The Best of Loreto Vacations! Loreto has a lot going for it. It’s a very pretty small town with an excellent choice of hotels and restaurants, and it’s a water-sports paradise. It’s also home to the magnificent Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto, where the shoreline, ocean and offshore islands are protected from pollution and uncontrolled fishing.
The Loreto area is also considered by anthropologists to be the oldest human settlement on the Baja Peninsula. Indigenous cultures thrived here due to plentiful water and food. In 1697 Jesuit Juan María Salvatierra established the peninsula’s first permanent mission at this modest port some 135km south of Mulegé.
Most hotels and services are near the landmark mission church on Salvatierra, while the attractive malecón is ideal for evening strolls. To read more about the Loreto area beaches, click here, or visit us on Pinterest.
Loreto Weather – When to Visit
In Loreto, the summers are long, hot, and muggy; the winters are comfortable; and it is dry and partly cloudy year round. The warmest time of year is from the end of May 26 thru the beginning of October, with an average daily high temperature above 91°F. Winter months are fromthe end of November thru the beginning of March with an average daily high temperature below 78°F.
The best time to go to Loreto, Mexico is October. Temperatures start dropping to the low 80’s and the weather is not as humid as during the summer. Prices for hotels are also relatively low compared to winter, which is peak season. If you don’t like it when it’s crowded with tourists, avoid the holiday season, from mid December through early January.
Best Loreto Beaches
Requeson Beach
Requeson BeachRequeson Beach is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, but the most magical part of the beach comes out at low tide. When the waters flow out of the bay, a strip of land appears and connects the beach to a small island. Because it’s one of the secluded Baja beaches, you’ll want to bring your own umbrella, water, and snacks for the day.
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Isla Coronado Beach
Isla Coronado BeachFor thousands of years, Isla Coronado has stood off the shores of Loreto, and it’s now a part of the Loreto Bay Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you boat out to the island, you may even spot pelicans, sea lions, dolphins, whales, and even blue footed booby birds. From the beach, you can snorkel, kayak, swim, or just simply lounge on the sandy shore.
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La Darsena Beach
La Darsena BeachHead downtown to La Darsena. Friends and families gather here to throw Frisbees, splash in the waves, and share a drink as the sun goes down. While you’ll likely never see it completely deserted, a sense of community makes this one of the Baja beaches you must experience on your Loreto vacation. There is a local cafe and boutique shops nearby.
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Ensenada Beach
Ensenada BeachTo escape the downtown beaches , head to Ensenada Beach where you can take a romantic stroll along the coast and watch the sunset light up the sky over the Islands of Loreto. Located in front of Villa del Palmar, the crystal clear water is home to all sorts of tropical fish, and the beach has some of the best views in Baja California Sur, including views of Danzante Island and several other small volcanic islands rising out of the sea.
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Mantequilla Beach
Mantequilla BeachDrive west of Loreto for about two hours, and you’ll find yourself on the opposite shore of the state, an area lined with islands and lagoons. Mantequilla Beach is a favorite with locals, and there’s parking, bathrooms, and palapa umbrellas that make it the ideal spot for a day trip. You can also boat across to Sand Dollar Beach, where the white sand dunes create the softest beach to lay on as you look out across the Pacific Ocean.
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Best Loreto Restaurants
Mi Loreto $11 – 30
Incredible food and service. This is an outdoor restaurant with authentic home style Mexican food. This is by far a favorite Loreto restaurant you will not want to miss. You will find every dish to be amazing and authentic with fresh ingredients. Telephone: 52 624 151 5894 Web: Mi Loreto.
El Rey Del Taco Over $30
There is a reason why this place has a perfect rating. You might just witness the best fish taco of your life. It is generally crowded with locals but the service is quite quick. If you have to wait, just sit on one of the side benches and the host will take your order. Definitely try the fish taco. Also the roasted beef and brain are also exquisite. Visit El Rey Del Taco for more information.
Orlando’s $11 – 30
Orlando’s is an awesome place to get breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The staff is friendly and the food is excellent. You will not be disappointed with anything. The chips and salsa they bring are great. Just be careful, because the chili salsa is hot! Telephone: 52 613 109 6207 Web: Orlando’s.
