Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto by Danzante Bay
Family-friendly resort in Loreto. Modern, Family.
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Traveler Insights(187 discussions)
Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto is the kind of resort you choose deliberately — you don't end up there by accident. Loreto sits inside the Bay of Loreto National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Sea of Cortez earns its nickname as Jacques Cousteau's 'Aquarium of the World.' The marine life here is extraordinary: divers and snorkelers encounter sea turtles, Baja dolphins, manta rays, and hundreds of reef fish species in protected waters. From January through March, blue whales and humpbacks appear in the bay. If ocean wildlife and outdoor adventure are what drive your vacation choices, this place delivers at a level that most all-inclusives simply cannot.
The resort itself is spread across 4,400 acres of Baja desert, with five pools, an award-winning spa, a PADI dive center, a world-class TPC golf course with cliffside ocean views, sport fishing from the dock, hiking trails, and horseback riding. The Danzante restaurant draws genuine praise for gourmet cooking; the rest of the food is workmanlike all-inclusive fare. The main friction points are operational: timeshare sales pressure at check-in, post-pandemic erosion of included amenities, and excursion costs that stack up if you're booking multiple activities.
This is a resort for couples and adventure-focused travelers who want something radically different from the Cancun corridor — quieter, wilder, and more expensive per night but without the crowds. It competes more with boutique ecolodge experiences than with Las Catalinas or Cancun mega-resorts. Budget for flights with a connection, plan your activities in advance, and politely but firmly decline any timeshare breakfast invitation the moment you arrive. If you do those three things, Loreto rewards you with an experience that travelers describe as genuinely transformative.
Pros
- +Set inside a UNESCO World Heritage-designated Marine Protected Area — the Sea of Cortez wildlife here is unlike anything in the Caribbean, with dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, and blue whale sightings from January to March
- +PADI dive center on property makes it genuinely easy to go from beginner dive course to open-water exploration without leaving the resort
- +World-class sport fishing for Dorado, Yellowtail, and Sea Bass right from the dock — bring your own rods or rent everything on-site
- +Snorkeling at Danzante Island (a short boat ride away) puts you in the middle of coral banks and reef fish that rival dedicated dive destinations
- +Five pools plus the award-winning Sabila Spa create a genuine resort-within-a-resort feel for non-divers and non-fishers
- +TPC Danzante Bay golf course is genuinely spectacular — dramatic cliffside holes over the Sea of Cortez that serious golfers call a bucket-list round
- +Horseback riding and hiking trails through 4,400 acres of Baja desert landscape give the resort an adventure lodge feel that most beach resorts can't match
- +Small, remote destination means crowds are nothing like Cancun or Los Cabos — Loreto genuinely feels like a discovery
Cons
- −Getting to Loreto requires either a connection through Mexico City or Los Cabos, or a limited direct flight — the logistics are meaningfully harder than flying into Cancun
- −Timeshare sales presentations are woven into the check-in and amenity experience — the pressure tactics are a recurring complaint and can sour the first day
- −Post-COVID cost-cutting has frustrated repeat visitors: water bottles, snacks, and amenities that were previously included now carry extra charges
- −The beach is not a classic Caribbean powdery-sand stretch — it's a rocky Baja shore; beautiful and wild, but not a sand-in-your-toes swim-up-bar beach
- −All-inclusive food is inconsistent — the Danzante fine-dining restaurant gets raves, but the main buffet and casual options draw average-at-best marks
- −Water sports rentals and guided excursions add up quickly if you're doing multiple activities — budget carefully beyond the base all-inclusive rate
- −Remoteness means there are essentially no off-resort options within walking distance — you're committed to the property for most meals and activities
- −Kids club programming is present but modest compared to larger family resorts — families with very young children who need structured childcare may find it thin
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Google Reviews
“Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto in Danzante Bay is seriously one of those places you never want to leave. The setting is gorgeous, with calm turquoise water, dramatic mountains, and a super relaxed vibe that feels like a private hideaway. T...”
“My wife and I took our trips Mexico to play golf here. The course was immaculate, and the staff from the pro shop, to the driving range, and even the grounds keepers who were working to keep the course in top shape were polite and courteous. We staye...”
“Located approximately 30 miles outside of Loreto, this resort offers an absolutely stunning, secluded setting. The views are amazing, and the surrounding area provides fantastic opportunities for hikes, the warm water is great to paddle board The res...”