Rancho La Puerta

Had an amazing 3 nights with my mom and teen aged daughter here right before Thanksgiving. There were a variety of activities to keep each of us engaged and active. Even without the classes, there is plenty of walking to and from meals. I liked that there were plenty of pools. Plan to be freed with this digital detox (limited wifi and no cell phone signal). Normally, there is a one week stay minimum but you can call and ask if shorter stays are available. The healthy farm to table inspired spa menu was the highlight. I think it easier to get in if the party is 3 or 4 people. I met a nice lady at breakfast who traveled alone and was on a wait list for months for a one week stay. The service is top notch and the accommodations rustic first class. The lavender scented full sized lotion, shampoo, etc were a nice treat. The casitas have their own deck and ours even had a cozy fire place and wet bar. Alcohol on the property is limited to a hike to the seldom open wine bar on the property, so if you are so inclined BYOB. The stay was amazing and I will be counting my pennies saving for a return visit.

This is my first visit to RLP and I am a BIG fan. The grounds are excellent, vast, and no one says «no» to anything you ask for. I am exceptionally impressed, in general. There are a few recommendations I have for being a 5 star resort. #1 — have more protein choices at meal time; I think chicken would be a good choice in addition to the fish you serve. #2 — update the rooms a bit to include, for instance, iPhone 5+ docking stations instead of the iPhone 4 ones that you have available. Increase the network connections for using in-​room service, for those of us who have to use it, even though we may not want to; #3 — the fitness programs are amazing! We especially enjoyed Manuel with Stretch, Striptease and Salsa dancing! BUT, it would be a big PLUS to have more reputable, credible «wellness» programs, as there are many that are not. I work in the medical profession, and found the «cranial sacral» program to be a joke — not substantiated by any research or licensure and apparently run by the current owner’s ex-​husband. Hmmm. Really??? Could be so much better. Otherwise, an overall amazing experience.

Had an amazing week here despite having concerns on first day about the vegetarian menu (I follow a Paleo type diet). And I really missed my kids!
After first day or two, I was really enjoying the morning hikes, diverse fitness class options that were offered all day long and the spa treatments! (Spa is extra though). I highly recommend taking one of the cooking classes as they are led by amazing chefs. And the morning organic breakfast hike was lovely!
Lastly, can’t recommend crystal bowl sound healing more. Lovely meditative experience.

Ive been going to the Ranch for almost twenty years…
I’d never go any where else…
My last trip to the Ranch, I received a 15 time visitor t-shirt…I tell everyone to
go the Ranch… When they do… thats it… hooked…

The Ranch is my idea of heaven. Incredible setting, food, activities, food, spiritual core. Fascinating people, ideas, things to learn. I will keep coming back!

The folks at the ranch work hard to make their frequent customers happy!

Love Rancho La Puerta! Great classes, great farm-​grown food, and great staff. Take classes (yoga, Pilates, tai chi, the wave, cardio drum dancing) with Manuel. He is too much fun!

I have been staying at Rancho la Puerta (RLP) for 15 years. The original owner Deborah Szelsky ran the most beautiful and amazing health spa in the world. Unfortunately the new management doesn’t seem to care at all about their guests. The prices are still 5-​star, but it is no longer worth it.
I stayed the last week of Sept. this year. They overbilled for the room; they didn’t have anything ready for my daughter who was paying $ 500/​day, as was I;they acted like she wasn’t even a guest. They messed up all spa appointments and overcharged there too. I spent at least 8 hours of my vacation just trying to get things fixed. They locked us out of our room on the 4^th day, etc.etc.
After leaving I decided to order a bedspread and 6 pillows to match one I bought while there. They took my credit card and still have not sent me a receipt or acknowledged the shipping address. I have sent 8 emails and made 5 phone calls about this and NO ONE ever gets back to me. I finally started including the G.M. Luis Duenas on the emails, but he ignores them too.
This is not the old RLP. It appears the new management is all about profit. The guest experience means nothing to them anymore.
How sad. This used to be one of the best spas in the world!!!
Tracee L.

An excellent week of physical activity and great nutrition. This is NOT a spa of cucumber covered eyes and little black rocks on your back. (although you have that option). This is a spa for active people who want to experience a true wellness week, mind, body and spirit. Starting at 6 am and running up to 5 pm you have a mix of activities, hiking, weight resistance, aerobic, stretching, yoga, pilates, meditation, etc. The food is delicious, but be ready for a no meat diet for one week. I got my calories by eating full plates of food. And I loved it.
The grounds are immaculately manicured, and spotless. The Cacita’s are well furnished and beautiful. The staff are always there to serve and provide you any assistance you could require.
Meeting other guests from every part of the world was the best part. You wind up hanging out with people with your same energy because you are in the same daily activities.
I live in San Diego CA. but I took advantage of the bus shuttle from the airport. There is no reason to leave the spa so taking your own car to Tecate is not necessary. My wife and I went on «Couples Week». More men than usual. I’d say 33% are men on this week. The women who go with their girl friends love «Couples Week» because the increase in men changes the energy a bit. It’s an easier week to get to know people and the fun factor is dialed up.
I would go again in a heat beat.

