This is an ultimate travel guide to Loreto in Baja, Mexico. From what to know before you go to spontaneous options while you are in Loreto, we got you covered.
What’s special about Loreto
Loreto is like the Mediterranean with a fraction of the crowd and cost. It is one of the best affordable hidden gems of Mexico. From island hopping to scuba diving, from golfing to fishing, from secluded crystal clear turquoise waters to enchanting deserts, from badass birria tacos to fresh out of water ceviche on the boat, you can have it all, easily.
The streets are authentic and safe. It’s not difficult to get to, and you can get away with English for the most part. Budget travel planning will give you luxuries to enjoy in this best kept secret, and you might keep coming back.
The best time to visit Loreto
It depends on what want for your vacation. Summer can be hot and humid and so are the deals. Like lots of travel destinations, shoulder seasons are the sweet spots of best weather, budget and crowds. However, different months of the year are best for certain things to do.
- Whale watching: February and March
- Swimming and snorkeling: The water is warm and flat in May and June
- Scuba diving: July to November
- Water sports: September to November
- Fishing: best to check out the fishing season calendar for what fish is in season, but July to September get you the most abundant fish and varieties.
- Golfing: November through April
How to get to Loreto
International direct flights
- Alaska Airlines: from Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) to Loreto (LTO)
- American Airlines: from Phoenix (PHX) Dallas or Fort-Worth (DFW) to Loreto (LTO)
- WestJet fly from Calgary (YYC) to Loreto (LTO) in winter
CBX + domestic flights
For those living Orange County and San Diego County of California, it may be easier to drive/shuttle/uber to CBX (Cross Border Express), cross the boarder in the terminal, then take a direct flight with Volaris or Calafia Airlines to Loreto. Parking and shuttle information are available at the CBX website.
Domestic flights
There are multiple direct domestic flights between Loreto and Cabo or La Paz.
By car
Loreto is 4.5 hours drive from La Paz, 6 hours from Los Cabos, 15 hours from Ensenada, and16 hours from San Diego/Tijuana.
By bus or shuttle
You can take a bus (5.5 hours) from La Paz by Autobues Águila or ABC for about 800 MXN. You can also hire private shuttles from La Paz Airport or Los Cabos Airport to your hotel in Loreto.
By boat
The sea of Cortez is easy to sail. Marina Puerto Escondido is a beautiful marina to dock your boat. It offers fantastic sceneries, services and amenities.
Where to stay in Loreto
Downtown
Everything is a lot more accessible in downtown than in Nopoló or at a tucked-away resort. Island day trips, restaurants, grocery stores, car rental, shopping, you name it. Staying in downtown Loreto gives you a lot more freedom.
Loreto80 has many uniquely and thoughtfully designed Airbnb apartment studio units. Each of them comes with a well equipped full kitchen, including salt, pepper, and cooking oil. The location is great, only a few steps from the Mission in downtown and the grocery store El Pescador. The co-hosts are Roxanna, Lucia, and Ariel. Search of “Loreto80” will give you all the units.
Baja Mía Suites has three ocean view Airbnb apartment units right on the malecón and are just a few steps to the beach or the marina. There is a coffee shop and food truck on the property.
Hotel La Misión de Loreto is the most well known hotel right on the the malecón. Some rooms have a ocean view.
Nopoló
Nopolo has a beach front community with houses and condos with walking access to kayak rentals, a few restaurants, and Loreto Bay Golf Course. Lots of expats live here, especially Canadians. Look for Airbnb listings in Nopoló, BCS.
Resort
Villa del Palmar Loreto review
Villa del Palmar Loreto is ideal if you plan to only enjoy golfing, island day trips, and the amenities at the resort. The TPC Danzante Bay Golf courses have killer views. It is about 40 minuses drive from downtown Loreto, and the car rental is more than $120 a day. All-inclusive packages are available since a la carte is not cheaper than dining in the U.S. Most rooms come with a kitchen but the market at the resort is very limited, so you would likely need to rent a car and go in downtown.
The sea view is fantastic if you are in ocean front rooms or at the beach. The trails offer wonderful opportunities to explore lookout points, hidden beaches, native plants and amazing sunrise and sunset views. Kayaks and stand up paddle boards are available for rent right at the resort beach. There is not much to see snorkeling. Island day trip prices are reasonable, and the boats pick up right at the beach.
