Xanadu Island Resort
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Overview
- The first Green Globe island certified property in Belize
- Stay in a unique monolithic dome structure, with beautiful arching walls
- Dive with the best local operators, known for impeccable standards of service
- Make the most of your time with a wide range of complimentary amenities
Located on Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita” and named after Samuel Coleridge’s fictional land, this superb beachfront resort is almost too good to be true. You’ll have access to topical gardens, the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea and the Belize Barrier Reef, providing plenty of opportunity for adventure. And with plenty of complimentary facilities, you’re free to explore at your own pace, and in your own style. Join one, two, or three-tank dive trips to some of the best sites in Belize, or simply relax in the pool or hot tub. No matter what you do, as one of Belize’s leading sustainable resorts, you can rest assured that every minute of your stay is benefitting the local people, wildlife, and environment.
Rooms
Amenities
About
About Xanadu Island Resort
Xanadu Island Resort is nestled amongst tropical gardens on a beautiful beachfront, overlooking the world’s second largest barrier reef and the sparkling Caribbean Sea. Despite lying just a mile or so south of San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, Xanadu is one of Belize's top eco-friendly beach resorts and is close enough to enjoy the amenities of the town yet far enough away to immerse yourself in nature and relaxation. Surrounded by sublime indigenous plants, this resort’s twenty sumptuous suites offer maximum privacy and relaxation with an authentic Belizean ambiance.
Taking inspiration from the Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem, this resort’s owners have realised the fictional land of Xanadu, complete with dome shaped accommodation. In fact, Xanadu Island Resort could well be the first and only resort in the world boasting these magnificent monolithic dome structures. But that’s far from this resort’s only claim to fame. It is also the first Green Globe island certified property in Belize, awarded so by the International Center for Responsible Tourism. As you can imagine, Xanadu Island Resort believes in being as environmentally sustainable as possible and actively contributing to the local community.
Explore the resort
In line with its commitment to sustainable travel, Xanadu Island Resort chooses not to have a restaurant on site, and instead encourages guests to support other local businesses. Every suite at Xanadu has a full kitchen and there is a supermarket right outside the resort. The nearest restaurants are just a five minute walk away, and many will happily arrange transport if you’d prefer to rest your legs. Xanadu does have an onsite bar that offers coffee and smoothies all day, and alcoholic beverages. You’ll also find a hot tub, heated freshwater pool, and beach barbecue station at your disposal.
But there’s much more to this beach resort than lounging in the sun and sipping your favourite cocktail. While staying at Xanadu, you’ll be at the epicenter of Belize’s marine activities, with complimentary paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkel gear for exploration. You can also make the most of snorkel trips to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, sailing trips, and half or full-day excursions focussed on your choice of fly, reef, or deep sea fishing. Mainland activities can easily be enjoyed on a day trip from the island, and the resort benefits from the luxury of a next door spa, where guests can enjoy a variety of revitalising treatments.
Diving with Xanadu Island Resort
Xanadu Island Resort’s dive packages are offered in partnership with Amigos Del Mar - a family-owned dive operator established on the island of Ambergris Caye in 1984. Starting off as a tiny dock on the beach with nothing but a thatched roof and a group of dedicated brothers, Amigos Del Mar is now an SSI Diamond Dive Centre and SDI resort specialising in full-service diving, instruction, snorkeling, and boat charters. The resort also partners with Belize Pro Dive Centre, to ensure any and all diving requests can be accommodated.
While staying at Xanadu Island Resort, you’ll be ideally situated to access dozens of unique dive sites, meaning you could dive multiple tanks every day of your trip and still not see the same site twice. One, two, and three-tank dive trips are available, visiting sites as close as Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley or as far away as Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Reef. Private charters can be easily accommodated for groups of all sizes, or even singles. And, with their two partner dive operators, Amigos Del Mar and Belize Pro Dive Centre, you can expect up-to-date and well taken care of rental equipment and a range of certification courses taught by passionate and professional instructors.
Top tips
- Check out the resort’s nature walk through the trees and tree tops, and watch for birds, lizards, iguanas, hermit crabs, and large blue land crabs moving about.
- Take a trip to Secret Beach, located on the west side of the island, to escape the hustle and bustle of the town.
Conservation
Xanadu Island Resort strives to respect the beautiful destination of Belize and preserve the environment in every way possible. For its efforts, this resort has become the first Green Globe island certified property in Belize, awarded by the International Center for Responsible Tourism. This resort aims to support and encourage local restaurants, bars, and tour operators by promoting them to guests and not offering competing services on site. Xanadu also actively supports women in need as well as animal and environmental protections in the local area.
To minimise its environmental impact, Xanadu Island Resort uses solar water heaters, energy saving light bulbs, eco-friendly cleaning detergents, and soap dispensers instead of individually wrapped bars. Reusable glass containers are used wherever possible, and any waste paper, plastic, or glass is recycled. No harsh chemicals or fertilisers are used in the garden and non-toxic mosquito repellents are offered as standard.
Diving
Diving in Ambergris Caye, San Pedro and Caye Caulker
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SharksYear round
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Eagle rayYear round
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StingraysYear round
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TurtlesYear round
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Schooling reef fishYear round
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Plentiful reef lifeYear round
Resort checklist
Number of rooms
20
Official dive center rating
SSI, SDI, PADI
Courses offered
Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Divemaster, Specialities