Explore BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR RANCHO CACACHILAS ECO-ADVENTURES & GETAWAYS RANCHO CACACHILAS // 1 Hello friend, Welcome to Baja California Sur: one of Mexico’s hidden gems, with a reputation for ocean treasures, wild desert forests, and rich mountain ranges among avid travelers and local residents alike. Dig deeper and you’ll find historic communities on this southern peninsula with rich tales of discovery and adventure over the last 300 years. But that’s not all. Nestled in the Sierras is a place called Rancho Cacachilas—where travelers come for a unique, solar-powered, off-the- grid experience in nature and the darkest of skies. No matter what your flavor of eco-adventure is, we have something for you. From mountain biking and hiking, to cheesemaking, wine tasting, and stargazing. We invite you to disconnect from the rest of the world and feel the stillness, the richness, and the fullness of this place. On behalf of our Rancho Cacachilas team, I’d like to welcome you to your next adventure. See you soon, Rafa Rafael Camposeco González & the team at Rancho Cacachilas 2 // RANCHO CACACHILAS IN THIS GUIDE.... 1 Welcome to Baja California Sur...................................5 2 Rancho Cacachilas: Your Eco-Adventure....................6 3 Day Trips to Spark Your Soul.......................................8 4 Multi-Day Escapes & Adventures...............................10 5 Plan Your Trip.............................................................16 6 Being a Responsible Visitor........................................18 7 Frequently Asked Questions.......................................21 8 Explore the Greater La Paz Region............................27 RANCHO CACACHILAS // 3 NEVERMEXICO LOOKED SO GOOD 4 // RANCHO CACACHILAS Hello Baja California Sur - Mexico’s Adventure Destination! Baja California Sur is the southernmost MEXICO state on Mexico’s Baja peninsula. NEVER LOOKED Rancho Cacachilas is located on the eastern side of Baja California Sur, between the historic capital city of La Paz and the famous windsurfing town of El Sargento and Ventana Bay. Seven miles of private, pristine coastline SO GOOD runs north of our property. We are nestled right in the midst of the beautiful Sierra Cacachilas mountains, overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Dramatic views, world class trails, 300 years of mining heritage, historic working ranches, abundant desert organic farms, an award winning cheesemaking creamery, brilliant starry nights, and more await you on this private, off-the-grid ranch of almost 35,000 acres. When should you visit? • November through April offers the best weather due to cooler temperatures and Rancho Cacahilas limited rainfall. Average lows are 50s-60s; average highs are 60s to low 80s. • October and May are early and late season, and offer the lowest crowds. • December and January is peak tourism season. • Rancho Cacachilas is open October 1st through May 31st. RANCHO CACACHILAS // 5 Rancho cacachilas Welcome to your eco-adventure 6 // RANCHO CACACHILAS ABOUT RANCHO CACACHILAS WE ARE A FAVORITE FOR TRAVELERS Step through the gates of this privately owned and operated ranch and discover a remarkable, nature-focused adventure getaway that’s great for the entire family. We have almost 54 square miles for you to explore, including solar-powered, historic working ranches, and an adventure resort and camps. Exceptional outdoor recreation, culinary delights, and the restorative power of nature await you! DAY TRIPS & WORKING RANCH ACTIVITIES MULTI-DAY Adventures & EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPs Whether a day of mountain biking, hiking, or During your stay, you’ll gain insight into farm-to-table food is your style—or a retreat into the daily operations, sustainable practices, nature for a true getaway is just what you need— and environmental efforts of the ranches. we have something for you. We also offer workshops on natural history, ranching, ecotourism, and other responsible land management topics during the season. RANCHO CACACHILAS // 7 DAY TRIPS TO SPARK YOUR SOUL 8 // RANCHO CACACHILAS DAY TRIPS Spend the day outside, in nature, experiencing the wild DO DAY TRIPS REQUIRE of the Cacachilas mountains... A RESERVATION? No, but you risk having your preferred You’ll enjoy small groups and personal service from your trip type or time sold out without a bilingual guide. Expect your day to be filled with adventure reservation. We encourage reservations. and insights into the wonders of our Baja California Sur mountain ecosystem! CAN I PARTICIPATE IN WORKING RANCH ACTIVITIES? All day tours include: farm-to-table lunch, beverages, and You can observe most activities, and shuttle to/from the Rancho Cacachilas Mountain & Bike Hub participate in an educational workshop depending on the schedule of our in El Sargento to the Rancho Cacachilas ranch complex. upcoming events. RANCHO CACACHILAS // 9 CHIVATO ADVENTURE RESORT & CAMP 10 // RANCHO CACACHILAS MULTI-DAY TRIPS Secret Sierras Singletack Mountain Bike Experience Ride through a network of prime singletrack developed to IMBA standards. You will be immersed in the beauty of the rugged Baja California Sur mountains, exploring their endless cacti diversity with every twist and turn. Enjoy great food, cultural exposure, and superb views of the mountains overlooking the shimmering Sea of Cortez. 