Arrival/Departure
We are located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico just 45 miles southeast of San Diego. A valid passport is mandatory for travel between the US and Mexico.*
Complimentary transportation is provided to and from the San Diego International Airport on Saturdays. There is a set schedule so be sure to visit the transportation page before scheduling your flight. If you plan to drive to the border, click here for driving directions and be prepared to call the Front Desk (858-925-1214) when you reach Campo Road. If you plan to arrive a day or two early, the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is offering a special rate on a space available basis.
*Traveling Abroad: All guests are required to obtain a Tourist Visa upon entering Mexico. Guests whose reservation reflects seven (7) or more nights will need to bring $30 per person (small denominations). Guests taking advantage of our transportation will be guided through the process. Guests arriving on their own can either stop at the Immigration office before arriving to the Ranch or be accompanied back to the border by a Ranch representative.
Spa Services
Now that you are booked, we would encourage you to plan your schedule for spa treatments. It is not necessary but it certainly does allow you a better opportunity to get the times and services you’d prefer. If you would like to speak to someone at the appointments desk to schedule your treatments, please feel free to call The Ranch directly (858-925-1214). Visit the Spa section of our website or download our spa brochure for a complete list of our spa services Payment will be arranged while you are at the Ranch. Mexican IVA tax will be added. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Tipping is optional, visit our FAQ page from more details.
Cooking Classes
La Cocina regularly hosts internationally renowned guest chefs and cookbook authors such as Deborah Madison (best-selling author and founding chef of Greens in San Francisco), John Ash (master teacher and best-selling author of “From the Earth to the Table”), Patricia Wells (famed author and cooking teacher in Provence and Paris), Anne Willan (cookbook author and founder of École de Cuisine La Varenne in Paris in 1975), and many many more.
All guests have the option of taking one or more Cocina classes, (you’ll still be able to participate in all other Ranch activities, depending on your schedule):
- La Cocina Hands-on Lunch Cooking Class $90 + Tax
- La Cocina Hands-on Dinner Cooking Class $95 + Tax
Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the Events Calendar for Chef visiting during your week. Payment will be arranged while you are at the Ranch. Mexican IVA tax will be added. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Please wear closed-toe shoes to Hands-on classes; you will be working with sharp chef’s knives.
Book Your Cooking Classes
Cuisine
Rancho La Puerta is renowned for freshly picked produce and nutritious natural foods. We have developed, tested, and proven hundreds of recipes since 1940. Over seventy years of culinary creativity, experimentation and dietary research have culminated in a superb all-natural diet. It is low in fat, sodium, and refined flour and sugar — while high in energy, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. Portions can be abundant thanks to our recipes’ low calorie counts as well as your activity-filled days. The Ranch’s diet, is lacto-ovo vegetarian, which includes a seafood “catch of the day” four times a week for dinner, and several times for lunch. Vegetarians always have an option when fish is served at dinner: just ask for your vegetarian entrée. Vegans (no foods or other products derived from animals) find it easy to select from our buffets, and vegetarian entrees at dinner are entirely plant-based. Please visit the culinary section of our website for sample menus and more information about your dining experience. Do you have special food needs? For example, if you have problems with: Lactose intolerance or dairy protein allergy Wheat or gluten intolerance Fish or shellfish Soy Eggs Nuts …or other sensitivities Should you have any food concerns email or call our Reservations Department 1(800) 443-7565 prior to your arrival.
Health
As our founder often comments, “The Ranch is a place where healthy people come to get healthier”. Our world renowned fitness program is supported by the activity we get walking across acres of hilly, uneven brick pathways that are dimly lit at night so you can see the stars. From your room to the gym, to the dining hall, and then to the spa….our guests walk at least 3-5 miles a day through our beautifully landscaped gardens. Prior to your visit: Be sure to discuss your intention to participate in an active fitness program with your personal care provider prior to your visit. It is important that you share with us any life threatening allergies, mobility or vision issues, or any other physical concerns that you feel may impact your full participation during your week. Bring any medication you think you may need, including epi-pens for a life threatening allergy, in its original bottle with the prescription label intact. During your visit: Rancho La Puerta has qualified first-aid providers on call at all times. Should you require medical intervention during your stay, most guests choose to return to the nearest US hospital for health care which is about 45 minutes from The Ranch via land transport. Please keep in mind the Tecate border is closed between 11pm-5am so any life-threatening emergency or unstable health condition that occurs during these hours would require local EMS response. Should you have any health-related concerns, please feel free to contact us: Reservations Department (reservations@rancholapuerta.com, 800-443-7565) and/or our nurse, Barbara Abrahams (babrahams@rancholapuerta.com, 858-925-1214, ext. 630).
