Ramon's Village Resort located on the stunning island of Ambergris Caye, Belize offers scuba divers, snorkelers and travelers the ultimate vacation. Thatched roof cabanas, pool, restaurant, Purple Parrot. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/ramons/hotel/353/3/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Mon, 9 Nov 2009 20:25:02 EST Lose yourself in the island accommodations at Ramon's Village Resort! An exotic beachside island paradise awaits you! Marvel at our stunning, authentic thatched roof cabanas, tropical lagoon-style pool, fabulous restaurant and the world-famous Purple Parrot all the while being pampered by our renowned staff.. Our accommodations include sixty-one thatched roof cabanas hidden beneath coconut palms and lush tropical foliage. Honeymoon Suites, Presidential and International Suites, Beachfront, Seaside and Gardenview rooms.... air conditioned and fan-cooled for idyllic comfort. Located on the picturesque island of Ambergris Caye, you'll step back in time to the Caribbean of yesteryear. At Ramon's Village, you will be greeted by your legendary host, Mr. Ramon Nunez. Ramon was born in San Pedro and is one of the neatest guys you'll ever want to meet. If you really get to know him during your stay, there'll be tears shed when you have to leave. Ramon Nuņez, the legendary host of Ramon's Village Resort, and his personable staff are eagerly awaiting your arrival. Once you set foot inside our village they will do whatever it takes to make your stay everything you ever dreamed of and much more! Ramon's Village offers island accommodations in true tropical style with sixty-one thatched-roof cabanas: Beach front, Sea side and Gardenview cabanas, provide secluded hideaways for those who are ready for relaxation. All of our cabanas are nestled among coconut palms and flaming flamboyant trees, while colorful bougainvillea, hibiscus and a fanfare of other tropical flora and fauna join together to create the perfect backdrop for your island sabbatical. Our Honeymoon Cabanas offer romantic settings for newlyweds with the surf at their front doorstep. Umm, nice! For those who need room for the entire family, we have multi-room suites. If it's the best room in the house you're after, select the International or Presidential Suite. You'll enjoy ample space for lounging or dining-in while absorbing the breathtaking views of the reef just beyond your balcony. You may choose from cabanas with one king bed or two double beds. All of our cabanas are air conditioned, but we've allowed our ceiling fans to remain to enhance the tropical freshness and island mystique of the bygone days of yesteryear. BEACHFRONT These cabanas are right at old Neptune's locker. Situated only a few short steps from the Caribbean, these accommodations offer private verandas and balconies, as well as a breathtaking view of the barrier reef. You will marvel at the spectacular scenery and beauty that awaits you! Experience a sunrise like you have never seen before as the sun crests over the water warming you more with each passing second. We could say more, but why spoil the surprise? SEASIDE Partial views of our beach and the beautiful Caribbean Sea are afforded you from your private veranda or balcony. Your cabana is enshrouded with bougainvillea, hibiscus and sea grape, and canopied with royal and coconut palms. Kick back and sit a spell on your private balcony. Tingle as the tropical breezes caress your body as it whispers through the palms. Listen to the calypso drumbeat of whitecaps on the reef. Savor the fragrance of your surroundings. GARDENVIEW If privacy and seclusion, in a jungle atmosphere, is what you're looking for, then we promise you'll love the Gardenview cabanas. Your private veranda is surrounded by lush tropical plants and the sweet sound of birds singing in the zericote, almond and lucky nut trees just outside your window. The beautiful Caribbean is only a few steps away. HONEYMOON What better place to begin the rest of your life together -- Paradise! Our Honeymoon cabanas are strategically located to provide seclusion for your romantic interludes, as well as convenience for all the amenities our resort offers. Why not consider getting married at Ramons? Our staff will design a wedding ceremony especially for you to make that "special day" perfect. INTERNATIONAL/PRESIDENTIAL SUITES When you're looking for a little extra luxury and style, the International or Presidential suite is just the ticket. These suites offer separate dining and lounging areas. Their placement provides the best view of our azure blue waters crashing over the largest reef in the Northern Hemisphere. Both suites are furnished with kitchenettes including microwave, refrigerator and coffee pot. Mahogany cabinets and trim, clay tile floors and spacious room interiors accented with rattan furniture provide maximum comfort. Located on the beach, these suites are the ultimate in luxury accommodations at Ramon's Village Resort. MINI/GUEST SUITE These cabanas offer an upgrade over our standard rooms and can be rented individually or as a two bedroom