The 15 Best Things to do in Loreto

A complete list of the best things to do in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Loreto, Mexico, is known for its sleepy town vibes and for being a popular destination with tourists in search of warm weather and coastal views. But did you know that that Loreto is also the best place in the world to see blue whales? From ancient cave paintings, to historic missions and a wealth of diverse marine life, there are so many things to do in Loreto, it can be hard to fit it all in! Read on for a concise list of the best places to visit in Loreto, as well as the top activities, attractions, day trips and meals out to make your visit unforgettable. Stick around to the end where we have included an interactive map of Loreto BCS Mexico, as well some frequently asked questions, to make your holiday planning that much easier.

Time needed: 4-7 days.

When to go: November-April for pleasant weather, although it can be partly cloudy all year round. July-September is very hot and humid but December-February is the busiest period.

Weather: Heights of 25-35°C in the summer and 15-25°C in winter.

Language: Spanish, but English is widely spoken too.

Currency: Mexican Peso.

The best things to do in Loreto

1) Visit the Jesuit Mission and Museum

Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó is a Jesuit mission in the centre of Loreto and the oldest church in the whole of Baja California Sur. It was founded on 25th October 1697 and built to face towards the Sea of Cortez. You can visit the museum which sits next-door and learn more about the history of the Jesuits in Loreto and Baja California Sur.

2) Walk the Malecón

Loreto’s malecón, an ocean-front main street, runs alongside the town and features epic views of Loreto Bay National Park. You can stroll the palm tree lined pavement or hire a bike and take in the view on two wheels. Stop off at the marina to see wading birds feeding in the shallows or spot the sculptures which are dotted along the malecón. The blue whale sculpture can be found outside the marina.

3) Get a Picture with the Loreto Sign

These multi-coloured place names can be found in most cities in Mexico and have become a popular attraction with tourists to Baja California Sur. Each letter is decorated with a picture that represents the area – in Loreto’s case you can see sun, sea, cacti and marine animals. With a backdrop of palm trees and the ocean, this spot on the malecón makes for a great photo opportunity.

4) Relax in the Plaza Publica

Visiting the Plaza Publica (main square) is one of the best free things to do in Loreto. Featuring colourful buildings, boutique souvenir shops and cute restaurants, the Plaza Publica is also a spot that’s popular with the locals. You can find them relaxing on benches near the bandstand or enjoying a tequila in one of the nearby bars.

5) Visit the Ancient Cave Paintings at La Pinguica

The cave paintings at La Pinguica is an unmissable day trip from Loreto. La Pinguica Mountain Range is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also known as “Canipole”, La Pinguica is just 1 1/2 hours north of Loreto and is one of the best places in the world to see petroglyphs (rock carvings) and pictographs (cave paintings). Carbon dating has indicated that the rock art is up to 7,000 years ago, having been created by indigenous Baja civilizations. Unless you have a car you’ll need to book onto a tour to see these historic paintings. The hike is roughly 4.5 miles (6.4km) return, so be sure to wear good shoes and take plenty of water.

6) Take a Trip to the San Javier Mission

The Misión San Francisco Xavier de Viggé-Biaundó (San Javier Mission) is a Spanish church in the small town of San Javier. Built during the colonial era of the Viceroyalty of New Spain around 1699, the church is one of the best-preserved missions in Baja.

Don’t worry if you don’t have access to a car. This highly-popular tour provides your transport, knowledgeable guide and lunch at an authentic, local Mexican restaurant. You’ll have plenty of time to stroll through the cobblestone streets and explore the San Javier Mission, fruit orchards and olive gardens.

7) Go Blue Whale Watching

Spotting a blue whale is one of the most memorable things to do in Loreto. The waters around the town, known as Loreto Bay National Park, contain 5 large islands which are home to lots of animals, including several endangered species. The bay offers protected waters for blue whales, who migrate here every year to feed, calve and mate. They can be found around the bay between January-March each year.

Read next: Everything you need to know about Blue Whale Watching in Loreto

8) Spot Blue-Footed Boobies

We thought we’d have to wait until we made it to the Galapagos to see blue-footed boobies, but it turns out they can also be found off the western coast of Mexico and down mainland Central and South America. There are six different species of booby: red-footed, brown, Nazca, masked, Peruvian and blue-footed. You can tell the below birds are blue-footed boobies due to the colour of their feet. The Galapagos contains approximately half of all blue-footed booby breeding pairs. Blue-footed boobies mate for life. Their blue feet are part of an elaborate mating ritual, as males flaunt their feet one at a time in front of the female. The brighter the feet, the more attractive the bird is deemed.

9) Take a Trip to a Whale Camp

Taking a trip to the pacific coast is one of the top things to do in Baja California Sur. It’s here that you can take a boat trip into one of the lagoons that are popular breeding and birthing grounds for grey whales. A lot of trips to Magdalena bay actually start in Loreto, which is only a 2 1/2 hour drive through the beautiful Sierra de la Giganta mountain range. We’d recommend staying in a whale camp, where you can see whales from your tent. With Magdalena Bay Whales you also get a private whale watching tour with your own personal captain on each day of camp.

Read next: The Thorough Guide to Magdalena Bay Grey Whale Camp

10) Explore the Islands in Loreto Bay National Park

Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto (Loreto Bay National Marine Park) was created on 19th July 1996 after 3 years of petitioning by local citizens. They were concerned about the impact fishing and development was having on the area and wanted to preserve the bay’s natural environment. Their hard work paid off and in 2005 Loreto Bay was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park contains 5 large uninhabited islands: Isla Coronado, Isla del Carmen, Isla Danzante, Isla Monserrat, and Isla Santa Catalina. This photo was taken from Isla Coronado, an extinct volcano and the most popular island to day-trip to.