4D/3N, Chivato Resort & Camp The Cardon Cactus Hiking & Nature Retreat Explore the alluring dryland forest of the Sierra Cacachilas on an outstanding network of hiking trails that overlooks the azure Sea of Cortez. You’ll love the total immersion into nature and being off the grid with only solar-powered energy and no Wi-Fi waves of distraction. Dark nights, amazing stars, natural history, pictographs, 100-year-old Cardon cactus forests, and culinary delights await you. 4D/3N, Los Pisos Wilderness Camp The Desert Oasis Ranch Getaway Your authentic Baja California Sur working ranch adventure getaway offers hiking, mule riding, mining ruins exploration, cheese and wine tasting, and farm-to-table meals. You’ll be amazed at the abundant organic produce we grow here in the rugged Baja mountains next to the Sea of Cortez. 4D/3N, Chivato Resort & Camp RANCHO CACACHILAS // 11 MULTI-DAY TRIPS The Sea of Cortez is a must-do in Baja California Sur: this add-on gives you the best of both the rugged mountains and the ocean fun! When you choose any of our multi-day tours, you have the option DID YOU KNOW... to add-on this Sea of Cortez package from Rancho Las Cruces: you’ll enjoy a special all-inclusive price per night for meals, lodgings, and Our Sea of Cortez add-on many activities—available to our guests only. lets you extend your stay with one all-inclusive price Gaze across the Sea of Cortez to the enchanted Island of Cerralvo, once per night! known to the Spanish conquistadors as the Island of Pearls. Enjoy the majestic Santa Cruz Mountains, stunning desert gardens, and oasis of stately palms while enjoying attentive and personalized service... not to mention a handful of activities to enjoy on the ocean, like snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, and whaleshark tours. 12 // RANCHO CACACHILAS RESORT & CAMPS Chivato—Adventure Resort & Camp This is our primary overnight resort. It includes a large, comfortable community room with Wi-Fi, a fireplace, a small library, a large multi-purpose palapa, an indoor and outdoor kitchen, a covered dining area, and a small soaking pool overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Sleeping options at Chivato include cabin tents, bunk rooms, and regular resort rooms. Los Pisos—Remote Wilderness Camp This is a remote group camp (minimum 6 guests) with cabin tents spread out along the mountain ridge lines, and 2 centralized camp kitchens. Solar powered, off the grid and no Wi-Fi—you’ll love this! 360 degree views of Baja California Sur’s mountains and the Sea of Cortez. The dark, star-filled skies alone make this camp a favorite with guests. Composting toilets are located close to tents and shower house facilities are located centrally at each camp. RANCHO CACACHILAS // 13 A DELIGHTFUL CULINARY EXPERIENCE AWAITS... Get ready to enjoy true farm-to-table meals, award- winning cheesemaking, winetasting, fresh honey, and chutneys... all while learning about our sustainable farming methods. While you’re staying with us, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the daily activities taking place in our working ranches, such as honey producing, artisanal cheesemaking—even sustainable farm-to-table practices. All multi-day trip guests enjoy farm-to-table breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a part of their stay. Day trip guests will enjoy a farm-to-table lunch included with their chosen activity. Farmer’s Market - Fresh Honey & Preserves Farmer’s Market - Fresh Produce DID YOU KNOW... We grow our own organic produce and cheese—not only for our guests, but for local restaurants and farmer’s markets, too! Dos Hermanos Creamery 14 // RANCHO CACACHILAS A DELIGHTFUL CULINARY EXPERIENCE AWAITS... Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit. —Edward Abbey RANCHO CACACHILAS // 15 GETTING TO THE RANCH What is the best airport to fly into in order to get to Rancho Cacachilas? TRAVELER’S TIP From San Diego, CA: Walk Both the Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) located in San Jose del Cabo, and the Manuel Márquez de León directly across the border to International Airport (LAP) located in La Paz, offer easy your boarding gate at Tijuana entry. International Airport via Cross It is a comfortable 2-hour drive via bus or private car from Border Express (CBX). This is a Los Cabos International Airport to La Paz, Mexico. convenient, low-cost way to grab a nonstop fight to La Paz, MX from From the La Paz airport, it is a 20-30 minute taxi ride (approx. $26 USD) or Uber ride to the Rancho Cacachilas the U.S.-Mexico border. Administrative Office in La Paz. We provide all of our overnight Ranch guests with a private shuttle van to Rancho Cacachilas from La Paz. Our staff will meet you at the Rancho Cacachilas Administrative Office or the La Paz bus station to then drive you to Rancho Cacachilas.