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Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto by Danzante Bay

Loreto, Mexico

4.6(1,414 reviews)

FamilyThe Villa Group

Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto is the kind of resort you choose deliberately. It sits on Danzante Bay, about 30 minutes south of Loreto's airport, beside Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage protected area where the Sea of Cortez earns its 'Aquarium of the World' nickname. Snorkelers and divers meet sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays and huge schools of reef fish, and from January through March blue whales and humpbacks move through the bay. If ocean wildlife and quiet desert scenery drive your choices, it delivers in a way the Cancun corridor cannot.

Things to Know

Timeshare Pressure
All-Inclusive Optional

Traveler Insights

Pros

+Set inside Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage protected area, so the Sea of Cortez wildlife is unlike anything in the Caribbean: dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, and blue whale sightings from January to March
+The beach is calm, soft-sanded and shallow for a good distance, with no waves in the bay. You can walk straight from the pool into the water and snorkel right off the beach
+Diving is easy to arrange without being a diver yet: Danzante Tours, sold only to resort guests, runs a two-tank dive for certified divers and a Discover Scuba session for beginners with a PADI instructor, gear and lunch included
+Mexico's only TPC course, TPC Danzante Bay, has dramatic cliffside holes over the Sea of Cortez, and there is a family putting course beside it for people who just want to knock a ball around
+Five pools (including a children's pool), two Jacuzzi areas and the 39,000-square-foot Sabila Spa with hydrotherapy and a salon give non-divers plenty to do
+Sport fishing for dorado, yellowtail and sea bass, plus kayaks and paddleboards that are included on the all-inclusive plan
+Real family infrastructure: a Kids' Club Day Care for kids and teens, a children's play area, nightly family shows, cooking and margarita classes, and babysitting from 12 months with 24 hours' notice
+Small, remote destination with nothing like Cancun or Los Cabos crowds, and it is pet-friendly for a fee if you want to bring the dog

Cons

−Loreto is a small airport with limited service compared with Cancun or Cabo; Alaska, American, Volaris and WestJet fly in, but many routes are seasonal and plenty of travelers still connect
−Vacation-club sales are part of the experience. The resort says direct bookers are never required to attend a presentation, but third-party packages can include one, and the invitations come early
−All-inclusive is an optional meal plan, not the default, and even on the plan Danzante fine dining costs an extra 450 pesos per person per visit while lobster, special cuts and premium liquor are only discounted, not included
−Off-plan food is expensive; guests describe a la carte pricing as stadium pricing and recommend the meal plan if you eat three meals a day on property
−Rooms date from the 2011 opening and several 2026 guests call them dated for the price
−There is no resort driver service and taxis from Loreto can take an hour to show up, so rent a car if you want to explore
−Remoteness means nothing within walking distance except the beach, so you are committed to the property for most meals and activities
−Diving, fishing, whale watching and island tours are all paid excursions on top of the room or meal plan, and they add up quickly

The resort opened in March 2011 with 181 suites, from deluxe rooms to three-bedroom penthouses with kitchenettes. The bay is calm with a soft, shallow beach, and there are five pools, two Jacuzzi areas, the Sabila Spa, tennis and pickleball, hiking trails and Mexico's only TPC golf course next door. Dining runs through Market (international), Casa Mia (Italian), Danzante (steakhouse and seafood) and the Clubhouse at TPC Danzante Bay (sushi and seafood), plus pool and beach bars, room service and in-suite chefs. All-inclusive is an optional plan: it covers Market, Casa Mia and the Clubhouse, drinks including the Danzante Nightclub, kayaks and paddleboards, but Danzante costs 450 pesos extra per person and lobster and premium liquor are discounted rather than included. Service and the setting get steady praise; the rooms read as dated, and off-plan prices are a common gripe.

This suits couples, families with kids who love the water, golfers and anyone who wants a wilder, quieter Mexico than Cancun or Cabo, and it competes more with boutique nature lodges than with mega-resorts. Expect to pay around $1,000 a night for two adults on the all-inclusive family package rates, far less room-only. Book flights early, rent a car if you want to see Loreto's old mission town or the Sierra de la Giganta, budget for paid boat trips, and if a vacation-club invitation is not something you want, decline it at check-in.

