*This is a sponsored post-All opinions are my own*
I was interested in going horseback riding while on vacation. I decided to look on Trip Advisor and stumbled upon a great review of Ranchos Las Cascadas. I was very intrigued and decided to inquire about further information. The price per night includes lodging, food, drinks, horseback riding and access to amenities such as pool and hot tub. I decided I wanted to visit the ranch and that is how I begin to plan my trip to Mexico City, Mexico.
The ranch is located in San Franscisco Soyaniquilpan de Juarez, about an hour and a half from the airport. Transport from the airport can be arranged at an additional fee. I finally arrived in Mexico City after an 8-hour delay in Los Angeles. I was exhausted and excited to see the ranch as the photos on their website gave me a glimpse of what I would experience in person. After I arrived, I was introduced to the grounds and given a mini tour of the property.
I’ve never been so happy to see a bed as I had not properly slept in the last 24 hours.
Soon after arriving, I prepared to have dinner. I enjoyed dinner because it allows guest to dine with each other. If you are traveling alone it allows you to meet others and if you’re are introvert you will come out of your comfort zone. In addition, I like meeting people from various walks of life. All the guest I met were nice and welcoming.
We had a delicious 4 course meal.
First course: carrot soup that was pureed and delicious (I don’t have children but I thought this would have been great for a baby who can not eat solid foods)
Appetizer: shrimp, avocados in a spicy sauce accompanied with saltine crackers.
3rd course: Rice with corn, green beans and pork in sauce.
Dessert: cake sprinkled with powdered sugar.
I saw the Jacuzzi on my mini tour and knew that I wanted to relax after dinner. I grabbed some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies and headed outside to the hot tub. The Jacuzzi felt wonderful due to the heat and bubbles in contrast to the cold air outside. Did I mention that it was pitch black outside and the only thing I could see is the steam in front of my face? I felt super relaxed in the tub and didn’t want to get out. It was absolutely wonderful and enjoyed myself.
View of the Jacuzzi in the daylight!
The next morning, I had breakfast in the common area. In one area was the cold food; dry cereal, yogurt, and fruit. In another area were the hot food; vegetarian & chicken tamales, cheese, ham, and toast. If you have a special request, don’t hesitate to talk to the chefs. For example, eggs were not included with the breakfast but when I requested them they were quickly prepared.
After breakfast, I went on my first horse ride. Although I was afraid, I was very excited to learn how to ride a horse. I was introduced to Calypso and felt very safe while riding. I was instructed to ride the horse like I was driving a car. If you want the horse to stop; pull the reigns, if you want it to go forward; gently kick the horse on the side and if you want to go left or right; pull the reigns in the direction you want to go. I enjoyed the peaceful and serene scenery while riding.
I would advise future riders to stretch before going horseback riding. While I enjoyed, my legs were on fire after a riding. Thank God, the pain only lasted 10-15 minutes! Overall I enjoyed the experience and would ride again in a heartbeat.
I rode with my wrangler who is a volunteer from New York. Her mother brought her to the ranch as a child, and she loved it so much she decided to return to volunteer as an adult. She was great and made sure that we were safe, stopped for breaks when needed, communicated while riding and was very patient with me who is a first-time rider.
Lunch: Zucchini soup, Taquitos with Tomatoes and Broccoli , Warm apples with cherries & garnished with cinnamon.
I love natural waterfalls and was happy to see them at the resort! I hope I can return in the summer time when the temperatures are warm. The cool thing about the waterfalls is you can ride the horses to the falls and go for a swim.
I noticed they offered massage services and I immediately signed up. I got an hour-long Swedish massage. If you are like me and the Swedish message is a little rough make sure you say “suave” in Spanish aka soft in English.
I loved the infinity pool. Although it was too cold to swim, I made sure I snapped several photos in the pool.
Now, that I’ve told you about my weekend at the Ranch, let me take your on a tour of the lovely grounds.
The Staff at Ranchos Las Casacadas were excellent and I was very pleased with the service.
