Cabin

Ranchito Paraiso: Pet-friendly Rustic Elegance in the Desert

Photo gallery for Ranchito Paraiso: Pet-friendly Rustic Elegance in the Desert

Miss Fiona and Haiku say, "WELCOME to the Ranchito !" from the kitchen bar.
As soon as you see this sign - you are home :)
View of firepit and main house from the kitchen window
Main house to the left and Kassandra, our other short term rental, to the right.
Kasita with outdoor ramada

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroomSleeps 339 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Benson, AZ
  • San Pedro Golf Course
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Benson Hospital
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Kartchner Caverns State Park
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Sierra Vista, AZ (FHU-Sierra Vista Municipal)
    ‪43 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Ranchito Paraiso: Pet-friendly Rustic Elegance in the Desert

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.

Here 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. Thank you for reading and we hope to see you here! Please take a moment to read other online reviews 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! (Reach out to me should you wish a one night booking). 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 but can accommodate 3 guests. Please let me know in advance if you’d need the futon set up.

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. Please let me know if you need futon set up.

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 are welcome (please let me know if you have more - reach out). You'd 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? Here at the Ranchito, it can become a reality - and we provide the blankets and wood.

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, Super Walmart.

The elegant bathroom features an on-demand propane water heater and state-of-the art Swedish odorless dry toilet. It is eco-conscious, 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.

Please let me know if you'd prefer they be corraled during your stay.

Keep pets on a leash. Please no treats for the donkeys or goats as they will stalk you. Do not allow dogs to chase or nip at them as they are our 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. I do have a portable fence for you to place on the stoop to faciliate back and forth between the two doors.

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.

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 Winnie Daniella (a.k.a. Miss Winnie Dee), Celine, Dionne, Waylon, Jennings, Frida, Kahlo, and Nelson.
Pupsters: Carlos, To’a, and Leela .


(Ranchito Paraiso LLC, AZ TPT 21336263)

Property manager

Kareva Allain
Premier Host

Languages

English, French

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Supervise children and keep away from donkeys.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 2 total
Contact me to inquire about addiitonal pets
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Remove shoes before entering either side of the house. Use provided cutting boards. Do not cut directly onto countertops
Carefully read posted instructions for dry toilet. No liquids in solids bin. Turn off outside lights at night
Do not feed the donkeys. Keep pets on leashes at all times.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number AZ TPT 21336263

About the area

Benson

Located in Benson, this cabin is in a rural area and next to a golf course. San Pedro Golf Course and Vega–Bray Observatory are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Kartchner Caverns State Park and Council Rocks. Take some time off to enjoy the winery tours in the area, or get some fresh air with adventures like horse riding, cave exploring and hiking/biking trails nearby.
Map
Benson, AZ

What's nearby

  • San Pedro Golf Course - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Benson Hospital - 5 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Singing Wind Bookshop - 7 min drive - 4.5 km
  • Kartchner Caverns State Park - 14 min drive - 18.8 km
  • Tombstone Historic District - 40 min drive - 41.9 km

Getting around

  • Benson Station - 4 min drive
  • Tucson International Airport (TUS) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Route 86 Cafe - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪G & F Pizza Palace - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪R & R Pizza Express - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ranchito Paraiso: Pet-friendly Rustic Elegance in the Desert pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Ranchito Paraiso: Pet-friendly Rustic Elegance in the Desert ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ranchito Paraiso: Pet-friendly Rustic Elegance in the Desert ?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Ranchito Paraiso: Pet-friendly Rustic Elegance in the Desert located?

Situated in Benson, this golf cabin is 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from San Pedro Golf Course and within 3 miles (5 km) of Benson Hospital and San Pedro Valley Arts and Historical Museum. Singing Wind Bookshop is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 11 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 11 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 11 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Niole Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing

Relaxing enviornment, pets added to the property. Owner was very kind. Would stay there again
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bri S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute little farm

We loved staying at this house and waking up to feed the animals in the morning!!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristi N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Outdoor paradise

The casita glowed with warmth! Loved the outdoor interaction with the goats, donkeys, pigs. Kareva was the perfect host and went above and beyond to make sure that we were comfortable.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

herbert o.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Special retreat

A comfortable and welcoming abode allowed us to enjoy a wonderful quality stay, including the hospitable entourage of pot belly piglets, donkeys, dogs, and goats. Recommend highly.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amber S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a FANTASTIC experience!!!

This little place was such a treat!! Kareva goes out of her way to make you feel welcomed and comfortable and her kind spirit shines through everything in the place! The “ranchito kids” make it so much fun too!! We will definitely be back to stay again and see our friends on the ranch!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Such a fun place to stay

This unique rental is an adventure. The owner goes beyond the expected to make you feel welcome and actually part of her amazing life style. She rescues donkeys, goats, pigs, dogs and weary travelers with a heart big as the desert sky.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bikes, donkeys, goats and a peacock!

