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El Santuario Eco-Retreat Center- Loreto – reviews, photos

Ensenada Blanca | 25 miles South of Loreto, Loreto, Mexico
Hotel amenities
El Santuario Eco-Retreat Center- Loreto
4.0 of 5 stars 13 Reviews
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13 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    11
    1
    0
    0
    1
Date Rating
Seattle
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“Wildlife, kayaking, family bliss”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2008

My husband and 2 sons, 10 &12yo, stayed at El Santuario for 4 nights &5 days. We stayed in a yurt. This place is a slice of undisturbed heaven. We kayaked everyday, first in and around the bay and then out to the nearby islands. The snorkelling was excellent. We hiked the hills at the south end of the bay in the evenings and enjoyed the clear, undeveloped vistas. This is a perfect place if you truely want to get away from it all. John and Pamhela (the proprietors) were infinitely friendly and helpful. El Santuario is a base for lots of the area's eco-kayak trips, so they have everything you might need to enjoy kayaking and exploring in the area. The meals were delicious. A bell rang three times a day to signal something yummy was waiting in the outdoor kitchen. This is a place to truely enjoy nature and time with the people around you. It is an eco-retreat so the toilets are composted, the shower water is solar heated and the facitilies are all run on solar. If you need a mall and a blow dryer, don't come here! If you want to explore a spectacular marine sanctuary (Danzante Island is a 3 mile paddle away) and enjoy a peaceful beach with your loved ones, come here. If you are an inexperienced kayaker El Santuario can arrange a guide to assist you. Great spot to get your tweens to unplug from the electronic world!

  • Liked — The access to gorgeous surroundings, the kayaking, the meals
  • Disliked — The trash that is everywhere in Mexico even in this pristine lovely spot.
  • Stayed April 2008, travelled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask EmeraldTravelot about El Santuario Eco-Retreat Center- Loreto
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Llano, California
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“An ecological isolated jewel!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 January 2007
4
people found this review helpful

For years our family camped out on the isolated bay of Ensenada Blanca. We fell in love with the gentle waves, stellar scenery, and the sense that we had that the world was still and at peace. We were skeptical when we discovered that Bill and Denise had built an ecological retreat on the beach.

Please know that this is a wonderful place that they have designed, built and operate. Their retreat treads lightly on the beach and it is a delightful place to stay. Accomodations are quite pleasant and private, food is delicious with lots of freshly caught fish, and there is so much to do and see!

Our family rates our experiences there as EXCELLENT!
Constance Leshin-Williams

Stayed March 2006
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Escondido, California
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
“one of Baja's gems”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 January 2007
5
people found this review helpful

My husband and I have returned time and again to this enchanted spot. If you're looking for room service, air-conditioning, and gift shops, look elsewhere. But if you love to fall asleep to the soft sound of the tide, if you love to kayak and snorkel in a pristine bay in the beautiful Sea of Cortez, then this place is it! The owners have created a real retreat with respect for the environment and sensitivity to their guests' comfort. The food is fresh and healthy, and it's served in the relaxed kitchen-dining palapa where friendly, interesting people--both locals and visitors--mingle and chat and enjoy the moment. This is one of Baja's most special spots.

  • Liked — very close to nature, comfortable but environmentally sensitive
  • Disliked — nothing--I liked everything!
  • Stayed November 2006, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Check-in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 3 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
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Carlsbad, CA
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Cool your jets at El Santuario”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 January 2007
3
people found this review helpful

This is truly a sanctuary, a quiet corner of heaven far from the madding crowds. Set on the beautiful bay at Ensenada Blanca, about 25 miles south of Loreto, El Santuario is the perfect place to swim, snorkel, beachcomb, hike the mountains, walk the beach, or just cool your jets. Our little cabin (casita) was right on the beach. We started each day as the sun rose over the Sea of Cortez and ended it at "Baja Midnight" -- around 9 pm. The affordable tariff includes delicious meals made with local seafood & produce. The proprietors and their staff are very pleasant & helpful. This was our third trip to El Santuario, and we'll definitely go back again.

  • Liked — serenity
  • Disliked — hard to think of anything negative
  • Stayed November 2006, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Germany
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“beautiful place on the beach”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 January 2007
3
people found this review helpful

We loved this beautiful little resort. The little cabanas are right on the beach. They are nicely decorated. We were there for the big Halloween party. Great fun. We are coming back in spring for sure.
Ute and Andreas

  • Stayed October 2006, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 2 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
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Additional Information about El Santuario Eco-Retreat Center- Loreto

Ensenada Blanca | 25 miles South of Loreto, Loreto, Mexico
Price range (per night):* INR4,180 - 6,688

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