Set on Baja’s most beautiful stretch of Pacific coastline, Rancho Pescadero is a luxury resort in Mexico that invites guests to enjoy a relaxing stay where the high desert descends into crashing seas. Accommodations are in the form of stunning villas that are a thoughtful integration of indoor and outdoor living with plunge pools and fire pits, as well as patios that offer beautiful views of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains and the Pacific Ocean..

The resort is also home to Botánica Spa and a 25,000-square-foot wellness pavilion that is set among the oceanfront property’s nine interconnected gardens. Amenities include a Pilates studio, two yoga shalas, an ice fountain, steam room and Himalayan salt sauna, which are complemented by a fully-equipped indoor/outdoor fitness center and an Olympic-sized swimming pool surrounded by lush palms.

Botánica Spa at Rancho Pescadero includes an apothecary with an ethnobotanical philosophy rooted in the wisdom of indigenous plants. Some of the innovative well-being programming available at Rancho Pescadero includes wellness day packages, distilling essential oils and aromatic water from on-site botanical gardens, in-house organic products, and apothecary experiences such as workshops for guests that allow hands-on experiences in creating custom Baja blends of wellness and aromatherapy products.

We interviewed Claudine S. Riemer, Director of Wellbeing, to learn more about treatments to try, insider tips, and more.

Why You’ll Love It: We have a 25,000-square-foot wellness pavilion where guests can really relax or engage in interactive wellness activities. One of the most unique features at Rancho Pescadero’s spa is an apothecary where guests can craft their own organic products using botanicals and oils harvested from the property gardens and trees. This can include creating customized repellent extracted from the neem trees mixed with natural aromas from essential oils or learning about the hydrosol distillation process using plants from the Botanica garden.

We also offer holistic rehabilitation treatments guided by personalized consults, such as Gua Sha or acupuncture. And for the spa lover, our traditional spa treatments are all personalized to each individual to maximize results, leaving guests feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Key Features: We offer a full-service spa rooted in holistic wellness, including a hydrotherapy circuit with a Himalayan salt sauna, a eucalyptus steam room, and an ice fountain which is used to cool down the body temperature between the heated experiences, removing any unwanted toxins from the body. In addition, we have a private outdoor Jacuzzi and pressurized showers. Guests are encouraged to arrive to the spa grounds 45 minutes prior to their spa appointment just to experience this.

Insider’s Tip: Many people make the mistake of getting their spa service on the last day of vacation, which is not recommended. The average person takes one week to unwind, so getting a spa treatment within the first 24 hours upon arrival will truly set the tone for your vacation. I strongly recommend that our guests use the hydrotherapy circuit prior to this treatment for optimal wellness results. I promise you will be grateful that you did this.

Bonus: We offer a truly personalized service in our relaxation area with valets that will ensure each guest is taken care of from the moment of arrival until the end of the experience. Guests receive warm neck collars and cold cucumbers for the eyes, providing a state of bliss at arrival devised to transition into complete relaxation. Guests will feel like they’ve already had their treatment before it’s even begun.

Depending on the type of spa service, guests are served a special post-treatment drink. For example, our couples’ Damiana Amoroso treatment includes one of Baja’s indigenous plants, Damiana, which is known for being an aphrodisiac. The tribes of the region would make a ritualistic tea out of the Damiana leaves in order to help with fertility when they wanted to conceive. They have created a delicious Damiana liqueur from this plant, which we serve to our couples after they experience the treatment.

Snacks Served: Rancho Pescadero’s spa snacks range from season to season, depending on what is freshly harvested from the property’s nine interconnected gardens. We offer a variety of fruit brochettes, dried fruits/nuts, and the spontaneous creations from our executive chef.

At the end of each treatment, we offer a selection of six signature beverages crafted from plants that embody healing features. Our valets will recommend specific pairings of the drinks that have healing benefits complimentary to the guests’ treatments. 

Since our spa menu is very much rooted into the wisdom of the plants, we made sure to combine each treatment with a specific plant that is grown in our gardens, creating the perfect unison between benefits and treatment for optimum results. This also include the post drinks, each ingredient used is related to a specific plant that is used in a specific treatment.

Unique Treatment: Actually I am creating a very new and original treatment, so I cannot mention anything about this until we are ready to launch it… however we do have the following treatments I am excited to share: 

• Our rehabilitation treatment, as previously mentioned, offers a one-on-one consult so that our spa therapists can fully understand what each individual guest needs therapeutically, both physically and energetically. Based on this analysis, a rehabilitation treatment is customized and can include a combination of Acussage, which is acupuncture with massage, as well as Gua Sha and/or a Moxybustion add-on.

• Our Magnesium treatment is specially designed for the overworked, stressed, tired, and anyone who suffers from anxiety and/or insomnia. This is a full-body treatment that allows the skin to fully absorb the magnesium oil before the guests enjoy a hot coconut oil massage.  As more people begin to understand the benefits of magnesium and how it works ( for example, it is better being absorbed through the skin vs. the GI tract), you will start seeing more spas offering this kind of treatment.

• Our Clavo Balanceado is a combination of hot cobalt stone and cold Himalayan salt stone. This fantastic combination is specifically created to relax contracted muscles. The stark contrast between hot and cold, with the addition of salt stones, improves circulation and is just an amazing treatment!

Insider’s Favorite: All of them! I have tried all and designed many treatments in my day. I am a true massage and body treatment and facial aficionado.

Featured Products: Driven by Rancho Pescadero’s value to support the local community and economy, our spa features a variety of organic products that are handcrafted in the region. We also carry Eminence Organic Skin Care products, a wonderful brand that truly embodies Rancho Pescadero’s ethnobotanical ethos. 

For more information on Rancho Pescadero, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @ranchopescadero

[Photos courtesy of Rancho Pescadero]

Rancho Pescadero

Camino a la Playa s/n

El Pescadero

Mexico, 23310

+52 612 689 0043