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About Rancho La Puerta

When Rancho La Puerta was created in 1940, two grand oak trees met at the center of the property, forming the door-like archway that gave this destination spa its name. One of these trees still stands, surrounded by 3,000 acres of lush gardens, swimming pools, and cozy casitas, all watched over by mystical Mt. Kuchumaa. Located only 45 miles southeast of San Diego, just over the border into Mexico, the weather at this resort is always spectacular--warm and dry--so every week is the perfect week to visit. Rates here include all lodging, activities, meals, classes, programs, and scheduled transportation. Only spa services are optional extras.

Location

Address

Baja California
Tecate,

Mexico

Call: 1(877) 440-7773

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Get Directions

Highlights

  • Business Type
  • Connoisseur Spa
  • Destination Spa
  • Eco-Spa
  • Inclusive-pricing Spa
  • Resort/Hotel Spa
  • Programs
  • Mother-and-Daughter
  • Spirituality
  • Stress Management
  • Weight Loss
  • Yoga
  • More
  • Stays offered in week-long increments
  • Focus on fitness
  • More than 50 exercise classes a day

Awards & Accolades

2011 Readers' Choice Awards Winner for:

2011 Readers Choice Awards - Cuisine
2011 Readers Choice Awards - Environmental
2011 Readers Choice Awards - Fitness Program
2011 Readers Choice Awards - Going Solo
2011 Readers Choice Awards - Hiking
2011 Readers Choice Awards - Mind Body Spirit
2011 Readers Choice Awards - Yoga

2010 Readers' Choice Awards Winner for:

Best Cooking Classes
Best Cuisine
Best Environmental Classes
Best Fitness Program
Best for Going Solo
Best for Hiking
Best for Mind-Body-Spirit
Best for Yoga
Favorite Spa in Mexico

2009 Readers' Choice Awards Winner for:

Best Cooking Classes
Best Cuisine
Best Fitness Program
Best for Going Solo
Best for Hiking
Best for Mind-Body-Spirit
Best for Weight Loss
Best for Yoga
Best for EnvironmentalPractices
Favorite Spa in Mexico

2008 Readers' Choice Awards Winner for:

Best Cooking Classes
Best Cuisine
Best Fitness Program
Best for Going Solo
Best for Hiking
Best for Mind-Body-Spirit
Best for Weight Loss
Best for Yoga
Favorite Spa Therapist
Favorite Spa in Mexico
Favorite Spa in North America

2007 Readers' Choice Awards Winner for:

  • Best for Cooking Classes
  • Best for Fitness Program
  • Best for Going Solo
  • Best for Hiking
  • Best for Mind-Body-Spirit
  • Best for Yoga
  • ServicesView business treatment menu >>

    Set in the midst of nature with a climate rarely marred by rainfall, Rancho La Puerta has always strived to create a mind/body/spirit balance, in which the finest spa treatments provide the perfect counterpoint to days of activity, exercise, and exploration.

    Separate men's and women's health center facilities have showers, steam rooms, saunas, hot whirlpools and private areas for sunbathing. Additionally, at the Villas Health Center, guests can sample a full menu of soothing treatments such as a relaxing scalp massage, reflexology, and the popular Hot Riverstone Massage. Another signature treatment relaxes and detoxes with steaming hot linens steeped in traditional Native American herbs wrapped around the body. Other treatments include the Loofah Salt Glow, customized healing massages, and detoxifying facials. Salon services are available for hair and scalp treatments.

    Treatment OfferingsView business treatment menu

    • Massages
    • Aromatherapy
    • Back Massage
    • Deep Tissue
    • Hand/Foot
    • Hot Stone
    • Myofascial Release
    • Reflexology
    • Thai
    • Facials
    • Anti-aging
    • Fruit Acid
    • Signature
    • Body Scrubs
    • Fruit Scrub
    • Salt Scrub
    • Body Wraps
    • Algae/Seaweed
    • Herbal Wrap
    • Hair/Nail Services
    • Hair Styling and Care
    • Makeup Instruction/Application
    • Manicures
    • Pedicures
    • Water Treatments
    • Hydrotherapy
    Rooms & Dining

    Several types of accommodation are offered at Rancho La Puerta. A total of 87 guest rooms can accommodate 125-140 guests at one time with surprising intimacy and privacy. Two villa areas, the Villa Sol and the Villa Luna, are mini-resorts in and of themselves with spacious, casually appointed guest rooms, all with mountain or garden views and a nearby pool. Additional casitas, called Flores, are located on the property and provide both space and privacy to single guests and couples. Accommodations are characterized by fireplaces and stone terraces and allow for the coziest of nights with windows open to the scents of local sage and high mountain wildflowers.