Mediterraneo $11 – 30
Great Texan BBQ in a small Mexican town. Hush puppies are the best you will ever find. The ambience, view and customer service is excellent. A place not to miss while in La Paz. Telephone: 52 613 135 2577 Web: Mediterraneo
Sabor! 11 – 30
Enjoy the sounds of the water at their swim-up pool bar and listen to peaceful flamenco guitar. Sit poolside or in their second-story palapa, which offers a 360-degree view of the town of Loreto, the incredible La Giganta mountain range, and the stunning Sea of Cortez and islands of Loreto. Sabor! is a family-run establishment, with a menu blend of Southwestern and Mexican flavors, along with many family recipes with origins in Jalisco, Mexico. They also feature unique desserts you won’t find anywhere else. Telephone: 52 613 104 8568 Web: Sabor!
Vic’s Sports Bar
The best bar in Loreto, and within walking distance to almost every hotel around downtown. Quaint and nice place for a drink with your friends or to try out some karaoke lessons. Telephone: 52 613 135 1054 Web: Vic’s Sports Bar
Cellar @ Nopolo
Not only do they have a great wine selection, their food is delicious. A great place for a wonderful dinner with a glass or two of nice wine. Only one block from the Loreto Bay Golf Resort and free WiFi too. Telephone: 52 613 104 5562 Web: Cellar@Nopolo
Dos Lobos Bar/Gallery
Nice modern place with an art gallery and restaurant. They have good wines and great service. Very good exhibitions of different art displayed. Head there for sushi lessons, a glass of wine, view the art and enjoy! Telephone: 52 613 111 5066 Web: Dos Lobos Bar/Gallery
Giggling Dolphin
Perfect little escape with a great atmosphere, great food and drinks, and the friendliest owners! Take an instrument, your voice and your dancing shoes to the Giggling Dolphin. Lots of music and fun for open mic days. they have dinner specials, $40 peso Margaritas and $25 peso Beers and much more. Telephone: 52 613 109 9853 Web: Giggling Dolphin.
El Zopilote Brewery & Cocina
Great place for craft beers and delicious food as well. Beautiful location on the plaza under the canopy with shade trees. Plenty of outdoor seating and indoor tables as well. Great place for some cold beer, to relax and people watch. Telephone: 52 613 135 2538 Web: El Zopilote Brewery & Cocina
The Best Loreto Hotels
Isla Coronado Beach
For thousands of years, Isla Coronado has stood off the shores of Loreto, and it’s now a part of the Loreto Bay Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you boat out to the island, you may even spot pelicans, sea lions, dolphins, whales, and even blue footed booby birds. From the beach, you can snorkel, kayak, swim, or just simply lounge on the sandy shore.
La Darsena Beach
Head downtown to La Darsena. Friends and families gather here to throw Frisbees, splash in the waves, and share a drink as the sun goes down. While you’ll likely never see it completely deserted, a sense of community makes this one of the Baja beaches you must experience on your Loreto vacation. There is a local cafe and boutique shops nearby.
Ensenada Beach
To escape the downtown beaches , head to Ensenada Beach where you can take a romantic stroll along the coast and watch the sunset light up the sky over the Islands of Loreto. Located in front of Villa del Palmar, the crystal clear water is home to all sorts of tropical fish, and the beach has some of the best views in Baja California Sur, including views of Danzante Island and several other small volcanic islands rising out of the sea.
Mantequilla Beach
Drive west of Loreto for about two hours, and you’ll find yourself on the opposite shore of the state, an area lined with islands and lagoons. Mantequilla Beach is a favorite with locals, and there’s parking, bathrooms, and palapa umbrellas that make it the ideal spot for a day trip. You can also boat across to Sand Dollar Beach, where the white sand dunes create the softest beach to lay on as you look out across the Pacific Ocean.