Everything about this place just looks awesome, including the pool table and the Frida Kahlo portrait. I am positive l would enjoy it. I love horseback riding on trails and l’ve done several. Thanks for sharing this. Very nice post..and the food.. 🙂 😉
Thank you so much for reading! They had several Frida Kahlo pictures around the ranch, sad I didn’t actually get to visit her house in Mexico City. I think you would have loved the ranch especially since you like to ride horses, check out this place if you ever visit Mexico City.
Oh my! All of your photographs look so beautiful! I LOVE the decor of the ranch! Your trip sounds and looks amazing. I would have loved the Jacuzzi, too! Great way to relax! I like that the pantry featured fresh produce! And it’s very cool that you were able to mingle with other guests and get to know new people. I would love to visit Ranchos Las Cascadas!
Thanks, Can you believe they were taken with my Ipad and Iphone! I loved that they cooked the food daily and used fresh ingredients. I also liked the way it was set up family style during breakfast, lunch and dinner. I enjoy meeting different types of people. Nothing special about the Jacuzzi itself but the atmosphere of being located outside made it so relaxing.
I still have riding a horse on my bucket list. I’ve still not been on one in any capacity. I love the bold colors of ranchos las cascadas. I always adore natural waterfalls as well.
I cant wait to get back and explore the waterfalls but horse and to actually get inside them. You must check it off your list, riding horse is very fun. Yes, I love beautiful, bright, bold, colors.
What a great way to relax and recharge, Tiffany! How long did you stay, and how affordable is it? This might make my list of short getaways. 🙂
I only stayed the weekend, I would have loved to stay longer but i just started a new job. Its def a doable weekend trip but it may make you want to come back. Its $250-300 a night but its inclusive (food, beverages both non and alcoholic drinks, lodging and horseback riding and the staff is really accommodating)
I love this! I’m kinda obsessed with Latin culture so it was a lot of fun to look at all your pictures. I will be in Mexico in January for a quick trip. I love the styles and that food yumm – I hope I have much fun as it looks like you did.
I’m excited to explore more of the Latin countries. I would love to go to Columbia and Cuba! What part of Mexico will you be in? Hope you have a blast! Yes I would love to have eaten more food instead of just the resorts but i must return soon.
Tiffany, you have the best trips and the best pictures. I love living vicariously through you!
Yes, thanks to my iphone i can capture great photos, glad i don’t have to lug a camera around. That’s my goal to take you along even if you cant physically be with me,
This sounds and looks like a beautiful place. My boss and friend is from Mexico City, and she always says how beautiful it is there. I have to visit. I’ve only had a layover.
Very beautiful, I actually didn’t know much about the city except for that it was close to Los Angeles and it seemed to have lots of things to do.. I’m glad I chose this as a destination
Wow sounds like an amazing destination the photo of the location are very nice.
Thank you, I had a wonderful time!
Your pictures were so so beautiful and makes me want to book my next flight!
Thank you so much, I encourage everybody to book flights ! Go ahead girl and book you a flight! LOL
Looks like great place for a weekend getaway. Seems very peaceful. I haven’t been horse back riding since I was a kid, I’ve been thinking about going.
That is exactly how i felt, very peaceful while here. You should go back riding, I’m pretty sure you will begin right where you left off.
Photography really brought this to life! I felt like I was there with you. They took great care of you! I’ll have to check this out!!!
Thank you so much, my goal is to bring my readers along the journey with me. They were excellent from the moment I arrived until I left. Yes check them out if you ever head to Mexico City
Looks like a great weekend getaway! I love the idea of fresh produce in the room, and the resort looks lovely. I’ll have to check this out!
It was a great weekend, wish I had more time. Yes everything was cooked daily and fresh. Let me know if you want to visit and have questions.
This looks like a great resort! It gives me a true essence of Mexico with touches of luxury thanks for the review I love all the photos you took!
