Arriving in Mexico

Here we are ! After a long 12 hour flight from Paris, we finally set foot in Mexico City. We arrived in the evening and decided to head straight to the ranch. The organization was very smooth, and communication was easy (yes, WiFi is available at MEX airport!). Our shuttle, clearly marked with the ranch’s logo and our names, was waiting for us at the airport.
After a 1.5 hour drive, we were welcomed by the owner of Rancho las Cascadas, Uschi, with a delicious dinner and a frozen Margarita before settling in our beautiful rooms… the start and promise of an unforgettable Mexican week !

The next morning jet lag (and excitement, let’s be honest) hit me, so I wandered a bit around the ranch before breakfast.  so I wandered a bit around the ranch before breakfast. The guest ranch is stunning: lots of different spaces like a pond full of koi fish and a pool where you can relax, with lots of flowers, cactuses and bright colors that add to the relaxed vibe of this place.

We tailored our week how we liked, which made it even more enjoyable—no need to plan everything in advance! I loved that we could alternate between riding all day with some sightseeing:

• Teotihuacan: A full day at the ancient city with its impressive Aztec pyramids, the pyramid of the sun and the moon.

• Tula: A morning exploring this ancient Aztec city with its beautiful gardens and Toltec warrior statues.

• Friday Market: A morning at one of the biggest markets of the region that where we could find all sorts of horse tack, boots, and other leather goodies, and everything else you can imagine.

The staff at Rancho las Cascadas made it very easy for us to get a good mix of the culture and history of Mexico! 

For non-riders and for those who prefer to relaxing at the ranch’s amenities, that's perfectly fine too: the infinity pool and jacuzzi are always available, along with various wellness and spa treatments. You can also grab a mountain bike to explore the area or take a scenic walk around the ranch to see the waterfalls, accompanied by the adorable ranch dogs, Callie and Cookie. There's plenty to do!

And here's a bonus: you can get a 20% discount on all excursions and spa treatments with our code WOH20, or simply mention World on Horseback when booking to receive 5% off your entire stay.

Trails & riding at the rancho

Rancho Las Cascadas offers over 30 different trails- whether you prefer rocky, mountainous paths, cactus fields, open range fields, or riding through small local towns, the highlands of Central Mexico offer diverse landscapes. Each ride is a new adventure, with stunning scenery and a variety of terrains.

The horses are assigned based on our level and personality we like. While all of them are very well trained and tempered, some might be a bit more spirited than others. The rest of the week, we could choose other horses or keep the one we liked (unless he needed to rest). I got to ride two different horses during the week: Magnus at first and then Machete, whom I decided to keep for the rest of the week. He was a very nice stallion with a big canter—just how I like them. Most breeds are Criollo, small yet sturdy and sure-footed horses with a lot of stamina! What a pleasure to ride! They also have a couple of beautiful quarter horses and appaloosas in the herd. The traditional Mexican tack used by the charros and the guests adds to the comfort of riding, featuring a saddle horn that is traditionally bigger and thicker than those on Western saddles.

The guides at Rancho Las Cascadas are excellent at ensuring each person is comfortable with their ride. Beginners or those not comfortable with cantering can have their own group, while those who want a more dynamic ride can be catered to as well. This personalized approach ensures everyone has a great time, regardless of their riding level. For me, nothing beats the feeling of freedom of galloping across vast, open range fields. We saw lots of locals working their cattle. As a western rider back in France, I was really excited to see this.

Most memorable moment

The second day when we went for a full day ride. It took us nearly 3:30 hours in the morning to cross cactus fields and dry land to finally reach an oasis surrounded by chimney-like rock formation at the foot of a mountain. We took a break there to let our horses rest, and we enjoyed some fresh fruit, while spotting some wild horses grazing farther away in the mountains. After the break we headed for a restaurant for our lunch. The wrangler (or should I say charro) guided us through some steep rocky paths: let me tell you that our horses really showed us their talents here ! They are incredible “climbers” !
After lunch (tacos and fresh cerveza of course !) we headed back to the ranch and enjoyed some fast canters…a perfect way to close the day !

A culinary experience

In the evenings, we usually had time after our rides to relax by the pool with a nice cocktail before dinner. I loved the moments around the meals where we would share our adventures with the other guests while enjoying some authentic Mexican cuisine: tacos, soups, guacamole, quesadillas, fajitas—you name it, we’ve had it all, and you can choose your level of spiciness!

This trip wouldn’t be so special if it wasn’t for the people we met and who made sure we had the best time possible ! From home cooked Mexican meals, to my birthday celebration and driving us around sight seeing when we were not horse riding, Rancho las Cascadas’ team was the best ! It was really relaxed in and outside the ranch, no stress with the horses or during the trail rides, which made us feel safe at any time. The wranglers always made sure we were comfortable with our horses and the pace we were riding at. I’ll never thank them enough for showing us their beautiful country ! And yes, I cried my eyes out when getting on the plane back to France... 

¡Hasta la vista Mexico! We’ll be back soon!

Want to know more about Rancho las Cascadas and our Mexican guest ranch retreats?