Rancho La Puerta Safe From Drug Wars

Have you ever been to "The Ranch?" If you've been, you know I'm talking about Rancho La Puerta in Mexico, the original destination spa and a magical place beloved by many. People go back ten, twenty, even thirty times! But it's in danger now due to misinformation, says founder and owner Deborah Szekeley. "We are going through some very serious times, so much so that our ability to remain open is threatened," she says.

The problem is that drug wars in Mexico, far from Rancho La Puerta's bucolic mountain retreat, have gotten a lot of negative publicity. Actor Edward James Olmos recently appeared on "Larry King Live" and warned viewers not to travel south of the border, that it wasn't safe. Unfortunately, it shows how someone can do a lot of harm without really meaning to. "Due to the power of the media, last week we had more cancellations than reservations, a first in our almost 70 years," Szekeley says.

First, she wants to get the word out that it IS SAFE to come to Rancho La Puerta. "Our home town, Tecate, Baja California, is many miles from Tijuana and hundreds of miles from Ciudad Juarez, on the Texas border. Tecate has a safety record far better than most cities anywhere in the world," Szekeley says. I was there in December, 2008, and I felt very safe -- actually like I was in paradise.

Second, she is trying to get people to spread the word that the Ranch is still the safe oasis you know and love. "Tell your friends. Blog, Twitter, Facebook (be a 'friend' on the Ranch’s page and post a comment there, and on your own page)…whatever you can do.

"Most importantly, don’t shy away from a vacation that you need…a vacation that can change your life," Szekeley says. "We all look forward to welcoming you back soon. We have been here for 70 years and I have no doubt that we will thrive for another 70, thanks to our loyal friends like you."

I'm doing my bit. Now you do yours!

Note: Since I wrote this blog, there was an outbreak of swine flu in Mexico. The Center for Disease Control recommends that people avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico. Read more on swine flu and Mexican spas.