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Amenities AMENITIES: Rum Point Inn offers a fully equipped Dive Shop, with scuba diving and snorkeling trips available daily right from our own dock and on our own fine diving vessel, the AURIGA II. Rum Point Inn has its own boat yard on the lagoon side of the peninsula providing sheltered access to the lagoon. If you care to be active besides scuba diving, Rum Point Inn provides its guests with complimentary bicycles, kayaks, sailing dinghy and snorkeling gear.
Our fresh water Pool with its soothing waterfall is set in a restful garden atmosphere, perfect for cooling off or reading for a while. Just down the path from the pool is our therapeutic Massage Facility. Here you can enjoy a relaxing massage from Patricia Celenza, a US trained therapist. She also does wonderful organic facials and body treatments. Those who have enjoyed Patricia's services agree they have never had better.
All of the various and special areas of southern Belize can be explored through the many different Tours available. Rum Point Inn will be happy to make any arrangements you desire. Please see the Tours and Scuba Diving sections of this web site for further information and details.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Rum Point Inn offers a total of twenty- two guest rooms. Ten of these consist of our renowned Cabanas, unique, concrete-sculpted domes on the beachfront. Each is individually designed, with curved walls and breezy openings throughout. The décor is colorful and authentic, with locally made Belizean hardwood furniture and custom designed Guatemalan fabrics. Each Cabana offers either two queen sized or one king size bed, and most also include a convertible sofa. They all have ceiling fans, private bathroom with shower, refrigerators, personal safes, and coffee makers.
Our twelve luxury air-conditioned Garden Suites sit amidst the lush tropical gardens of Rum Point Inn, yet are only a very few steps from the beach. Each Suite provides over 900 sq. foot of beautifully decorated space. Colorful Guatemalan fabrics and locally hand-crafted furnishings were all custom designed and made for Rum Point Inn. All the Suites can be connected via a private doorway to the adjoining Suite, perfect for families or large groups. All suites provide air conditioning, two queen beds or one king-size bed, oversized tiled shower/tubs, and restful seating area. They also offer ceiling fans, refrigerator, personal safe, and coffee maker.
SERVICE: Rum Point Inn has strived to earn and to keep our excellent reputation for superb service. Our staff is among the friendliest and most accommodating you’ll find anywhere. Our Guest book is full of amazing accolades for our service to our guests. The Bevier Family has been serving the public and preserving the unique environment of Belize since 1974. They have continued to anticipate and address the needs of their guests throughout the years. Thank you for letting us welcome you to our little piece of paradise!
Rum Point Inn amenities for guests include the garden pool with its soothing waterfall, our relaxing room for therapeutic massage and organic facial and body treatments, bicycles, kayaks, sailing dinghy, snorkel gear, many beach chairs and shady palapas. Snorkel and dive instruction can be arranged right on the premises through our PADI dive shop, Rum Point Divers. Other services include a Gift Shop with many local crafts, a full service Bar and laundry service. USA direct telephone service, Email and Internet Access will be active by November 2002. Our extensive Library, reputedly the largest private library in Belize, includes both books and magazines and covers Maya studies, Natural History, Belizean authors and history as well as a large assortment of reference materials, current fiction, Latin American authors, a book selection for children and some board games. These can be enjoyed in the Library, or, better yet, on the hammock-hung Verandah overlooking the beach and the Caribbean Sea.
WEDDING We can arrange everything from getting the license (you have to be in country 3 days), to providing an exquisite cake, to your reception arrangements (on the beach or on the verandah?), to catering a lunch (buffet or sit down) or dinner (with champagne), to providing excellent musicians with a variety of talents....drummers, Reggae and Latin singers and combos.
Let us know in advance and if we say we can do it, we will!
Rum Point is also an idyllic place for your special Guests to enjoy a unique experience and create lasting memories. After the ceremony, it is time for the wedding party to enjoy the tours in the area, to swim and perhaps SCUBA. It is the perfect place to just relax and get re-acquainted while enjoying the easy pace of life that is Rum Point Inn.