Things to Do In Loreto
Loreto Expeditions
They are dedicated to providing their clients with the best tours in Loreto. They offer Loreto’s only glass bottom boat, the Wantosea, where you can enjoy all the natural beauty of the Sea of Cortez – without ever getting wet! (Unless you want to…) It’s ranked the best tour in Loreto on TripAdvisor. They also offer El Pedorrito, for sport fishing and private charter. Their captain has more than 40 years experience in the waters around Loreto and knows the best spots to enjoy your activity of choice. Telephone: 52 613 135 1533 Web: Loreto Expeditions.
Loreto Sea & Land Tours
Loreto Sea and Land Tours is a small locally owned and operated tour company located in the heart of Loreto Baja California Sur. They specialize in activities on land and by Sea. Visit beautiful Islands in the Sea of Cortez one day and cave paintings on the following day. With their experienced guides and excellent service, they are confident they can help make your Baja Adventure a vacation to remember. Telephone: 52 613 135 0680 Web: Loreto Sea & Land Tours.
Sea Kayak Adventures
ROW Sea Kayak Adventures, founded in 1993, was born out of a passion for whale watching, sea kayaking, and wanting to share the experience with fellow nature-lovers. For over 20 years now, Sea Kayak Adventures has been providing unique kayak tours for active, outdoor-minded travelers. Telephone: 52 208 765 3116 Web: Sea Kayak Adventures.
Loreto Guide with Said Orozco
Encounter the sea life…. Every year in the winter, blue whales, humpback whales, pilot whales and fin whales come to Loreto. Sea lions have a home here in the islands of Loreto, along with dolphin pods and many invertebrates like hermit crabs, sea fan corals, sea stars, sea urchins, shells and over 53 diverse species of fish that live in the rocky reefs around Loreto. Have your Loreto snorkel guide on private snorkeling trips to Loreto Bay National Marine Park. Telephone: 52 613 105 0072 Web: Loreto Guide with Said Orozco.
Mijito Sport Fishing
Some of the best sport fishing in all of Mexico is just a quick boat ride from the marina in Loreto. Also enjoy the peaceful tranquility of snorkeling in the warm waters and beautiful beaches near Loreto. Or discover some of the history of Baja by touring San Javier Mission and the primitive paintings of Sierra de San Francisco. Telephone: 52 613 118 7154 Web: Mijito Sport Fishing.
Best Loreto Restaurants
Mi Loreto $11 – 30
Incredible food and service. This is an outdoor restaurant with authentic home style Mexican food. This is by far a favorite Loreto restaurant you will not want to miss. You will find every dish to be amazing and authentic with fresh ingredients. Telephone: 52 624 151 5894 Web: Mi Loreto.
El Rey Del Taco Over $30
There is a reason why this place has a perfect rating. You might just witness the best fish taco of your life. It is generally crowded with locals but the service is quite quick. If you have to wait, just sit on one of the side benches and the host will take your order. Definitely try the fish taco. Also the roasted beef and brain are also exquisite. Visit El Rey Del Taco for more information.
Orlando’s $11 – 30
Orlando’s is an awesome place to get breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The staff is friendly and the food is excellent. You will not be disappointed with anything. The chips and salsa they bring are great. Just be careful, because the chili salsa is hot! Telephone: 52 613 109 6207 Web: Orlando’s.
Mediterraneo $11 – 30
Great Texan BBQ in a small Mexican town. Hush puppies are the best you will ever find. The ambience, view and customer service is excellent. A place not to miss while in La Paz. Telephone: 52 613 135 2577 Web: Mediterraneo
Sabor! 11 – 30
Enjoy the sounds of the water at their swim-up pool bar and listen to peaceful flamenco guitar. Sit poolside or in their second-story palapa, which offers a 360-degree view of the town of Loreto, the incredible La Giganta mountain range, and the stunning Sea of Cortez and islands of Loreto. Sabor! is a family-run establishment, with a menu blend of Southwestern and Mexican flavors, along with many family recipes with origins in Jalisco, Mexico. They also feature unique desserts you won’t find anywhere else. Telephone: 52 613 104 8568 Web: Sabor!
