Everyone from insurance companies (“you’re in good hands”) to car brands (“let’s go places”) to sneakers (“just do it”) has a motto. But I’ve yet to stay at a resort or hotel that promotes theirs. That is, until I stepped foot on the property of Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. “Siempre Mejor,” which translates to “always better,” is the mission of the family-owned wellness resort—and it’s also what they hope their guests feel after each stay at the serene escape.
When you make a booking, your experience begins miles away from the property. After you gather your luggage at San Diego International Airport, you’ll meet the staff who will greet you with a bag of freshly-made granola and a folder full of options to start plotting your week of rejuvenation. From there, you’ll be escorted 40 miles southeast to enter the oasis that is Rancho La Puerta. (If you’re local, you can drive yourself. It’s also just a three-hour drive from Los Angeles.)
This is where your ultimate reset begins. Shake off any stress from the commute and prepare for a 7-day immersion full of fitness, food, spa treatments, nature, and mindfulness that will have you departing, taking that motto to heart, physically and emotionally.
Hotel Snapshot
Rancho La Puerta is the OG of fitness resorts, welcoming guests since 1940. Founded by Edmond and Deborah Szekely, who later founded another legendary escape, Golden Door, Rancho La Puerta is still owned and run by the family.
Each Saturday, about 140 guests make their way to the ranch for an all-inclusive week-long reset. Not quite ready to dive in for the full week? Swing by to experience something similar to a “day pass.” Saturday at the Ranch includes breakfast, fitness classes, pool time, lunch, a tour of the organic garden, plus a cooking demo, appetizer feast, and optional spa treatment.
Design and Character
Even if you opt to sleep through the sunrise hike (although I highly recommend it for the sweeping views and centering start to the day!), it feels effortless to get your 10,000 steps per day at Rancho La Puerta. The property is peppered with maps to help newbies like me navigate from the dining hall to the four pools, 11 fitness studios, three full-service spas, and the track. Along the way, some hammocks and chairs are begging to be enjoyed while savoring a book.
Communal spaces and casitas are accented with Mexican folk art, vibrantly hued textiles made with environmentally friendly local materials, beautiful tiles, and intricate woodwork.
A huge part of Rancho La Puerta’s design is woven into the landscape. Staff members tend to flower beds, water features, and lawns from morning to night to ensure the plants thrive as much as the people here.
The Rooms
Within the last decade, Rancho La Puerta invested $10 million to fully renovate the patio-lined bespoke rooms, which can host one to four travelers. Opt for a Villas Cielo casita for a private plunge pool and WiFi access. (Most rooms come without internet service to encourage unplugging; however, several communal spaces also offer connectivity.)
Many of the accommodations are equipped with a wood-burning fireplace, and all include a heater/air conditioner unit to dial in the temperature.
The Amenities
Even without TVs, and if you choose to forego WiFi, you won’t be bored here. Rancho La Puerta offers more than 25 miles of trails for hiking, plus about five fitness class options every hour (ranging from strength training, cardio-cycling, posture-aligning stretching, and mobility. Classes generally build in intensity throughout the week, subtly encouraging guests to become “always better.”
The property also hosts educational seminars and classes that allow folks to try their hand at sculpture, jewelry making, cooking, and more. For those super-passionate about specific areas, in 2026, the ranch plans to host full weeks focused on pickleball, longevity, culinary, sobriety, sustainability, and more.
Rancho La Puerta has its own organic body care line made with sustainably harvested plants and herbs. Try it in your bathroom or at one of the spas, which offer massage, aromatherapy, scrubs, scalp treatments, and facials (for an additional fee).
The Food and Drink
You won’t go hungry, either. Executive chef Segundo Romero whips up regionally-specific breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks with the majority of ingredients coming from the ranch’s 6-acre organic farm. Meals and snacks are semi-vegetarian, with eggs and freshly-delivered Baja California seafood as options. Food allergies and preferences can be accommodated.
Start the day with bean-and-egg breakfast tacos and a turmeric juice shot at the breakfast buffet, then refuel at lunch with soup, salad, and the ranch’s hearty whole-wheat bread. Then grab a table with yourself, your pals, or a group of new faces to enjoy a three-course dinner featuring a starter, your choice of entree (if the roasted cauliflower with date mole is available, get it!), and a low-sugar dessert.
Location & Neighborhood
Rancho La Puerta is four miles from the U.S./Mexico border, at the foot of 3,885-foot Mt. Kuchumaa (a National Historic site with sacred importance to Native Americans). True to its mission to leave the land and its people better, Rancho La Puerta has created a 2,000-acre nature preserve and partners with local communities.
Most guests stay on the expansive property for the week, where they can enjoy year-round, incredible weather. Expect 340 days of sun per year, with warm, low-humid days and crisp nights.
Fast Facts
Location: Tecate, Mexico
Vibe: A holistic, grounding getaway
Rating: 5 stars
Rooms: 86 rooms and casitas
Pricing: All-inclusive rates start at $5,250 per week for double occupancy
Food + Drink: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are included, featuring lacto-ovo vegetarian fare. Local coffee and wine are available for purchase at the cafe/gift shop, Bazaar Del Sol.
Our favorite thing about the hotel? A week of nature bathing, nourishing food, and self-care is the ultimate nervous system reset.
Amenities: Unlimited fitness classes and speakers, spa, restaurant, on-site art galleries, business center, free WiFi in select areas, boutique, in-room refrigerator, fresh fruit on demand, tea
Closest Airports: San Diego International Airport (SAN)
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