HONEYMOON The tranquility and privacy provided by Rum Point Inn’s beautiful setting creates the perfect Honeymoon site. The choice of a spacious comfortable air-conditioned Suite with its large tub for delightful bathing, or a beach side Cabana cooled by the prevailing ocean breezes, with the sound of the water lapping on the edge of the beach, the rustling of coconut palm fronds, and awakening to birds chirping and frogs croaking. Large hammocks (couple size) are on the Verandah of the Main Lodge. Beach chairs are scattered over the extensive beach, with spectacular views of the Caribbean waters and in the distance, a scattering of coral cayes. One can stroll on the beach, occasionally taking a dip if that is your fancy, to the nearby villages of Placencia and Seine Bight (Rum Point Inn is located at the half way point between them, 2 ˝ miles each way). Or, you can enjoy the complimentary use of kayaks, bicycles or snorkel gear. Scuba and snorkeling trips can be made or if a mixture is desired land trips can be arranged to Monkey River, The Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary, and Maya Ruins of Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit. And as for food, starting with the first meal of the day, a bountiful breakfast, then proceeding to lunch either at Rum Point or on your tour, and topped off by an unsurpassed dinner, Rum Point is known for superb cuisine.
If your perfect Honeymoon has peace, adventure, natural beauty, and a warm, informal atmosphere, Rum Point Inn is your choice.
Activities Rum Point Inn has been in operation for over twenty five years. During this time the owners and staff have developed a keen sense of some of the special activities that can be offered from the Placencia area, along with the local experts that can guide and interpret these special places to our guests.
We have three basic styles of tours: marine excursions for diving (SCUBA and snorkeling), fishing and general water oriented activities; land based trips to the rivers, jungles, Maya Ruins, and nearby villages; and self guided tours on the peninsula. Tours to other areas of the country and to nearby countries, can also be arranged by Rum Point Tours, a licensed tour operator.
We try to arrange all our tours in a personalized style. These tours are usually available for any day, however, we do ask that you make arrangements with the front office before 5 pm. of the day before. This is necessary in order to arrange the best guide, vehicle or boat; plus notify the kitchen in a timely fashion to pack a special lunch - in keeping with the Rum Point Inn style.
As most of our tours are limited to eight persons, inquiring and making arrangements early assures you a space on the tour. If there is a large demand for a tour we will arrange a separate tour in order not to over book a special place. The main dive boat, the jet boat AURIGA II, will carry up to fifteen persons on the daily excursions.
The self guided tours can be walked or guests are encouraged to use the bicycles and kayaks provided. There is excellent Birding on the premises and there are some of the best natural sites for Manatee, birds and general natural experiences.
The Rum Point gardens are a rich habitat for many native and migratory birds along with a healthy population of local mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
For all the tours from Rum Point Inn you must remember that we are at about sixteen and a half degrees latitude north of the equator, well within the tropic zone. There is an intense sun and a chance of rain - you will find these are not an inconvenience. Bring your sunscreen, sunglasses, and a big hat. If you find yourself particularly attractive to insects perhaps an effective repellent or light weight long sleeve shirt and long pants might help keep you comfortable. Many of the trails in the jungle go over uneven terrain so footwear that gives you comfortable support will make the trails much more enjoyable.
Rum Point Divers' shop has excellent gear for rent but it is suggested that if you have any equipment that you find especially comfortable, such as a face mask with optical correction, it would be best to bring it. The same would apply to fishing. If you have equipment that you are familiar with bring it with you. Most of the fishing guides have some equipment for special styles of fishing; i.e., flyfishing or trolling. Please inquire in advance if you have any special needs.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
The trip to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Jaguar Sanctuary, begins early in the day. The scheduled time for departure is 7:30 a.m. (though other times can be requested).
The van leaves with our guests from the Rum Point Inn parking lot and the trip to the entrance of the Sanctuary is about one hour. At the village of Maya Center we stop to check into the Sanctuary and pay the entrance fee ( which in included in the cost of the tour ). There is a gift shop where local handicraft is displayed and is for sale. Nothing is sold within the Sanctuary. After a short pause the van continues on to the ranger station which is about 4 miles. The road has many scenic views and is a nice introduction to the park. The ranger station area has a Visitors Center, a dormitory, wardens house and some areas for picnic lunch with more scenic views of the surrounding park. The Visitors Center has a small museum and interpretive encounter room for information on the Park and general rain forest ecology.
The park has a series of trails each going into a unique habitat. The trail areas range from one going down to the edge of the South Stann Creek river to an interesting hike up on the ridge, Ben's Bluff, to get a nice overview of the scenic vista of the basin. There are currently seven maintained trails with more being developed.
The park has been used by various research groups and projects such as the relocation project to bring in a viable population of the Black Howler monkey. There are eight troops of howler monkeys in the park that are doing very well. The park is an ideal habitat for the population of the jaguar. A healthy jaguar population indicates the presence of the various animals that they feed on, thereby making the park an ideal example of the rain forest of Central America.
