The moment I stepped foot in Ramon’s Village, I knew it was the most special place on the island of Ambergris Caye. The hustle and bustle of San Pedro were silenced by the breathtaking tropical gardens filled with royal palms, bougainvillea, lilies, hibiscus, and dozens of other types of tropical flora surrounding me. Nestled within these gardens were Mayan sculptures and Tahitian-style cottages, complete with authentic thatched roofs. I was greeted with open arms, a smile, and a voice that said, “Welcome to Belize!”
My first glimpse of the ocean was like looking at a beautifully painted picture. Through the tropical plants and palm trees, I heard the rush of the ocean. As I walked out onto the immaculately kept beach, I saw sparkling blue waters, soft white sand, plenty of lounge chairs and hammocks for relaxing, and a fleet of boats gently floating at Ramon’s famous dive dock.
Walking around the property, I could see the time and care spent developing and maintaining what is truly the most unique destination in San Pedro, and, I daresay, the entire country of Belize. From the hand-painted walls, custom-built furniture, and carefully selected Mayan décor to the restaurant seating with a perfect view of the ocean, every detail of this resort captures the essence of island life. As an added bonus, I quickly learned that the term “on the water” couldn’t be truer at Ramon’s. My room, situated at the back of the property, was no more than 250 feet from the water. A quiet jungle cabana with beautiful Belizean hardwood ceilings, the room embodied the best of resort living.
Day 1:
At Ramon’s, there’s never a shortage of adventures. Throughout my four-night stay, I fully immersed myself in the resort, the island, and the ocean. Day 1 started on a high note, with breakfast at the resort’s popular restaurant, Pineapples on the Beach. I enjoyed a delicious omelet stuffed with sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, tomatoes, onion, and creamy feta cheese while looking out at the ocean and feeling the breeze in my hair. Of course, I had to get a side of fry jacks to go with it. If you aren’t familiar with fry jacks, they are perfectly fried dough that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside—a must-have accompaniment to any Belizean breakfast.
After breakfast, I took a walk down the winding pier, surrounded by boats floating at the dock. As I passed the dive shop, I noticed the staff working diligently to prepare for the endless snorkeling trips, diving excursions, and fishing tours. Making a mental note to schedule a snorkeling tour for the next day, I continued down the pier until I came to a beautiful thatched veranda. From there, I looked down into the crystal-clear waters, watching fish pass by underneath the dock. Not wanting to wait any longer, I kicked off my sandals and climbed down the ladder into the warm water.
My first glimpse of San Pedro was at night. Leaving the peace and quiet of the resort, I rode around the busy streets, passing an array of restaurants, gift shops, neighboring hotels, and local houses. Friendly locals waved as we passed by, and I felt a connection to the town. We were in a golf cart, like most people, so it was easy to feel immersed in my surroundings. With the town lights shining around me, it really was a beautiful sight. This little tour of San Pedro only made me more curious about what it would look like during the day. I couldn’t wait to see more!
Day 2:
I was up early the next morning, anxiously excited for my snorkeling trip to Mexico Rocks. I grabbed my snorkel gear from the dive shop and hopped on Ms. Made, a 34-foot boat capable of holding up to 18 passengers. A short 20-minute boat ride to the north brought us to Mexico Rocks, the ideal place to see sea life. I put on my mask and fins and jumped in to discover what can only be described as an underwater paradise. Amid the beautifully colorful coral reef lives an abundance of lobster, conch, starfish, stingrays, barracuda, and a multitude of fish. As I swam alongside my guide, Guillermo, he constantly pointed out new things for me to see. Stingrays swam beneath me, fish surrounded me, and I couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of the world.
Once we were safely back on the boat, Guillermo brought us to a second stop to swim with nurse sharks and stingrays. I was a little nervous about swimming with sharks but quickly realized that nurse sharks are like sea puppies. Docile and harmless, they swam around me with no malice, as long as I left them alone. A quick 10-minute stop, and we were on our way back to the resort.
That afternoon was ideal for exploring San Pedro in the daytime. With the sun shining on the narrow streets, I discovered what island life is like as a tourist. Shops, restaurants, and markets lined the streets, filled with Belizeans selling authentic food, homemade goods, and other paraphernalia. If you have a sweet tooth (like me), I highly recommend the Belizean Chocolate Company for some deliciously delectable desserts! For an hour and a half, I rode through the island streets, going as far south and north as I could. Although the island is tourism-dominated, there is plenty of local charm to admire. After my rendezvous through town, I was grateful to cool off in the refreshing pool before heading to yet another delicious dinner at Pineapples.
Day 3:
The next morning, I was excited to explore even more of Belize’s stunning barrier reef. Today, I would explore Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley, two snorkeling sites brimming with marine life. I grabbed my snorkel gear, hopped back on Ms. Made, and off we went. A short 10-minute boat ride to the south led us to our first stop: Hol Chan. “The water is deeper here,” I thought as I looked down. With waters up to 30 feet deep, I could see, quite literally, millions of species of fish below me. Our guide, Sammie, told us that Hol Chan is a protected area, meaning you cannot fish, take, or touch wildlife. As a result, there is plenty to see. Nurse sharks, stingrays, lobster, starfish, sea turtles, barracuda, eagle rays, snapper, grouper, angelfish, and seahorses are just a few of the species that call this reef home. Cautiously aware that I was a guest in their territory, I made sure to keep a safe distance while admiring them. After about 25 minutes of marveling at these creatures, we headed off to our second destination: Shark Ray Alley.