Best Loreto Bars & Nightlife
Vic’s Sports Bar
The best bar in Loreto, and within walking distance to almost every hotel around downtown. Quaint and nice place for a drink with your friends or to try out some karaoke lessons. Telephone: 52 613 135 1054 Web: Vic’s Sports Bar
Cellar @ Nopolo
Not only do they have a great wine selection, their food is delicious. A great place for a wonderful dinner with a glass or two of nice wine. Only one block from the Loreto Bay Golf Resort and free WiFi too. Telephone: 52 613 104 5562 Web: Cellar@Nopolo
Dos Lobos Bar/Gallery
Nice modern place with an art gallery and restaurant. They have good wines and great service. Very good exhibitions of different art displayed. Head there for sushi lessons, a glass of wine, view the art and enjoy! Telephone: 52 613 111 5066 Web: Dos Lobos Bar/Gallery
Giggling Dolphin
Perfect little escape with a great atmosphere, great food and drinks, and the friendliest owners! Take an instrument, your voice and your dancing shoes to the Giggling Dolphin. Lots of music and fun for open mic days. they have dinner specials, $40 peso Margaritas and $25 peso Beers and much more. Telephone: 52 613 109 9853 Web: Giggling Dolphin.
El Zopilote Brewery & Cocina
Great place for craft beers and delicious food as well. Beautiful location on the plaza under the canopy with shade trees. Plenty of outdoor seating and indoor tables as well. Great place for some cold beer, to relax and people watch. Telephone: 52 613 135 2538 Web: El Zopilote Brewery & Cocina
The Best Loreto Hotels
Can you snorkel from the beach in or near Loreto? I get sea-sick very easily so can’t take a boat snorkelling tour. Also can you visit the nearby towns by bus – I won’t have a car.
Thanks
Diane
Hi Diane, this is one place where you can snorkel near the beach 🙂 You can also take a taxi or a bus to visit nearby towns 🙂 I never rent a car when visiting Mexico. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Why not rent a car? We will be in Loreto next week, and were thinking about renting a vehicle as we are staying at the Loreto Golf Resort and can see on Google maps that it is about 15km away from the townsite.
Thanks for your input in our vacation 🙂
Leslie
You are very welcome Leslie. Please let me know if you need anything else! And have fun. I love Loreto!
I definitely want to visit this place! I can’t wait to try the food that you have mentioned…I have never heard of Loreto so I am happy that now know about this beautiful place!! I have been to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta and then have not really had an interest to go back but this might be a reason to… 🙂
I can tell you that the Baja, in my opinion, is so much nicer than Cancun or Puerto Vallarta. Less commercialized, less crowded, and cheaper across the board. You would love it in Loreto. Thanks for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com.
I’m going to have to add this spot to my list! I just finished a road trip driving down the west coast from Seattle to San Diego and that California coast is breathtaking. I’ll need to explore the Baja area. Great suggestions here! Thank you!
You are very welcome! I absolutely love the Baja and have been many many times. Great little beach destinations all along the way done to Cabo. You will love it! Thanks for reading!
Nice site, very well detailed and organized. It really gives me the taste to visit the Loredo on my next trip to Mexico. I am glad I found this information! Thank you!
You are very welcome Carol. Glad you enjoyed!
This was a great article with a wealth of information most people don’t look up before they go somewhere, but they should. I would of never thought to look up about the rental CDW and that is very useful, I would be terrified to sit in a Mexican jail. This has tons of information on pretty much everything I would do on a vacation. I will definitely be referring this page to people I know or myself if I decide I want to go here soon. Thank you for such a detailed article. Very very good information here!
You are very welcome Joseph! Yes, it is information everyone should consider when traveling to Mexico. You would enjoy Loreto! Thanks for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com!
The information given for eating, things to do, places to go, places to stay is provided in abundance. To the point that we are drawn to the area. Our curiosity is kindled and a visit to the globe was performed. Where are these island paradises? We located them on the globe.
With the tips and advice offered, your travelers are well prepared for their relaxing yet exciting trip.
That “favorite local watering hole”, Huahine Yacht Club sounds like a good place to eat and also to meet the locals.
What about currency exchange? State side or at our destination?
Definitely do currency exchange state side. I didn’t think to add that! Thank you, and so glad you found the information helpful and that I engaged your curiosity!