Common Questions

Is Loreto hard to get to?

Easier than it used to be. Loreto International Airport is about 30 minutes north of the resort, and the resort lists Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Volaris and WestJet as serving it, including nonstops from San Diego. Schedules are thinner and more seasonal than Cancun or Cabo, so book early, and arrange a transfer or rental car because the resort has no driver service of its own.

Is it all-inclusive?

Only if you buy the plan. The resort offers an optional all-inclusive meal package or room-only stays. The plan covers Market, Casa Mia and the Clubhouse, pool and beach bars, drinks at the nightclub, kayaks and paddleboards, taxes and gratuities. Danzante fine dining costs an extra 450 pesos per person per visit, and lobster, special cuts and premium liquor are discounted rather than free.

Will I have to sit through a timeshare presentation?

Not if you book directly. The resort states that guests booking through its own reservation center are never required to attend, though a third-party package that included a presentation may require it. Expect invitations anyway, often framed as a welcome breakfast with perks attached, and a polite no ends it.

Can beginners scuba dive here?

Yes, as a paid excursion. Danzante Tours, offered only to resort guests, runs a Discover Scuba session for people who want to try diving without committing to a certification course, plus a two-tank dive for certified divers. Both include a PADI instructor, gear, a light lunch and the marine park fee, and leave from the resort beach for groups of four or more. There is no full certification course, so get certified at home if that is the goal.

Is the TPC golf course worth it for casual golfers?

For the views alone, many say yes. TPC Danzante Bay has cliffside holes over the Sea of Cortez and is genuinely challenging, and green fees are high, so dedicated golfers get the most from it. If you just want a taste, there is a family-friendly putting course nearby, and the resort runs a sunrise trolley up to a high point on the course.

Is it good for families with young kids?

Better than its remote, adventure-heavy reputation suggests. The beach is calm and shallow for a long way out, there is a children's pool, a play area, a Kids' Club Day Care with games and crafts, and babysitting for children over 12 months with 24 hours' notice. Kids' Club days are charged separately, though the All-Inclusive Family Package includes one free day for ages 4 to 12.

Restaurants (4)

Type	Restaurants
Buffet	Market
Italian	Casa Mía
Seafood	Clubhouse
International & fusion	Danzante (extra charge)

From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. Venues marked "extra charge" are not covered by the all-inclusive rate; the others are, per the resort.

What's nearby

Isla Coronados boat trip
45 min drive · 27 mi

More things to do (11)

Puerto Escondido · marina30 min drive · 11 mi
Loreto Bay Beach (Nopoló) · beach35 min drive · 18 mi
Ligüí Beach · beach20 min drive · 3.2 mi
Playa Juncalito · beach30 min drive · 12 mi
Tabor Canyon · nature30 min drive · 10 mi
Loreto · town45 min drive · 26 mi
Museo de las Misiones Jesuíticas · museum45 min drive · 26 mi
Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto · historic site45 min drive · 26 mi
Playa La Negrita · beach45 min drive · 26 mi
Puerto Loreto Marina · marina45 min drive · 27 mi
Blue whale watching (February to March) · excursion45 min drive · 27 mi

Amenities

Pets Allowed

Golf Course

Heated Swimming Pool

Mini Golf

Hiking

Fishing

Babysitting

Yoga Classes

Show 13 more amenities

Nightclub

Diving

Tennis

Kids Club

Snorkeling

Room Service

Water Sports Rentals

Free Wi-Fi

Nightly Entertainment

Buffet Dining

Spa

Gym

Beach

Style & Rooms

Atmosphere

ModernFamily

Room upgrades

2 Bedroom Suites

Google Reviews★ 4.6 · 1,414 reviews

Richard R.

a month ago

“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...”

Jacob C.

a month ago

“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...”

Nicole V.

2 months ago

“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...”