
Frequently Asked Questions
MANTA ISLAND BELIZE FAQ
We have listed our most frequently asked questions below. We have tried to include as much info as possible! If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
About Our Rates
Where are your rates?
Kindly note that rates are listed on the All Inclusive Package page in the pricing details section. Rates for packages are per couple (except the Island Rental Package). If you have any question about the rates, simply fill out this form or shoot us a quick email.
Do you require a deposit at the time of booking?
Yes. A 25% deposit is due at the time of booking. The non-refundable balance is due 30 days prior to arrival. Except for stays between Christmas & New Year (December 18th to January 5th) which requires payment in full 60 days prior to your arrival. Reservations made less than 30 days prior to arrival are to be paid in full upon receipt of confirmation.
Kindly note, for the Island Rental Package, the deposit requirements are different, contact us for those details.
Is Manta Island Resort all inclusive?
Yes, Manta Island Resort is an all inclusive resort. Kindly see our Package Page for an overview.
Is international airfare included in the package rate?
No, we do not include the international airfare from your home town to Belize in the package rates. However, our packages do include the cost of the round trip local airfare between the Belize City International Airport and Dangriga Town as well as the boat ride to the island. All international flights to Belize land at the only International Airport in the country, the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (Code: BZE). You will need to book your international flight to Belize City directly through the airline or through an agent of your choice.
Am I responsible for booking my flight from Belize city to Dangriga?
No! Once you have made your reservations with us, we will be happy to make the appropriate local flight reservations for you, just email us your international flight itinerary. We generally book this local flight the month prior to your arrival.
Are meals and drinks included in the cost of the packages?
Yes, all meals are included in packages as well as unlimited free local beer, soft drinks, and local mixed drinks (mixed drinks made with local gin, local coconut rum, local vodka, and local rum only). Also, we do have brand name alcoholic spirits available for purchase at the bar and we have a Happy Hour most evenings during which drinks are half price.
What beverages are not included on the packages?
Imported call drinks (i.e., mixed and frozen drinks made with imported liquor) and wine are not included in the packages, however it is included in the Honeymoon & Romance package add-on. And we do have a Happy Hour most evenings during which drinks are half price.
What if I get hungry after meals have been served?
This is highly unlikely due to the generous portion size of the meals on Manta Island! We also serve complimentary afternoon bar snacks.
Are pina coladas and wine included in the packages that include alcoholic drinks?
Pina coladas are included as a part of the Unlimited Local Bar amenity. Wine is not included, so you may want to take advantage of our daily Happy Hour specials from 4pm to 6pm.
Are gratuities included in the package price?
Can I split my vacation between Manta Island Resort & Your Sister Resorts?
Yes, you can split your vacation between Manta Island and one of our sister resorts by adding a Sister Resort Stay
Add-On to your package.
Can I simply switch my vacation from Manta Island Resort to Coco Plum Island or Belizean Dreams or Laru Beya resort?
Unfortunately, you are not able to do this as we are all separate resorts and therefore we would require you to cancel with us in writing directly (adhering to our cancellation policy) and thereafter booking with our other sister resorts in accordance with their booking policy.
Getting Here
What is the boat transfer schedule between Dangriga and Manta Island Resort?
What if I am not flying into Dangriga?
Some guests stay with us after (or before) visiting a hotel or resort on the mainland. In those instances, ask your hotel to drop you off at our Dangriga office. It is best to have your hotel call our Dangriga office the day prior to your arrival to arrange a drop-off time.
The directions to the office are as follows:
The office is located at 3 miles on the Stann Creek Valley Road, on the right side of the road if you are driving to Dangriga from Belmopan. The office is a 2-story, blue and white cement building. There is a boat repair yard located just before our office which is also on the right side.
What can I expect upon my arrival in the Belize city airport?
The process once you arrive at the Belize City airport (BZE) is very simple, however please check on updated procedures due to COVID-19 on our COVID-19 page as some of the following info may have changed: The airport has 3 huge rooms – one for arriving passengers, one for departing passengers and one for the airline counters. In one room you will go through Immigration and Customs. When you exit, tell the person at the door that you need to catch a Maya Island Air flight and they will point you to the room on the left where the departing airlines counters are situated.
When you land at the Dangriga airport/airstrip, you will be greeted by a member of our staff. It is a very small airport and very few people deplane, so recognizing you is not a problem. However, for your peace of mind, the driver will either be wearing a Manta Island or EZ Investments uniform. Please also keep in mind that the employees of the local airline are also very familiar with our staff members, so you can always ask them if you have any questions. If you are early for the scheduled boat out to the island our staff member you will take you to a nearby restaurant for a snack, otherwise, they will drive you to the boat dock (about a 10 minute drive) to depart for a 75 minute boat ride to the island…soon to be greeted by a famous Mosquito Bite cocktail!
Do I need a passport to travel to Belize?
Which airlines fly to Belize City?
Belize City is only a two-hour flight from several major U.S. cities such as Miami, Houston, or Dallas. All international flights to Belize land at the only International Airport in Belize, Phillip S. W. Goldson International Airport (Code: BZE). You will need to book your international flight to Belize directly through the airline or through an agent of your choice. Please note: international airfare is not included in the package rates.