Growing up I would always hear about ladies «going to the spa.» It sounded pretty boring to me at the time, mostly because I had no clue what they did all day.
Now that I’ve been to «the spa» (twice), I can report:
It is my dream world.
As in, I would live here full time if I could.
Every morning I go on a hike, then play tennis, then go swimming/​lay out, attend fabulous lectures in the afternoon and go to the spa. Does it get any better than that? Don’t think so.
Definitely a better, more relaxing vacation than drinking on the beach. It nourishes the mind and body. And did I mention that all of the food and products at the spa are organic? Swoon!
It is expensive, but worth every penny. I’ve already made my reservations for next year!

Outstanding service and value. Super food and a fitness staff that helped resolve two joint-​related issues. Lovely grounds, too. We’ll be back.

Been to the Golden Door (life changing, but way too expensive to go to regularly), Miraval (also fabulous, but the Ranch matches it toe to toe and costs much less) & Green Valley (wonderful hiking & food but there is little else. The spa treatments are so-​so.). I’ve been to the Ranch 6 times and I have already scheduled my 7^th visit. By far the best value for the money. Gorgeous scenery, amazing food, incredible customer service, great classes and wonderful spa treatments. It could easily become an addiction.

Rancho La Puerta is an amazing spa resort in Baja California. Nestled in the mountains of a small town (Tecate), it’s completely insulated from the world. The spa is only part of the experience — taking hikes on the mountain, visiting the organic farm and cooking school, going to the yoga and fitness classes and lounging in the hammocks amidst the stunning landscaping are all must-​do Ranch activities.
And the food is amazing, too. As healthy as you would expect but more delicious than you can imagine.
Basically, I can’t wait to go back! It’s a pretty expensive place, but well worth it, I think. Spend a week here, and you will feel like a new person.

I went to RLP for a week in mid-​January. I hesitate to refer to it as a «spa» because I think that conjures up the wrong image in most people’s minds. Maybe «retreat» is a better term.
Anyway, I’d been to similar places before, but smaller, so I do think it took me a few days to get used to the size of the place, mostly in terms of guest to staff ratio. Plus, I arrived still suffering from a cold so I felt pretty rotten and had little energy. By the end of the week, though, I’d become a convert.
One minor issue is that I didn’t love the big bus trip from San Diego airport, although I think it’s great that transfers are available and included in the price. I was exhausted from taking the 6 am flight out of DC and flying via Chicago – and I got stuck in the middle of a separate group that was just there for their own corporate retreat for a few days. They were obnoxious. The guy next to me had his huge camera in my face the whole time, was totally unfriendly, and… anyway, never saw them again thankfully.
It’s a gorgeous place, of course, in an amazing setting. And the options for activities are amazing. The staff is (with very few exceptions) amazing. And the speakers they attract each week are great. I was lucky to have Bela Fleck there at the same time – he went on hikes with everyone, and was next to me in yoga. I’ve long been a fan of his music so that was a nice draw and bonus.
The crowd tends to be a bit older with most people in their 50s but all age groups are represented. The web site makes it clear that they don’t want people to mistake it for fat camp – «where healthy people get healthier» or something is the slogan.
It’s a challenge fitting in all of the experiences. Sculpture class was great – except that I couldn’t take my «torso» home without paying $ 400 to get it cast in bronze and sent to me. Oh well. I missed jewelry making – everyone liked that. The dance classes were a lot of fun. Hazel teaches hula hoop and strip tease. I’ve since bought a hula hoop from the company that makes them for the ranch.
The food is, as others have said, great. I have one complaint though – the choices aren’t clearly labeled as far as major ingredients. I was eating bircher muesli all week before I found out there was milk in it. Ugh. I suggest to anyone with any food intolerances or allergies that you establish a relationship with the kitchen staff early on – and don’t be shy about asking for something individual. For example, some people wanted scrambled eggs and just asked.
I had two massages and reflexology – the latter, i highly recommend. And the massages were very good. Some people said they didn’t like the main women’s massage center but I didn’t mind it. The newer one on the hill by the Villas is newer and fancier certainly. The main one has a whirlpool on the sheltered patio, where you can lie nekkid and get some much-​needed sunshine. (Hey, I’d just had blood tests showing my Vit D levels are way too low.)
It is expensive for a lot of us plebes – but it was a great way to spend a week.

