State: Baja California Sur
Loreto

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

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.