Things to do in Loreto
Golf
The ocean view from the golf courts are pretty hard to beat. It rarely gets too windy too. Many golfers travel to Loreto with their golf gear.
Fishing
The fishing season is long and the variety is wide. It’s easy to hire your private boat (panga) and captain [link] for several hours for only 100 dollars.
Whale watching
Although you can see humpback, orca, and gray whale from January to March, blue whales come in February and March. The chances of seeing them are good. The main attraction for whale whaling in Loreto is the close intimate encounter with the gentle giants on a small boat, unlike typical whale watching.
Island hopping, beach and water sports
The islands in Loreto National Park are perfect for day trips [link]. You can explore coves, go for a swim or snorkel, kayak, paddle board, or simply relax on gorgeous secluded beaches.
Diving
Although the diving here is not world class for avid divers, it’s still pretty good and convenient. There are several dive shops in town.
Friday nights
Locals gather around and celebrate on the malecón on Friday nights. Some drive and circle around beach front road by the marina at 3 mph, with windows down singing or talking, and some hang out on the beach. There will be food trucks till 10 pm. It’s the most vibrant moment of Loreto.
Day trips from Loreto
Dreamy, easy, uncrowded, affordable day trips are what make Loreto a fantastic travel destination. The island day trips in the Loreto National Park are particularly popular. Check out Best Day Trips from Loreto Mexico to learn more.
Where to eat in Loreto
Loreto is small town. Everywhere you go is authentic. From caught of the day seafood to goat birria, from paleta popsicles to healthy smoothies, from street tacos to elevated home cooking tasting menu, It’s hard to go wrong. Find out more in Best Eats in Loreto Mexico. If you love clams, definitely try Loreto’s specialty chocolate clams (almejas chocolatas).
Where to buy groceries in Loreto
The one stop shop in downtown: Super Ley Express. It has most of the things you’d need, including pharmacy.
On the main street: El Percador. The selections are a little limited, but it’s the most accessible on foot even on a hot day.
Clean English speaking seafood market: Pescaderia Maricos Alvarez. They have from fresh caught fish of the day to a wide variety of frozen regional seafood and canned seafood. Condiments are also available for you to make homemade sushi or ceviche. If you are lucky, you may find fresh oysters on weekends.
For limited bulk purchase: Mi Bodega Aurrera
Getting around in Loreto
If you stay in downtown or at Villa del Palmar, you don’t really need to rent a car. Taxi is easy from the airport to your hotel. You can get almost everywhere on foot in downtown including the marina, but that can be a challenge in a hot summer. All the island day trips are out the marina.
If you want to have more freedom or plan to go to Bahía Concepción, you need a car. There are several car rental companies right on the main street in downtown if you want to use a car for a day. If you need a car for your entire stay, it makes more sense to get a car at the airport if you travel by air.
Medical facility
There are a couple of labs that can test COVID the same or next day. The easiest one is right in downtown, LAQUIMIA. There is also a hospital and several pharmacies in town if needed.
Insider tip
Visiting Loreto for the first time
We recommend staying in downtown Loreto, sign up for day trips with any tour company on the main street (Av. Miguel Hidalgo) or hire a boat and captain when you get there. Enjoy the restaurants and shops. Rent a car from any rental company on the main street if you need.
Visiting Loreto for Golf and Islands
We recommend renting an Airbnb condo in Nopolo with easy access to the golf courses. You can rent a car or call taxis. On the days you want to go out to the islands, the downtown marina is only 15 min drive away.
Staying at Villa del Palmar Loreto is another option, where all-inclusive packages, resort amenities and island day trips are available. Its TPC Danzante Bay Golf courses have killer views. The downside is that the resort is far from everything, and the car rental on-site is very expensive.
What to wear for Loreto
Generally, it depends on the weather in Loreto by month or season. It can be cool and dry in winter and very humid and stormy in late summer.
If you are going out on a boat trip, bringing a windbreaker or rain jacket can help you stay warm and dry. The boat ride can be choppy coming back from Isla Carmen in the afternoon on windy days.