If you are a 50ish something female, recently divorced and looking to kick start a healthy lifestyle… this is your place. So although I am none of the above I thoroughly enjoyed my time at La Puerta.
I like to think I live a pretty healthy/​active lifestyle. But just like most reviewers on Unilocal,I love to eat. So when my girlfriend invited me as her guest for 4 days, I was ecstatic for the opportunity to experience a fitness/​wellness resort.
First off, getting there could not be easier. We got dropped off on the US side of the border and our shuttle driver was there promptly waiting. He walked us through the border and helped us get our visas. This all took but 5 min. It took about 10 min to get to the property. Checking in was a breeze and you even get your own gym/​tote bag and water bottle.
We stayed in a junior villa and it was beautiful. There was a fireplace, small fridge, gas stove (for hot water), and a patio with a gorgeous view of the mountains. I won’t bore you with all the details about the property but it’s definitely nothing like I’ve ever experienced.
Onto the food. Can you survive without meat, butter, or sugar? I wasn’t sure I could. All meals are served in the dining hall. You can sit where ever you’d like. Some sit with people they came with and most choose to sit in communal tables. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style. Even though you can help yourself to as much food as you’d like, all items are perfectly portioned with the nutritional value clearly displayed. Dinner is plated but you can still ask for larger or smaller portions. All the food is either grown on their farm on-​site or obtained locally. Most everything we had was delicious and I was never hungry.
Okay, so during the few days we were there we did the following activities/​classes:
* 2 mountain hikes (they offer a variety of levels/​lengths)
* Circuit training class
* Pilates
* Yoga
* 2 stretch classes
* Meditation class/​lecture
* 2 spa treatments
During your stay you’ll meet world class fitness instructors, lecturers, and extremely friendly people with amazing stories. I would definitely come back here.

I went to Rancho La Puerta February 20^th for a week with my sister to take advantage of the 25% off PLUS the additional 10% for Bar Method members since it was Bar Method week at the Ranch. I am not kidding when I say that I literally cried over my cocktail the Saturday night that I returned from relaxing bliss to the real world. No more beautiful grounds where nature surrounds you. No more strenuous but exhilarating hikes in the mountains. No more healthy, delicious food made for me 3 times a day. And no more wonderful spa treatments and massages that are so relaxing while also allowing your body to function the next day after so much physical activity. I can’t begin to describe how beautiful the grounds are, how pleasant the staff is, and how you get to meet so many interesting people from all over the country. I found the accommodations to be very spacious and clean (and great water pressure, which is always big in my book)!
All in all, a wonderful experience that I plan to share with my husband later this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas (which may end up being the perfect time to go to the Ranch — when stress levels are high and unhealthy foods surround you at home).

Note as of Jan 13, Rancho la Puerta has been having a lot of specials since the economy tanked, so check for deals if you re thinking of going.
My husband I went to the Ranch in January 2007 for a week. We had a great time, had fantastic food, met nice people and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. With that said it was 6K for the 2 of us plus airfare to San Diego and another $ 500 or $ 600 for the spa treatments (had a massage every day at $ 75 each. worth every penny)
Older crowd, averaging 45 – 65. Very few in 20’s, since many Unilocalers are in that 20-​something demographic, this may not be their thing. But it is a gorgeous place and a great way to chill for a week. No TV, No WiiFi, No bar… but incredible food.
Despite it being older crowd there are VERY strenuous hikes and classes ie yoga, pilates etc, so you will get a good work out. Also learned that booking massages ahead of time is the way to go. Prime time is late afternoon at 5pm before dinner, that slot fills up quickly so best to book ahead.
Since the economy tanked the Ranch has been offering all sorts of special incentives, get on their email list for specials. Also, they have couples weeks but we went on a regular week there were about 160 guests, maybe 35 of them men. But it is not a girly type of spa so that was not a problem.