There are daily flights offered to and from the following cities (this info is subject to change so be sure to check with the airlines or your travel agent):
• Air Canada from Toronto, Canada (YYZ)
• American Airlines via Charlotte, N.C. (CLT), Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), and Miami (MIA)
• Delta via Atlanta (ATL)
• Southwest Airlines via Houston (HOU), Denver (DEN), and Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• SUN Country via Minnesota (MSP) *seasonal
• United Airlines via Houston (IAH), Chicago (CH), and Newark (NJ (EWR- Liberty)
• WestJet from Toronto, Canada (YYZ) and Calgary, Canada (YYC)
• Avianca via El Salvador (SAL)
• COPA via Panama (PTY)
• TACA via San Salvador (SAL) and Guatemala City (GUA)
• Tropic Air via Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
• Tropic Air via Flores, Guatemala (FRS)
• Tropic Air via Roatan, Honduras (RTB)
Where is Manta Island Resort?
About Belize
When is the rainy season?
The rainy season traditionally runs from June to November. On the cays, the rainy season is usually manifested in squalls, leaving plenty of time for all your activities.
Can I use my cell phone in Belize?
What type of government does Belize have?
What is the official language of Belize?
English is the official language of Belize, although a number of dialects are spoken among the country’s 350,000 citizens, including the main dialect spoken countrywide, Kriol. This is the result of Belize’s rich and multicultural heritage. However, you won’t have any problems conversing with locals and getting around as mostly everyone speaks English.
Do I need to bring Belize currency?
No, U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere in Belize, but not U.S. coins. It is best to bring smaller denominations as change in U.S. currency may be limited. The majority of all hotels, restaurants and shops in the major towns and tourist areas accept major credit cards. Street vendors and smaller establishments in remote areas may accept only cash.
We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. We gladly accept U.S. currency at Manta Island.
What is the monetary exchange in Belize?
What time zone is Belize in?
Where is Dangriga Town?
Dangriga, the largest town in the Stann Creek District, is located 55 miles from Belmopan (the Capital) and 105 miles from Belize City. With a population of 8,100, it is one of the largest Garifuna (or Black Carib) communities in the world. Dangriga takes its name from the local Garifuna language, loosely meaning ‘here, the sweet water is close at hand.’ It lies peacefully along the banks of the North Stann Creek River, whose water is legendary. The town’s drinking supply is refreshingly cool and arguably the best tasting in Belize. The town’s dreamy atmosphere still harks back to a past age. The houses are made of weathered wooden planks and raised on stilts. Fishing dories lie tied up along the banks of the river. – Belize Tourism Board
Is there departure tax when leaving Belize?
Please be aware that all visitors to the country of Belize are subject to a departure tax to be paid at the airport upon departing. The fee is USD$38 per person (subject to change and can be paid in US currency only or VISA/MasterCard). Some airlines do include the tax in your ticket price, but we suggest you check with your airline for further details and information.
About the Island
Are children allowed on the island?
Children of any age are allowed to stay at Manta Island Resort. Finding a magical place where the entire family can bond while spying giant sea turtles, exploring hidden beaches and sandy bays, and sharing unique island experiences is extremely hard to come by. At Manta Island Resort, there are no gimmicks — say goodbye to your typical family vacation of water slides, crowded buffets, but rather enjoy a peaceful idyllic setting in a life changing environment.
Why isn't Manta adults only like Coco Plum Island?
Based on detailed guest feedback from our sister property, Coco Plum Island, which is adult only, an overwhelming majority of our guests recommended that children be allowed to stay on Manta Island.
Rest assured, we have all the capabilities and intentions to provide guests with a full range of the private island experience. Couples wanting a romantic experience, will be able to enjoy privacy on this 12 acre island paradise. Even while dining at our huge indoor restaurant, we are able to provide you with reserved seating on the veranda, on the pool deck, and on the beach. We do hope you will take the plunge with us in encouraging the next generation of island explorers! After all, with only 9 cabanas on the entire island, our secluded and spacious island locale allows each and every guest to be as private or as social as they wish.
Do you have a pool on the island?
Yes! The infinity pool is located just off the Black Coral Bar & Restaurant area.
Are there bugs on the island?
Keep in mind that when you travel to the tropics, bugs (mosquitoes and sand flies) can be expected. So, the short answer is yes. We attempt to curtail the sand fly activity on the island (the sand flies are less active during times of high wind). If you are sensitive to biting insects, it is very advisable to bring Deet-based insect repellent for use on the inland tours and for use on the island as needed. You may also want to bring a citronella candle for your veranda in case the bugs are active. As well as Hydrocortisone cream and Benadryl Tablets.
Do you recommend getting travel insurance?
Does the beach at your resort have seaweed?
Seaweed can be an issue along our beaches during certain times of the year. There is no way to predict when it will wash ashore in larger quantities or how long it will last as it has to do with the tides.
Though seaweed may not seem ideal, it is perfect for our ecosystem since it serves as a home to an amazing variety of marine species, including our endangered sea turtles. As an eco-friendly destination, we are committed to preserving and protecting our country’s natural beauty by keeping it as pristine as possible. We would like to make note that we do maintain our beach daily by raking excess deposits on the shore and moving it away from the beach.
Is there drinking water on the island?
Is there electricity on the island?
Is Wi-Fi offered at Manta Island Resort?
Due to our remote location, wifi is not available at this time. We ask that you download music, books, movies, etc prior to coming to Manta Island so you can enjoy listening, reading, watching without interruption. We do have a satellite phone available at the Front Desk from which you can make calls to inform your family of your safe arrival or use the case of an emergency.
When is check-in time?
What are the hours of the reservations office?
Are pets allowed on Manta Island?
Do you have a dress code for dinner?
Do you provide a hairdryer?
Yes, we have a hairdryer in the bathroom of your cabana.
Do you provide soap/shampoo/conditioner?
“The beach cabana was so much better than being in a crowded hotel and it was sparkling clean!”