I am thinking about a week's stay at the Rio Caliente spa in Guadalajara, Mexico. As the song says, "The brochure looks nice", but I would much rather chat with folks who have actually stayed there. You also hear and read so much about the crime in Mexico, and Mexico City especially, which it looks like I would be flying into. Any recommendations, words of wisdom, suggestions?

I'd be interested in hearing people's opinions if they've been here, or to the spas in Cuernavaca...

I haven't been to Rio Caliente, but an acquaintance went a couple of times a few years ago and loved it. I'm not sure how close it is to Guadalajara - I think she went into the city for a day trip. I don't think they were very rigorous in terms of exercise, but she enjoyed the environment very much.

hi, like susan, i have a friend who went to rio caliente and loved it and reported pretty much the same thing _ great service, good pampering, not a very rigorous exercise program. I have stayed at two other spas in Mexico myself _ Ixtapan de la sal in city of same name in central mexico, and Mision del sol in Cuernavaca. Both were very warm, friendly and pampering, with plenty of massages and facials etc. But exercise classes left a lot to be desired; very few classes on schedule, which often changed at last minute, not very much equipment. Ixtapan was also very oldfashioned menu wise _ melba toast cottage cheese and consomme at lunch unless you told them you wanted normal food, not diet. Still, it was about half the price of what I would hae paid in the states, and i came home very relaxed.....

I have been to Rio Caliente and am glad to recommend it. Reach it from Guadalajara via about a 30 minute taxi ride. Nearest (very!) small town is Primavera. <BR>Originally founded in the early 1900's based on a then popular "cure" for cancer (long since discredited), it is very much like summer camp for adults. Accommodations are "up the hill", the older adobe cottagee or "down the hill", more modern cabins. All have fireplaces and private baths. The fitness regimen is indeed non-fanatic and low pressure. Each morning there is a prebreakfast hike led through the surrounding area, with level of difficulty specified. The "gym" is oriented toward yoga rather than weigthlifting. Food is vegetarian, much of it raised locally and all delicious (even for a carnivore like me!) Meals are casual in a group dining area, come as you please during two hours for each meal. The dining hall is open all night for self serve tea, coffee. Central activity center features taped movies, book disussions, etc in the evenings. Treatments include great massage, fabulous pedicures, mud packs, natural steam bath, naturopathic doctor, water aerobics in two chemical-free swimming pools filled with mineral (especially lithium - no wonder it's so calming)rich water and enclosed gender specific pools for skinnydipping. As befits a health oriented resort, tobacco and alcohol (bring your own if you need it) are restricted to your room. There are half and all day trips offered on the camp van into Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque, Tequila, etc. <BR>Best feature is likely the clientele. There's little to no advertising, so referral is word of mouth. The crowd is diverse, probably more females than males, and tends to include a lot of interesting type-A's there to de-stress. Intelligent conversation is available if you want it, but it's also socially acceptable to sit by the pool with a book and turn into broccoli. <BR>Get the impression I like it? You bet! I intend to return. On top of everything else, it's bargain priced!

Seamus -- thanks for the report. I have been getting Rio Caliente's mailings for a couple of years now and hope to go someday. Are there particular rooms that are better than others?