BajaNomad - Ensenada Blanca

Ensenada Blanca

jk - 4-20-2009 at 05:22 PM

Okay, now that very recent threads have updated us on Loreto Bay and Aqua Verde, what is going on at Ensenada Blanca? Are the Danzante hotel and El Santuario still there? Is there any new construction activity? Can one still get to and camp on the beach? Have to plan for next fall. Thanks for the info.

libby - 4-20-2009 at 08:28 PM

Santuario is defunct...last I heard, Danzante was being used to house the workers employed to build the new resort. I don't think you can camp on the beach anymore either. The fish camp at the north end of the beach is gone, as well as Johns house. Another beautiful spot gone.

Marla Daily - 4-20-2009 at 08:32 PM

Both Danzante and El Santuario sold out to Villas Group.

Don Alley - 4-21-2009 at 07:34 AM

Travel down the road past the guard house is no longer allowed. The north end of the beach can be reached by vehicle, and there is limited space there for camping. Vehicle traffic down the beach is not allowed. There is a man from the development site, where there has been some preliminary site prep, who may question you if you walk down the beach. One time he told us he had reported us to the authorities because dogs aren't allowed on the beaches in Loreto. (Really?!) I get the impression that they are discouraging public use of the beach. There were reports of unhappy campers turned away over Semana Santa.

At Loreto Bay, seems they have gradually reduced access to the point that there were no campers for Semana Santa at the former developed public beach. I don't know if that section of beach is still accessible by vehicle, but the public parking area has long since been removed.

At other beaches in the area, the city government intends to collect fees for camping. And of course, with the surge in real estate investment any beach front camping spot is subject to closures.

wilderone - 4-21-2009 at 08:32 AM

This is what a press release in Sept. 08 states. Supposed to be completed in 2010. HA!

"The property is situated in a secluded bay, where only hotel guests and owners will have access to the 3 miles of the secluded white sandy beach, located just 20 minutes from the international airport of Loreto, Baja Sur, Mexico.

Guests and owners will have access to a wide selection of amenities, including a state of the art 40,000 sq ft spa and gym, activities onsite include various restaurants, bars, convenience stores, full-service water activities center, swimming pools, tennis courts, golf, breath taking hiking trails and horseback riding. The original mission of San Javier is a short 2 hour drive for a unique day trip."

20 minutes from any town and no taxi service. With "breathtaking" horseback riding. Whatever. Let's make bets on whether or not this project will be even half built by December 2010.

Potential owners: come to San Diego and buy a condo for $150,000 - swimming pool, gym, spa, tennis courts, beach, and a whole city for your shopping pleasure. A dozen golf courses, zoo, Seaworld, Legoland, parks, museums. No club fees, no visa needed, plenty of inbound airlines. And 16 miles from the Mexican border where you can camp for free on a secluded beach.
Villa Group - get the picture?

http://gnordstrom.mcmillinrealty.com/Shared/PropertySearch/d...

Bajahowodd - 4-21-2009 at 10:09 AM

In the current economy, I have to wonder where the financing is coming from. No way a project this ambitious has a chance of completion on that schedule. Who's buying?

wilderone - 4-21-2009 at 12:07 PM

Nobody's buying. and they can't work a Ponzi scheme like they did at Loreto Bay. I hope the pre-sale buyers can get their deposits back next year.

Their website is sickening - "UNTOUCHED" pristine, blah, blah, blah - then announce their F ing golf course plans.

http://www.villadelpalmarloreto.com/photoGallery.html

bajabeachbabe - 4-21-2009 at 01:44 PM

This project is not at all like Loreto Bay where the units were purchased as wholly owned houses. The first units being built are the timeshare units which will become part of the Villa Group's Universal Vacation Club. I am sure the reason they are building the timeshares first is because due to the laws concerning timeshares they cannot sell more ownerships than they have units available in their inventory. That means that they can't sell more timeshare ownerships to the tourists in Cabo, PV, etc. without having enough units to back up the total number of ownerships sold. The units in their Loreto project will undoubtedly be used to back up sales being made in the Universal Vacation Club at other Villa Group locations.