Travel Information
A valid passport is mandatory for travel between the US and Mexico.* Proof of Citizenship – In order to enter Mexico, a current, valid passport is required (see more info here: http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/sandiego/index.php/visas). In order to return to the United States after visiting Mexico, all U.S. guests need a current passport, passport card, or other approved travel documents (See more info here: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/whti-program-background/docs-land-sea). [Guests from countries other than the U.S. should check with your country’s travel laws and a Mexican Consulate.] Mexican Tourist Tax and Visa – Tourist Visas are issued upon entry into Mexico. Guests whose reservation reflects seven (7) or more nights will need to bring $32 U.S. in cash (small denominations to ensure you have the exact amount). Stays shorter than seven nights are tax-exempt. Our Rancho La Puerta representative will assist you with this process. Cash, Checks and Credit Cards – We accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
You may wish to bring cash for tipping and purchasing workout DVDs. You may present a credit card at checkout to settle incidental charges. We can advance up to $150 cash from a credit card (with a 3% fee), or cash personal checks up to $150. You do not need Mexican currency (pesos) at any time during your visit.
Check In After 2:00 P.M. Check Out By 11:00 A.M.– Guests arriving before 2:00 p.m. may check their luggage at the Front Desk and begin the program upon arrival. Guests departing after 11:00 a.m. may also check their luggage at the Front Desk and use the Ranch’s health centers to shower and change for their trip home.
While you are with us – Friends and family can reach you by dialing the Front Desk on property at 858-925-1214 or 011-52-665-654-9155, by fax at 011-52-665-654-1108, or by emailing guestmessage@rancholapuerta.com.
Packages may be sent to – (Guest Name), Rancho La Puerta, c/o R.L.Jones, 476 Tecate Road, Tecate, CA 91980; (619) 478-5920.
Staying Connected – The Ranch is your chance to “unplug” and de-stress, but we know how important it is to stay connected when you want to. All rooms have telephones. Check with the front desk or concierge regarding current rates.
Mobile Devices:
- Activate your international coverage prior to your trip.
- Turn off data roaming before entering Mexico. If you do not set up an international plan in advance, smart phone data charges can quickly mount up without your knowledge—even if you never make or receive a call.
- Do not use phones, laptops, or other electronic devices in Ranch public areas. Please respect your fellow guests. The use of these devices is permitted in your room, of course.
- Wireless internet. Free wireless is available in the Main Lounge, Flores Lounge and Administration Building, where you can log in with your laptop, Kindle, iPhone etc. Rooms do NOT have wireless.
- Enjoy our free internet access center. Our multiple terminals are so convenient you probably won’t even need your laptop or Blackberry!
Weekly Guest List – Each week a guest list is printed that will contain your name, city, & state. This list is given to each guest upon check-in and has been a long-standing part of our history. It helps develop camaraderie and friendships throughout the week. If you do not wish to be included, please let us know and we are happy to exclude your information.
Guest Agreement
All guests will be required to sign this agreement upon check-in. Please take a moment to read this agreement so that any questions or concerns can be addressed in advance. Each individual within your party must submit his or her own agreement. If any members of your party are under the age of 18, be sure to let our reservations department know so that we can be prepared with the appropriate agreement which will need to be signed by the parent/guardian. On behalf of Rancho La Puerta, we thank you for your reservation and look forward to serving you. We shall do our best to make this week very special, one that will happily mark the beginning of an increasingly joyous life. In anticipation of your visit, we feel it is important that we call to your attention certain matters concerning Rancho La Puerta and Mexico, our host country. The Ranch is located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, and is operated in accordance with Mexican laws and regulations by a Mexican corporation, Indotel, S. de R.L. de C.V. In order to comply with Mexican immigration laws, you will need to procure a tourist visa. The application form for U.S. and Canadian citizens will be given upon arrival. Guests from other countries must obtain a visa from a Mexican Consulate before arrival in Mexico. Your reservation was processed through Rancho La Puerta LLC, a U.S. company that serves only as a booking agent for the Ranch. Rancho La Puerta LLC does not own, operate or manage the Ranch. By signing this letter, you agree to hold Rancho La Puerta harmless from any claims or losses arising out of, or incidental to, your stay at Rancho La Puerta or attendance at any of Rancho La Puerta’s classes or programs. You agree to submit any dispute or claim arising from your stay to binding arbitration in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, in accordance with Mexican laws and the rules of the American Arbitration Association. While it is our aim to provide our guests with attention and ensure that their stay is restful and enjoyable, the Ranch is not a medical facility and is not constructed in accordance with U.S. ADA standards. We accept guests 14 years of age and older. The facilities are scattered over many acres. It is not appropriate for persons with sight or walking problems. Guests are required to walk to and from their room to the main Dining Hall, to gyms and other locations within the Ranch. Guest participation in the Ranch’s numerous programs and classes is entirely voluntary and at the risk of the guest. Guests are expected to use their own judgment concerning their ability to participate in any of the activities. If you know or suspect that you have a medical condition or physical limitation that may prevent you from fully participating in Ranch activities or a vigorous fitness program, consult a physician in advance of your visit.
Please keep in mind we are located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico and a valid passport is mandatory for travel between the US and Mexico.