Rancho La Puerta is a dream spa for anyone looking to get a kick start in their life. The Ranch is located a mere 10 mins over the border in Tecate, Mexico but it feel like you have entered another world. The Ranch was founded in 1940 and is operated by the same folks who run the famous Golden Door spa in Escondido, CA. The Ranch is a less fancy version of the Golden Door and is geared towards folks wanting a more down to earth spa experience. The entire philosophy of the founders, Edmond and Deborah Szekely, is that it takes a week to make a miracle. For this very reason, all guests are encouraged to spend an entire week at the Ranch. I highly recommend that you heed their suggestion, because a week doesn’t even feel like long enough!
The guests spend their days exercising, hiking, learning about nutrition, and of course a healthy dose of spa treatments. Every morning there are different levels of hikes offered to explore the beautiful Mt. Kuchumaa. These are an excellent way to begin your morning and jump start your exercise routine. The Ranch also offers different level classes in Yoga, Pilates, Dance, Water Aerobics, Cardio Cycling, Circuit, etc. offered throughout the day. Each member of the staff is patient with the guests’ levels of fitness, and want not make sure that everyone is both safe an happy.
I had three different massages during my stay as well as a facial. I know, its a hard hard hard life… The spa offers a large variety of treatments ranging from massages, wraps, scalp treatments, and all that other good stuff you expect out of a spa. I recommend both the Hot Riverstone and Therapeutic massages. I wasn’t a big fan of the Energy Balance massage, but my mother really enjoyed hers. Maybe I had a bad masseuse, who knows?! I heard from a lot of people that Scalp Treatment is to die for, and I will most definitely be trying that on my next trip.
Most importantly, lets take a moment to talk about the absolutely DELICIOUS food. Whoever said that health food does not taste good has obviously not been to Rancho La Puerta. The Ranch offers vegetarian cuisine with a few seafood items occasionaly sprinkled in. There is a beautiful organic garden which grows a majority of the vegetables consumed by the guests. There was no point at the Ranch that I ever felt like I was at a loss for food. The portions were reasonably sized, and every dish was balanced with both flavor and texture.
One of my favorite parts about my stay at the ranch with the Morning Breakfast Hike when we walked a little over 2 miles to the garden to eat breakfast. The main gardener Salvador, treats all of the vegetables like his children, and will be more than happy to give you a tour. He couldn’t keep his hands off of the vegetables, and made sure that each one of tried a piece of broccoli that he ripped out of the ground in from of our eyes. My breakfast that morning was one of my favorite meals during my entire stay.
Recently, the Ranch opened the La Cocina Que Quanta cooking school. Guests can sign up to either watch a cooking demonstration or a hands-​on class with the creative chef Jesus Gonzalez. When I was at the Ranch, Patricia Wells was a guest speaker and I was lucky enough to watch her demonstration. She was as lovely as you would expect, and gave us all copies of recipes from her new cookbook, Vegetable Harvest. The cooking school was a lot of fun and help round out the spa experience. Its nice to take a break from exercising to learn more about what you are putting into your body day in and day out.
Overall, after one trip to the Ranch you will be planning your next getaway. Its an amazing thing to talk to other ranch goers and learn that this is their 8^th or 9^th visit. There is a reason that the Ranch has been around for so long and continuing to thrive. Check it out! Maybe I’ll see ya there!
OH! I almost forgot, Bingo with Barry on Wednesday nights is an absolute MUST. Do not miss it! Everyone will be talking about it at breakfast the next morning.

Trying to review this place makes me feel like I’m watching a tennis match. I keep going back and forth.
The Serve:
On the one hand, the ranch is like a slice of heaven. I’d been to Tecate and other borders towns countless times, and never, ever, would I have expected such a miraculously spiritual place as this to be resting on the heels of a US/​Mexican Border Crossing. (It is literally a five minute drive away from the Tecate border crossing).
The Return:
That said, it does feel incongruous with the rest of the town, and I wondered more than a few times at the amount of money the joint was sucking in.
The Volley:
Stil, a week here wiped away most of that cynicism and made me think more positively about the world.
And Back Again:
Four stars from me because it is too pricey for most folks, and because when I asked for a partial week, they never explained the parameters of what was included and not included in the package.
And Again:
That said, they comped me a few treatments, and all told, this is still the most affordable destination spa in Northern America.
Ah, I give up. Here’s some of the highlights:
*Seeing a Silver Fox a stone’s throw in front of me
*Amazingly satisfying organic spa food, most of which is grown right on the ranch, and harvested directly for your table.
*The most amazing service I’ve ever experienced at any kind of hotel or service oriented business. Seriously. Best ever.
*A gorgeously landscaped native garden which almost (*sigh*) drowns out the sight and sound of the busy Tecate-​Tijuana road.
*Meeting the most amazing women, hearing world-​class lectures, and participating in top-​notch exercise classes every day.
Well, I certainly hope this review didn’t make you dizzy. It still feels like a lot of back-​and-​forth. Perhaps I’ll need to go back and give a full week to make up my mind, and I’ll have to take my Mom with me. If only to help off-​set the costs!