Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto by Danzante Bay

This is a very good golf course. Well thought-out design with consideration of the prevailing wind. Lots of interesting tee shots and approaches without having too many hazards or being too narrow. The green complexes are creatively designed but were too slow to show any teeth.

This is a cart-only golf course. Lots of distance between some holes. Driving range is too steep uphill.

Have played lots of picturesque courses (Pebble Beach included). I can't think of one that was in the same class in terms of pure natural beauty with the numerous ocean views, elevation changes, steep mountain canyons. I usually don't take photos on the course, but couldn't help myself.

With the course just opened in Dec 17, still has a fair amount of maturing to do. 3-4 of the fairways are fairly sandy w/o a lot of grass, greens had just been fertilized so not really rolling well. (2 putt rule good idea).. HOWEVER, stunningly beautiful place to enjoy a round of golf and we had the course to ourselves.

The negatives are quickly swept away. If you like to play golf or just gawk at beautiful scenery, well worth it

I've had somewhat mixed feelings about some Rees Jones courses I've seen over the years, but having spent a couple rounds at Danzante Bay, I'm happy to give him high marks for his first design in Mexico. It helps put the remote town of Loreto, 300 miles north of Los Cabos, on the map for vacationers.

Danzante Bay manages to transport golfers through a few different golfing environments - canyons, flattish desert, beachside dunes, spectacular cliffs - without the experience feeling disjointed. Yes, the course is unwalkable, but even golf purists will enjoy the breathtaking scenery seemingly at every turn.

Yes, everyone's talking about the par-3 17th, but I thought the other three one-shotters were superlative, too, particularly #3, with a green wedged between cliffs.

The adjacent Villa del Palmar resort adds the appropriate high-quality accommodations that make this an attractive destination for families. Loreto is in growth mode, so in a few years it should rate as a buddy-trip golf destination as well.

Most golfers will come for the 17th hole and leave loving the rest of the course, which celebrated its grand opening Dec. 15.

The show-stopper at no. 17 is, no doubt, ready to become the world's next destination par 3. It's got big views of the Sea of Cortez and big drama - a downhill, wind-altered tee shot to a tiny target green set upon a cliff shelf. I predict that 40 percent of players lose a ball the first time they play it, but 90 percent won't care. It's just cool to try.

The front nine roams through the gorgeous canyons on the other side of the mountains. Two really good seaside holes, the par-5 12th and par-3 13th, finish at greens near the beach.

For a new course, Danzante Bay is already in fantastic shape because 11 holes debuted in 2016. Holes 2-8 opened for play this year.

I had never heard of Loreto before this trip. It's so off the radar located 300 miles north of Cabo and nearly 700 miles south of the border. Between a stay at the adjacent Villa del Palmar and a round on this playable Rees Jones course, I'm glad I found it. The entire experience is scenic, secluded and safe -- three key words necessary to attract tourists south of the border these days.