suite. Each cabana has its own private entrance, full bath, veranda and the Mini Suite includes a kitchenette. For those traveling with children, the two bedroom suite offers just the right amount of privacy and comfort - you can Belize it! Ramon's Village boasts its own superb restaurant with chef Rommy Kie and his staff of professionals. They are routinely recognized by our guests as the finest crew on the entire island. Rommy offers a wide range of delicacies including oriental, cajun and local favorites. You won't want to miss the weekly beach barbecues and the Sunday Buffet. Our restaurant is situated in the center of the resort. You may choose to dine indoors or outside on one of our palm shaded multilevel verandas overlooking the Caribbean. Ramon's restaurant staff aims to please. After a day of fishing with our guides, feel free to take your catch to the kitchen and Rommy will be more than happy to prepare it for you and your party to enjoy. Savor a delicious beach barbeque or join in the entertainment at the world-famous Purple Parrot located poolside at Ramon's. Or, simply enjoy a romantic dinner at the Restaurant at Ramon's as the gentle breezes mingled with the perfume of tropical flowers whirl you into a savoring calm. The historic fishing village of San Pedro is a short 5 minute walk up the beach from Ramon's Village Resort. This charming village is situated on Ambergris Caye, the jewel of more than 1,000 islands and cayes scattered throughout the western Caribbean waters of Belize. San Pedro's Front Street is lined with gift shops, boutiques and art galleries. Cafes with local and international cuisine are plentiful. The most famous restaurant in San Pedro is Elvi's Kitchen. Here, locals and tourists sit side-by-side enjoying Ms. Elvi's home cooking. If you get to meet Ms. Elvi, tell her Richard and Gina said, "hello." Richard, owner of Ramon's Village, recommends Ramon's Beach Barbecues and succulent buffets that will excite the most exacting taste buds. If you dine poolside, you might be enticed to sing along with Barefoot Skinny, an amazing instrumentalist and musical impersonator, who performs regularly at the Purple Parrot , the center of Ramon's night life. Gina, the owner's "boss," recommends our unforgettable Beach Picnic. We will carry you and your friends by private boat to Lynette's place, a secluded beach about 10 miles up the coastline. On the way, you'll catch your own fish, dive for your own conch, or spear your own lobster (when in season, of course). Turiano, or one of our most experienced guides, will cook your catch using his grandma's secret seasoning blend over an open fire of coconut husks. Um, um, good! The best way to enjoy the spectacular Belizean sunset is aboard a sunset cruise inside the reef or along the back bay. Enjoy a nature ballet starring the wood stork, spoon bill and boat bill herons as they congregate for the evening. One really nice thing about Ambergris Caye is that because it is so laid back, you're never required to dress up, but of course you can if you like. It sure makes packing a lot easier if you realize that after most of our guests get to Ramon's, they kick their shoes off and don't worry about them again until the dreaded day when they have to return to the real world. There's really a lot to do on our island but, you may choose to do nothing at all. But, we bet you don't! AMENITIES: The Gift Shop at Ramon's Between meals, wander over to the Ramon's Village gift shop and browse for the perfect find. Local artisans provide wares that will surely be of interest to you; handmade black coral jewelry, shell and glass bead jewelry, and beautiful handmade wood carvings are among a few of the items you will find there. For the clothes horse, this is the place for you. Choose from a wide assortment of batik clothing and accessories for the whole family, made exclusively for Ramon's Village. You'll also find a nice selection of swimsuits, beachwear, bags, hats, sunglasses and lotions. The Pool at Ramon's Our pool is "the pool of Belize." There is nothing else like it on our island or in the rest of the country. Protected by the island king, "Rey Ramon," our pool is home to a 12-foot tall stone outcropping hand-carved by Floyd Moro. The sculpture was carved from stone blocks cast exactly as Floyd's Mayan ancestors did centuries ago. "Rey Ramon" consumed two years of research, design and construction time. It is a rival to any ancient stella found to date at any archaeological site in Belize. Over eighty feet long our pool is designed with irregular curves, creating coves and peninsulas. Quarry stones perimeterize the irregular shape of our pool and accentuate the jungle lagoon effect you feel when you first see or step into it. Seating ledges are located in the pool allowing you to sit and relax while enjoying a cool tropical beverage from the Purple Parrot. One end of the pool winds its way back into total seclusion surrounded by crotons, banana trees, bougainvillea and birds of paradise. It is shaded by royal and coconut palms. This end, called "lover's cove" is actually a jacuzzi