Picture this: You’re on an uninhabited island at sunset with only a few girlfriends and seagulls for company. It’s a lovely 70 degrees with a light breeze — perfect for wading in the warm, turquoise water. Your feet sink into pristine sand as your eyes sweep over the collection of large shells that have washed ashore with crystal waves. A catamaran bobs in the distance, awaiting your return with fresh conch ceviche and shots of tequila.
This is Mexico’s stunning Loreto Bay National Park, the perfect destination for your next girls’ getaway. Here’s what I loved about visiting this under-the-radar Gulf of California destination.
The writer was hosted.
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Loreto Bay National Park
Roughly six hours north of Cabo San Lucas, there’s a marine area so extraordinary it was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Five volcanic islands, ten islets and the surrounding Sea of Cortez form the Loreto Bay National Park, a protected natural area in the Gulf of California. This beautiful marine park can be enjoyed from the eastern shore of Mexico’s Baja California Sur, or explored by boat for island-hopping and whale watching.
Luxury Baja Sailing
For a private catamaran adventure in the Sea of Cortez, book a customizable trip with Luxury Baja Sailing. Captain Francisco and crew can transport you and your best gals to Isla Coronados, one of the five islands in Loreto Bay National Park. The water by the island is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, with nearly 900 fish species in the area.
Once on the island, follow the boardwalk trail through dunes dotted with cacti and rocks. Enjoy flocks of blue-footed boobies diving into the sea for dinner as the sun sets. Spend as long as you like, looking for seashells and enjoying the quiet. While you explore on land, the ship’s self-proclaimed “go to guy,” Alberto, will be on board whipping up fresh seafood treats and cocktails for your return.
Horseback riding by the bay
You can also enjoy Loreto Bay from the beach of Baja California Sur. On a nearly two-hour horseback excursion with Mario Perez Loretours, let horses transport your party from the desert to the coast. You’ll see rugged cliffs by the shore and several of the Loreto Bay islands. Crabs scurry across the sand as you trot, and fish swim in water so clear you can spot them from your horse.
After your trek, head to La Brisa Pizza & Bar for some sashimi, a wood-fired pizza and perhaps a Baja Old Fashioned. Sip and dine al fresco at this rooftop restaurant as you gaze out over the yachts in Marina Puerto Escondido. It’s a perfect reward after sitting in the saddle for a few hours.
Stroll through magical Loreto
One of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos, Loreto is a tranquil beach town with sweeping views of Loreto Bay National Park. Although occasionally a cruise port stop, this historic former capital of the Californias (both Mexico and the U.S.) maintains a quiet, under-the-radar vibe. The town is uncrowded and unhurried.
Mornings in Loreto are peaceful, with only the occasional rooster interrupting the calm. Sunrise is an occasion when locals and tourists alike stroll and bike along the shore to soak up the morning’s beauty. Grab a coffee and head to the beach as the sun spills out onto the water.
Later in the day, Loreto’s palm-tree-lined sky turns cobalt blue. It’s easy to see why large numbers of Americans and Canadians have chosen to retire here. It’s a picturesque, walkable town with good food where most locals speak English. It also feels perfectly safe, even after dark.
Mountain vistas, historic missions and the meal of your dreams
While in the area, don’t miss the chance to go up into the mountains. Hire a tour company like Loreto Sea and Land Tours to transport you and your friends up a winding road for jaw-dropping views of the sea below. Watch white and yellow butterflies dance around olive groves and citrus trees as you pass El Camino Real, the old road that connected the Spanish missions. The trip from Loreto to the historic mountain town of San Javier takes about an hour.
In San Javier, walk in and around the mission to appreciate its baroque architecture, then taste local wine from one of the local vendors outside. There are also a few small shops and restaurants in town.
A short drive away, you can lunch at San Javier Farm, if you make a reservation in advance. This farm-to-table meal was the best of our trip, with divine soup with corn, salad with beets, homemade chips and salsa, grilled zucchini, carrots and broccoli, as well as fish with cauliflower purée. Dishes were paired with white Mexican and red Argentinian wines, all delicious. We also had delightful cocktails, all enjoyed outdoors before our driver took us back down the mountain.
Planning your next girls’ getaway to Loreto Bay
Getting to Loreto is a piece of cake. It has a small international airport with nonstop flights from Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco. You’ll fly over striking teal water, so definitely grab a window seat if you can.
A quick 15-minute taxi ride from the airport and you can be checking in at your Loreto hotel. My group stayed at La Mision Hotel, which is perfectly situated across from the sea, walking distance from shopping, great restaurants, the port and the beach. Breakfast and lunch at the hotel’s Los Olivos Restaurant are extra special if you dine outside for a seaside view, and the wood-fired pizza at its outside bar and pizza grill is great for dining by the pool.
For help planning a Loreto Bay National Park itinerary all your friends will love, start with the Loreto tourism website.
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