Loreto

A small, historic Sea of Cortez town backed by mountains and a national marine park.

Loreto is one of the oldest and most relaxed towns in Baja California Sur. The Jesuits founded Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto here in 1697, the first permanent mission in the Californias, and the town served as the colonial capital of the region for decades. Today it's a Pueblo Mágico with a walkable historic center, a shaded plaza, a waterfront malecón, and a mission church that still anchors the town. The pace is slow, the crowds are small, and it feels a world away from the resort scene in Los Cabos.

The real draw is the water. Loreto Bay National Park protects a stretch of coast and islands, including Isla Coronado and Isla Carmen, with clear water, sea lion colonies, and excellent snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing. Boat tours run from the town's small marina, and whale watching is seasonal, with blue whales often passing through in winter and early spring. Inland, the Sierra de la Giganta rises steeply behind town. A scenic drive leads to the mountain oasis of Misión San Javier, a beautifully preserved 1699 stone church, roughly an hour away.

Good to know: Loreto has its own small airport (LTO) and is about five hours by road north of La Paz. Summer is very hot, and the most comfortable months are roughly November through May.