Rancho Las Cruces

This is a very special place to stay- much more than a hotel and completely different from a typical resort. Many people who come have been coming for years and have become part of a community of sorts. This year was our first time (not the last!) and we felt welcomed right away. First of all, the scenery is drop dead gorgeous - very wild open views of the Sea of Cortez and miles and miles of empty beaches with beautiful cacti-filled hills behind in which to hike. May people keep their boats here for fishing trips and some fly in on their private jets as it has a small air *****. We drove in from La Paz over a crazy dirt road which provided a lot of giggles and more incredible scenery. The meals are included (you can't get anywhere in under an hour and have to pass through a security gate so once there, you don't leave until you check out) and are really lovely. Mainly traditional Mexican food. You will not go hungry! Good cocktails and wine, etc are available for purchase. The personnel are very warm and friendly and willing to help arrange anything. We swam, went skeet shooting (extra charge for this), hiked, played tennis, pickle ball, ping pong, shuffleboard, pool, spent hours reading staring at Isla Cerralvo in the distance and enjoying amazing sunrises and sunsets. We saw stingrays flying up out of the water, a fox and a "gato montés" - think small wild cat. (not dangerous). The place is well-suited for both adults and children. They arranged a mariachi band one night which was lovely. The evenings start with everyone gathering for drinks before dinner. We often played cards by the fire and ate outdoors. There are heat lamps if it gets chilly. Every day was magical. We stayed for three days but could have stayed another. There is a small gift shop for necessities and some fun souvenirs. The only downside was slow Wifi which is to be expected in so remote a locale and sometimes not quite hot water–sort of a regular occurrence in Mexico in general. I would highly recommend one of the malecón (boardwalk) waterfront casitas. We had a beautiful view of the sea and the room was huge. Big bathroom and sitting room as well. They came in twice daily to tidy up the room and replace water and towels. Quite good service. We felt very pampered. They can arrange massages as well. We very much enjoyed that one afternoon. The place is so secluded and isolated that no one even locks their door. Our door didn't even have a lock on it but no one worries about it. As I said, it is really a special place unlike any other where we have stayed. It is completely unlike the Disneyfied resorts of Cabo San Lucas so if that is what you are after, this is not the place for you. This is a historic property with a lot of charm and character. The decorations are exquisite Mexican handicrafts. I wanted to take the whole place home with me. Alas, I will have to settle for visiting again.