When Mexico comes to mind, many of us picture sandy beaches, cerulean skies and authentic Mexican food. But it’s so much more than that. Rosarito Beach, just 30 miles across the border from San Diego, is also the haven for Mexico’s top day spas. Many spa treatments here are given with natural lotions made from fruits of the region.

Because Rosarito Beach is the Baja Spa capitol, there are ten welcoming spa retreats to choose from. Here, lets go inside two of the very best—the crème de la crème of all Baja spas.

Spacifico
Spa day Number 1: The well-appointed couples retreat, the Las Rocas Resort, is the home of Spacifico, a full-service organic spa for both men and women that reaches out to locals and tourists alike. Enter through their doors and you will immediately be greeted by their friendly yet very professional staff, as they kindly bring you cool cucumber and lemon water while you relax in the hot tub before you begin your treatments in one of the spa’s several treatment rooms.

There to test their services, I had my pick of their spa menu, and you will, too.
Spacifico offers Swedish massages, organic healthy facials, herbal body wraps, manicures, pedicures, and exotic body exfoliations. They even provide soothing baths, such as a soak in a holistic milk & honey bath, or a calming rose bath.

A must-try is their Fusion Massage— Spacifico’s signature service. There’s no such thing as a lousy massage here. Rather, you will be very taken care of by their competent and kind massage therapists through deep tissue modalities and hot stones. My muscles were kneaded into oblivion, and I was surprised to experience how strong my massage therapist was. No part of my body was forgotten as Eucalyptus compresses were applied to painful muscles and joints. Further aromatherapy is utilized to relax you into a state of bliss. If fact, relaxation is guaranteed.

After almost an hour of being therapeutically pummeled and pampered, you’ll don a white robe and spa slippers as you drink more of that fabulous cucumber and lemon water to help release the toxins that have built up in your body during the massage.

I was shortly whisked away by a smiling attendant, and they sent me to my next unique treatment. Here, a Toe-rrific experience awaits you. Down the hallway, and around the corner, you will sink into a plush green chair that doubles as a pedicure throne. Right before your eyes, seen through big, bay windows, is the calm Baja Sea. A friendly pedicurist begins your next sensation by gently placing your feet into a warm soak infused by lavender water and grape seed oil. Known as the Margarita Pedicure, this exotic regimen will leave your feet spanking fresh and clean. Juicy slices of lemon will cleanse and disinfect your toes. Plus, helping your nails to stay white, a shot of Tequila is poured over your feet into the footbath. Your legs are gently exfoliated with a special polish made with sea salt and lemon. You will be served an ice cold Margarita at this point while your pedicurist buffs your toenails to perfection and rids them of those unsightly cuticles and calluses. You will leave with beautifully painted toenails in the color of your choice, and, of course, those funny flip-flops to wear until the polish dries.

Casa Playa Spa

Spa Day Number 2: Located in a breathtakingly beautiful mansion on the grounds of the famous and historic Rosarito Beach Hotel, Casa Playa Spa is one of the wonders of the world—a true European style spa experience. Rich in history and built in 1925, this magnificent mansion was the owner’s home. After restoration, the mansion was transformed into one of the top spas along the Baja Coast.

Inside, an atmosphere of elegance prevails. The elaborate architecture and its surroundings will give you a feeling of romance and serenity. “Your personal comfort and well-being is important to us,” says Casa Playa Spa Director, Beatrice Avalos. “You will feel well taken care of by our professional and caring staff who are sure to meet, and, hopefully, exceed your expectations.”

And exceed my expectations they did. I was kindly offered a robe and slippers as well as a locker to store my purse and clothing. Next, I soaked in the hot tub until I felt my muscles release from the warmth. Rising out of the water and into the steam room, I found that this was even more relaxing. I walked up the grand staircase of this mansion-turned-spa, and tucked into Casa Playa’s relaxation room. You are invited to lie down on one of their several beige-cushioned chaise lounges to read a magazine, sip water, or simply take a nap with your fellow spa-seekers. It’s the place to be in between treatments.

An attractive Mexican massage therapist came in to get me, and showed me in to one of their 25 treatment rooms. Embarking on a body polish, massage and herbal wrap, I had a feeling this was going to be incredible. I wasn’t wrong. First, they buffed my entire body, with a soft yet bristly brush to take the dead skin off. Then, I was polished from head to toe with a lavender salt body scrub. After that, my massage therapist, Camille, gently helped my naked self off the table and into the bath tub directly behind me. She scrubbed my back and I felt so nurtured that it reminded me of when my mom bathed me when I was a little girl. Next, it’s back on the table. My body was towel dried and ready for the next step, a 90-minute Butter Body Wrap and Massage. Camille mixed the butter with vanilla and orange essential oils and lathered it all over my body. I felt like a basted turkey. When she wrapped my body in cellophane and folded warm towels and blankets on top of me, I felt like a human burrito. Without the use of my arms and legs, all I could feel was quite pleased with myself in all of this splendor. Fifteen minutes later, the “burrito” came unwrapped and the massage began. A cool compress of lavender covered my eyes, and I drifted off, completely sated. But that’s not all. I was then sent to the esthetician for my facial. Using only Jansenn products, my esthetician, a plastic surgery nurse, took great pride in the cleansing ritual and applied a soothing mask over my gauze-covered face. My neck, shoulders and scalp were massaged yet again. A cool moisturizer with sunblock was the final touch. Can this get any better? I have yet to see it.

Although I am glad I went to the two top Baja Spas, I ended up so relaxed I couldn’t do any sightseeing during those two days or even eat dinner. I simply slipped inside my hotel room and collapsed in bed without a care in the world. Why not experience all this for yourself? Chances are you haven’t been truly pampered in a long time.

Rest and Relaxation. So much bliss it’s almost sinful. It’s all part of the ultimate in the Baja Spa experience. Make this a highpoint of your vacation in Rosarito Beach on the Baja Coast in Mexico.


Side Bar

Spacifico
Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Margarita Pedicure………………$30.00
The Fusion Massage………………….$60.00
Phone Toll Free 1-888-527-7622
E-Mail: Spa@losrocas.com
Online: www.losrocas.com

Casa Playa Spa
Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Salt Body Glow……………………….$40.00
Butter Wrap & Massage………………$75.00
Holistic Healing Facial……………..$65.00
Phone: (619) 946-2987 Ext. 1364
E-mail: rbhspa@correorbh.com
Online: www.casaplayaspa.com

Other Baja Spas
Extravagance Spa
CosMed Spa
El Arco Spa
Dagninos Day Spa
La Fonda Spa
Baja Tan Salon
Sanoviv Spa Medical Institute
Calafia Day Spa
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Connie Werner Reichert is a member of the International Travel Writers & Photographers Alliance. The former Sacramento area Radio/TV Newscaster is the President of Write Side Up Travel Journalism in Latrobe, California. She may be reached at Connieis@pacbell.net or visit her online at www.authorsde.com/conniewreichert.
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Contact Info:

Connie Werner Reichert
1286 Shadow Hawk Dr
Latrobe, CA 95682
PH: 530.277.4560
E-mail: Connieis@pacbell.net