This post shares everything you need to know about visiting the laidback town of Loreto in Baja California Sur, Mexico. We’ll cover essential travel info, like getting there, getting around, where to stay, what to eat and the top things to do in Loreto Mexico.
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About Loreto, Mexico
Welcome to Loreto Mexico, the most underrated town in Baja California Sur!
This small pueblo was our biggest surprise in Baja, and totally exceeded all our expectations.
Loreto flies under the tourist radar, with more popular destinations such as La Paz and Cabo San Lucas in the south of the state garnering more attention.
It has been discovered by retired snowbirds seeking to escape the cold Canadian and American winter. But they have been keeping Loreto a secret, and it is largely undiscovered by the mass tourism market.
Thankfully, this means the town has retained a small, laidback, charming feel and is worlds away from crazy Cabo.
Loreto is thought to be the oldest human settlement on the Baja Peninsula and is home to the first successful Jesuit mission built in 1697. This rich history has been well preserved and is evident in the charming Loreto of today.
Just one of two pueblo magicos, or magic towns, in Baja California Sur, we firmly believe Loreto has earned its title!
But it’s not just history. Loreto is home to some of the most outstanding nature in the entire state.
Surrounded by the desert mountains of the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range and bordered by the dazzling Sea of Cortez, Loreto was heaven for nature lovers like us.
Where is Loreto, Mexico?
Loreto is located in the state of Baja California Sur in Mexico.
It is situated on the east side of the peninsula, on the Sea of Cortez (aka the Gulf of California), blessed with calm, turquoise waters year-round.
To put it in perspective, here are some rough driving distances to Loreto:
- Tijuana: 15 hours
- La Paz (the state capital): 4 hours
- Los Cabos: 6 hours
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Getting to Loreto
✈️ BY AIR
Loreto has its own international airport, LTO – Loreto International Airport.
The airport is small, but there are limited direct flights to destinations in the USA and Canada.
Alaska Airlines offers a service to LA, and seasonally San Francisco too. American Airlines has seasonal services from Phoenix and Dallas, and WestJet offers seasonal services to Calgary in Canada.
There are domestic services to Tijuana, and occasionally other cities around Baja California Sur.
It’s also possible to fly into La Paz, Baja California Sur’s capital city. If you’re planning to visit multiple destinations around the state, this isn’t a bad option.
The LAP – La Paz International Airport is better connected both internationally and within Mexico and it can be a more affordable arrival/departure point.
However, this airport is 4 hours south of Loreto. So don’t forget to factor in the drive if you go for this option.
🚐 GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT INTO TOWN
The trip from the airport to the centre of town is just 10 minutes.
Grabbing a waiting taxi when you arrive is the easiest way.
However, it’s also possible to organise an airport shuttle if you’d prefer to have something pre-booked.
If you’re heading to the resorts south of the airport, the trip will be a little bit longer. If your accommodation doesn’t include pick-up, it might be best to go with the airport transfer option. I think it would work out cheaper than a taxi.
🚗 BY LAND
If you’re coming via land from other parts of Baja California Sur, the main thing to note is that Loreto is much further than other destinations.
The southern loop of Los Cabos, La Paz and Todos Santos are all pretty close, and you won’t be driving for more than two hours max between these destinations.
But Loreto is substantially further away, sitting over four hours north of La Paz. The distance gets much greater to reach this area, but I promise it is well worth the extra trip.
Renting a car in Loreto, La Paz or Los Cabos and road-tripping around Baja California Sur is the best way to see the state.
However, Loreto is also well-connected to these neighbouring cities via the Aguila bus.
The buses are new and comfortable long-distance buses, and you can book your tickets online via the Aguila website. The Aguila bus terminal is located just outside the Loreto city centre here.
Getting around in Loreto
Loreto is a small city, and getting around the centro is easy on foot. The historic centre, the Malecon and most of the popular restaurants are all located close to each other.
But to get to attractions outside of the city (and there are many), you’re really going to want to have your own car.
We would really recommend renting a car to give yourself the freedom to visit distant beaches, go on day trips, and get to the trailheads for hikes.
There is no public transport, and no Uber, so the only other option is to rely on taxis or tours.
If Loreto is part of a broader Baja California Sur road trip, as it was for us, you will most likely arrive in town with a car.
But if Loreto is your first or only stop, it’s very easy to rent a car there from the airport or city.
🚗 Browse for rental cars in Loreto and compare prices here
We didn’t personally use them, but Mex-Rent-A-Car gets great reviews from travellers, and won’t try and rip you off like some of the other international rental companies will.
