Pristine beaches and ecotourism adventures await travelers at the new Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa at the Islands of Loreto. Located in Baja California South, the resort offers 181 spacious suites (studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom villas as well as an Ambassador Suite, Royal Suite and Presidential four-bedroom Suites) with views of the Sea of Cortez. Future developments include tennis courts and a 35,000 square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, which will open this summer.

Loreto was named the number eight destination to visit in a recent New York Times “Where to Go in 2011” article. Just a 90-minute flight from Los Angeles, this ecological wonderland is home to one of the world’s largest marine parks and the oldest colonial town on the peninsula.

The resort faces Danzante Island and is surrounded by the majestic Sierra de la Giganta Mountains. With the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez, a unique turtle-shaped pool and the largest Jacuzzi in the entire Baja California South, Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa at the Islands of Loreto offers a variety of water activities including snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving. The resort also offers ecological activities such as mountain hiking, climbing, camping and more in the Bay of Loreto, home to close to 900 species of reef-dwelling and migratory fish.

Villa del Palmar is the only five-star resort in the area and the first property in the Villa Group Resort’s planned 1,800-acre development in Loreto, “Danzante Bay,” which will include seven resort hotels, 240 home sites, additional restaurants and a Rees Jones golf course.

Guests can receive the third and fifth nights free with special summer rates starting at $208 ppdo. They can also book an “Ultra-Inclusive” getaway including meals, beverages, golf and many outdoor activities starting at $350 ppdo, reflecting a 30-percent discount. These rates are valid for bookings from now through October 31, 2011.

Villa del Palmar at The Islands of Loreto, 888-844-8169, www.villadelpalmarloreto.com; The Villa Group, www.villagroupresorts.com