Mayan Dude Ranch, Bandera

ENJOYED OUR TIME AT THE MAYAN, STAFF FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL, TEENAGERS REALLY ENJOYED THE HORSES, SHOWS, GAMES , FISHING WITH DOUG, ETC. LOVED TRICK ROPER AND ESPECIALLY COWBOY CRAIG AND HIS GIANT PET STEER OREO.

I visited the ranch in march and have now bokked to go back in october Being non-american it was the first time i have had this type of holiday the staff and visitors were all friendy and look forward to doing it again

I took my daughter to this dude ranch last year and couldn't believe the fun we had. We met so many people from all over..australia, Montana, Sonoma Valley Ca..I was so impressed by everything. I met families that were repeat visitors that had vacationed there back in the 70's and 80's and were now bringing their families and grandchildren. There is something for every age. We met a family that said they had been all over..Hawaii and other destinations and when they asked there kids..teens/twenties where they wanted to go they said they wanted to go back to Mayan Dude Ranch. We loved it so much we are going again in July. You will not be disappointed!!!

My 11 year old Grandson and I stayed for 1 week. The rooms were clean, spacious, the food was great, tasty and plentiful. The staff was wonderful, friendly, and always willing to help. Activities and entertainment were numerous. My Grandson who had never been on a horse, rode everyday. He is now taking riding lessons due to his great experience. We met lots of great friends, and still keep in touch with them, even the lady from England and her son. Plan on returning again next year.

The first time we visited was in the early 80's and we had such a great time food and all that we went back twice more..It was 10 years later on our last trip and members of the Hicks family had grown up but they were the same friendly family..I recommend this place to anyone that wants a good place to vacation with good food and fun for all Dale Smith

HealthTexas Medical Group held their family retreat at the Ranch. The doctors went to their meeting and the wives and children had a wonderful time. We took dancing lessons, rode horses,went fishing, played games, bingo, and the list goes on. The Cowboy Breakfast is a must. Our room was comfortable and the grilled steaks for dinner were better that Ruth Chris (Maybe because they were made with a little TLC). The hospitality at this ranch was excellent. We spent alot of quality time with friends and family. It was a vacation close to home. We are now planning to do this again with our family. Denise (San Antonio, TX.)

We loved the ranch. What a great family vacation. The Hicks family is just amazing and the resort is sooo much fun. Remember to pack your jeans for all of the horseback riding.

Our family has been coming here for the last 15 years. For two of those 15 year we lived 25 minutes away and still "packed up and went on vacation" at the Mayan. The family that runs the ranch is what makes it. a horse is a horse and bar-b-que is just that... but the food and offering is outstanding, great for families with small children as they have great programs that give parents a break. Of course the Texas Hill COuntry is very special and wheter it is all at the Mayan, or side trips to Fredericksburg, Kerrville, San Antonio, tubing down the Medina River... it just does not get any better than this for the environment and the wonderful family, music, shows, games, are for those who really want to wind down. Even the most jaded city slicker who thinks bond traqding or financial machinations are life, eventually "get it". Great value and a great treat especially for international visitors. I am a TExas living in Europe and of course I will spend my July week in Bandera at the Mayan.

You can't help but have a great time at the Mayan. Fabulous food, fun activities and a wonderful family that caters to every need.

We stayed here primarily because of the inclusive riding package. The horses are all very highly trained and supervised at all times by at least two wranglers. The swimming pool was very welcoming having ample sun beds to relax on and a cool waterfall. Adjacent to the swimming pool are toilet facilities, tables, chairs and a laundry. The food was exceptional; three meals a day all cooked on site from fresh ingredients. We had the most authentic Mexican cuisine and many other types of food. Steak night at Hicksville was a favourite; T Bone steak and country singer Reuben Darnell. Meals could be taken either in the beautiful restaurant or ‘al fresco’ in the Texas sun. The cowboy breakfast was great. A Hayride to the breakfast site where you will be followed by Wild Deer. Once there the cowboy cooks have everything set up from the chuck wagon and are cooking your eggs, bacon, etc. Each morning you are serenaded by a cowboy country singer. Entertainment varied from fishing trips, BB gun shooting, Texas Hold Em poker (for fun only), Line Dancing lessons, Roping demonstrations, Bullwhip demonstrations, Live music, hayride into town, Wild West history man and his guns, Mariachi band that accompanied us on our Mexican food night. Smoking is not allowed inside the main complex, the office, restaurant or bar. However there is a beautiful three sided extension to the bar with open views of the hills where you can relax, drink and enjoy that Havana or pipe. The staff and Hicks family at the Ranch go way beyond what I would normally expect to ensure everyone has a great time with them. You arrive as strangers and leave as friends. The staff and family try to let everyone have the kind of holiday they desire; so you can take part in as little or as much as you like. They also give you the freedom to try new things for yourself and will leave you alone to get on with it if that is what you want. If you have any queries, suggestions or need for any kind of help all you have to do is ask and it is done with a huge smile. Unique Qualities: The price one pays at this Ranch is extremeley reasonable, it includes 2 horserides each day, 3 very good and plentiful meals, accomodation in either a multi room lodge or in a beatiful stone cottage, use of the pool and other facilities on the ranch, table tennis, horseshoes, tennis and fishing, daily entertainment and complimentary beer and soda pops. The stone cottage accomodation is rustic and quaint, don't expect 5 star luxury rooms, that is not what the experience is about. The cottages are clean, comfortable, have heating and air conditioning. There is also a seating area outside for relaxing in the sun. The overall ranch experience is complimented by these cottages, think log cabins but in stone. For us the cottages rustic apeal was a major bonus in allowing us to chill out more than we have done for years. As well as all the above, there are some beatiful hiking trails around the vast area of the Ranch in Hill Country where one can experience fantastic views and see all sorts of wild life. The area has been settled for thousands of years by indiginous Native Americans and it is still possible to discover traces of their occupation such as flint arow heads, flint/stone axes and spear tips. There is also prehistoric archeology too.