Driving in and around Loreto was very straightforward. The highway is in great condition, and the city centre is so small it wasn’t too busy or hectic. Driving in Baja in general is safe and simple, and we had no troubles.
You are going to enjoy your time in Loreto much more with a rental car being able to get further afield outside of the city.
The best time to visit Loreto
The weather in Loreto is the typical Baja California Sur desert climate. It’s mostly dry, with mild winters and scorching summers.
The best time to visit depends on what your main focus is.
- 🐋 For whales: if seeing blue whales is a top priority, plan your visit between February – March. Average temperatures are around 68°F (20°C).
- 🥾 For hiking and land-based exploring: the cooler months from November – March are the best. Days are dry and sunny with blue skies. Whilst it’s still possible to hit the beach, water temperatures are cooler and strong winds can make it a bit chilly. Average daily temperatures range from 66°F – 73°F (19°C – 23°C).
- 🏝️ For beach and water activities: April, May and June are better months if you want to spend most of your time in the water. The winter winds have died down, the sea is a bit warmer and the sun has a bit more bite to make the beach more appealing. Average temperatures are 78°F – 87°F (26°C – 31°C), climbing each month.
Whatever your motivation, we would recommend avoiding the months of July – September, when temperatures can soar over 95°F (35°C). Hurricanes and heavy rains are rare, but if they happen, it’s during this period.
How long to spend in Loreto, Mexico
There are so many things to do in Loreto, that you could easily be occupied for weeks!
It depends if Loreto is one part of a broader Baja California Sur trip or your only destination.
I would suggest no less than 5 days minimum in Loreto to see the highlights, including some day trips to other areas like Mulege, Bahia Concepcion etc.
A week – 10 days would be great if this was your only destination, and you wanted to leave some days free for relaxing.
Is Loreto safe?
A fair question given the negative portrayal of Mexico in the media.
Short answer – yes. Loreto is one of the safest places to visit in Mexico.
It is a very small, primarily tourism and fishing-based town of just 20,000 people. It is not known for any narco activity that occurs in other parts of the country.
We felt 100% safe the entire time in Loreto. We drove ourselves around in a rental car, went out and about at night and hiked on remote trails deep in the desert.
It is a quiet, laidback and peaceful town and we felt very comfortable.
It feels a lot safer than Cabo San Lucas, which has a seedy energy with so many nightclubs, and the inevitable alcohol and drugs that go along with it.
A lot of North American expats live in and around Loreto too, if that helps to ease your mind.
There is nothing to worry about in Loreto.
Where to stay in Loreto, Mexico
For an authentic Loreto experience, we suggest staying in Loreto city proper.
Not in the Loreto Bay region south of the city, where the larger resorts and expat developments are. Villa del Palmar and Loreto Bay Golf Resort & Spa are the two most popular.
Whilst at first glance these resorts look great, it’s a very ‘gated community’ vibe, and you’ll either be: a) missing out on the action or b) constantly travelling into town.
Accommodation in Loreto leans towards the mid-range, with not a lot of good budget or luxury options. Here are a few top picks:
- 💰 Hostal Casas Loreto – tucked away down a cute cobblestone street, Hostal Casas Loreto is the only hostel in Loreto. We popped our head in and the space looked really cute, and it gets great reviews from other travellers. You can’t book online, so you’ll need to get in touch with the hostel directly to make a booking.
- $40 USD + per night check prices TripAdvisor
- 💰 Apartments Playitas – a complex of two studio apartment-style rooms on Airbnb, this is where we stayed in Loreto. The apartments are equipped with a fridge, a small dining area, a bathroom and a large comfy bed. Perfectly located, just a stone’s throw from the main square, and a two-minute walk to the Malecon. It was a little noisy on the weekends but otherwise comfortable.
- $90 USD + per night check prices Airbnb
- 💰💰 Hotel Oasis – a long-standing hotel on the beachfront in Loreto, Hotel Oasis has a laidback, local feel. It has its own private section of beach with a bar and restaurant, and a roster of weekly events. Rooms are basic and dated, but very spacious, well-equipped and clean.
- $150 USD + per night check prices Booking.com | Expedia
- 💰💰 Hotel Santa Fe Loreto – this is one of the biggest hotels in Loreto. The pool area is gorgeous and modern, with desert-style gardens. Rooms are very big and self-contained, with even the lowest room class offering kitchen facilities. The only downside is that it is slightly out of the town centre. It’s about a 1 km / 0.6 mi walk to the main plaza.
- $160 USD + per night check prices Booking.com | Expedia
- 💰💰 Posada de las Flores – this dreamy boutique hotel has a charming, elegant style. Featuring a stunning spiral staircase, plenty of plants, a rooftop pool and terrace and a charming and historic style that fits Loreto so well! The location is perfect in Plaza Civica.