There are secondary and primary forests and many different trees and plants to be seen in addition to the animal and birdlife. Most of the animals of the Central American forest are very secretive and spend much of their time being hidden to escape predators or, if a predator, being hidden to catch their prey. The incidents of sightings are increasing but one must be very quiet and alert to the sounds of the forest to have the most chances to see the animals. The visit to the forest will usually consist of walking a few of the trails and perhaps a hike to a jungle waterfall for a refreshing rinse in the cool stream. The return to Rum Point Inn is mid to late afternoon.
Monkey River The jungle river trip to Monkey River begins early in the morning. The boat will pull up in front of the Rum Point Inn at 7:00. The mouth of the Monkey River is about fifteen miles south of the peninsula. Your boat will maneuver through the mangrove estuaries that line the mainland. Here there is a chance to see the rare manatee along with many shore birds along the way.
Your licensed guide will point out birds and animals and plants to get you acquainted with the area. You will be watching out for iguanas and Black Howler Monkey troops, as well as bromeliads and orchids. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare Sun grebe. At first it seems impossible then your eyes catch on to the way to see and soon you are spotting them as fast as the guides.
The trip up the river takes you through the riverine basin of the Monkey River, part of the watershed stretching from the Cockscomb Basin to the Columbia River Reserve, almost two thirds of the Maya Mountains. The bird life is abundant, with the hanging nests of the Oropendula to the rare sightings of the Sun grebe along the waters edge.
The boat will carry you a little further to a river bank where you can have lunch and bathe in the waters that have the Morlets crocodile lurking. After resting up from the lunch and swim the boat will begin the journey back to the mouth of the river. If the river is not running too fast, the trip will be a float to enhance the silence of the forest and enable you to come up on the creatures as they go about their daily habits by the rivers edge. A brief search for the shy manatee and then off to sea to return to The Rum Point Inn by early to mid afternoon...plenty of time to rest after the early start or continue with a bike ride on the peninsula.
Belize is the land of water. From the jungle streams and rushing rivers to the gentle lagoons and the reefs around all the cayes and the justly famous barrier reef, the water oriented activities are almost endless.
Here at the Rum Point Inn there are kayaks and a Sun Fish sail boat available to play in the water either on the sea side or for exploring the lagoon. On a calm day the water is clear enough to snorkel from the wharf right in front of the Inn. Here are various coral heads, both soft and hard, scattered on the sea grass bed. Just sitting on the beach with a good book and the sounds of the ocean in the back ground can be a great way to enjoy the water.
The fishing in the Placencia area is world class from flats, reefs and drop offs to rivers along the mainland estuaries. The method varies from saltwater flyfishing to trolling, spin casting, and drop line fishing. The guides in the area are very experienced and many have their own equipment, however, it is best to bring your own gear.
Fly fishing in the Placencia area has been famous since the area's discovery in the mid - 60's. Our guides have had excellent training and years of experience.
The goal of many of our fly fishing fans is the grand slam - bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Other fish that might be caught are snook, grouper, several types of snapper, mackerel, jacks, and barracudas. The fly fishing is strictly catch and release, so if you bring your own hooks make sure they are barbless. The guides will let you know the day before what will be the best time of day to get out on the fishing grounds. Visit our gift shop to find these and several varieties of innovative flies!
Belize has been blessed with many sites from the great Mayan era of buildings -structures that have endured the ages. In the southern part of Belize are found two very interesting sites - Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit. Rum Point Inn has put together a journey to visit both sites and to see the coming together of the ancient and modern day Mayan cultures.
The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with a boat trip across the lagoon to the wharf at Mango Creek. The lagoon has been found to have ample evidence of Mayan activity dating back at least as far 500 AD. You will be met by a vehicle at Mango Creek to take on the trip into the Toledo, the southern most district of Belize.
The road trip itself is interesting. As you leave the coastal zone and head towards the foot hills of the Maya Mountains, you will go through the scrub forest of the coastal plain and the savannas of the open areas, before the lowland forests are reached. This is a non agricultural area and no ruins have been found in it.
The trip on the Southern Highway is a journey from the modern day banana processing sheds to the Maya settlements still practicing the methods handed down for generations for providing food and shelter. You will see the classic Mayan thatched houses that to this day are the perfect dwelling in the jungles of Central America. Next to each house is a traditional garden with colorful flowers and crops that are used in their daily lives. The road side is also home to many birds of the lowlands such as parrots and interesting raptors, keep your eyes peeled on the sky.