    Rancho La Puerta is committed to ecologically sound principles in everything, and food is no exception. The resort's large organic farm provides picked-daily produce to supplement the buffet breakfast of Mexican coffee, fresh fruits, fresh-baked spa bread, a buffet lunch, and the casual yet elegant sit-down dinner. Cuisine is vegetarian (including eggs and dairy) with optional seafood entreés at dinner that highlight the fresh-caught fish of Baja waters.

    Offerings

    • Rooms
    • 87Rooms
    • Food Options
    • Organic
    • Portion Control
    • Serves No Alcohol
    • Vegetarian
    Activities
    Hikes start as early as 6 a.m., and guests can explore the mountain terrain of Mt. Kuchumaa, ramble over wildflower-strewn fields, and thread along an oak-shaded creek bed. Some trails traverse up to five miles of challenging terrain, while others are perfectly suited to easy, almost-level nature walks at your own pace. Fitness classes begin at 9:00 a.m., and more than 50 exercise classes are offered during the course of the day, with guests encouraged (of course, nothing is required!) to choose one per day from each of four categories--strength building, stretching and flexibility, coordination, cardiovascular, and "inner journey or mindfulness. Water aerobics, Pilates, yoga, and Fitball are a small sampling of the fitness offerings at Rancho La Puerta. There is a huge array of strength training and fitness machines at the resort. Several of the 10 gyms are dedicated to Body/Mind/Spirit harmonizing classes such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi. A full-scale labyrinth is located in a secluded oak grove. Another favorite spot is Kuchumaa Gym where fitness and dance classes are held behind incredible James Hubbell stained glass doors and underneath sparkling chandeliers. Guests spend leisure time birdwatching, attending art and jewelry making classes, taking cooking lessons, relaxing by the pool, or resting in one of the many hammocks slung around the grounds. Evening programs feature noted speakers such as former Secretaries of State, poet laureates, noted scientists and sociologists, novelists, and broadcasters, to name a few.

    The spa recently opened a Pilates-only gym, which features a wide selection of equipment including two studio reformers, five "Allegro" reformers, a trapeze table, a combo chair, a West Coast-style step barrel and baby arc, a Biomechanical Asymmetry Corrector, spring circles, and a mat work table.

    Offerings

    • Fitness & Activities
    • Aerobics
    • Dancing
    • Hiking
    • Personal Training
    • Pilates with Reformer
    • Spinning
    • Tennis
    • Yoga Classes
    • Facilities & Amenities
    • Locker Room
    • Retail Store
    • Robes Provided
    • Sauna
    • Showers
    • Slippers Provided
    • Steam Room
    • Swimming Pool
    • Toiletries Available
    • Whirlpool, Jacuzzi