- $160 USD + per night check prices Booking.com | Expedia
- 💰💰💰 La Mision Loreto – the top pick in Loreto, La Mision is located on the Malecon. The pool and spa area is front and centre, with stunning waterfront views. Their rooms have a grand, historic feel, many with ocean views. Consistently top-rated.
- $250 USD + per night check prices Booking.com | Expedia
5 Top things to do in Loreto
We have an entire post dedicated to the 23 best things to do in Loreto.
But as a quick preview, here’s some brief information about our top 5 activities that you cannot miss in Loreto Mexico.
For more detailed information on all these activities, and our other recommended things to do, jump over to our other post.
1. Explore Loreto’s historic centre
Loreto is a charming little town, and despite having plenty of beautiful natural attractions outside the city, be sure to allocate some time to wander around the centre.
From colourful buildings, plazas filled with families and tree-lined pedestrian streets, there is plenty to see in Loreto centro.
Don’t forget the waterfront Malecon either, home to the ‘Loreto’ letters, some noteworthy statues and beautiful views out to the islands.
Loreto Historic Centre Checklist
📍 Locations pinned!
– Plaza Civica
– Loreto Town Hall
– Loreto Mission
– Plaza de las Californias
– Andador Salvatierra
– Loreto Malecon
2. Hike Tabor Canyon
The Sierra de la Giganta Mountains surrounding Loreto are filled with hiking trails. One of the best hikes to do is Tabor Canyon.
The trail follows a dry riverbed deep inside the canyon, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
Some rock scrambling is required in the beginning, which turns to more intense rock climbing with ropes on the latter section of the trail.
You can go self-guided following this route on AllTrails, or take a local guide.
🥾 Read our full Tabor Canyon hiking guide here
3. Take a tour to one of the islands in the Loreto Bay National Park
Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto, or Loreto Bay National Park, is a large protected marine area off the coast of Loreto in the Sea of Cortez.
The protected bay is home to five uninhabited islands:
- Isla Coronado
- Isla del Carmen
- Isla Danzante
- Isla Montserrat
- Isla Santa Catarina
You’ll see the offshore islands as soon as you arrive in Loreto, Mexico. They are rugged, desert terrain with red-hued rock soaring out of the blue Sea of Cortez.
One of the best things to do in Loreto is to visit one (or more) of these islands on a boat tour.
Isla Coronado, although one of the smaller islands, is the most popular choice. It’s the closest island and offers some absolutely stunning beaches and transparent blue waters.
⛵️ Book your boat tour to Isla Coronado here
🏝️ Read our Isla Coronado guide here
4. Go blue whale watching
There aren’t too many places you can encounter the largest animal in the world, but Loreto is one of them.
From February – March each year, the mighty blue whale congregates in the calm waters of Loreto Bay.
Take a boat tour out into the bay and spend a few hours looking for these giants.
They aren’t as acrobatic as humpback whales (leaping out of the water is a little hard when you weigh 130,000 + kg!) or as interactive as grey whales, but their sheer size is mind-blowing.
🐳 Read our full blue whale watching in Loreto guide here
5. Visit the San Javier Mission
The San Javier Mission is a historic Jesuit mission in the middle of the desert.
Just under one hour’s drive from Loreto, you will follow a long winding road through the mountains with the most incredible views. There is no public transport here, so you will need your own car, a taxi, or to book an organised tour like this one.
Entry to the mission is free.
The setting in the desert, next to the oasis is spectacular. Seeing this style of architecture in what is effectively the middle of nowhere was special.
Don’t forget to try the traditional dish of machaca from one of the local restaurants near the mission!
⛪️ Book your tour to San Javier Mission here
Sustainable travel in Loreto
You are going to experience some of Baja’s most beautiful natural settings in Loreto. So remember to keep them that way!
If you are hiking in the mountains, carry all your rubbish out with you.
If you are out on the water in the dazzling Sea of Cortez, avoid wearing sunscreen, don’t touch anything in the water and if you see any rubbish floating or on beaches, pick it up.
Try and leave these places better than you found them.
8 Best restaurants in Loreto, Mexico
Our first impression of the food in Loreto was that it was a little bit more expensive than in other parts of Baja.
But after some more research and hunting around for the more local, less touristy restaurants we ended up having some great meals here.
Here are some of our favourite food spots.
- 🌮 Birrieria El Valle: this spot wins the award for the cheapest tacos we found in Mexico! 10 pesos for birria tacos dorado, aka tacos filled with birria stew, and then fried until crispy with a bit of broth from the stew. Delicious. You can also grab a cup of consume (broth) which was perfect with the cool weather we had when we visited in February.
