Location:
Baja California Sur State, Sea of
Cortez, Baja California Peninsula
Distance from Cabo San Lucas: 250
miles north
Population:10,000
Closest major airport: Loreto
International Airport (LTO)
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time
Website:
www.bajaquest.com/loreto
Loreto´s climate, infrastructure and
pleasant seclusion make it an ideal vacation
spot for absolute rest, relaxation and
restoration. As the biggest marina park in
Mexico, the city also offers a variety of
outdoor activities, from water sports and
whale-watching to exploring magnificent cave
paintings and colonial missions. Its major
attractions are undoubtedly the isolated
beaches, preserved marine life and
semi-desert niches that shelter numerous
endangered species.
Loreto is located halfway between two of the
most highly recommended places for spotting
gray whales during their annual,
eight-thousand mile journey from the waters
of the Behring Sea to the coasts of the Baja
California Peninsula. The best excursions
for whale spotting last three or four days
and include mini boat trips to come in close
proximity with the mammals and their
offspring. Visits to famous cave paintings
are also popular among tourists, as well as
expeditions to Sierra la Giganta, an eroded
mountain range with spectacular ravines,
crags and vertical walls.
The various beaches in Loreto known for
their white sand and deep blue waters,
include Nopoló, Puerto Escondido and
Juncalito, ideal for quiet time on a
deserted beach. The city’s small marina and
Sea of Cortez, on the other hand, are
wonderful places for sailing and taking boat
trips to the many islands off the coast. One
of the most popular islands to visit is the
Isla del Carmen, which lies just opposite of
Loreto. Other smaller islands include
Coronados, Danzante, Montserrat and Santa
Catalina, all magnificent destinations for
divers looking to swim with seals, dolphins
and colorful tropical fish and wanting to
explore spectacular underwater habitats.
Architecturally, Loreto offers a remarkable
contrast between its colonial heritage,
contemporary structures and friendly,
town-like atmosphere. The city’s cuisine is
a combination of Northern cooking, seafood
and missionary recipes that feature fish and
meat dishes. Local specialties include
ceviche, lobster, seafood dishes and fish
tacos as well as fajitas, steaks and the
very famous chocolata clams "tatemadas."
The former capital of a piece of territory
stretching from California to Texas – which
included Sonora, Sinaloa and Coahuila –
Loreto is a natural paradise that offers the
genuine opportunity to commune with nature.
Its untouched habitat and virgin-like
beaches have preserved the city’s
surroundings almost to its natural state,
making it a true Mexican treasure. |