Back

Desert Inn

  • MEX_BajaCalifornia_DesertInn (1)
  • MEX_BajaCalifornia_DesertInn (2)
  • MEX_BajaCalifornia_DesertInn (3)
0 1 2

A simple hotel with pool catering well for visitors to the whale watching town San Ignacio in Baja California. 

The Desert Inn is a five minute walk from San Ignacio’s pretty tree-shaded plaza which hosts the little town’s ornate and imposing Jesuit mission church. The economy here is dedicated to whale-watching but there’s also a palm-defined green lagoon with good bird spotting opportunities.

The mission-style accommodation is mostly on one level with rooms connected by an arched terrace, and is set beside lawns in extensive grounds studded with a fountain and dazzling bougainvillea among other tropical foliage.  Most of the guest rooms face a decent-sized, lounger-fringed swimming pool , good for splashing around in rather than swimming. The fairly basic rooms are spacious and airy and although the décor is unremarkable the hotel serves its purpose as a comfortable, friendly option in a good location. Some guest rooms are intentionally dark to keep them cool, a respite in the fierce Baja heat. There’s also a large restaurant on site.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • We liked the variety of our trip -  ancient Mayan ruins, real Mexican towns and people, and beautiful beaches. It was wonderful to access Chichen Itza from the grounds of…

    PR Mar 2015
  • Highlights: We went to a small nature reserve (Copalita) near to our hotel in Hualtuco that was really lovely, teaming with wildlife. Monte Alban was very impressive as well.

    SP, May 2017
  • It is very difficult as pretty well everything was memorable, but if I have to pick something, then the boat trip along the river to Yaxchilan takes some beating. Weather,…

    RB, Eastleigh Feb 2020
  • "We feel as if we have a million magical memories that will last forever - sunsets over the Caribbean sea, ruins in the midst of the jungles, seas of pink…

    LH, Pinner Jan 2014
  • Highlight?: The totality of it. Seeing different parts of the country. The mixture of food. ruins and art was just about spot on.

    KJ, Harlow Feb 2018
  • Highlights?: Too many! Probably seeing Uxmal, the Tiger Egret, swimming in Cenotes (various), Chichen-Itza at dawn and visiting Frida Kahlo's house.

    AA, Newport Jun 2018
0 1 2 3 4 5

Our Expert's Opinion

Alex
Alex Walker - Travel Expert

A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Carrie
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

0 1 2 3 4 5