Vacations are necessary for families with young kids. Day to day life can be stressful, so vacation planning needs to be easy. The basics for a good break with small kids is limited travel time to your destination, a place with safe, outdoor playtime activities and flexible food options. Lately, one of my go to vacation spots to recommend is Loreto, Baja California. Only a 2 hour flight from LAX and a short bus ride takes you to the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto which is set within Danzante Bay.
At this gorgeous, secluded resort you have the option of buying an inclusive plan or selecting a la carte options depending on your budget and vacationing style. All of the suites and studios at Villa del Palmar have splendid views of the Sea of Cortez. The resort rooms are spacious and the suites have living areas with a sleep sofa. Every room offers either a full kitchen or kitchenette. Families can stop by the Palmita Market to stock up on your favorite snacks and drinks.The bathrooms have a large tub and separate showers. And I had a great night sleep in the super comfy beds. While it isn’t something you will notice, the resort does have its own dedicated water filtering system. This put my mind at ease since the worst scenario in my mind is being hit with a stomach ailment while on holiday. An extra bonus is the washer and dryer in the room. That’s magical for any guest especially ones with kids.
1 Bedroom Suite at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto
Spacious one bedroom suite with living room, dining area and full kitchen at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto.
Love Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto’s large tub in 1 bedroom suite
Stunning views from my suite at Villa del Palmar Loreto.
The resort provided a relaxing getaway for every members of our family. Although there is Wifi in the lobby and on the room balconies, I didn’t use it much. Loreto is a place to disconnect and savor the amazing sunrises and sunsets. Parents can book massages for the entire family at the Sabila Spa and soon there will be an 18-hole golf course! There are so many different activities and excursions that it is worth a trip to the resort activity desk to sort it all out and plan the best visit for your individual family. Families can visit the arcade or hang out at the Kids Club for fun activities or enjoy poolside crafts. My daughter is elementary school aged and the options would give her tons to do, but I’m not sure how teenagers would do with such a mellow getaway. I guess it depends on your kids’ likes and personalities.
Spend a relaxing and pampering afternoon at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto’s Sabila Spa
There are five swimming pools on the grounds- one is a kid’s pool and another is adults only. A view from your room will reveal that the pools take shape of a turtle! It’s a blast for the kids to splash while moms and dads get their tropical spirits delivered poolside. The calm current makes it tempting for beginner’s level kayak or snorkeling classes. You can even reserve glass bottom kayaks for a relaxing paddle around Dazante Bay. The grounds are steps from the sea so its perfect for nature hikes. During our nature hike we learned about 100 year old cacti and ate cactus fruit while receiving some hiking survival tips from our guide. After about 30 minutes of hiking, we were treated to gorgeous panoramic views of the ocean.
Danzante Bay is the perfect spot for beginner kayaking or snorkeling.
The pools are beautiful! You have 5 to pick from at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto
Our reward from our hike: breathtaking view of Sea of Cortez
Tried a cactus fruit during our nature walk.
The boat ride into the quaint town of Loreto is about 30 minutes on an inflatable boat. On our way, some of the other bloggers went for a dip in the crystal clear waters and did some snorkeling around Isla Carmen. We spotted some blue-footed boobies who are native to the waters of Mexico. While in town we visited El Museo de las Misiones, the shops and met the local craftspeople. We met a blanket weaver who showed us his craft and we went shopping in some of the small boutiques. Loreto is a small treasure!
The blue-footed booby is native to Mexico.
Stunning views from our cruise to Loreto.
Snorkeling off Isla Carmen on the way to Loreto.
Purchase lovely woven blankets and rugs in Loreto.
There are three restaurant options on the resort grounds. One is the Market Restaurant, a casual buffet-style eatery with a Mediterranean menu options for breakfast, lunch and dinner near the pool. The next is a Casa Mia,which serves wood fired pizzas, tacos and sandwiches beside the Sea of Cortez. And the final option is the the more upscale steak and seafood Danzante Restaurant and Bar. Reservations are required and they are only open at dinnertime. Like I mentioned earlier in the post, an all inclusive plan can be purchased where each guest receive a bracelets that have to be worn throughout the duration of your stay with access to these restaurants (there are a few limitations, so please check with the resort for further details).
Danzante Restaurant is open Sunday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m
One of my favorite meals was served at breakfast. It was a traditional Mexican feast with chilaquiles, beans and a tamale. Can anyone say FULL?? Because of their proximity to the mainland, the resort makes the majority of their food from scratch. We were served delicious house made ice cream served in molded caramel cups. Pastries are also made fresh on site and the selection of fruit was superb. But hands down, the Traditional Tortilla Soup from the Danzante Restaurant was my ultimate favorite. The presentation and the flavor were perfecto!! (I’m going to share the recipe in a future post so hang tight!) Everyone has an option here, whether you are a vegetarian, have dietary restrictions or are particular about healthy choices, Loreto and the Villa del Palmar has has it.
Housemade butters and spread at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto
Kids will love the pizza at Casa Mia one of the three eateries at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto.
This dessert was to die for! House made strawberry ice cream in a caramel shell!
Best tortilla soup is at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto.
During the last night, guests were treated to music, dancing and a nice showing of Mexican coffee . If you want to continue the fun, take the resort’s shuttle for a 2 minute drive to the high-tech Danzante night club with breathtaking views of the ocean. I preferred sitting on my room’s balcony, star gazing and enjoying the quiet.
Beautiful sunsets blanket Danzante Bay.
Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto entertainment.
Check out Loreto and the Villa del Palmar online at http://www.villadelpalmarloreto.com/ to begin research your next family getaway. The resort is secluded, safe and a true paradise.
* I was provided with an all expensive paid FAM trip to Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto. All opinions expressed are my own.
