Ranchito Paraiso: Rustic Elegance Hanging Out with Happy Piggies and Donkeys

My name is Kareva and I am delighted that you have taken the time to read about Kasita Morada, and if you book, thank you for supporting a female-owned small business. Each booking helps me care for my sweet rescue animals.

You will love to rest here after a long day driving along I-10. Just three minutes north of the freeway, but seemingly a world away, you will be able to enjoy our desert sanctuary with all the comforts of home. Can you picture yourself wrapped in a colorful Mexican blanket snuggled by the firepit with your favorite beverage for a relaxing night under the stars? Or Happy hour or a morning beverage with loving piggies snoozing by your feet? Here at the Ranchito, it can become a reality.

At Ranchito Paraiso, we are creating a retreat/sanctuary for life voyagers, digital nomads, artists, writers, poets, musicians, composers, yogis, dancers, rescue animals, and kind folk. Please take a moment to read my reviews on other platforms to get an idea of the amazing experience we provide here at the Ranchito.

If you seek a unique stay, whether for a night to escape the road, or for a vacation to enjoy our local attractions, you have found your spot! (I am set for two night minimum, so please reach out to me should you wish a one night booking. Weekends are typically not available for one night). You will love Kasita! She is definitely a space for those who think outside the box - world travelers, artists, and/or those who appreciate eclectic beauty and comfort off the beaten path. Artsy and elegant, she is ideal for the solo traveler or as a romantic escapade for a couple. Please let me know in advance if you’d need the futon set up ($30 futon set up fee which includes a comfy matress topper).

IMPORTANT: The bathroom features a Swedish Separett Villa 9215 dry toilet. Please make sure you are comfortable with this concept before booking. Further, as seen in the photos, there are two separate entrances, which are part of Kasita's quirky charm. One for the kitchen and bathroom, then two steps outdoors to enter bedroom and living area.

If you wish to Instant Book and expect a speedy arrival, I will need at least an hour to prepare the space if you book after regular checkin hours (4pm).

Up to 2 well-mannered pets of any species are welcome. There is a pet fee of $40 per stay (for up to 2 pets) that you need to add to the booking (please let me know if you have more pets - reach out. I can accommodate pigs, horses, cows, and other large furry ones). When you get to "Book Now", there is a number of travelers box. Click on it and it will have an option to add pet (Thank you :)
You will appreciate your choice of outdoor seating areas. Breakfast items wait for you in the fridge so that you can enjoy a leisurely morning before starting your day (and you are welcome to walk around the land, sit on a bench by the corrals, and watch the donkeys and goats munch on their hay while you sip your morning beverage). We provide:

 Freshly ground organic coffee (decaf also available) and a selection of teas.
 Half and half, organic sugar
 Sparkling water and our delicious Artesian well water
 English muffins, butter, French jam, and fresh local free range organic eggs.

In case you arrive late, and restaurants are closed, I do suggest stopping by Safeway to pick up a pizza or easy meal to give you more time to enjoy the space and relax. The kitchen features a portable electric pizza baker.

Right away, you will notice Kasita Morada’s character and charm, from her artistic interior to her surrounding mountain views. She is a well-appointed home:

 High Speed Wifi
 A comfy queen-sized memory foam LUCID mattress (with 1200 count freshly laundered Egyptian cotton sheets) and a memory foam leather futon that converts into a twin bed.
 Smart TV with complementary Hulu, Netflix, and Prime
 Fresh, plush towels, shampoo, shower gels, lotions, soaps, conditioners, and more to enjoy our refreshing rainwater shower with skylight after a long day. Did I mention luxury bathrobes and spa slippers?
 AC mini-split in Bedroom and Living area. Ac in kitchen and bathroom, as well as fans.
 Modern Swedish dry toilet (the Separett Villa 9215) not a flush toilet. Easy instructions provided.

Fully stocked kitchen with all you need to cook your own stovetop meals (no oven):

o Organic extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic, a variety of spices
o Pots and pans and all you need to serve a delicious meal.
o Electric pizza oven, toaster, drip coffee pot, microwave, electric kettle, full-sized fridge and indoor dining area that doubles as a workspace with views. Mesquite BBQ available upon request - we provide the wood.

We are a reasonable drive to Kartchner Caverns, Tombstone, Bisbee, and AZ wine country.

Ranchito Paraiso has beautiful views and country living in a ranch setting, although the town of Benson is but two miles away. The San Pedro golf course with Benson City Grille and dog-friendly patio is just around the corner. The Ranchito has ample free parking for multiple vehicles with room for UHauls, trailers, and more.