Hey Leahrae, been to many places in Mexico had no idea about Loreto, it looks like a beautiful not full of tourists place, it is always nice to fine hidden gems with a lot to offer. I’m always looking for wonderful places to visit that are within a budget, will save this information for later, thank you for this.
You are very welcome Victor, and yes it is a hidden gem for sure. You would love the place. Thanks for reading!
Great article, I was looking for a new beach destination to check out, especially in Mexico, and I found your wonderful site with so much information on beach destinations in the Baja. Loreto will be in my list to do soon, especially since they have a lot of great sport fishing which I love.
Thanks for sharing.
I am glad you enjoyed reading Basset! Yes, the whole Baja area is great for fishing. I have been out 4 or 5 times and I love catching the big fish. It is exciting and then I have dinner. Most hotels will cook your catch for you whatever way you like, which is so awesome. Thanks for visiting!
You are welcome, perhaps we will meet each other there.
I’ve just bookmarked this article. I’m planning on going somewhere within the next 6 months. I will definitely keep this in mind. Loreto looks beautiful and so much fun. I love traveling to exotic places and I’m also a foodie. This place has a lot of things to do and many restaurants to go to. Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome and yes as a foodie, you would love the place for sure. I am a bit of a foodie and a beach bum, so this works great for me! I love the Baja and I love beaches in Loreto. Thanks for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com!
I was captivated by the video of Loreto, Baja California, Mexico. There are lots of things to see and do especially the marine life. I love exploring nature and marine life. Thank you very much for the useful information.
Loreto, Baja will definitely be one of my travel destinations in the near future. I am planning to visit my relatives in California soon and I will include Loreto in my itinerary.
Oh, yes you have to as it is really just a hop skip and jump from California. The marine life is amazing, especially when the whales are coming in. Watching the sea turtles hatch is pretty amazing too!
Mattysmom,
Great information on Loreto! I’ll be bookmarking this for later. You definitely know this place and I love your personal recommendations for dining and things to do. You’ve made it easy for me to decide to put Loreto on my list. Thanks for providing specific contact information for each company you’ve suggested.
It looks like the beaches are sandy here. Is there a lot of seaweed on the beach, like in Southern California?
No, I don’t think there is near the seaweed as there in in California. I have never actually encountered much when visiting. I live in Florida and some of our Florida beaches have seaweed. I prefer if they didn’t 🙂 Thanks for visiting and let me know if you have any other questions.
Loreto looks really awesome, the scenery alone looks like it would be amazing to see, and I would especially love to do the sport fishing there! What fish are most popular in this area?
I have been fishing several times, and I am not a big fisherman. But, it is so much fun. There is quite a variety with Snapper, Yellow Tail, Yellowfin Tuna, Marlin, Dolphinfish, Sailfish, Roosterfish, and grouper to name a few. You would enjoy the area just for the fishing for sure! Thanks for visiting!
Wow Loreto is now on my bucket list! I love the fact that there are no freezing harsh winters like here in Eastern Canada so this place would be a great escape for the winter!
I’m really into history and art. Are there any museums or important historical landmarks to visit or is this mostly just a tourist spot with restaurants and hotels and water sports?
No, actually you can find a lot of history and art in Loreto. I focus on beach destinations, so didn’t touch on this. The Loreto area is home to several fascinating historical sites. The Mission San Javier, Mision de Nuestra Senora de Loreto, Misión de San Francisco Javier de Viggé Biaundó, Misión de San Jose de Comondú, and the Museum of the Missions to name a few. You would not get bored 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Great article, was looking into Loreto review, I’m glad I ran into your site and see what I’m looking for.This in one post jam packed with very useful for tourists.
I had been in Mexico City last a few years ago. But not sure to get back again. After reading the your post, you peak my interest.
I will definitely consider the Loredo for my next trip.
Thanks for sharing.
I am glad you enjoyed reading about Loreto. It really is a wonderful place to visit, heck the whole Baja is very nice. Much different than the going to mainland Mexico for sure. You would enjoy it 🙂 Let me know if you need any other information.