At Lubaantun the car park area is just up the trail from the site. At the main plaza you will meet the caretaker, Mr. Santiago Coc, who has worked on the site since 1972 when he served as the foreman of the last dig for the archaeologist Dr. Norman Hammond. Santiago is very knowledgeable and will take visitors for a tour.
The site has three plaza areas and three ball courts. The way the blocks were laid is unique to the Mayan style and Santiago will explain the differences and show specific examples of the technique. Be sure to ask him about the interesting whistles he has created out of clay made from copies of molds found on the site. He offers these for sale and will even show you how to play one. From Lubaantun you will go back up the Southern Highway to the entry road to Nim Li Punit. The road can be a little rugged and sometimes a short walk is necessary to take you to the site entrance.
Nim Li Punit appears to be a special ceremonial site and is part of the Copan area of influence. It boasts several of the unique stelae found in Mayan area, including the second longest found to date. This site has a ball court and three temples. A tomb was also discovered there.
At either site you may get the opportunity to see and buy local handicrafts and jewelry. The embroideries are very special and colorful. Look for a special piece for a remembrance of your journey.
After lunch, sometimes a picnic and sometimes a visit to a local restaurant, it's time to head back to Mango Creek to meet the boat for the late afternoon return to Rum Point Inn. This can often be right before sunset, so be sure to watch the colorful sky over the Maya Mountains are you cross the lagoon.
Rum Point Inn is located on the Placencia Peninsula in the Stann Creek District about 60 air miles south of Belize City or 100 miles by road. The Peninsula defines the Placencia Lagoon and runs parallel to the coast of Belize for about 12 miles. The Lagoon is about three miles wide at the widest point near the mouth of the lagoon. The tip of the Peninsula is where the village of Point Placencia is found.
The village is an English speaking Creole fishing village and has a population of about 600. The villagers have become involved in the tourism industry and many guiding services, markets and gift shops can be found in Point Placencia. The airstrip, about two miles north of the village, was reopened for scheduled service in 1993.
Rum Point Inn is located just north of the Airstrip. 2.5 miles north is the Garifuna village of Seine Bight, also with a population of about 600. Here too are several facilities for tourism, including an artist, Lola Delgado. Learn more of the local culture such as WASABAHARI. Four miles north of Seine Bight is the community of Maya Beach. There are several small resorts, eating spots and homes for about forty individuals.
The road continues north about six more miles before turning west at the settlement of Riversdale to go inland to the Southern Highway. Across the lagoon from Point Placencia is the deep water port of Big Creek, which is the banana shipping capital of Belize. The support village of Independence and surrounding area has a population of almost 4000 people, mainly Mestizo and Creole along with some migrants from the surrounding countries, who have come to work and live in Belize.
The peninsula is not very wide, perhaps a quarter mile wide at the widest point just North of Seine Bight. The vegetation varies from Coastal plants : Coconuts, Sea Grape, Coco Plum, Cashew and Mango trees along the beach to the Red Mangrove along the Lagoon's edge. In between there is coastal scrub forest with small Oak trees and other deciduous trees, and in the wetter areas are Palmetto stands.
There are many animals on the peninsula from birds to small mammals. The mammals range from The Gray Fox and Raccoon to the small Yucatan Squirrel and Opossum. There have been over 85 species of birds observed on the Peninsula. Watch in the trees for Iguanas, False Iguanas, and the curious Basilisk lizards. Near many of the houses are small Gecko lizards and Tree frogs.
The history of humans living on the peninsula ranges back to at least 500 AD. when the Maya used the sheltered water of the Lagoon for coastal shipping and to produce salt for trade. This was followed by a colony of Puritan Protestants. The fishing village of Point Placencia and Seine Bight, as we now know them, were settled in the early to mid 19th century.
The name Rum Point appears on early charts of Belize. It is believed that the name arose due to the desire of some of the early settlers of Point Placencia to escape the rigors of Puritan Protestantism. To this day small pieces of English clay pipes as well as rum and wine bottles from that era surface on the shallow sea bottom in front of Rum Point Inn, thus making it a historical site. Some of these artifacts are currently on display in the bar.
Property Amenties & Services: Services & amenities not necessarily included in rate.
Bathroom in Every Room Breakfast Served Parking Lot Available Restaurant Shower in Every Room Tourism Information / services Laundry Bar / Club Rooms for Non-Smokers Personal Safes Pool Spa / Salon Services Ocean Front Air Conditioning Ceiling Fans
Dive Shop / Onsite Dive Friendly Rooms Iron and Board Maid Service Concierge Services Wedding Arrangements Airport Shuttle / Transfers Coffee Maker Gift shop and Boutique
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