The people who are hoping that poor timeshare sales in Loreto will stop the project are going to be disappointed. I don't like the project, but I don't see that it will not be built. Right now I know that part of the hold up on construction progress is due to the length of time it is taking to get the environmental permits to start building.

wilderone - 4-21-2009 at 02:11 PM

Regardless, the project doesn't make sense in that isolated location, and at the prices they charge. A look at RedWeek and other timeshare wholesalers will show that there is no need to pay high prices to stay a week or two isolated south of Loreto. And plenty of SFRs for sale in Baja CA. And I doubt that the amenities will be built as promised to service Phase 1. Why would they develop restaurants, bars, convenience stores, full-service water activities center, swimming pools, tennis courts and golf all for Phase 1 - which would require substantial capitalization. Loreto Bay and Replay couldn't get it done, so why would Villa Group be able to get it done - in a worse location? Now is the time to voice your opinion in opposition.

flyfishinPam - 4-21-2009 at 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marla Daily
Both Danzante and El Santuario sold out to Villas Group.

that's just the tip of the iceberg...after MUCH harasment, threats, numerous frivolous lawsuits, both hotels sold to the Villas group. I am not sure if the final payments have been made but its a done deal. They've already destroyed it.

Phil C - 4-21-2009 at 04:18 PM

Ya Se Fue!

Bajahowodd - 4-21-2009 at 04:24 PM

Their Los Cabos properties don't get rave reviews from everyone. The way they operate is that the time share owners get first dibs on the best units. Unsuspecting vacationers, who book a "package" through web sites like Travelocity frequently get relegated to the dankest, moldiest rooms. Funny how such people will still take them up on a free breakfast and free tickets for the glass bottom boat, and take the time share presentation, wasting at least a half day. That being said, for better or for worse, it is the time share phenomenon that fueled the growth of Los Cabos. I vividly remember being sucked into a time share presentation at the original Pueblo Bonito in 1988. It was the rental car credit that did it. Back then, the only other property beyond the now departed Hacienda Hotel was the recently completed Club Cascadas. Anyway, there were maybe a few concrete footings poured at Pueblo Bonito. Their master plan was to build what was ultimately a 140 room project in three phases extended over three years. One year later, the whole project was open. Obviously a major demand in that location. I think their experience really helped fuel the time share industry in Los Cabos. Obviously, there were successful time share projects elsewhere and earlier. But the PB folks set a standard. For the record, I don't own there.

jk - 4-21-2009 at 06:24 PM

Thanks for all the updates. I am saddened that a location I have enjoyed for so many years is now off limits. In a certain way if Villas Group were successful, it would seem less of a loss than the more likely scenario that the whole project bogs down in financial and environmental chaos. I am not sure why I feel that way, but... JK

rhintransit - 4-21-2009 at 06:36 PM

sailed by there about three weeks ago, much evidence of building, concrete mixing towers, electric poles. south beach, where Sanctuario was, untouched for now, but north beach about 8-10 large round palapas on the beach with large yellow private property signs. large structure up and behind that area. a mooring is being build for the owner's huge power boat.

Don Alley - 4-21-2009 at 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jk
... In a certain way if Villas Group were successful, it would seem less of a loss than the more likely scenario that the whole project bogs down in financial and environmental chaos. I am not sure why I feel that way, but... JK

Remember, one resource that's scarce in Loreto is the population to support a large, successful resort community. So when you envision a successfully developed Ensenada Blanca (or Loreto Bay, San Bruno, Rattlesnake Beach, Juncalito, etc) you have to envision large new colonias of new immigrants from Tijuana and the mainland, more traffic, higher prices, more drugs and crime, more closed off land, more rules and regulations, and of course thousands of new people competing for a shrinking bit of public beaches.

The former administration here in Loreto claimed that the population increase from the "Loreto Bay boom" was 5,000 people. That's a lot in a town the size of Loreto, and most are still here, perhaps even more.

Fonatur is not promoting tourist development to provide jobs for Loretanos, but to provide the economic foundation for large scale immigration from the mainland.