If you are traveling with horses or livestock and have your own portable panels for a temporary corral, you are welcome to set them up on the property. There are trails to ride in the immediate vicinity. I have one large corral to rent while you are here - can easily fit 3-4 horses or cows.
Uber and LYFT are recently available in Benson, AZ. The Amtrak stops here in between Chicago/New Orleans/San Antonio/El Paso and Los Angeles. There are a few shops, galleries, museums, local cafes and an ice cream shop about two miles away. Benson has a Safeway, Ace Hardware, and Super Walmart.

The elegant bathroom features an on-demand propane water heater and state-of-the art Swedish odorless dry toilet. It is not a flush toilet, and very simple to use (For longer stays, toilet will need servicing every 4-5 days) . The design of Kasita is quirky, which is part of her charm - the kitchen/bathroom have a separate outdoor entrance from the living/sleeping area, so you must step outside the bedroom to enter the kitchen (see photos). It is a couple of steps, and no different than having a hallway.

There is currently one other short term rental unit on-site about 150ft away from Kasita. The other unit is also pet -friendly, so other pets and guests may be present during your stay. Train tracks are a mile away and I-10 is 3/4 mile away. We are secluded in peace and quiet, but you may hear an occasional train or the hum of freeway noise in the distance.

April-October is rattlesnake season. No worries - just be aware of your surroundings when on walks. If present, they would be active early mornings, at dusk, and during monsoons. We are in the desert and spiders happen. If this does occur, just shoot me a text and I can relocate her for you.

You are free to hang out with our very friendly and socialized rescue donkeys, goaties, and piggies. They would love to be present at happy hour, morning coffee, or for walks around the Ranchito trails.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE: Help chop food and prepare meals for the piggies, distribute their food, then enjoy happy hour and music while providing social time with the piggies. Bring your own favorite afternoon beverage and lots of piggie cuddles. Minimum 4 hour advance reservations required (Feeding is around 5:30pm).
More information is located inside the unit.

Keep pets on a leash. Please no treats for the donkeys or goats as they will stalk you. Many guests want to bring treats for the kiddos. I don't give them treats as a rule, but if you'd like to bring a bag of Nature's Best Organic Adult or senior or youth Pig Pellets or Nutrena Safechoice Special Care for the donkeys and goats or a 40lb bag of Black-oiled sunflower seeds, that would be absolutely a godsend :) - all are available at Tractor Supply (there is a store one mile from the Ranchito).

Please do not allow dogs to chase or nip at the Ranchito Kiddos as they are beloved farmily members, and donkeys can retaliate. Do not allow the goats into the house. If you have food out on the Kasita kitchen counter with the window open, donkey Fiona loves expensive cheese plates, sour cream dips, and charcuterie boards. Just sayin' ...

We do not yet have an enclosed yard space for pets. Keep them with you at all times. They are free to chase balls and run around the property under your supervision, (as long as donkeys are corraled), but please keep them away from the main house and main house fence, as this would greatly upset our dogs. Please do not chain dogs up during your absence, or leave them unattended in Kasita. Crated is fine.

Absolutely no smoking of any kind inside Kasita Morada. If there is evidence of smoking inside the unit (such as butts, ashes, strong odor, and affected linens), guests will be assessed a $200 fine. The AC in the bathroom is NOT portable. It is fixed into the wall. Please do not attempt to move. Moving the AC will cause extreme damage and a $200 fine.

Thank you for reading and for considering a stay at Ranchito Paraiso. We hope you will book with us.

Cheers,

Kareva and #RanchitoKids
(Donkids: Fiona, Haiku, and Isla.
Naughty goaties cutie patooties: Harley and Quinn.
Piggies: Sir Benjamin (Ranchito Piggie Ambassador), Mr. Jonah, and Queen Winnie Daniella (a.k.a. Miss Winnie Dee), Celine, Dionne, Waylon, Jennings, Frida, Kahlo, Lionel, Ritchie, JellyBean, Pickles, Theo, Pepper Ann, William, Lucas, Stephen, Nelson, Poe Rava, Leticia, Michael, Jackson, Nadia, Gilligan, David, Bowie, and Penelope.
Pupsters: Carlos and Leela plus Diosa the kitty and Julio the blind dwarf rabbit.


(Ranchito Paraiso LLC, AZ TPT 21336263)