Shark Ray Alley is exactly what it sounds like: an area full of sharks. There is no reason to fear, as these are merely nurse sharks. They are well-trained; as soon as they feel the vibrations of a boat near, they begin to swarm in search of a fish-scrap meal. While our guide fed them fish scraps (I even got to feed some too), some of our passengers opted to get in the water. Though I didn’t get in, I took close-up photos and videos of the sharks. A perfect ending to a special ocean adventure.
Dinner that night was a treat, as we ventured outside the resort to a stunningly beautiful restaurant on the water. This outdoor restaurant featured a tall thatched roof, similar to those at Ramon’s. Sparkling lights gleamed in the night, and chairs made of whiskey barrels sat at the bar, while purple flowers hung above our heads. We sat at a table overlooking the water, where we could see fish swimming beneath us. The elegant atmosphere was reflected in the food as well. Whole fried fish, tender filet mignon, jerk pork chops, and creamy seafood pasta all looked and tasted impressive. Ending the meal with a hot, fresh chocolate lava cake, it’s safe to say I more than enjoyed my experience.
Day 4:
My last full day on the island was spent offshore, exploring beyond San Pedro and Ambergris Caye. That morning, I hopped on Ms. Made for one final journey. With both resort managers by my side, we ventured to a smaller island called Caye Caulker. A 25-minute boat ride from Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker was a lively place, filled with people, live music, and vibrant energy. Noisier and more crowded than San Pedro, this was definitely the place to come if you enjoy the party scene. The whole island seemed to radiate energy, with people singing, dancing, eating, and having a good time.
Our visit was brief, consisting of lunch and a short walk through town. During our walk, we came across a woman quietly weaving a basket by hand. Fascinated, I watched her work. The basket, no bigger than my hand and accented with yarn, had the word “BELIZE” in the middle. I thought they were truly remarkable. These particular baskets are known as “Jippi Jappa” baskets, and are made by indigenous Ketchi Maya, who are native to southern Belize. After asking if she had any completed ones for sale, she brought out two more equally impressive baskets. One slightly larger basket caught my eye immediately. “This is truly a one-of-a-kind item,” I thought. I bought the basket, thanked her, and we headed back to the boat.
On the way back to Ramon’s, the crew had one last stop in mind. We came to a small dock where our guide, Sammie, climbed out and returned with a bag of sardines. Suddenly, I noticed a school of large fish surrounding the boat. These fish, called tarpons, have a unique way of eating fish right out of your hand. Sammie demonstrated by holding a sardine between his thumb and index finger, keeping his hand flat. As soon as his arm reached out over the water, a tarpon launched out of the water with a whoosh, gracefully taking the sardine from his hand before landing back down with a splash!
Feeling a rush of adrenaline, I was excited to try it myself. Sammie handed me a sardine, and I replicated his actions. As I held my hand out near the water, it felt like the fish were taunting me, waiting to see if I would drop the sardine. I held firm, and finally, with a sudden whoosh, a tarpon grabbed the sardine from my hand. Everyone cheered, and we soon headed back to the resort.
My last dinner in Belize was spectacular. I enjoyed “dinner on a stone” at Pineapples. The waiter brought out an assortment of seasoned meats and seafood, along with a piping hot stone and sides of twice-baked potatoes and steamed veggies. As I cooked my meats and seafood on the stone, the air filled with a mouth-watering aroma. I savored the cheesy potato and perfectly seasoned veggies while sipping on fresh lime juice. Once my proteins were ready, I dipped them in sauces of my choice, and my taste buds were in heaven. It was a meal I will never forget.
I didn’t say goodbye, but rather “see you later” to the wonderful staff as I left the next morning. Knowing I would come back someday made leaving more bearable. Reflecting on my time at Ramon’s, I can’t help but think about the two remarkable people who made Ramon’s what it is today: Mr. Ramon Nunez and Mr. Richard Headrick.
Like me, Richard fell in love with Ramon’s the moment he set foot on its grounds. Together with his wife, Gina, they have dedicated over 35 years of hard work to transform the resort into the Belizean haven it is today. Though Mr. Headrick is no longer with us, his memory continues to shine brightly, and his spirit remains a cherished part of Ramon’s legacy.
As for Mr. Ramon Nunez, I deeply regret not having had the chance to meet him personally. He must have been a remarkable man, as his legacy is still palpable in every corner of the resort. As Ambergris Caye evolves, Ramon’s will forever stand as a historical testament to the authenticity of Belize.
I was truly fortunate to experience this gem of Belize, and I hope the resort continues to thrive for years to come. For many, Ramon’s is not just a resort—it’s home. I am eternally grateful for being welcomed into this family, and I eagerly await my next visit to see what new memories it will bring.