- 🌮 El Rey del Taco: a Loreto institution, El Rey del Taco serves up typical Baja-style fish tacos. Light, fluffy battered fish on your choice of corn (maiz) or flour (harina) tortilla, you can then take your plate to the salad bar and load up on all kinds of salads and salsas. They also have more traditional taco options, like tripa (tripe), cabeza (cow head) and carne asada (steak).
- 🌮 Asadero Súper Burro: tucked down an inconspicuous back street, Asadero Super Burro serves up delicious meat. Melt-in-your-mouth carne asada (steak) is the speciality, and you can have it in tacos, burritos or on a papa rellena (baked potato). They have a good range of salads and salsas to complement the meat, and the tortillas are handmade. We know why it’s so popular with the locals!
- 🌮 El Caloron: for food with a view without the price tag, El Caloron is an open-air restaurant located opposite the Malecon on the upper floor of a building. Seafood is the speciality here and they have a range of delicious and unique seafood tacos. They have the traditional Baja-style pescado (fish) and camaron (prawn) tacos. But also different options like pulpo (octopus), callo (scallop) and almeja (clams).
- 🌮 Cesar’s Taco & Beer: now, this is one place we can’t personally vouch for despite trying many times to visit! The hours online were incorrect (and they probably still are), so on the few occasions we rocked up to eat, they were closed or just closing.
But the tacos have great reviews, and the name says it all – it doesn’t get much better than tacos and beer. Let me know if you give this place a shot, and what their current opening hours are because I’m still not sure!
- ☕️ La Route Cafe: if you’re looking for good coffee in Loreto, La Route Café is the spot! The lattes from their proper coffee machine were amazing and after a few weeks of crappy americanos (sorry, snobby Australian coffee drinkers). We came here at least once a day!
Located in Plaza Civica, their outdoor tables are the perfect spot to soak up some sun and the atmosphere. They are also open early by Mexico standards, so they’re a solid option if you’re heading out for a day tour.
- 🥞 La Creperia: La Creperia serves up delicious sweet and savoury crepes. I can only vouch for the sweet, but we went here about three times and each was just as good as the last! They also have some pretty epic smoothies, milkshakes and frappes if you want to up your sugar hit.
- 🧀 Mare Lindo Marquesita Food Truck: for a taste of the Yucatan in Baja, Mare Lindo is a food truck serving up the popular Yucatecan dish, marquesitas. A cross between a crepe and a waffle, this snack is traditionally served sweet with Nutella and ‘queso de bola’, a shredded cheese.
Mare Lindo puts their own spin on marquesitas and offers both sweet and savoury options. Of course, I only tried the sweet but Brayden can vouch for the savoury, which was a more acceptable choice for dinner. The truck moves around to different locations around central Loreto, so be sure to check their Facebook page to see where they are.
Loreto Mexico FAQs
What airport do you fly into for Loreto Mexico?
The Loreto International Airport (LTO) serves Loreto, with flights from cities in Mexico, the USA and Canada. The airport is a 10-minute drive from the centre of town.
How do you get around in Loreto?
The best way to get around in Loreto is by rental car. You can rent a car from the airport. The alternative is by taxi as there is no public transport in the area. The town centre is walkable.
What is Loreto Mexico known for?
Loreto Mexico is known for its mountainous desert landscapes and the Loreto Bay National Park with crystal clear waters, rich marine life, and uninhabited islands.
Is Loreto Mexico touristy?
Loreto Mexico is not overly touristy. There is a range of tourist activities and amenities, but it still retains its local feel. Loreto is free from the large crowds and mass tourism of Los Cabos.
How many days do you need in Loreto?
Five days is the perfect amount of time in Loreto to hit all the highlights. You’ll have time to see the charming town centre, explore the mountainous interior, and get out to the islands in Loreto Bay.
Can you drink the water in Loreto?
Although the water in Loreto, and most of the Baja Peninsula, comes from clean and pure aquifers, it is recommended that visitors drink purified bottled water. Refill reusable bottles from larger dispensers to avoid single-use plastic waste. Most accommodations provide purified water refill stations.
When is the best time to visit Loreto Mexico?
If you want to enjoy hiking and exploring in cooler temperatures and see blue whales, March is the best month to visit Loreto Mexico. If you want to spend more time in the water and at the beach, May is the best month.
What is the hottest month in Loreto?
August is the hottest month in Loreto, with average temperatures between 82°F – 95°F (28°C – 35°C). January is the coldest month in Loreto, averaging between 57°F – 73°F (14°C – 23°C).
