5
Yekaterina Chernyak -
3 years ago
My sister and I randomly came across Rancho Guadalupe in our search for a “dude ranch” in Mexico. While we had no idea what to anticipate, this place exceeded all of our expectations. First, from the moment we contacted the Ranch to inquire about availability and to sort out logistics, Nico (the Rancho’s manager) was extremely responsive and attentive. Right away, I felt that we would be in great hands. Nico arranged for us to be picked up from the airport (Mexico City) and transported to the Rancho.
Incredibly, while the Rancho is only a 45-minute drive from the airport, this place is a world away, set in a peaceful, quaint city of San Miguel de Ajusco. The Rancho itself is a sprawling estate, decorated tastefully in the authentic Mexican ranchero style. The rooms are cozy and comfortable.
We arrived to a warm greeting from the house-chef, Lucy, who is wonderfully kind, attentive, and talented. She tailored all of our meals to our likings and never disappointed us with her culinary skills. We were then met by Olga, the Rancho’s charming, knowledgeable, kind, and detail-oriented Señora. Without wasting any time, she outfitted my sister and I for our first ride (after asking a number of questions about our horse-back riding skills and what we would like to see) and we went out to pick out our horses. The stables have an incredible array of gorgeous and well-trained horses and Olga and Alejandro (the head caballero at the Rancho) picked the perfect fit for my sister and I (based on our skills). We then set out to a visit one of the many volcanos in Ajusco, offering us to experience unparallel vistas. Olga and Alejandro afforded us ample opportunity to go off a little ahead to explore, all while keeping a watchful eye to make sure we were comfortable riding. Following our ride, we all went to a family style lunch prepared by the incomparable Lucy. The meal was beyond words – fresh, innovative, delicious. To emphasize, Lucy makes all of her own sauces and creates culinary masterpieces. We rounded our already perfect day with a relaxing swim in the heated pool and a dip in the jacuzzi to sooth our muscles and prepare ourselves for the next day.
Our next few days were as perfect and fun as the first – full of yummy food, great guidance from Alejandro and Olga, amazing horses, incredible tours, and relaxing evenings. We also got to meet Don Pedro, a kind, lively owner of the Ranch (and Olga’s husband), who was just a perfect addition to this eclectic and lively Rancho family. And by the end of our stay, we felt like we became part of this wonderful Rancho family.
Overall, we had the most amazing, relaxing, delicious, adventurous, engaging, and memorable 4 days in our recent history. We will surely be back and recommend this to anyone who likes horses and riding.