I am considering a long weekend somewhere in Mexico that would have a nice spa as well as local villages nearby for wandering and enjoying some local sites. Any suggestions?

HI Debbie, I would suggest looking into Rancho La Puerta.

The new Intercontinental south of Playa del Carmen is exclusive spa luxury at its best...

Hotel Spa Ixtapan is one of the best spas in Mexico, and it is a bargain!<BR>Check it out:<BR>&lt;http://www.spamexico.com/html/index2.html&gt;<BR>

I've been to Rio Caliente (www.riocaliente.com), which is just outside of Guadalajara. It's probably one of the best spa values available. It's a very casual relaxed atmosphere, more rustic than most spas. I'd describe my experience there as more like a "camp for adults".

Thanks to all for your suggestions. To Tess, I was looking at RioCaliente but you are making me have second thoughts. Were the rooms nice or just acceptable? What about the food? I have a friend going with me and I don't think she will go for rustic.

Debbie,<BR><BR>I use the word "rustic" to differentiate Rio Caliente from the more luxurious style spas. You have regular plumbing, beds, modern amenities --- it's just not a fancy, "foo-foo" kind of place. If I were to compare their rooms to, let's say a hotel room in Italy. I'd characterize them as great 2-star accommadations. I enjoyed the food, simple, fresh (they have their own vegetable garden) however it is strictly vegetarian. There's no alcohol served. It's a laid-back, quiet, relaxing kind of place. You can hike; you can ride horses; you can take a daytrip into Tlaquepaque (small town w/many shops, in the "suburbs" of Guadalajara); or you can take one of their treatments and then sit by the swimming pool ala couch potato. Nightlife? None to speak of really. When I was there (Mar-98), they didn't have phones or TV's in the room. Because RC is located in a national park, the last mile or so is along a bumpy unpaved road (unless that's changed since my visit). Yet it's only a 45-50 minute taxi ride from the airport. Being in the midst of an undeveloped area, there are few lights and so if sky is clear, you can see the stars.<BR><BR>RC is in the mountains, so temps are pleasant during the day and cool at night. It sits in an ancient caldera --- I'm under the impression the volcano is dormant. The river waters are heated naturally, so obviously there has to be some kind of underground activity --- "rio caliente" means "hot river". The river itself is too hot to go in; they do use the waters to fill the swimming pool (by that time, water has cooled off to a more tepid temp). <BR><BR><BR><BR>

if the price is not a problem, Las Ventanas al Paraiso(Rosewood hotel) in Los Cabos is the best in Mexico, Ikal del Mar near Playa del Carmen is also a good option a less expensive.

I think Hotel Spa Ixtapan is the best. I'm here right now during the rainy season and can't say enough about it. The guests are mostly American women, and the price can't be beat - as someone else said below, check out www.spamexico.com under spa packages. A one month stay is the cost of just a few days at a spa in Califorina