It was great, thanks to trip advisor, I found this great resort. Yes a touch of luxury is nice to show case because people have a certain image of Mexico that may not always be positive
Beautiful photos! It look like you had so much fun!! I can’t wait to visit Mexico soon, and hopefully, I’ll get to do some horseback riding too!!!
Thank you so much, I had a blast. Yes I was excited to ride as a first time rider. Let s know how your trip to Mexico goes..
Beautiful scenery. This Truro looks like it provided an authentic experience.
Very Beautiful, I fell in love with the ranch!
This looks like an amazing trip! I try to go horseback riding every time I am on a trip that has them nearby.
Yes it was wonderful! Does your legs hurt every time you ride?
Looks like you had an amazing time. I would totally visit this place. It looks relaxing.
Thanks for reading, I felt extremely relaxed while there and had a blast! If you are ever in Mexico City check this place out, its a great place to stay!
This is an awesome post. Looks like you ate good and relaxed great especially in that Jacuzzi.
Thanks, I was very relaxed my only regret is that I didn’t stay longer.
This looks SO relaxing! I’m still trying to figure out why I haven’t made my way to Mexico yet. IT’S SO CLOSE! I’ll be sure to add this place to my list of possibles to stay AND explore, although (don’t laugh) I’m a bit afraid of horses because of their super large teeth. It’s SO irrational, and I laugh every time I think about it!
Let me tell you, I love reading your responses to the blog post. This is exactly how I ended up in Mexico City my cruise had to be canceled but I still wanted to get away. When looking for cheap tickets, Mexico City popped up. LOL, I know you have to face your fears and ride, just don’t look at the teeth. LOL
Me encanta Mexico! Vivia en Cuernavaca, Morelos. Your pics bring back memories from my time there. I loved living in Mexico. Thanks for sharing your awesome trip!
Oh wow, how was it living in Mexico? What brought you to Mexico? Glad I could share about the trip.
This ranch looks beautiful! Too bad it was so cloudy. I would have been akk over that pool if I could swim.
Yes the ranch was really pretty, I went in November so I would tell want to return in the summer time when I can enjoy all the water amenities like the swimming pool and waterfalls.
I feel like I just got a beautiful tour of a new city. I have never been to Mexico but I definitely need to get there. Love the culture and the beauty you shared.
I loved Mexico City and hope to go back to explore the city as I was in the country side. You should definitely take a trip to Mexico they have some gorgeous destinations. Thanks for reading 🙂
Your photos are great! Definitely looks like a great place to relax. I love that you get to sit and dine with other people! Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you! It was cool meeting other people and thought it was great if you were traveling solo and didn’t want to eat alone.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time Tiffany. I would love to go horseback riding again; have not done that since I was in Cuba a few years ago!
Yes it was great. Did you go riding in Vinales? So sad we go to Vinales late and didn’t get a chance to do horseback riding.
Haven’t ridden a horse since I was in high school. I think I would definitely enjoy that.
The first time I was on for about 5-10 minutes on the street. So this I was super nervous but thank God the horse was calm and I was able to take control.
I loved Mexico City. I enjoyed it more than Cancun. I would have been in heaven indulging in a hot chocolate in a Jacuzzi. Even though it’s summer I could go for that right now.
I really want to return and explore more of Mexico City. I have never been to Cancun, so I must make it out that way. That Jacuzzi and hot chocolate was one of the highlights.
Wow! Everything looks amazing! The food looked really good, and the horses seem so sweet!
The food was great. I didn’t know if I was going to like it. That is why its always important to try different dishes at least once.
I’ve always wanted to go horseback riding. You look like you had a wonderful time on your trip! Everything looked fabulous. Thanks for sharing!
I was determined to find a ranch to horse back ride, The view along the scenic route was great as well. Hopefully, you will be able to go horse back riding soon.
The pictures are beautiful and the food looks delicious. The setting just looks very peaceful and very picturesque. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, the ranch was very peaceful and beautiful, I hope to return again in the summer so I can enjoy places like the waterfall and pool area. The was good, thinking about that pumpkin soup now.