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Desert Inn

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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

  • "Most memorable aspects were all the archaeological sites, which we enjoyed immensely. On the whole, we found local people very kind and helpful."

    DC, Nottingham Jun 2013
  • Highlights?: The serenity at Uxmal and the delightful city of Oaxaca

    MF, London Mar 2018
  • 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
  • Highlights: Palenque site. The beach at Tulum

    JB, Leatherhead Feb 2016
  • Specific memorable event: Having climbed up the large pyramid at the Mayan site, within the Calakmul biospere, not only did we love the impressive view across the tree canopy, but…

    LG, St Albans Apr 2016
  • Highlights: Discovering and enjoying the Mexican culture and despite pre visit warnings, being so surprised that Mexico City is nothing like as dangerous a place to visit as I had…

    Cw, Macclesfield Apr 2026
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Our Expert's Opinion

Finn Clennett
Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

Papagaio

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Bartolome, Galápagos

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    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

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

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    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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    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.

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