    Reviews

    Showing 1-7 of 7 reviews
    Rancho La Puerta
    5.0 out of 5
    Overall rating based on7 Reviews
    7of7 (100%)
    Customers would visit this business again
    Inspiring
    24 of 43 People Found This Review Helpful
    5.0 out of 5
    ByMary EllenS | November 16, 2011
    I went by myself when I lived in NYC in about 2006. It was a wonderful retreat & I will be sure to visit again. I learned so much and continue to use the things I learned in my daily life, for example meditation, including labyrinth walking, and positioning my body so that I'm not in pain using Feldenkrais. The cranio-sacral therapy was freakishly amazing. The mountain air was refreshing. Because the food was prepared using produce grown on the grounds, I came away with a different perspective on food too.
    Would you visit again? Yes
    Service Quality5 out of 5
    Service Variety5 out of 5
    Spa Facilities5 out of 5
    Fitness Facilities5 out of 5
    Memorable
    236 of 471 People Found This Review Helpful
    5.0 out of 5
    ByJorinaD | October 19, 2010
    My boss sent me here as a thank you. It was spectacular. I had the best time on the grounds. I had never been to Mexico before and the entire experience surpassed my expectations. I highly highly recommend . I will definitely be back.
    Would you visit again? Yes
    Service Quality5 out of 5
    Service Variety5 out of 5
    Spa Facilities5 out of 5
    Fitness Facilities5 out of 5
    Great Spa and lots of activities!
    307 of 647 People Found This Review Helpful
    5.0 out of 5
    ByLiseS | May 31, 2010
    This spa-resort has a wide variety of classes, treatments, and extra activities. Our group love to hike and we enjoyed the daily variety of hiking options. Our favorite hike was to the spa own garden where they grow all their own vegetables and then we had breakfast there. They've opened the cooking school since I've been there and I can't wait to go back!Plan on LOTS of walking - the rooms/buildings are across the property and you will easily get in the 10K steps a day in just walking between your room and the activities!
    Would you visit again? Yes
    Service Quality0 out of 5
    Service Variety0 out of 5
    Spa Facilities0 out of 5
    Fitness Facilities0 out of 5
    A wonderful place to renew your spirit and body!
    432 of 855 People Found This Review Helpful
    5.0 out of 5
    Bydoctorbubba | April 25, 2009
    My husband and I just attended the Couples Week at Rancho La Puerta. It was our first spa experience and definitely won't be our last as it was a life-changing week. The spa setting itself is beyond gorgeous and serene. The staff are the most polite and dedicated we have encountered at any resort. The classes, whether fitness or topical, are professional with knowledgeable & enthusiastic leaders. There is such a great variety of activities to choose from ithat we didn't come close to trying everything. The food is fabulous, the cooking school and organic gardens are a highlight, the spa services are superb. We could not be happier with our vacation and have carried over that renewal since coming home.
    Would you visit again? Yes
    Service Quality5 out of 5
    Service Variety5 out of 5
    Spa Facilities5 out of 5
    Fitness Facilities5 out of 5
    Have a Fabulous Week
    391 of 811 People Found This Review Helpful
    5.0 out of 5
    ByRanchlover | January 6, 2009
    My husband and I have visited Rancho La Puerta for 3 consecutive years during couples week. There's so much variety we can have fun together or go our own ways and meet up at meal time. Wonderful, fresh, organic food. An incredible number of activities. Casual atmosphere. Walk around in your sweats all day and feel perfectly at home. The casitas are private and comfortable. We love it.
    Would you visit again? Yes
    Service Quality4 out of 5
    Service Variety5 out of 5
    Spa Facilities5 out of 5
    Fitness Facilities5 out of 5
    You Must Experience It!
    439 of 889 People Found This Review Helpful
    5.0 out of 5
    ByFit and Healthy | July 8, 2006
    After two trips to Rancho La Puerta, I haven't lost my enthusiasm for the facility and its services. The first time, I went alone and found it a very easy place to make acquaintances quickly with very little effort. On my second trip, two friends joined me as a result of listening to my rave reviews.Since Rancho is vegetarian, one friend expected to be hungry all week. She was truly surprised to find she did not miss meat and that the food was delicious beyond her wildest dreams. My other companion, an avid hiker, thoroughly enjoyed being challanged on her treks.The spa treatments, manicures and pedicures, spoiled us for the real world. In most instances, they were far better than what we get at home.In the evenings, there are a variety of activities - lectures, music, films. Bingo night is filled with fun and prizes for all.The abundance of programs, activities, excellent services along with interesting people make this a must experience.
    Would you visit again? Yes
    Service Quality5 out of 5
    Service Variety5 out of 5
    Spa Facilities5 out of 5
    Fitness Facilities5 out of 5
    TOP SPA
    435 of 866 People Found This Review Helpful
    5.0 out of 5
    BySpaExpert | February 22, 2006
    I have been to a few spas in my life. Really like the destination type spas as they make you feel so great when you leave. RLP has tons of exercise classes and great instructors. The food is mostly vegan but really really good. This spa has been around for over 60 years and defines what spas should be. You will also make a lot of friends here as the bonding among the guests is really special. Do not worry about the Mexico tag, it is really first rate and might be the best spa I have been to. Bring sun screen!
    Would you visit again? Yes
    Service Quality5 out of 5
    Service Variety5 out of 5
    Spa Facilities5 out of 5
    Fitness Facilities5 out of 5

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    Location

    Travel Information

    • Rancho La Puerta offers week-long stays, running from Saturday to Saturday. There is no discount for arriving late or leaving early (not that you would want to!). Partial-week stays are occasionally available.


    • Programs last one week at this spa, and guests arrive on a Saturday and leave on a Saturday.


    • Bring deep-tread hiking shoes or boots! Rancho La Puerta staff is serious about safety, so guests who want to hike the rugged terrain of Mt Kuchumaa are required to have sturdy, broken-in trail shoes or boots. Also bring good walking shoes for strolling the grounds and appropriate work-out wear for the classes. Raingear may be necessary for winter hikes.


    • Sunscreen is recommended at all times of year. Complimentary sunscreen is available.


    • Dinner dress is casual.


    • Proper documents are required for entering Mexico. U.S. and Canada residents must bring a valid passport, birth certificate, or notarized affidavit of citizenship. Citizens of other countries must have a passport with a visa from a Mexican Consulate.


    • Charter busses to and from San Diego International airport 45 miles from the spa are provided free on Saturdays. The resort is also accessible by car or cab. Orientation walks upon arrival give guests all the information they need for planning and enjoying their stay.

    Address & Contact Info

    For more information call 1(877) 440-7773 or visit www.rancholapuerta.c…