Villa Santa Cruz: The Todos Santos Resort Worth Ditching Cabo For

Location

Villa Santa Cruz sits about five miles north of downtown Todos Santos, far enough away to feel completely secluded but close enough to reach the town’s galleries, shops, and restaurants in 10 to 15 minutes. The resort is approximately 90 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport, with the last stretch along an unpaved road, a subtle clue that you’re heading somewhere very special.

Once you arrive, the sense of space is striking. The resort unfolds across 20 acres with agave and flower gardens, palms, art installations, and traditional hacienda-style buildings, eventually giving way to a wide-open stretch of Pacific coastline.

The hotel’s connection to this landscape goes back to its beginnings. The property was born after its founders discovered this stretch of coastline on a Baja surf trip in 2001 and fell in love with its solitude. That surf culture and connection to the Pacific remain woven into the experience today. Surfers have nearby La Pastora for more serious breaks, while Los Cerritos offers a more approachable stretch of coastline for swimming and shoreline strolls.

Pro tip: Book the rental car. While it’s a small town, having a car makes exploring the area considerably easier. I recommend Cactus Rent A Car.

Rooms

With only 23 accommodations spread across 20 acres, Villa Santa Cruz feels much more private than the word “resort” might suggest. Rooms are scattered throughout the grounds rather than housed within one traditional hotel building, and the categories offer surprisingly different ways to experience the property.

The Tented Ocean Suites are the closest to the Pacific, sitting right on the sand with their own roped-off beachfront areas and bonfire rings. Think less “glamping” and more barefoot luxury: canvas walls, elevated interiors, soaking tubs, and all the comforts expected from a luxury hotel, with the sound of the ocean just beyond the room.

Tented Ocean Suite

The standalone Beach Bungalows combine ocean views with generous outdoor living space. Daybeds on the patios are made for lingering afternoons, while private fire pits set the scene for evenings outside. Their location just off the pool also puts them conveniently close to the heart of the resort.

The Main Villa and Rooftop Villas lean into traditional Mexican design with hand-painted tiles, saturated colors, carved wood, and local art. The interiors have personality and vibrancy without becoming overly themed or distracting. Two-bedroom options make these especially appealing for families or friends traveling together, while the Rooftop Villas overlook the serene infinity lap pool and surrounding gardens.

Oceanview Bungalow Patio

What makes all of the accommodations special, though, is everything surrounding them. Rather than walking down a hotel corridor, getting back to your room might mean following a garden path past blooming bougainvillea and rows of perfectly manicured agave.

And mornings begin particularly well: freshly brewed local coffee or tea delivered to your door, one of Villa Santa Cruz’s simple daily rituals.

Pro tip: Villa Santa Cruz is particularly compelling for weddings, celebrations, and retreat buyouts. It offers the intimacy of taking over a boutique hotel with the amenities and gathering spaces of a large resort.

Experience & amenities

Villa Santa Cruz is the kind of place where you could happily do very little, but you certainly don’t have to. The resort unfolds across acres of gardens and farmland, with pathways connecting the accommodations, restaurants, stables, beach, and two pools. The main pool is the more social heart of the property, while the aptly named Serenity Pool offers a quieter setting for laps or lounging. Neither feels particularly busy.

A few steps beyond the main pool, a beach palapa overlooks miles of open Pacific coastline. The beach here is wide and remarkably uncrowded, with no neighboring mega-resorts or rows of loungers interrupting the view. It’s an easy place to settle in with a book for an afternoon or head out on horseback from the property’s own stables.

On-property stables

There’s plenty more to fill a day, from pickleball and bocce to yoga and wellness experiences. ATV excursions venture into the surrounding landscape, while daily rituals and seasonal programming take cues from the setting, including farm experiences, whale watching, and seasonal sea-turtle releases.

The gardens are as much a part of the experience as the amenities. Flowers, native plants, and sculptural agave soften the desert landscape, while produce grown on property makes its way into the two on-site restaurants. Art installations appear throughout the grounds, adding another layer of the creative spirit that defines Todos Santos.

A new era of wellness

One of the biggest developments at Villa Santa Cruz is the 2026 opening of Almarena Wellness Club & Spa.

The new addition brings a dedicated full-service spa and gym to the property, along with a sauna, cold plunge, yoga, and holistic wellness programming. Guests have complimentary access to the wellness facilities, while spa treatments and personalized experiences can be layered into a stay. It’s a meaningful addition, placing the hotel in the ranks of a full-service luxury property.

For all there is to do, nothing feels overly programmed. There’s space to participate when you want to and disappear when you don’t—a balance that Villa Santa Cruz does particularly well.

Almarena Wellness Club & Spa; Photo courtesy of Villa Santa Cruz

Dining

Food is another highlight, with two restaurants that feel closely connected to the land and sea surrounding them.

Caracara is the resort’s farm-to-table restaurant, set among the gardens and agave fields that supply many of the herbs and vegetables on the menu. Dinner is served beneath The Nest, a sculptural, open-air structure woven from branches that feels as much like an art installation as a dining room. The wood-fired oven and grill anchor the menu, with seasonal produce reflecting what’s growing just steps away.

The Green Room is a must. Set directly on the sand, it’s worth timing dinner around sunset. Come early for a margarita, stay for dinner, and watch the sun drop into the Pacific. The setting may be the draw, but the food more than holds its own. Even better, it’s just a short walk from the guest accommodations, making one of Todos Santos’ destination restaurants feel like your neighborhood spot for the night. No car, shoes, or logistics required. The Green Room draws diners from across Todos Santos, so definitely make sure to make reservations in advance.

The Green Room on-site restaurant; Photo courtesy of The Green Room

Pro tip: If you’re exploring off property, head into town for dinner at Jazamango, or stop by Todos Santos Boutique Hotel for dinner at Restaurant 1890 or a cocktail at La Copa. Set in a restored 1890 property, the intimate 10-room hotel is worth a look for the art alone, with hand-painted murals by artist Nef Espino woven throughout the historic property.

Villa Santa Cruz is an exceptional hidden gem that’s off the beaten path and has been recognized with a Michelin Key. I would plan for at least three nights here to really settle in, relax, and have time to explore. I made the mistake of treating it as a one-night stop and wished I would have had more time here! And despite the headline, you don’t necessarily have to ditch Cabo altogether. The two make a great split trip for travelers who want both sides of Baja: a few quieter, more exploratory days in Todos Santos paired with the traditional resort, golf, and beach club scene of Los Cabos. Just don’t make Villa Santa Cruz the quick stopover; part of its appeal is having enough time to slow down and enjoy it.

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