with nine stimulating power massage outlets. Talk about a story to tell...sshh!! The Pier at Ramon's Our pier extends from the beach over 420 feet, enabling our guests to enjoy the invigorating sea breeze and spectacular views of the reef to the fullest. Not only is the pier home to our two dive shops and numerous dive boats, we have a section reserved just for you. If you like to swim or sunbathe, take advantage of the swim platform with ladders leading into the ocean. While you're in the water be sure to take a look under the pier -- you'll be amazed at what you might see: schools of fish, a canon and two anchors from an old Spanish galleon, ...just for starters. Situated at the end of the pier are four thatched roof palapas with comfortable seating for a couple or a group. From here you can let time pass you by as you gaze out over the azure blue waters and listen to the hypnotic sound of waves crashing over the reef. After sunset, the end of the pier gives you the perfect vantage point for watching the brilliant Belizean sky come to life with its legions of stars, sparkling in the heavens as though they were brand new. To see a 360 degree IPIX image from the pier, click here (Ramons_pier.exe). Double click on it after downloading. The Beach at Ramon's There are many activities and excursions to choose from, but for some, the beach at Ramon's is just their cup of tea. With 500 feet of white coral sand and coconut palms you should be able to find the perfect spot to relax with a good book. For your comfort, we provide beach lounge chairs with cushions and also hammocks. When the Belizean sun starts to warm you up, expect a visit from the Purple Parrot staff, ready to take your order for a cold refreshing tropical fruit drink. The Vehicle Rentals at Ramon's When you're ready to explore the village of San Pedro, inquire about our golf carts and bicycles rentals. Don't think you'll be moving too slow at this pace...remember, you're on Belizean time now, mon! The Laundry Service at Ramon's To help you cut down on your packing, we provide in-house laundry service for you during your stay with us. Our friendly housekeeping staff will be more than happy to accommodate you. The Room Service at Ramon's This is for the morning you decide to sleep in, but don't want to miss chef Rommy's delicious breakfast of eggs Benedict, or French toast, or fried jacks, or Belgian waffles, or pancakes and syrup, or fresh pineapple, watermelon, honeydew, bananas, mangos, papayas,...well, you get the picture! The FAX and E-mail Service at Ramon's You go on vacation to get away from it all, but occasionally reality hits and you have to communicate with the office. No problem, Einer, our capable manager, and his trusty office staff are ready to assist you with any faxes, e-mails, photocopies, etc., that you might need. But, don't make a habit of it! Remember, you've come to Ramon's to relax. Special Events at Ramon's Ready to tie the knot? Ramon's Village is the perfect place to do it. Call ahead and let us make all the arrangements for you. You bring your honey and leave the rest to us. Planning a board meeting or a family reunion? Whatever the occasion, let us accommodate you. It may be hard to concentrate on what you're there for with so much natural beauty surrounding you, but give it your best shot. TOP QUESTIONS 1) Do I need a passport? Yes 2) Do I need a visa? No, unless you are staying longer than 30 days. 3) What currency is used? U.S. dollars and major credit cards are taken at most all establishments. The local currency is the Belize dollar and has a fixed exchange rate to the U.S. dollar. 4) What is the weather like? Belize enjoys a wonderful year-round climate. The average annual temperature is 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter and spring months are generally drier than summer and fall. 5) Is the drinking water safe? Yes, generally most of Belize enjoys good water quality. 6) What language is spoken? The official language of Belize is English, since Belize is a British Commonwealth. However, most Belizians are fluent in both English and Spanish. ACTIVITIES: Splash in the cerulean waters of the Western Caribbean from our sparkling white sand beach and view the second largest barrier reef on earth just 400 yards from our resort. Experience the bountiful hospitality of the people of Belize and see why so many guests return year after year to stay at Ramon's Village Resort. You'll be ready to come back too! Dive two rare and breathtaking atolls, plus Jacques Cousteau's famous Blue Hole, aboard our Pro 42 dive boat The Miss Gina. Enjoy snorkeling with nurse sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley, explore the ancient Mayan ruins, discover the amazing beauty of the jungle while navigating a stunning river or choose an afternoon of fly fishing for tarpon or deep sea fishing for marlin or sailfish. Refresh yourself in our eighty foot lagoon-style pool surrounded by the gorgeous flora and fauna native to Belize. Savor a delicious beach barbeque or join in the entertainment at the world famous Purple Parrot. Enjoy