Loreto is Magic Town, and it casts its spell on thousands of visitors every year. This cornucopia of watersports is the perfect place to have some good clean wet fun and soak up the sunshine. The Loreto Bay national marine park is paradise found, teeming with sealife in the Sea of Cortez: look out for whales and dolphins. The town of Loreto is just as entertaining though, with regular fun-filled festivals to keep you entertained in the evenings. With the islands of Carmen and Coronado just as short boat ride away, it’s no wonder that Loreto is at the heart of Baja California Sur.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Loreto
Marina — Loreto Marina is the place to find all the deep sea activities, from diving and boat tours to the islands to sport fishing and yachting. The marina is the liveliest part of town, with plenty of places to find something to eat, and many restaurants will prepare your own catch of the day.
Old Loreto — The Mission of our Lady of Loreto is one of the historic churches of the Baja California Sur region and forms part of the Royal Road of churches set up by Spanish missionaries. This is the place to start exploring the fascinating colonial and independence eras of Mexico.
The Islands — The islands of Carmen and Coronado can only be accessed easily from Loreto and offer every type of outdoor activity – kayaking and snorkelling on the coral reefs are perennial favourites here.
Things to See in Loreto
In spite of its modest size, Loreto has seven significant historical buildings which are well worth seeing. In addition to the Mission of our Lady of Loreto – Mision Nuestra Senora de Loreto on the signs – you’ll find the Jesuit Missions Museum next door with a host of interesting artefacts. For spectacular views, take a day trip to the islands, or head to La Giganta range where the canyons hide cave paintings and rock art from 10,000 years ago.
Things to Do in Loreto
Loreto is famous for watersports and there’s something here for all shapes, sizes and abilities. Fishing is the main event, and no wonder when marlin and sailfish seem to want to leap out of the ocean into your net. There are so many other options though – kayaking around the islands, diving amongst the reef fish or spotting whale sharks. If you don’t have your sea legs, try horseback riding in the Sierra de la Giganta, or trekking or even mountain biking. When you’re done for the day, head to one of the many top class restaurants to try the fish and other great Mexican food, or knock back a margarita or two.
