Rosarito is best known for its coastline, but just beyond the city’s more familiar tourist areas, Cañón Rosarito offers a very different way to experience the region.
The ecotourism route, promoted by the Rosarito Tourism and Conventions Committee (COTUCO), winds through ranches surrounded by farmland and natural landscapes, where visitors can find everything from traditional Mexican food and locally made products to swimming pools, cabins, camping areas, horseback riding and hiking trails.
Here are six places worth considering for a day trip or weekend in the canyon.
Rancho21: traditional barbecue in the countryside
For a meal surrounded by nature, Rancho21 combines a family-style restaurant with a small farm area where visitors can see goats, sheep, pigs and horses.
The restaurant opened in 2021 and takes its name from the owner’s horse. Its signature dishes are lamb and beef barbacoa, traditionally slow-cooked in a wood-fired pit using oak.
Owner Ernesto Grijalva says the idea was to create a place where customers could enjoy a meal while taking their time in the countryside.
“I want customers to come, have a great time, walk around and relax,” he said.
For location details and more information, visit Rancho21’s social media or check its location here.
Rancho Santa María: cabins, camping and pools
Those looking to stay overnight can find several options at Rancho Santa María, a property surrounded by fruit trees in the canyon.
The ranch offers cabins throughout the year, camping areas, swimming pools and space for private events. It can become particularly busy during holiday periods, when cabins are often booked in advance.
Rates:
- Day pass: $120 pesos per person
- Camping: $250 pesos per person
- Small cabin for up to 6 people: $3,500 pesos per night
- Large cabin for up to 10 people: $5,000 pesos per night
- Additional person in a cabin: $250 pesos
For location details and more information, visit Rancho Santa Maria’s social media or check its location here.
Rancho Las Águilas: a family ranch with horseback riding
Rancho Las Águilas offers a closer look at the agricultural and ranching traditions of the area.
The property was built by the Nuño family, whose patriarch, Valente Nuño García, was considered Rosarito’s first barber. He gradually acquired the land using income from his business.
Today, the ranch continues to focus on farming and livestock, while also welcoming visitors with a pool, barbecue areas and horseback riding lessons. Equine-assisted therapy is also planned for the future.
Rates:
- General Admission:
- Children (under 5 years old): $50 pesos per person
- General admission: $100 pesos per person
- 1-Night Camping:
- General: $250 pesos per person
- Children (under 5 years old): $150 pesos per person
- 2-Night Camping:
- General: $400 pesos per person
- Children (under 5 years old): $300 pesos per person
- Horseback Riding:
- 30 minutes: $300 pesos per person
For location details and more information, visit Rancho Las Aguilas’s social media or check its location here.
Rancho San Patricio: pools, camping and hiking
If you’re looking for a more active day outdoors, Rancho San Patricio combines swimming and camping with access to a nearby hiking route.
Admission is $60 pesos per person and includes the pools, children’s splash area, palapas, barbecue grills and playgrounds.
The nearby hill has also become a popular challenge for younger visitors and hiking enthusiasts. Camping and horseback riding rates vary by season, so visitors should check with the ranch before planning their trip.
For location details and more information, visit Rancho San Patricio’s website or check its location here.
Rancho San José de los Haroz: local products from the farm
At Rancho San José de los Haroz, visitors can pick up locally made products including fruit preserves, sourdough bread, corn pies, olive oil, peanut butter and olives.
The small shop grew from a simple roadside stand created after the ranch produced more apricots than the family could use. They began turning the fruit into jam and eventually expanded into a permanent store.
The shop is open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with tastings available for visitors.
You can check Rancho San José de los Haroz’s location here.
Rancho Ecoturístico Gran Cañón: an all-in-one getaway
For the widest range of activities, Rancho Ecoturístico Gran Cañón offers swimming, camping, cabins, hiking, cycling and access to gardens and orchards.
Visitors can stay in cabins with views toward the ocean, explore flower, vegetable and fruit gardens, or even pick some of the farm’s produce.
The property also has hiking and cycling routes for both children and adults. Visitors who only want to explore these areas can pay an approximately $60-peso parking fee to access the grounds and enjoy views of the ocean and Rosarito sunsets.
Rates:
- Day pass, including pools and facilities: $170 pesos per person
- Camping: $340 pesos per person
- Cabin for 6: $4,500 pesos
- Cabin for 8: $6,000 pesos
For location details and more information, visit Rancho Ecoturístico Gran Cañón’s social media, or check its location here.
A different way to experience Rosarito
The Cañón Rosarito route offers something that can be easy to miss when visiting the city: a chance to experience its rural side without traveling far from the coast.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional meal, a place to camp, a weekend cabin, a horseback ride or simply a quiet afternoon surrounded by nature, these ranches offer several ways to explore the area beyond the beach.
Before visiting, it’s recommended to confirm current prices, availability and operating hours directly with each location, particularly for seasonal activities.
For more information about Cañón Rosarito, visit its official Facebook page, Cañón Rosarito on Facebook.
To discover more tourist attractions and activities in the area, visit the official channels of the Rosarito Tourism and Conventions Committee (COTUCO):
