Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - From the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, one can look up to the Sierra de Vallejo, the mountain that frames the Bay of Banderas. At the heart of these mountains is an ecotourism development, Rancho Vallejo, recognized for its' work in ecology and conservation.

Francisco Villa Peña, who manages the Rancho, explained that the work being done on this ranch is conservation of nature, so that visitors can enjoy the environment that exists at the foot of the Sierra de Vallejo. The ranch has excellent facilities including a spa, pool and restaurant with regional food, and astonishing views.

Rancho Vallejo is focused on forest and wildlife conservation, and there visitors can learn about the wildlife in the Sierra de Vallejo while enjoying the facilities and having breakfast or lunch.

The Rancho's restaurant serves regional dishes prepared primarily from corn and its' derivatives, such as tortillas, quesadillas, chilaquiles, porridge, bread and others specialties, as well as delicious beans, a great variety of local fruits and vegetables, and cheeses and buttermilk produced on the Rancho itself.

Rancho Vallejo also produces Capomo coffee, a nutritious natural caffeine-free drink which is part of the food culture inherited from the local indigenous peoples.

Francisco Villa also spoke of the other services available at this ecotourism center:

"We also have a temazcal (sweat lodge) - a place to provide guests with a mystical experience resulting from the meeting of fire and water, a place to harmonize the body, mind and spirit with Mother Earth and the Universe. We invite visitors to come and enjoy an ancient Hispanic experience led by our Shaman (Medicine Man)."

The spa is a therapy center is based on a variety of relaxing massages, body detoxification and the serenity of the natural environment, to help participants achieve a state of harmony with themselves and the universe.

In Rancho Vallejo visitors can experience the rich biodiversity of the virgin forest of Vallejo - the abundance of smells, textures, sounds and colors of mother nature in this Bay of Banderas sanctuary.

To reach Rancho Vallejo, take the road to El Colomo and there is a detour a mile before, where you take a dirt road and four miles later you reach the ranch.