Just after I booked a trip to explore Loreto, Mexico, on the Baja Peninsula, I shared my travel plans with a group of friends, and one who is a pilot for a major airline asked, “Loreto? I flew over it last week and didn’t see much. Is there anything to do there?”

At the time, I wasn’t sure how to respond other than to describe the resort where I would be staying. Loreto locals repeatedly say that this “secret” destination in Mexico is what Cabo San Lucas–a six-hour drive from Loreto—was like only a few decades ago. Loreto is currently in the midst of a transformation, and this Pueblo Magico (magic town) might not be a secret much longer.

Loreto is known for fishing, golfing, and diving, but there is still plenty for the less outdoorsy to do. With a direct flight from DFW and an easy ride to Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, I was at the resort entrance with a welcome drink in hand and participating in “The Ritual.” Upon arrival at the hotel lobby, guests can take a soft cloth from a table, soak it in a bowl of cool water, and “wash away their worries” to set the tone for a relaxing and carefree stay. It is hard to argue with this concept, and (not surprisingly) it works.

Villa del Palmar is a five-star resort with all-inclusive or European plan options and a large—and proud—timeshare crowd. A quick chat with someone at the Danzante Tours desk in the lobby could easily result in a week’s worth of activities and excursions—snorkeling at Danzante and Carmen islands, guided fishing trips, an ATV desert tour, the San Javier Mission expedition in the town of Loreto, glow-in-the-dark paddleboarding or kayaking, a horseback riding adventure, a tour of historic cave paintings, and more. Book one activity or all of them, and be sure to make a tee time or schedule a golf lesson with head golf pro Danny Garcia as well, as the view from the signature 17th hole at the resort’s TPC Danzante Bay Golf Course, named the Best Golf Course in Mexico for the past five years, will be a highlight of your trip.

Once I checked in to the resort and walked around to get my bearings, I noticed there were no neighbors. This is by design. Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto by Danzante Bay is the only resort in Loreto. You can only reach the resort by car through its private gates or by boat; it’s secluded.

Loreto is often called an undiscovered haven on The Baja Peninsula and is still relatively new on the tourism radar; you won’t find rows of tourists on the beach and resort nightclubs that entice guests to party until dawn.

There is an energy that draws visitors to this “magic town” throughout the year, but it’s a much more laid-back energy that shuts down at 10 p.m. each night. Cobblestone streets lined with a few quaint shops and restaurants and the famous San Javier Mission are always popular with tourists, but an hour or so in town is all you’ll need.

The islands of Loreto are located within a protected marine reserve, Loreto National Marine Park, making them a haven for tropical fish, sea lions, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, manta rays, small reptiles, and birds. I booked a small group boat trip through the resort to snorkel along the islands of Loreto Bay. Early one morning, we headed out from the resort to Danzante, Coronado, and Carmen islands. Within minutes, our boat was surrounded by a large pod of bottlenose dolphins. At every stop, we snorkeled in water so clear with white sand below that it almost looked like the bottom of a swimming pool. All around, fish, starfish, and sea turtles were swimming alongside us in the peaceful waters.

Villa del Palmar on the Islands of Loreto caters to those who want to vacation their way. Guests who choose the all-inclusive plan at the eco-friendly resort can enjoy unlimited meals, drinks, and snacks at most of the resort’s restaurants and poolside, as well as numerous included activities. A room-only European plan is also available. Choose from deluxe suites, one—to three-bedroom suites, and penthouses with mountain, golf course, or ocean views; several stay-and-play packages are available.

The Villa del Palmar is an excellent destination for young families as well. The five outdoor swimming pools are shaped like a sea turtle, and there are plenty of poolside activities and entertainment to keep pool chair loungers and young swimmers entertained all day. Each evening, there is live entertainment at one of the restaurants and theme nights that are fun for all ages. A fitness center, tennis court, kid’s club, cooking classes, treasure hunts, Spanish lessons, Mexican crafts, and shuttle service to and from downtown Loreto keep families entertained throughout their stay. Spacious suites with full kitchens, washers, and dryers are perfect for families and multi-generation travel. If you’re traveling with kids, look into the Family Fun Package —a four-night stay in a deluxe suite that includes daily breakfast, snorkeling excursion, putting at TPC Danzante Bay, and beach bonfire.

I indulged in a Swedish massage at the 39,000-square-foot Sabila Spa during my stay. I was glad I arrived early to take advantage of the plunge pool and hot tubs and take a moment to sip some tea while taking in the golf course views. I started each day with the breakfast buffet at The Market and stopped by the empanada station, where each empanada is handmade before you and immediately plated. Grab a casual lunch at the Beach Bar right on the water and make evening dinner reservations at Casa Mia, an Italian restaurant, or Danzante Restaurant, the resort’s upscale steakhouse. Head back to the Beach Bar at sunset and order a cocktail to enjoy in one of the resort’s oversized, bright pink chairs overlooking the bay.

Rees Jones designed the award-winning TPC Danzante Bay Golf Course. I wasn’t sure what to expect from my golf lesson, but not only did I learn how to hit a golf ball properly, but I also got a brief history lesson on golf and golf terminology before hopping in a golf cart to take a tour of the 18-hole course, which offers breathtaking views of the islands of Loreto—then there’s that signature 17th hole.

TPC Danzante Bay Golf Course runs over and through valleys, arroyos, dunes, and foothills and is enveloped in panoramic vistas that showcase the region’s natural beauty. From every angle, striking images of the islands of Loreto and the surrounding Sierra de la Giganta mountain range are in view. TPC Danzante Bay golf vacations are among the resort’s biggest draws. A dedicated golf group services team can book the tee time, secure hotel reservations, and create a customized golf vacation for groups of any size.

One of the indicators of a good vacation is to pleasantly encounter the unexpected. In Loreto, I was not expecting to do mental math, trying to budget and figure out how to own a piece of it. (Apparently, Hollywood stars and Bill Gates have wondered the same, but I suspect they’ll have more luck.) Condo and home construction is taking place all around the resort and golf course to meet the demand of visitors who want to make it more official. This is possible at Danzante Bay, a 750-acre master-planned residential community on the crescent beach in Loreto. Home sites, homes, and condos are available for sale in several distinct neighborhoods within Danzante Bay, ranging from low $400s, and pricing for home construction begins at $1.3 million.

Despite my pilot friend’s question about whether there was anything to do in Loreto, I came home with a list of things to recommend from my own experience and a long wish list for the next time I visit.