While Los Cabos continues to attract visitors with its new resorts, the bustling coastline is driving travelers northward on the Baja Peninsula to Costa Palmas and tranquil towns like Todos Santos. However, for a truly serene escape, the tiny town of Loreto, nestled along the Sea of Cortez, stands out.
Dubbed the “Aquarium of the World” by Jacques Cousteau for its stunning biodiversity, Loreto is the perfect laid-back beach town retreat. Sandra Felix, commercial director of Visit Baja California Sur, notes, “There’s not a single major international chain in Loreto, which speaks to how faithfully it has conserved its original, local charm.” As one of the region’s few pueblos mágicos, or “magical towns,” Loreto boasts immense history and culture, boutique hotels, and locally owned eateries, all just steps from the oceanfront.
Loreto is more than just a serene seaside town. It’s a haven for adventure travelers, with its bay dotted with UNESCO-protected islands teeming with rich wildlife and world-class dive sites. Visitors can hike desert canyons in the morning and set sail to watch breaching humpback whales in one of the world’s most reliable whale-watching destinations. With an increasingly well-served international airport, the long trek from Los Cabos is now a thing of the past.
Top 5 Can’t-Miss Experiences
1. Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto: Known for its top-notch golf course, spacious spa, and adventurous, experience-focused stays.
2. Whale Watching: From January to March, humpback whales migrate to Loreto, offering sensational whale-watching excursions.
3. Wellness Retreats: Loreto’s blossoming wellness community makes it ideal for a self-care-centered and wallet-friendly getaway.
4. Orlando’s: Famous for oversized portions of classic Mexican favorites like chilaquiles and enfrijoladas, drawing crowds from breakfast to evening.
5. Loreto’s Bay Islands: Protected and pristine, these islands are rimmed with golden beaches above the waves and spectacular dive sites below.
Best Hotels & Resorts
– Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto: This 181-room resort offers activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, and catamaran cruises within the protected waters of Loreto Bay National Park. It’s also home to the award-winning TPC Danzante Bay golf course.
– Hotel Posada de las Flores: Located in Loreto’s main square, this boutique hotel features handpainted tiles, antique furnishings, a rooftop pool, and a terrace.
– Hotel La Misión Loreto: Perched along Loreto’s oceanfront malecón promenade, this hotel offers sweeping views from spacious balconies, a large pool area, and a restaurant with a Sunday brunch buffet.
Best Things to Do
– Whale Watching: Loreto Bay National Park offers some of the best whale-watching opportunities from January through March.
– Wellness Trips: Enjoy massages, facials, yoga, and breathwork sessions at local retreats like Spa Las Flores and Palmas Altas Retreat.
– Diving: Explore dramatic canyons and walls in the protected waters surrounding Loreto’s islands, encountering colorful fish, eels, rays, dolphins, and sea lions.
– Historic Missions: Visit the oldest mission in the region in Loreto’s historic heart and the well-preserved mission at San Javier.
– Hiking Tabor Canyon: Enjoy stunning desert and mountain views on guided excursions with Wild Loreto.
Best Restaurants
– Orlando’s: A Loreto institution known for its breezy outdoor dining room, strong coffee, and generous servings of chilaquiles and enfrijoladas.
– Baja Mar: Offers fresh, zesty ceviche with stunning waterfront views.
– Restaurante del Carmen at Hotel Oasis: Known for its beachfront terrace and Saturday night beach barbecues featuring fresh seafood and grilled meats.
– Mi Loreto: A must-visit for authentic Mexican dishes with a charming, rustic ambiance.
– Ocotillo: Offers a refined dining experience with fresh seafood dishes, Mexican wines, and great cocktails.
Areas to Visit
– Downtown Loreto: The walkable heart of downtown Loreto preserves a distinct beach town feel. A pedestrian-only thoroughfare cuts through the town, past the Our Lady of Loreto Mission, and leads to Loreto’s malecón, an oceanfront promenade. Complete with shops, restaurants, cafes, and boutique hotels, Loreto has everything visitors need.
– Nopoló: Located about 15 minutes south of central Loreto, Nopoló is home to Loreto Bay, a gated community popular with Canadian expats. It features private residences, mixed-use spaces, a resort, hotel, galleries, a golf course, hiking paths, and many great restaurants.
– Islands of Loreto: The jewels of Loreto Bay National Park are the five cactus-studded, beach-fringed islands. These uninhabited islands teem with biodiversity and are included in the region’s UNESCO World Heritage designation. Catamaran cruises are popular for exploring the islands, hiking to scenic viewpoints, or diving. Coronado and Danzante islands are most popular, while Carmen offers incredible off-grid camping (permit required).
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Loreto is from October to May when mild temperatures and favorable weather make it ideal for outdoor activities. Even during this relatively busy season, Loreto remains laid-back and lovely. Rates at hotels and resorts drop in the summer months, though soaring temperatures make activities like kayaking or hiking a challenge.
“Winter is particularly special, as it marks the prime whale-watching season, with opportunities to view humpback, orca, grey, and blue whales,” says Perry. “For fishing enthusiasts, summer and early fall (June through October) are prime times, with dorado, marlin, and yellowtail in abundance,” adds Felix. Divers will enjoy the best water temperatures and highest visibility between June and November.
How to Get There
The growing connectivity of Loreto International Airport (LTO) has raised the profile of this coastal destination. Alaska Airlines offers seasonal daily flights from Los Angeles and less frequently from San Francisco and San Diego. American Airlines offers direct flights from Phoenix and Dallas, while WestJet offers direct flights from Calgary. Distances can be long in Baja California Sur, with La Paz and Los Cabos four-hour and six-hour drives away, respectively, so aim for a direct flight to Loreto or prepare for a road trip.
How to Get Around
Part of Loreto’s charm is the walkability of its historic center, making it easy to explore most of the town without a vehicle. There is no Uber or comparable rideshare service, so plan on using a taxi for beach or airport excursions or half-day trips to nearby destinations. Rental cars are a better option for those looking to explore more independently or venture to destinations like San Javier or remote beaches like those in Bahia Concepción.
Source: Travel and Leisure