a romantic dinner at the Restaurant at Ramon's as the gentle breezes mingled with the perfume of tropical flowers whirl you into savoring calm. Tranquil waters, calm breezes, gently rolling surf whirl you into savoring calm, eliminating the complexities of daily life. Intoxicated with the perfume of tropical flowers mingled with refreshing sea air, your senses will be rejuvenated like never before. Come to appreciate perfection. Discover paradise... Discover relaxation... Discover Ramon's Village... A wonderfully intriguing vacation resort! With the largest barrier reef in the Northern hemisphere just off our beach, Ramon's Village is the perfect launching point for any underwater excursion. Jacque Cousteau's world famous Blue Hole is one of nature's wonders, and a feather in any diver's cap. The Blue Hole, Turneffe, Lighthouse Reef and other world class dive sites are easily accessible on our fully equipped Pro 42 dive boat. For the adventurous snorkeler or first time scuba diver, visit Hol Chan marine preserve, home of a truly spectacular array of marine life. Or venture out to Shark Ray Alley and discover why it's a favorite spot of the locals and visitors -- don't forget your underwater camera! Ramon's Village Resort is a PADI Gold Palm IDC Resort facility and our Dive Center is Belize's largest and most respected. A full staff of PADI professional instructors and dive masters ensure a dive experience unequaled anywhere in the Belize - or for that matter, the world! We do accept referrals from other certification organizations such as NAUI, SSI, YMCA and NASDS for completion of entry-level training. We offer resort scuba courses and if you have time, we can give you the full dose - full PADI certification! You may only need your open water dive to complete your full certification. If so, c'mon, let's get wet! If you have your own dive gear, bring it. If not, our dive shop is equipped with an excellent selection of gear for sale or rent. Six 24-foot and 34-foot dive boats plus our 42-foot Miss Gina are sure to make your diving fantasies come true! If you enjoy sport fishing then you are in the right place! The Barrier Reef provides unsurpassed deep-sea fishing for marlin, barracuda and wahoo. If you prefer light tackle the saltwater flats that surround Ambergris Caye and the out island atolls provide some of the best bone fishing in the world. We have an experienced staff of guides waiting to give you an unforgettable sport fishing adventure. For those of you who want to stay above the surface, windsurfing, sailing, glass-bottom boat tours and jetskiing are other activities readily available on our island. Of course there's always the old favorite past time of floating on an inflatable raft, just soaking up the rays. Dive Jacques Cousteau's legendary Blue Hole...our dive masters will take you on the dive of a lifetime and you'll see why every scuba diver who visits Belize considers this a "must do" dive! Belize is a great place to bring the kids too! A beautiful white sand beach at Ramon's with abundant shoreline and a great snorkeling area at the end of our pier! Plus, where else can you take kids where the motto is "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem!"....Belize it! Want to leave paradise for a day excursion to the mainland, why not? Just give the word and we will handle everything for you! Tell us when you want to go and let us make all the arrangements. Or, if you would like to plan your own itinerary, we'll be glad to fulfill it for you. Belize has one of the most interesting mainlands of all the Central American countries. The jungles are lush, the wildlife is abundant and the rivers range from mild to wild. Belize is rich in archaeological sites which reveal their treasures to those who like adventure. Experience one of the most mysterious civilizations of all, the Maya. Excursions to these sites are by car or by river. We highly recommend a river trip. It is an unbelievable experience that offers rare photographic opportunities to see river life, such as crocodiles, monkeys, birds and if you're lucky, manatee, in their natural environments. Let us take you to Lamanai, wow! What a trip! Belize has set aside vast areas of natural forest as sanctuaries for birds, monkeys, jaguar and even the crocodile. The country is world renowned for its ecotourism. If you want to experience the best of Belize in a day then the Belize Zoo is for you. You won't believe it until you see how the animals are presented to you! No steel bars, no iron or concrete cages. Well, heck, I'm not going to tell you...you need to see it for yourself! After the zoo, we'll take you to Clarissa Falls for lunch and a dip in the river, and maybe even a tube ride downstream. If you like cultural festivals, you'll love Belize. To put it in plain English, most Belizeans are party animals! Any holiday or special event is occasion enough for a party. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Resort Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/ramons/hotel/353/3/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 20:25:02 EST