Ramon’s Village Resort, an iconic tourism institution on Ambergris Caye, located on Coconut Drive, has suffered major damages after a fire ravaged through its grounds. The fire started shortly around 8PM on Tuesday night, August 27th when a building in the southern section of the resort caught fire. It took almost 2 ½ hours before the fire was brought under control, at which time about 2/3 of the resort was completely destroyed. Neighboring structures received damage and electricity to the entire island was interrupted for nearly an hour.
The San Pedro Fire Department responded shortly after receiving the call of the fire, but faced several challenges. A section of Coconut Drive, including access to Ramon’s Village is currently undergoing major street rehabilitation, and this caused limited access to the fire. Adding to the extenuating circumstances was low water pressure from the fire hydrants after electricity was cut off at 8:30PM. A message from Belize Electricity Limited sent out at 9PM indicated that an emergency power interruption was necessary “to mitigate damages from [the fire] within close proximity to [the] transmission line.”
Guests from the resort were evacuated by the management of the resort before the fire got out of control. “It is definitely a loss to our local tourism industry,” commented the Minister of Tourism and Area Representative Manuel Heredia Jr. as he observed from a distance the island’s prime resort going up in a blaze. “We will render as much support to the management and staff because this resort has been a leading institution in tourism, not only on the island but in the country,” added Heredia.
A large crowd gathered at all corners as the resort was gutted by the blazing fire. Local residents formed a bucket brigade to assist the local firefighters to bring the fire under control. Residents living around the resort as well as guests from neighboring resorts were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Up to news time, the estimated loss is unknown as the investigation is yet in its early stage. Last year, the resort completed major renovations, an investment that was estimated to have cost millions.
What was once Ramon's Village.
Ramon’s Village Resort is one of the oldest resorts on the island and has been in operation since 1982.
This is the second time adversity has struck the resort. It was destroyed in 1961 by category 5 Hurricane Hattie shortly after being renovated. It then sat unused for 20 years before changing owners. The long-time upscale resort in a prime beachfront location directly across from the airstrip at the south end of town was one of the few still on the island with thatch roof buildings. Originally designed in traditional Maya thatched dwelling style, the current owners had remodeled it to resemble a Polynesian theme resort.
History Of Ambergris Caye And Ramons Resort
On September 13, 1869, the British Honduras Courts saw fit to put Ambergris Caye on the public auction block. In the day when the British ruled Belize, giving away land or selling it cheap to connected colonizers was not uncommon. James Hume Blake bought Ambergris Caye for $625.00. Mr. Blake then registered Ambergris Caye in the name of his two stepdaughters, Maria Exaltacion Andrade and Romana Andrade. Romana died of influenza and Maria inherited all of Ambergris Caye.
Maria settled on Ambergris Caye with many of the families that had been with her as she fled from the Icaiche Indians on the mainland. She chose a section of land for the village, which she named San Pedro. Then she distributed her lands amongst the families that came with her. She told the head of each family, “Walk from this spot for five minutes and plant your stake. That will be your land.”
Eighty-three families that came with her became owners of the Ambergris Caye lands from Boca Chica to the South to Bacalar Chico to the North. The property where Ramon’s Village Resort sits today was named Esmeralda.
The 83 property owners immediately began developing their plantations by planting coconut trees. Within 5 years, the trees were bearing fruit and the coconut industry did very well. However, in 1942 a devastating hurricane hit the island reeking havoc on the houses and flattening many of the coconut plantations, forcing many laborers and plantation owners to seek new professions. Many resorted to the logical choice of fishing, which has proved to be a very wise decision.
In 1961, Ambergris Caye’s first hotel was built on the very site, where Ramon’s Village once stood, by Vernon and Terry Hammon. It was a beautiful place named Reef Colony Club, which consisted of 6 to 8 luxury, individual units with bedrooms, kitchens, private lawns, gardens and access to the beach. In 1987 the resort was purchased by Mississippi native Richard Headrick.