For visitors of New Mexico or locals looking to get away for a few days from everyday life, the Ojo Caliente Mineral Spring Resort and Spa is a place that offers that escape. It sits near the edge of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, which gives visitors stunning views.
Ojo Caliente is a small town located off Highway 285, about 55 miles north of Santa Fe and about an hour west of Taos in northern New Mexico. The town is known for the ojo caliente, or hot springs, which is the reason most people come to visit.
The Ojo Caliente history mentioned on the resort's website, claims the spa is one of the oldest hot spring hotels in the country. It was renovated in 2009 creating a new look for the full-service affordable resort with ten mineral pools, an expanded spa, a wine bar, and plenty of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.
Ojo Caliente Mineral Pools, Spa Services and Yoga
There are ten different mineral pools on the property, each with traces of the minerals lithium, iron, soda and arsenic. The pools range in temperatures of 80 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit. The hours of the pools are 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily.
The mud pool is seasonal and open May through October. Guests slather mud all over the body and let it dry in the sun. The mud is filled with varies clays and removes toxins from the body, leaving the skin clean and refreshed.
The private water therapy options include an herbal bath, a soaking tub, and mineral pools for guests to enjoy for relaxation and rejuvenation.
The spa services offered at Ojo Caliente are plentiful.The spa choices include skin therapy such as facials and hand and foot treatment, therapeutic massages, or other body therapies such as body wraps or scrubs. The resort offers visitors spa packages or an à la carte menu to choose from.
Hatha and Restorative yoga classes are offered seven days a week for an additional fee. Many of the resort packages include the yoga classes.
Other Activities Surrounding Ojo Caliente
For visitors that are staying at the spa for several days, there are other activities to participate in within an hour or two from the resort. Outdoor activities include white water rafting, hiking, biking, fishing, and skiing. There are also hot air balloon rides, guided hikes and other tours available.
Taos and Santa Fe are both cultural and artsy hubs, home to plenty of art galleries, museums, shopping, and festivals. In Santa Fe, visitors will see adobe homes scattered throughout the city.
Visiting Ojo Caliente gives travelers an opportunity to take a relaxing vacation and enjoy the outdoors.
Julie McElroy - Freelance travel writer with published articles about places all over the world, including Italy, Colorado, Japan, Germany, and Spain.
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