A Day in Loreto- Ideas for What to do

[lacurtis]

We can't go on our cruise due to my DH having double vision and doctor seeing instability in his eye... I am crushed. I spent many nights gathering information about the ports we were going to so I am going to share it here, at least planning the cruise was fun...

 

I tried to pick some fun options for our family (me, DH, DD (3 year old toddler), Mom, Dad, Aunt and Uncle) with varying interests. Enjoy and have a wonderful cruise!!

Loreto

http://www.mexico.itravel2000.com/Baja/Loreto/ Travel Site

http://www.loreto.com./ Travel Site

http://www.gotoloreto.com/home.html General Travel Info

http://www.lascabanasdeloreto.com/Loreto/sub/activities.asp Great info on Activities

http://www.loreto.com/sukasa/activities.html Info on Activities and Sources

Loreto is a place that encourages you to commune with nature, play water sports and take the Baja 1000 route in search of whales, cave paintings and colonial missions. Because of its climate, infrastructure and relative isolation, it is also ideal for resting and forgetting about the pressures of everyday life. And it is precisely this long isolation that preserved Loreto’s unusual attractions such as its beaches, clean sea and sky, fragile environmental marine and semi-desert niches that have subsisted and provide refuge for endangered species. The enormous island of del Carmen lies just opposite Loreto, and, a little further out to sea, one can see some smaller islands, including Coronados, Danzante, Montserrat and Santa Catalina. Together, these form a natural habitat for some fantastic terrestrial and marine fauna. Loreto Bay National Marine Park, accessible only by small private boats known as pangas. Underwater, divers can swim among seals, dolphins, and colorful tropical fish; on land, you will find birds and reptiles. The plaza, at Salvatierra and Francisco Madero streets, is a good place to start. The town's municipal building contains the tourism office, where visitors can pick up street maps and inquire about water activities. Arched trees on Salvatierra create a nice canopy for souvenir shoppers. Vendors sell silver jewelry, pottery, rugs, glassware and other trinkets. And unlike other Mexican towns, you won't see locals hawking curios or souvenirs on the street, or beggars. It's not permitted.

Well-known for its small-town charm, Loreto’s community is abundant with keepsakes for visitors. Genuine silver and turquoise jewelry, paintings, fine textiles, ceramic and wood sculptures, blown glass, metal designs and finely carved furniture are some of the findings in the shops of Loreto.

Isla Coronado:

• 
  
  • Coronado Island is a gorgeous uninhabited volcanic Island just 30 minutes from Loreto. In this half-day Excursion visit the Sea Lions colony, snorkel on the turquoise clear waters or just relax on the white sandy beaches. Coronado is simply magnificent. Ask to go the "long way" around the island (to the the east side) to see the blue footed boobies nesting on the cliffs, the osprey nest perched high on the rocks, as well as a small sea lion colony. There are some palapas at the beach for shade. Consider bringing a kayak, snorkel gear and a lunch! You should purchase a Marine Park Permit for the day.
    

Even if you don't fish or kayak, a boat trip to Coronado Island is popular with most visitors. For a group of four, it will cost $25 per person, which includes a ride to a white-sand beach for some snorkeling and a sack lunch. On the way, visitors are likely to spot sea lions sunning themselves, or a group of dolphins.

Snorkeling and Kayaking:

• 
  
  • http://www.bajaoutpost.com/english/Rates/rates.html Kayaking and Snorkeling Trip: $94 each, leave at 10, includes lunch
    
  • 
    

Beach Day: To the north and south of Loreto lie great expanses of relatively undisturbed beaches offering good shelling and snorkeling.

• 
  
  • North of Marina: 5 minute walk along the malecon, and is good for swimming and has palapas for shade.
    
  • South of Marina: 15 minute walk, great for children- shallow for a long distance.
    
  • Nopoló: about a 10-minute drive to the south from Loreto- Inn at Loreto Bay (free beach access on north side) or you can pay for a day pass to use their pool/beach/palapas. http://www.discoverloretobay.com/
    
  • Carmen Island is the large island to the south- good swimming and snorkeling. Beaches on Carmen include; Balandra, 13 km from Loreto with a natural harbor; La Salina in old town of Isla del Carmen 90 minutes round trip by boat; Punta Baja, south west point of Isla de Carmen, 2 hour round trip from Loreto by boat; and Arroyo Blanco, north side of Islas de Carmen, 60 minutes round trip by boat.
    
  • Danzante is the smaller island to the south and closer to the shore- beautiful small beach called Honeymoon Beach.
    

Town and Malecon: A very lovely little town. The tender service was incredibly smooth and once on shore there are plenty of nice little souvenir shops, selling everything from pottery to fine jewelry. The town center was a great place to grab a drink, you can also go in the church, mission, and museum.