X’tan Ha Resort: Review of My Stay at Ambergris Caye, Belize’s Hidden Gem

Researching accommodation options on Ambergris Caye and wondering if X’tan Ha Resort is worth the splurge, or if you’d be better off staying in the bustling heart of San Pedro?

Having stayed at X’tan Ha Resort, affectionately known as “The Waterfront,” for multiple nights with my cousin, experiencing everything from their Pool View Villa accommodations to their on-site Ka’ Kau Restaurant, I can provide honest insights into the magical highlights and practical limitations of this beachfront property.

This detailed review is perfect for travelers torn between secluded resort luxury and town convenience, couples or families wanting authentic Caribbean experiences away from crowds, and anyone trying to decide if the stunning 600-foot private beach and world-class snorkeling access justify the remote location.

I’ll be completely transparent—this was a complimentary stay, but I’m sharing my honest experience because I genuinely fell in love with this place despite initially arriving in the most unglamorous way possible (soaking wet on a speedboat with our luggage in a rainstorm, definitely not recommended!).

While I appreciated the energy of San Pedro town during the first part of our trip, waking up to crystal-clear waters where stingrays leap from the sea, sipping locally roasted coffee poolside, and having direct access to Mexico Rocks snorkeling made X’tan Ha feel like the authentic Belizean paradise I’d dreamed about.

Yes, you’ll need a golf cart to reach most restaurants and attractions, but sometimes being wonderfully isolated is precisely what your soul needs—I’m just here to help you decide if it’s what your vacation needs, too.

Arriving at X’tan Ha “The Waterfront” Resort

My cousin and I took a roundabout route to X’tan Ha (pronounced “ISH-tan HA”).

As we were down in the central part of San Pedro, we needed to get up to the resort, which is about 7.5 miles North of that area. I would not recommend the way we did it.

We had a tour booked for Mexico Rocks (an incredible place to snorkel), which is located not far from X’Tan Ha, so we asked our guide if he could drop us off after the tour. Convenient ya?

Yes, truly. However, that meant we had to bring our luggage with us. And as it was a small speed boat and it was raining… well, we got a bit soaked, to say the least. Luckily, nothing was harmed, but I would not recommend getting to the resort this way unless it’s a less intense boat, such as a catamaran.

The best way to arrive at this wondrous beach resort is by contacting them directly, as they have a shuttle. We took this on the way back when leaving San Pedro and heading for San Ignacio. It’s a minivan that’ll drive you to the water taxi (where we were headed) or the airport, depending on how you are arriving or departing.

Luxurious Accommodations with Caribbean Charm

After our soggy arrival, I can honestly say everything was picture-perfect! Warm and friendly staff greeted us with a welcome drink at the hotel check-in area.

They even came to fetch us when we inadvertently passed the entrance, as we had come in from the shore and missed the reception sign.

We were then guided to our room, a Pool View Villa.

The Pool View Apartments are the newest addition to the X’tan Ha Resort. They are in the garden with views of the lush tropical landscaping, pool, and, in the background, the glorious waters of Belize.

The Pool View Villa

The apartments’ spacious layout offered plenty of space for my cousin and me to spread out and relax.

While there are apartments on the first and second floors, we had a first-floor Villa. There may have been guests above us, but if there were, we never heard them. The only guests we ever heard while inside were our lovely neighbors, a family next door when they were out on the balcony.

The Villa boasts two incredibly comfy beds, and I adored the ‘Welcome’ they had laid out for me. We didn’t have enough time to go shopping and use the kitchen, but it was lovely to know it was readily available.

Having the water jug was a major bonus! It can get quite hot in Ambergris Caye, and staying hydrated can be difficult when you’re on the go, so not having to worry about that was a godsend.

My cousin and I enjoyed sitting on the porch to catch the sea breeze while relaxing on the balcony. It was also a good place to put our wet things from our arrival to dry or our bathing suits throughout our stay.

Overall, the room was spectacularly clean and had amenities that show how much this island resort thinks of its guests (e.g., an ironing board, safe, coffee maker, Tupperware, dishes, beach towels, a water spigot outside each apartment to wash off the sand, and more).

Dinner at Ka’ Kau Restaurant and Bar

After settling in, we took a quick dip in the pool, just steps outside our door, before changing for dinner.

We walked down the sandy path from our room to their onsite restaurant, Ka’ Kau Restaurant and Bar. Open 7 days a week, it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

While their official site says, “Reservations recommended,” the hotel restaurant was relatively empty. That’s partly because we arrived just before the busy season, so depending on when you go, you may want to inquire about reservations.