The house was very cute, artistic and clean. The animals were curious and wanted to meet us, they were quite entertaining. Our host Kareva is friendly and takes such good care of her guests and her pets. I would recommend this little house very much.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jill W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fascinating, fun and friendly

We loved our stay at Kareva and Eric's Casita. It is described perfectly in her write-up. Every morning we enjoyed breakfast at the counter overlooking the "courtyard" watching the birds, or dogs or pot bellied pigs! Kareva provided so many little amenities, from honey and jam to anything you might need in the bathroom cabinet. We felt very comfortable and thoroughly enjoyed the 5 days we got to hang out at this most interesting accomodation!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jill T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique Desert Experienc

Who knew the donkeys would greet us every morning and be so excited for our return each evening! It was an absolute delight to stay with Kareva, Erick, and all the animals. We most enjoyed sitting at the kitchen window watching the animals, the birds, the sky, the weather. We had fresh eggs for our breakfasts and fires in the cool evenings. Kareva's recommendations for places to visit, eat, and hike were spot on! We can't wait to return.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Benson

Owner/hostess Kareva was very communicative prior to arrival and made us feel most welcome. She had furnished the casita with colorful and attractive items and provided wine and basic foods as a greeting. Great place to stay when in Benson.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Mike S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clean & Friendly

Enjoyed our 3 night stay in SW Arizona. The place was clean, the bed was comfortable. Easy hop to Tucson and Sonoita wine country.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

About the host

Hosted by Kareva Allain

Host profile image
Welcome to Ranchito Paraiso! After a long career as a professor (Cultural Studies and French), translator and Tahitian dancer/choreographer/artistic director, I now call Southern Arizona home. The idea for Ranchito Paraiso is to create a calming, reflective space for artists, musicians, writers, poets, teachers, travelers and kind folk.
I have lived in several countries and love to meet people from all walks of life. The Ranchito is my fulltime business and your comfort is very important to me. Let me know how I can personalize your stay. Once you enter Kasita Morada, you are home for the time you are there - and we become neighbors - so let me know if you need extra eggs, ice, or sugar or even a lasagna or fresh bread popped into the main ranch house oven. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need before and after your arrival (from tourism to wine to hikes to desert dwelling and beyond :). Let me know your expectations and I will see what I can do to accommodate your needs (One guest was driving through with a Jersey cow, so we quickly turned our carport into a stall :). I wish you all the best in all your creative, professional, personal and traveling adventures and I thank you for checking out Ranchito Paraiso. Warm wishes, Kareva.

Why they chose this property

I wanted a forever home with land in the country to create a sanctuary for four-legged family members and a retreat for artists, musicians, academics, poets, creatives, and travelers. After living five years in Tucson, I found this fixer upper property in fall 2018 and as a 100% DIYer, I have worked diligently to transform the Ranchito from a distressed property into the beautiful desert space it is constantly becoming. I recruited the help of volunteers from all over the world, who came to roll up their sleeves and help renovate and excavate in exchange for accommodations and homecooked meals. I have hosted over 40 volunteers since fall 2018 and am so grateful for their footprint on the land - they all played a major part in turning the Ranchito into the oasis it is today. We hold intimate Ranchito concerts under the stars here, as well as plans for small events that will promote the arts, culture, skillsets, and continuing education - proceeds of which will be donated to favorite causes (shelters, sanctuaries, education, homelessness, and rescues). All work on the Ranchito is executed re-using, re-purposing, reclaiming and upcycling materials as much as possible. The vision is to create eclectic spaces - each one with a unique name and individual character. So far, the units on the Ranchito include Kassandra and Kasita Morada (Morada means purple in Spanish - and I love the power of the "K" sound, so it reverberates throughout the Ranchito vibe). Currently under renovation is Kabanya Verde, a 36ft caravan. Next will be our 1978 30ft Bayliner Buccaneer glamping desert yacht, Vahine del Ranchito. Another boat we have is Mahana del Oeste, who will be beautifully renovated with stairs up into the boat. The idea for Mahana is to transform her into a community happy hour-star gazing-sunset viewing-birdwatching space for guests to meet and mingle..

What makes this property unique

The Ranchito is a welcome retreat for all who enter the gates. You will notice the donkeys first, followed by their loyal goatie companions, Harley (tri-color) and Quinn (Our one-horned wonder goat). Guests can mingle with the animals as they are very socialized and friendly. We provide all types of amenities and a fully stocked kitchen (cooking supplies, spices and some goodies in the pantry) and breakfast items. After a long journey, we want you to sleep in, relax and sip your coffee or beverage in the morning while enjoying the vast array of beautiful birds (including a family of cardinals), that call the Ranchito home or sitting across from the donkeys while they munch on their hay. There were so many things that made me fall in love with this property. It is ideally located, 3/4 mile north of I-10, groceries and Tucson. First, the property sits on an Artesian well. The water is absolutely delicious, clear, soft, and a gift from the gods. Then, there is the oxymoronic "dry pond" under the cottonwoods and mesquite, with an island and bridge. Under the bridge, there is a natural spring that runs several months a year. The pond area will eventually be a thriving eco-system - I just need to figure out how to get it to hold water. I envision trails, meditation benches, installation art, and a pond filled with Koi and ducks. I also love how the front porch faces east for amazing views of the Dragoons and cozy fall mornings drinking coffee with a blazing firepit and my piggie Benjamin laying at my feet and a goat sleeping on my lap. Another amazing feature of the Ranchito are the majestic agave! Some of them are over 8 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The glorious ones in front of Kassandra recently dropped pups, so I dug them all up and have planted them behind Kasita Morada. I also love how we have over a hundred mesquite trees - what a joy to have so much shade in the Sonoran Desert!

Languages:

English, French

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests