If you live here or travel here frequently, you know that many salon services here are quite reasonable. I know that where I’m from, $50 doesn’t even get you a pedicure.
You can grab a friend and make a day of self care for less than you think.
Salud Super Food, $92 Pesos ($4.75 USD)
This wasn’t part of my spa day budget but I decided to start my spa day with something healthy in my belly. I figured the last thing I wanted to feel was a pang of hunger during my services. I headed to Salud Super Food to start my day with a smoothie. I chose the Gasolina Verde – a blend of spinach, nopal, parsley, celery, yogurt, pineapple, organic green tea and fresh orange juice. That ought to satisfy my body. This set me back $72 PESOS plus a 20% tip (because I love Willy and his staff, they super friendly and will help you with your selection).
ARA Salon, $480 Pesos ($24.75 USD)
I’ve tried several salons and I like them for different reasons. If you’re looking for overall goodness to stay within your budget, head to ARA Salon. I started with a pedicure and the best thing about it is the callous remover – they use what looks like a little Dremel tool with a circular file, with a new file each time they use it. They start off with a ‘rough’ sandpaper and then finish your feet with a ‘fine’ sandpaper to give your feet a softness that other methods can’t provide. I brought my own nail polish for this one but they have a very large selection of colors to choose from. My pedi cost me $220 PESOS.
I also decided on a manicure which I don’t seem to do as often as a pedicure – but if this was going to be a true spa day, well then I had to have one. This happened simultaneously while my pedi was being done, so I wasn’t at the salon for 2 hours. The women were meticulous in their execution and I left there with a huge smile on my face and very colorful nails I was no longer needing to hide from the rest of the world. My mani cost me $180 PESOS.
I left a 20% tip, so the entire experience cost me $480 PESOS.
Eclipse Spa, $490 Pesos ($25.25 USD)
I saved the best for last – my full body, one hour massage at Eclipse Spa. A nice, easy walk from Càrdenas to Serdán, I made this appointment ahead of time since you’re chance of a walk in during high season is low. Since my last massage here, they have done some remodeling – the entire place got a new look and they expanded upstairs. It’s quiet, the music is soft, the temperature is perfect and you have your own private room.
My hour long massage cost me $350 PESOS plus a 20% tip of $70 PESOS. If you go with a friend or want to return at a later date for a 2nd massage, you can buy a package of 2 massages for $600 pesos, that’s a savings of $100 pesos for 2 massages – definitely a worthy deal. Where else can you get a massage for $300 pesos?
My spa day left me wanting more. I felt restored and very relaxed. And headed home to top it off with a siesta.
