Helpful Info & Frequently Asked Questions
Here's what you need to know before you leave home. If you have any other questions, send us an email at info@riocaliente.com or call us at 1-800-380-0868.
General Information
What time can I arrive at the spa?
What should I bring?
Can I plug in my electronic devices?
Is there cell phone and internet service?
What do I need if I plan to hike?
Are there laundry facilities at the spa?
Travel
Do I need a visa?
What if my luggage is lost?
How do I get to the spa from the airport?
Are taxis safe in Guadalajara?
How long does it take to get to the spa from the airport?
Safety
Is the water safe at the spa?
Is the food safe?
Is it safe to travel in Mexico?
Do I need Travel Insurance?
Is there access to medical care?
General Information
What time should I arrive at the spa?
Our Office currently opens from 8:30AM to 8:30PM, and the control gates on the road through the forest close at sundown. Rio Caliente is an hour from the Airport and you can plan on spending an hour clearing customs and immigration. So, if your plane arrives after 6:30PM you may want to have one of our drivers pick you up as they have access through the forest, can bring you your bedroom key and drop you off at your room. For this service, please make the order with your reservation, or call 1-800-380-0868. Cost is $65US which can be added to your final bill. If you prefer to make arrangements to stay overnight in the city, please do not leave for the Spa until after 7:15am. We recommend these hotels:- Casa Grande at the airport
- Casa de las Flores in Tlaquepaque
- Hotel Mendoza in downtown
- Camino Real (Westin) in uptown
What should I bring?
We are extremely informal:- Bring casual weekend wear, pants, shorts, comfortable shoes and sneakers.
- In July through September bring rain gear.
- We are at 5,000 feet above sea level so nights and early mornings can be cool year-round. Bring socks and a jacket or sweater.
- In winter, nights can be chilly (sometimes dropping down to 40F or 5C), so bring warm clothing and dress in layers. Your room has a wood fireplace, but you may also want to bring something warm to sleep in.
- Flashlight
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit
Can I plug in my electronic devices?
Our voltage is the same as the USA and Canada so you do not need adaptors for your electrical appliances.
What do I need if I plan to hike?
Since we are not able to insure our guests against mishaps, Rio Caliente requires the following equipment for hiking:- Hiking boots - traditional leather or lighter weight canvas hiking boots are appropriate, but no running shoes.
- A hat that covers your head - visors are not sufficient
- A water bottle - available for purchase in the office
- A water bottle carrier with a shoulder strap, hip pack, or day pack are all acceptable. All hikers are required to carry water.
Is there cell phone and internet service?
To enhance your restorative retreat, there are no phones in the rooms, but there is a public payphone near the office. Most cell phones do not get reception at Rio Caliente because of the surrounding forest, and we encourage you to leave your phone turned off. Internet access is available at our public computer in the Palapa for $2 for each 30 minute session.
Are there laundry facilities at the spa?
Guest laundry is available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at very reasonable rates. Drop your dirty clothes off between 8:30 and 11 am and pick up your clean ones by 4:30 pm.
Travel
Do I need a visa?
A Mexican Tourist Visa will be issued to you in the immigration/arrival area of the Guadalajara airport. You will be expected to show proof of citizenship. Check with your airline as to the required ID and proof of citizenship to enter Mexico. Make sure you keep your Tourist Visa as you will have to return it upon departing Mexico. Please note: U.S. citizens are required to have valid passports to re-enter the U.S.
What if my luggage is lost?
Carry your medicines, hiking boots, swimsuit, shirt and a pair of shorts in a carry-on bag and you'll have a great time even if the airline mislays your luggage.
How do I get to the spa from the airport?
After you exit customs, look around inside the airport building for the nearest taxi booth. The cost is approximately 625 Pesos ($52 USD), plus tip. Please note: they no longer take US$, payment must be made in pesos.
Are taxis safe in Guadalajara?
In Guadalajara, airport taxis are registered by the government, and are very safe. In the city, only take taxis from a formal taxi stand.
How long does it take to get to the spa from the airport?
You'll travel 35-40 minutes on a modern freeway, then your taxi will turn off into a small village called La Primavera and will continue for a long 5 miles on a rustic, unpaved road through the Primavera Forest—follow the telephone lines to ensure you haven't taken a wrong turn. At the end of the lane you'll see the front gate of the spa.
Safety
Is the water safe at the spa?
Our local laboratory tests the water purity each month, and our pools are drained and scrubbed clean each week.
Are the food and drinking water safe?
At Rio Caliente, cooking and drinking water are treated with the latest U.S. technology. The water is treated with Atlantic Ultraviolet "Mighty Pure" UV lamps before it goes into the kitchen. Fruits and vegetables are purified with ozone, using our ClearWater Tech ozone generator from San Luis Obispo, California. Drinking water is purified with both Mighty Pure and ClearWater Tech ozone treatment. Monthly laboratory testing ensures the quality and safety of the water.
Is it safe to travel in Mexico?
Rio Caliente is located in one of the most well-to-do agricultural and light industry areas in Mexico, just outside Guadalajara, the state capital of Jalisco. You can leave your fears at home and feel safe exploring the Guadalajara area.
Do I need Travel Insurance?
The Primavera Valley consists of volcanic terrain 5100 feet above sea level. It isn't yet possible here in Mexico to insure you against accidents in this terrain. Please check your personal coverage. Few accidents occur in our lovely valley, but since Mexican insured sums are tiny compared with their U.S. equivalents, and mishaps on our local volcanic terrain are uninsurable by us, you may like to obtain the more complete coverage of a Travel Insurance policy.
Is there access to medical care?
If you should have an injury or become ill, we can get you to a very clean, modern hospital in 35 minutes. If you have a dental emergency (a lost crown, for example) we also have excellent dentists in Guadalajara who can do the work for a third or less than the price you pay in the U.S.