Loreto - it is never-ceasing Mexican songs; it is incredibly modest and easy-going people - unsmiling, blushful, but helpful and heartfelt. They remind me of the Russians living in a small village; after cheerful and communicative Americans they look a bit unusual.
Loreto - it is calm, long beaches with warm water - and the water is so pure (especially near the Coronado Island) that the wings of the sea-gulls colored buy blue because of the reflection of the sea.
But the main thing is that Baja California is a "Whale Kindergarten". Every year the great whales come here, making 20,000 km trip from Beringovo sea - the longest mammals migration in the world - to have babies in these warm paradise. At the end of IX and the beginning of XX centuries, most of the whale population there have been exterminated. But nowadays whales forgive people for those shameful years and behave very friendly: the children play with people and love to be touched!
Loreto area sometimes called "Mexican Galapagos" because of the diversity of sea mammals. This place has the status of a National Park and is protected by the Government of Mexico.
Photographers, videographers, wildlife enthusiasts: from Loreto you can start your expedition to observe the grey and blue whales, as well as other sea mammal and birds.
Beach lovers: the beaches are clean and not overcrowded; the food is good, with lots of seafood and fresh fruit juices.
How to get to Loreto:
The best way for independent travel is to rent a car in Los Cabos airport which is situated 590 km from Loreto. The road is not bad, but not so good as in the USA: there is no light during the night, and it has only one lane each side. So if you are not in a hurry and prefer relaxing drive, you better split the route for two parts and make a stopover in La Paz, which is quite a nice town near the sea.
Where to stay in Loreto:
The hotels in Loreto are mostly small and cozy, most of them are family run. Even if you don't find anything just opposite the sea, don't worry: the center of the town is plenty of hotels and guesthouses and is situated in 2 minutes walk from the seaside.
Weather and climate in Loreto:
Weather and climate in Loreto:
The climate is warm and wet; the average temperature is +24.4°C. In the summertime, the temperature reaches +34 °C (official maximum was + 44 °ะก), and in winter it is about 20°C.
Money matters:
I can't say that travel in Mexico is much cheaper than travel in the USA - at least in this part of Mexico. A trip to the nearest islands will cost you about 50-60 USD, whale watching - 100-150 USD per person. If you book your tour as a complex and beforehand, you will pay more, but it is not a problem at all to find the locals who can organize everything for your convenience. The hotels cost from 50-60 USD per night for a good guesthouse to 120-150 USD for 4* hotel facing the sea. You can book a car SUV-class for 70-80 USD per day; you can also rent it upon arrival - there are a lot of companies waiting for you in the airport, but you should double-check the quality.
I can't say that travel in Mexico is much cheaper than travel in the USA - at least in this part of Mexico. A trip to the nearest islands will cost you about 50-60 USD, whale watching - 100-150 USD per person. If you book your tour as a complex and beforehand, you will pay more, but it is not a problem at all to find the locals who can organize everything for your convenience. The hotels cost from 50-60 USD per night for a good guesthouse to 120-150 USD for 4* hotel facing the sea. You can book a car SUV-class for 70-80 USD per day; you can also rent it upon arrival - there are a lot of companies waiting for you in the airport, but you should double-check the quality.
Travel Tips:
- If your aim is whale watching, you should go at the end of January, in February or at the very beginning of March. Later the whales go to the North.
- The rental companies usually don't provide GPS telling that doesn't work good enough, but hardly you can get lost there - just have a map and remember the numbers of the main routes which are 19 and 1.
- The speed limit is 90 km/h, but the locals drive as fast as they want - I didn't see any cameras there. "Just don't drink too much" - that's what the car-rental agent told me, and it was not a joke as I found later: everyone drink there, mostly tequila or beer.
- About a beer: in the restaurant belonging to the hotel 1697 which you can easily find in the center of the city, the owners used to prepare the homemade beer. I am not a beer drinker at all, but this one can't be missed; it is not a beer, it is a kind of divine nectar! :)
