Valle de Guadalupe and the Ruta del Vino
Accommodations
Trip Ideas
Explore Further
Under US$50: Budget travelers can rent a cottage for US$35 a night at Viños Sueños (tel. 646/179-4763) winery in Francisco Zarco.
US$50–100: Warm colors set the tone in affordable rooms at El Mezon del Vino (tel. 664/162-9010, www.elmezondelvino.com, US$60 weekdays, US$80 weekends, suites US$150). Book an in-room massage for US$45. The hotel has a restaurant (weekends 8 a.m.–7 p.m.), for wine-tasting as well as breakfast and lunch.
US$100–250: Tuscan-style La Villa del Valle (tel. 646/183-9249, U.S. tel. 818/207-7130, www.lavilladelvalle.com, US$175) stands atop a hill on 70 acres with sweeping views of surrounding vineyards, orchards, and gardens. Four of its six rooms have private balconies; all have luxury linens and many more elegant touches. In between tastings, guests relax by the pool or soak in the hot tub, book a massage onsite, or play a game of bocce ball. Rates include full breakfast, afternoon glass of wine and botanas, and Wi-Fi access. There is a two-night minimum on weekends.
Near the Monte Xanic and Chateau Camou wineries, the Adobe Guadalupe B&B (Francisco Zarco, tel. 646/155-2094, www.adobeguadalupe.com, US$168) was the first winery to offer accommodations in the valley. The 60-acre winery offers six guestrooms in a rambling adobe-walled, hacienda-style complex. Rates include a complete breakfast served at a common table in the huge kitchen. Other meals may be arranged per cost. Recently, some guests have complained of overly protective dogs roaming common areas of the inn (reportedly, they do bite) and less-than-attentive service. Also note that double beds are twins pushed together. If these issues are a concern, you can try the La Villa del Valle or El Mezon del Vino.
Camping: You can camp on an 80-acre farm at Bibayoff–Bodegas Valle de Guadalupe (tel. 646/177-2722, bibayoff [at] telnor [dot] net), run by a Russian family in San Antonio de las Minas. Exit Mexico 3 at El Tigre and follow the dirt road to Rancho Bibayoff.
The Kumiai have opened a campground just north of L. A. Cetto Winery. Some say it resembles a California State Park at the turn of the 20th century. Sites cost US$5, and services include firewood, water, showers, and a general store. Guided hikes, horseback riding, cultural displays, and crafts are also available. Reservations required. Contact Horacio Moncada at tel. 646/178-8093 or 646/118-9113.
by Joe Cummings and Nikki Goth Itoi from Moon Baja, 7th Edition, © Joe Cummings and Avalon Travel