Can you swim in the beaches in Loreto?
Yes, you can swim on the beaches in Loreto. The mainland beaches, like Playa La Darsena, are usually calm with quite shallow water. They are not as pretty as the beaches on the islands, with darker sand. The beaches on the islands have white sand and crystal clear, blue water.
Is Loreto Mexico safe?
Yes, Loreto Mexico is safe for visitors. It is isolated from mainland Mexico and doesn’t have any narco presence or drug violence. This small town is peaceful and tranquil with lots of North American expats.
Final thoughts on Loreto, Mexico
We were really blown away by Loreto, and can’t believe we considered skipping it!
Although Loreto is a bit further away from other popular destinations in Baja California Sur like La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, it is well worth the extra drive.
The nature here is simply breathtaking. The desert mountains of the Sierra de la Giganta, and the rich Sea of Cortez pair perfectly with the charming historic town centre.
There are so many things to see and do in Loreto Mexico it is an essential stop on any Baja California Sur road trip.
Don’t skip Loreto!
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The Comments
Richard
Thank you Sally for this report on Loreto. As retired Canadians, we are looking for a snow bird location to visit from BC. Weare small community people an Loretos intrigues me. Iḿ on the search for a good all round study on Loreto if you know of a book to recommend.
Sally Rodrick
RichardHi Richard, I think Loreto definitely hits the mark for you! It’s a gorgeous, sunny, friendly community and the nature is spectacular. Unfortunately I don’t have any personal book recommendations, but it looks like “LORETO, BAJA CALIFORNIA: First Mission and Capital of Spanish California” might be a good start for understanding the mission history of Loreto. Enjoy! Sally
Alex
This post is awesome thanks Sally for this. I’m clicking on every sponsored link!!
I’m looking at spending 4 weeks in loreto with my wife and 2 daughters. I probably will stay in Nopolo I need a place with swimming pool for the kids and I need to work for a few hours/days during my stay.
It’s 4 weeks too much? We ll have to pace ourselves since we have young kids, but still.
Sally Rodrick
AlexOh you are too kind Alex. Most people don’t even consider that so I appreciate it a lot!
I don’t think 4 weeks is too long at all in Loreto. In fact that sounds like heaven! You certainly won’t fill every day with activities, but if you’ve got the kids and want to sprinkle in some work, I think you could find a great balance of activities and relaxing time.
I’d suggest at least one multi-day excursion from Loreto, where you stay a night or two in Mulege or Bahia Concepcion. You can do day trips to both of these places, but they’re both in the same direction, so I’d suggest a couple of days in that area. If you were staying in Mulege you could also make it up to Santa Rosalia, which we never did but it looks like a very charming little town.
Another overnight/multi-day excursion you should do is to Magdalena Bay to see the grey whales (pending time of year, they’re there from Jan – April).
I know it seems counterintuitive to have accommodation you’re not using, but you can set up a comfy base in Loreto and branch out from there for easier excursions without lugging everything around.
There are so many beaches to explore, and activities like kayaking, hiking and even boat trips out to the islands are something you would enjoy multiple times!
I hope that helps and I hope you have the BEST time in Loreto. We didn’t have nearly long enough there and I’m itching to get back ASAP. It’s such a beautiful part of Baja and the vibe of the town was so special. Sally.
Todos Santos Villa Rentals
Wauw super helpful information! Thanks for sharing. I can’t waite to visit Loreto!
Sally Rodrick
Todos Santos Villa RentalsGlad it was helpful.
Laura
Best travel guide I have come across so far for Loreto. Thanks for all the wonderful information. We went to LaPaz last year for the day during our annual Cabo trip. Our favorite fishing captain is in Cabo, but we are not a fan of the shady vibe that is there now. We are planning to skip Cabo this year and head to Loreto instead. We can’t decide if we want to fly into LaPaz and drive to Loreto or fly directly in. We have been told the drive is beautiful. What are your thoughts on the drive from LaPaz to Loreto?
Sally Rodrick
LauraHi Laura, oh I’m so glad it’s been helpful! Loreto is amazing. Entirely different from Cabo and La Paz, it is so cute and charming! It’s small, but there is tons to do around the city on the water and in the mountains. I don’t think you’ll be bored there! The drive was nice but imo nothing special. I love La Paz, so if you’ve got some spare time to spend a few days there as well, it’s not a bad idea to fly and drive. But if you’re purely flying in and driving straight to Loreto, I wouldn’t bother. The drive north of Loreto to Mulege via Bahia Concepcion is a much nicer way to spend the day! Hope that helps, enjoy the north. Sally