About Us

Comfortable lodgings in a pleasing environment

It's a great place to enjoy the tranquility of a natural environment, to explore the nearby lake and waterfalls, and yet be close enough to visit Tepic, Guadalajara and the superb beaches of the Riviera Nayarit

Why stay here?

It's a place to relax and enjoy the environment in pleasant lodgings with fast Wi-Fi internet

Our Tasks

We aim to continually improve our installations and hospitality

Our History

Over the last 12 years we have established a little paradise with comfortable lodgings

Testimonials

  • Christopher has an amazing place, both practical and cute, full of personal touches. It's private enough and at the same time Christopher is near by to give you some local guidance. Totally recommend.

    Danya Argote, Guadalajara, MexicoJuly 2020

  • I enjoyed my stay of one month in January 2016. I especially like the well maintained and landscaped gardens and found it very convenient to travel to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

    Geoffrey Freeman, Coventry, EnglandJauary 2016

  • Exceptional and unique, Rancho Querencia is a treasure. Peaceful, creative and comforting, this oasis is the creation of Christopher who was a wonderful host. Immaculately clean, comfortable beds and overflowing with extras like a pool table, swing set, pizza oven and hammock lounge. The gardens are exquisit e and it was hard to leave!

    wisestars Apothecary, sebastopol, California, USA February 2020

  • Christopher and Amelias place is a paradies. A quite and natural dream to relaxe, go for a swim in the nature-pool or enjoy the beauty of the garden. Christopher and Amelia are wonderful hosts, the made our time so easy and helped us whereever we needed informations or tools. We highly recommand this place.In the end we spend more than two months there and will come back someday. Also our parents came for a visit and loved it. thanks for everything, is was an unforgetable time in your wonderful place...see you!

    Gwen Patrick,GermanyMay 2015

  • Christopher place is a small oasis at Santa Maria del Oro. Fruit trees, flowers, a small river, amenities, etc. It has it all. The best part is the tranquility and natural environment of his place. I enjoyed my stay at his place.

    Jorge Marquez, New South Wales, Australia, June 2020

  • Chris has built a beautiful ranch and is an incredible host. I recommend a stay at Rancho Querencia and will be back next time I visit Santa María del Oro.

    Justin Stewart, Chicago, US, April 2020

Places to visit

  • The lake

    Santa Maria del Oro

    (SAMAO)

  • Waterfall

    "La Silla"

    El Real de Acuitapilco

  • Gardens

    Rancho Querencia

    Nayarit

The outstandingly beautiful Santa Maria del Oro crater lake is about 9 kilometers from the town of Santa Maria del Oro, on the edge of the mountainous region known as the Sierra Madre Occidental; It is about 2,000 meters long by 1,600 meters wide with an average depth of 60 meters and at an altitude of approximately 730 meters. The road around the approximately 8 kilometers perimeter is great for mountain bikes or hiking.


The many restaurants at the edge of the lake serve the now famous 'chicharron de pescado´(deep fried morsels of battered fish) A pleasant and affordable restaurant is ´La Mojarra de Samao´ located at the entrance to Koala bungalows.


El Nido Recreational Center in El Real de Auitapilco is about 15 minutes from the lake by car or about 40 minutes using mountain bikes. One may bathe in the cascading water at the base of the waterfalls.  

How to get here

Take the Santa Maria del Oro turnoff on highway 15 or toll road (Guadalajara-Tepic) drive through the town and past the lookout point, contiue on the winding road to the lake, take the (only) turnoff towards Cofradia. We are about 1.3km down the road to the right.

Contact Me

chrisfrench@live.com
Cellular (52) 311 150 4690

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Your hosts

Christopher and Amelia

© 2020 Rancho La Querencia