They have daily dinner and drink specials, and they were able to accommodate my cousin, who is vegetarian, by making a special dish for her. I enjoyed both the meals I got there.

As this night was still rather rainy, we didn’t eat outdoors, but we did the following evening, which was genuinely magical. I highly recommend going to the Ka’Kau Beach Bar, even just for a drink, to sit under their tiki-style hut on the water.

We had breakfast here, and it was one of my favorite experiences at X’tan Ha resort. Plus, I was able to order “The Belizean’s Favorite,” which has fry jacks, a Belizean specialty you should definitely try while visiting! These fried pastries are perfect to use as a hot pocket. I stuffed mine with the eggs and bacon on the plate before dipping them in the bean dip.

Exploring the Cultural Decor and Activities

After dinner, we stopped by their reception area again, where I had seen quite a lot of games and books when I arrived. I’m a big nerd, so this was a huge plus for me!

We were also given a complimentary bag of dark-roast coffee from the Caye Coffee Roasting Company. My cousin is still talking about just how good this coffee is!

The following morning, we sat at the poolside and drank a cup of this coffee. It was a marvelous way to start the day in this serene atmosphere before exploring more of the resort.

I loved the cultural decor dotted around that gave X’tan Ha a wonderful Caribbean charm. There are also plenty of things to do around the property…

Activities on-Site

• Multiple swimming pools
• Complimentary use of kayaks and paddleboards
• A life-size chess board
• Ping-pong table
• Cornhole
• Board games
• Books
• Spa services
• …and more!

There are also plenty of things to do just off-site…

Adventures off-Site

• World-class snorkeling at the Mexico Rocks Marine Reserve
• Scuba diving excursions to the Belize Barrier Reef
• Golf cart and bike rentals to tour the island
• Catamaran cruises and sailing adventures

Of the above, we took advantage of the swimming pools, kayaks, and golf cart rental. I had already booked the Mexico Rocks excursion, but had I realized just how close the resort was to Mexico Rocks, I probably would have inquired about booking through them.

The day we took the kayak out, it was rainy, so that wasn’t as enjoyable as I believe it could have been, but it was still really great to have it available to us for no additional charge and no wait.

On our second day, we rented a golf cart and headed to Secret Beach, which isn’t all that secret anymore. Today, it’s a pretty touristy area with bars and restaurants lining the shore. After visiting, my cousin and I agreed we liked the shores of X’tan Ha more, as the waters were calmer, clearer, and more enjoyable overall.

Checking out this Beachfront Haven

X’tan Ha boasts one of the most spectacular beachfront locations on Ambergris Caye. With 600 feet of private white sandy beach and crystal-clear waters, this hidden gem is truly wonderful to stay at.

One of the huge bonuses of staying at X’tan Ha resort is access to this area, which is just a short distance from the Mexico Rocks Marine Reserve.

I genuinely believe it’s one of the best beaches on Ambergris Caye. It is crystal-clear, calm, and boasts spectacular marine life. While on shore, I even saw a stingray leap out of the water!

My Honest X’tan Ha Resort Review

The resort’s location, 7.2 miles north of San Pedro Town, provides the perfect balance of accessibility and seclusion for those looking to get away from it all.

However, the only downside of this seclusion is that the resort isn’t walkable to much.

When I initially arrived in San Pedro, my cousin and I stayed at a place in town. I mention this as it grants me the privilege of experiencing both an in-town hotel and a beachside resort.

While both have their pros, the main con of the X’tan Ha resort is that you’ll have to rent a golf cart or get other means of transportation if you want to do activities in town.

While this was not a downside for us as I had arranged our itinerary so that we did all our ‘in town’ activities while at the other accommodation, I can see it cumbersome if a visitor is unaware of this distance.

This is not to say there is nothing walkable from X’tan Ha. Just that most main attractions or activities depart from central San Pedro, so be sure to plan accordingly while staying here.

Besides that, I cannot report anything that would deter me from recommending this glorious waterfront Ambergris Caye resort.

Transparency: This was a complimentary stay at X’tan Ha Resort, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Related Ambergris Caye Travel Guides

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize: My Experience on a Snorkeling Tour
• How to Get to Ambergris Caye: Speedy and Affordable Options
• What’s the Best Place to Stay in Ambergris Caye: Luxury Resort or Budget Hostel?
• Helpful Guide to “Is Secret Beach Ambergris Caye Worth Visiting?”
• The Best Ambergris Caye Restaurants: Affordable Dining Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to Ambergris Caye Belize for First-Timers
• Experience Paradise at X’tan Ha Resort: Ambergris Caye’s Hidden Gem

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