Bajahowodd - 4-21-2009 at 11:36 PM

As I have said in the past, you folks in Loreto really need to let the world know that Loreto really sucks. The weather is horrible. Hotels are third world, as are the restaurants. The locals are really nasty. The area is barren and ugly.

It's your only real hope.

Don Alley - 4-22-2009 at 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
As I have said in the past, you folks in Loreto really need to let the world know that Loreto really sucks. The weather is horrible. Hotels are third world, as are the restaurants. The locals are really nasty. The area is barren and ugly.

It's your only real hope.

I went for my morning run/walk down at the Malecon this morning. Two adults and a child, about maybe 10 or 11 years old, were on the municipal beach. The child was peeing on one of the palapa posts, where later people will picnic. Yeah, nasty.

:rolleyes:

chose your smilie

wilderone - 4-22-2009 at 08:35 AM

Now is the time to voice opposition - KEEP CABO IN CABO

elizabeth - 4-22-2009 at 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wilderone
This is what a press release in Sept. 08 states.
....
"The property is situated in a secluded bay, where only hotel guests and owners will have access to the 3 miles of the secluded white sandy beach, located just 20 minutes from the international airport of Loreto, Baja Sur, Mexico.

....
http://gnordstrom.mcmillinrealty.com/Shared/PropertySearch/d...

They can say that only guests and owners have access to the beach...but, how can they legally enforce it if the public has a right to use the federal zone? It's a pretty easy walk from Ligui to Ensenada Blanca. Can a beach concession trump the federal public access laws?

wilderone - 4-23-2009 at 02:59 PM

The beaches are public.
That is among several partial representations, omissions or failure to qualify facts. They also state:

“With practically no rain and a source of pure water coming from underground springs, Loreto is rapidly becoming one of Mexico’s prime vacation and second home destinations. It is surrounded by the Sierra La Giganta, one of Baja’s highest and most breathtaking mountain ranges.

Practically no rain. Except when there’s a hurricane. And that’s a good thing?
“Source of pure water coming from underground springs.” Hmmm – wonder if they’re referring to the aquifer, which has been the subject of thorough study which concludes that the aquifer will not sustain a large population at the current rate of usage and population projections. And if there’s practically no rain, how will the aquifer replenish itself.

“It is surrounded by the Sierra la Giganta, one of Baja’s highest mountain ranges.”
This is absolutely false. There are many, many mountain ranges and mountain peaks in Baja, and almost every one of them is higher than the 4,400 ft. peak behind Loreto in that stretch of the Sierra la Giganta. Besides, who cares how high it is. And breathtaking? Maybe in the early morning and dusk, but in the middle of the afternoon in August, it just looks hot, dry, stickery and dangerous.

“The Nature of the area will be the main feature designed into the property” So, after they’ve destroyed the pristine natural geography, they’re going to DESIGN what’s left INTO the property. You mean they’re going to have windows so you can see it? Otherwise, how is completely scraping the land and replacing it with manmade structures and an adjacent golf course and asphalt tennis court leave any “Nature” to bring into the property? The "sun-soaked" sky I guess.

Here’s the whole sentence: “The Nature of the area will be the main feature designed into the property, complete with an activity center designed for the calm ocean of the Sea of Cortez, also low level lighting with Fire pits on the beach will provide for a spectacular evening.” So this breathtaking, untouched nature, by itself, just isn’t enough. They have to have an ACTIVITY center designed for the CALM ocean – huh? What’s an activity center anyway?

“The original mission of San Javier is a short 2 hour drive for a unique day trip.”
The original mission of Loreto is a short 20 minute drive – if you had a car. If not, then it’s an expensive taxi ride. But they don’t mention the town of Loreto at all – I guess they don’t want their guests actually experiencing any part of an authentic Baja CA town.
Just a short 2-hour drive? Have they driven to San Javier? They’re going to tell their guests it will take them 2 hours and let them loose out there? Oh mi madre.

And they make absolutely no mention about sustainability or respecting nature, or giving back to the community - just unabashed announcements how they're going to do the same thing to Ligui that they did in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo - same highrise design; same trashing of the environment.
The "international airport of Loreto" - ha!