll up the beach into town takes around 20 minutes.
If you feel like staying in – you can order a pizza to be delivered to your door or order from Sandbar Beachfront Restaurant which has an extensive variety of take-out and delivery options.
Remember that every suite at Xanadu has a fully equipped kitchen including fridge, stove, microwave, coffee maker, blender, toaster and kettle, so you can also buy groceries and cook for yourselves if you prefer. There are two supermarkets just outside the entrance to Xanadu. See our Places to Eat Page.
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No! There is a boat lane between the shore and the reef. There are very fast water taxi’s that may not see you. It is further to the reef than it looks. There are tour boats that can take you to the reef to snorkel, dive or go fishing. Use the kayaks and paddle boards to explore the coastal area, staying close to the docks for safety.
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A customary tip for good service is between 10% and 15%.
We are early risers and every day by dawn the entire resort had been raked and cleaned for a new day. The staff is very service oriented and will do their very best to meet whatever your needs are.
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