Loreto Mexico, a Pueblo Mágico

My husband and I decided to visit Loreto, a charming little town on the Baja Peninsula, Mexico. Designated as a Pueblo Mágico in 2012, Loreto has great historical significance. It is considered the birthplace of the Californias and is a truly Magic Town with unique charm and authenticity. It is just bubbling with history. 

Loreto, Baja Peninsula Mexico 

Loreto is a historic gem due to the fact that it became the first Spanish settlement on the Baja California Peninsula in 1697. In addition to being situated on the Sea of Cortez, the dramatic Sierra de la Giganta mountains and several offshore islands are unique features of this little seaside town. In fact, the Loreto Bay National Park (Bahía de Loreto National Park) became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The marine park is made up of five islands – Coronado, Carmen, Danzante, Montserrat, and Santa Catalina. 

Loreto Whale & Island Tours

We saw so many whales during our visit. In late February, blue whales are typically settled in not far offshore. Humpback whales and several other types of whales share these local waters, while grey whales can be found just across the peninsula on the pacific side. Moreover, we spotted a diverse array of birds, and of course, fish, dolphins, sea lions and more. Let’s not forget the blue footed booby. Those are something quite unique to see. We visited Coronado Island to find them – stay tuned for more articles and reviews about whale watching and our adventures. 

My husband Rich happens to love fishing, and Loreto is a great spot for this. One day he went off to fish, while I enjoyed a day of retail therapy. Keep an eye out for that article as well. Rich had a great time and we ended up coming home with fresh yellowtail and sea bass. ETG Tip – if you plan to fish, bring your own cooler to Mexico. Coolers are a hot commodity costing more than you may want to pay. 

Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó

One of Loreto’s most prominent historic attractions is the Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó. Founded in 1697 by the Jesuit Juan María de Salvatierra, it is located on Calle Salvatierra and Juárez. The church is also called the “head and mother of all the missions of the Californias.” It is a beautiful church with profound history. It really anchors the town. From the church it is less than a 10 minute walk to the Malecón de Loreto, a scenic oceanfront promenade that leads to the marina where all the boats depart for various tours.

Next door to the mission is The Museo de las Misiones Jesuitas. Here you will find many permanent exhibitions (6), as well as all sorts of artifacts from the 17th and 18th centuries. These include religious art, ceramics, homemade weapons, and tools. The museum also offers information on early settlements which were active prior to the Spanish arriving on the peninsula. If you are interested in doing a deep dive into the history of the Mission, see the bottom of this article for a link.

Visit the main square, often called Plaza Juárez or Plaza Cívica. Here many locals gather just in front of the Town Hall (the Palacio Municipal de Loreto). As I stood in the center of the square, I could not help but think of the history that unfolded here. This is where the Spanish colonization of the peninsula originated. Loreto served as the administrative and religious capital for both Baja and Alta California (known as “Las Californias) through 1777.

A bust of Benito Pablo Juárez García sits prominently in the square which takes his namesake – Plaza Juárez. The former President of Mexico served five terms from 1858 until he died in 1872. He was a liberal, and the first indigenous president of Mexico. 

We ended up staying right on the square which was an amazing location, and a short walk to the beach. I am originally from New York City, so I loved being right in the hub, where all the action takes place. Also, every Friday night and on Saturday, the square becomes alive with locals selling their wares. In addition to art and accessories, food is for sale, and games take place. So yes, it can be a bit noisy, but by 9pm, the music slows down and everyone turns in for the night. Loreto is quite unlike many other well-known towns in Mexico. It’s not a party town. It has everything you need, but it is not modernized. There are no cruise ships, and the tourists are mostly there to relax and enjoy the outdoors in various ways.

The sleepy town of Loreto has seduced many to come back and actually move there. We met so many couples that started a new life in this tranquil pueblo – some in their 30s but many more were retired folks. My husband met a couple who arrived 45 years ago and never left. There are several very nice restaurants close to Loreto Centro as well as some 20 minutes or so away from town. Having its own international airport (LTO) is yet another asset for Loreto.

It is a tiny town. Shortly after we arrived, it seemed like we already knew many people. Since I was born and raised in a big city, it felt super weird that within 3-4 days time, people were calling out my name to say hola. These were tourists we met on a whale watching boat, locals and restaurant workers that served us, and ex-pats that happened to be having coffee at the table next to us, while we were enjoying a meal. Growing up in NYC, I was just not used to that. My husband however, who grew up in LA (go-figure) loved it. Wherever you grew up, I encourage you to visit Loreto. We had a wonderful time!

Find out more about the mission and its history on https://lugares.inah.gob.mx/en/node/4508

Stay tuned, I’ll be posting more articles soon about Whale Watching. Read my restaurant reviews at Romanita Baja Kitchen, and La Bocana Beach Club. Visit our Mexico Page as well.