11) Snorkel and Dive

Due to having a wealth of diverse marine life, Loreto Bay National Park is really popular for snorkelling and diving. There are more than 40 dive sites and the protected nature of the bay means the water is often as flat as glass. The waters around Loreto are home to lots of animals, including several endangered species. Some of the animals you might see include blue, fin and humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, sea lions, frigate birds, blue footed boobies, brown pelicans, angel fish, parrot fish, sierra, dorado, rainbow wrasses and pufferfish. Check out the 10 best scuba diving companies in Loreto here.

12) Swim with Sea Lions at Isla Coronado

Swimming with wild sea lions is a once in a lifetime experience and one of the best activities to do in Loreto. Situated in the middle of Loreto Bay National Park, Isla Coronado is a stunning volcanic island with a diverse range of flora and fauna. Several Loreto tour operators offer trips to swim with the island’s cheeky sea lions. While there are strict regulations on boats within the marine park, it’s important to do your research and pick a licensed and ethical company when booking an experience that involves animals.

Read next: Snorkelling with Sea Lions in La Paz, Mexico

13) Hike the Tabor Canyon Trail

This quiet hike through the Sierra de la Giganta mountains is popular with adventure lovers and anyone who wants to get out into nature. The 0.8 mile (1.3km) out-and-back trail does contain a bit of bouldering but there are safety ropes along the way. There are several sections with more than one route, but so long as you’re following the stream you’ll reach some beautiful freshwater pools at the end.

If you’re unsure of doing it yourself, or you don’t have a car, you can join this highly-rated guided tour which includes transfers and snacks.

14) Go kayaking or paddle boarding

Water sports are one of the most adventurous things to do in Loreto and there are plenty of places to hire paddleboards or kayaks. You can paddle out into the bay and enjoy views of the town with the surrounding mountains as a cool backdrop. Keep an eye out for marine life such as sea turtles, which can also be spotted swimming around in the shallow waters.

15) Souvenir shop

Loreto is one of the best places in Baja California Sur for souvenir shopping. With lots of little boutique stores and locally-run shops, you can browse to your heart’s content. The area around the Plaza Publica has the most shops offering trinkets, clothing and classic souvenirs, like caps and shot glasses. Or pick up a Mexican item like a handmade hammock or blanket.

Interactive Loreto Map

The best restaurants in Loreto

Mezzaluna La Tabernita de Loreto Cocina Rústica is a Uruguayan-owned Italian restaurant with delicious homemade pastas, pizzas and a fine selection of craft beers and wines. The vegan lasagne is divine.

Los Olivos, located within The Mision Hotel, offers a mix between Italian and Mexican classics, with panoramic views of Loreto Bay. We’d highly recommend the nachos and Aztec soup.

El Andador Café is the only spot you should consider for breakfast. It’s super affordable and has a nice terrace space with partial views of Loreto’s Mission. We’d recommend the pancakes and huevos divorciados – divorced eggs – so called because each egg is smothered in a different hot sauce.

Cafe Olé does great coffee and Mexican snacks, as well as providing a nice indoor-outdoor space for nomadic workers.

Sea-Coffee Café’s frappés (blended iced coffee) are the best in town. The café also provides a nice place for digital nomads to work, with plenty of comfy seats and plug sockets.

Where to stay in Loreto

Loreto is a small and popular town which means it’s not the cheapest place in Baja California Sur to stay. But there are still a lot of great options, ranging from budget-friendly to luxury.

Budget: One of our favourite ways to save money when travelling is to choose self-catering accommodation so we can cook for ourselves. You can find a great range of self-catering properties on websites like Vrbo and Airbnb, with some apartments starting at as little as $30 a night. You can also find private rooms – a great option if you’re planning to explore and eat out a lot and are only looking for a bed to rest your head.

Mid-range: The Iguana Inn is a sweet little hotel near the main plaza with 4 rooms ranging from $60 for 3 people to $80 for 4 people. A basic kitchenette with with sink, fridge, coffee maker and microwave are provided in each room too.

Luxury: The Mision Hotel is an ocean-front luxury hotel situated in the heart of Loreto. With comfortable suites, indoor-outdoor ocean view dining, large pool and a Starbucks onsite, The Mision has everything you need for a relaxing and rewarding break.

Loreto FAQs

Now that you know what to do in Loreto, let’s address some frequently asked questions.

Is Loreto, Mexico, safe in 2024?

Loreto is super safe. As a sleepy town, popular with Americans for vacation or retirement, Loreto is actually one of the safest places in Mexico. There is very little crime, and what crime there is is petty. Baja California Sur as a whole is also very safe and doesn’t get touched by some of the more serious crime you hear about in Baja California, on the border with USA.

How to get to Loreto, Mexico?

This depends on where you’re coming from. Most people coming from America and Canada will be able to fly directly into Loreto airport.

Internationally, it’s easier to get a flight to BCS’s capital, La Paz. From there you can get a connecting flight with Aero Calafia on Mondays and Fridays. The easier, cheaper and more eco-friendly way to get to Loreto from La Paz is to take the bus. Aguila Auto Transportation runs the route, which takes around 5 hours and costs approximately $45.

Book your Loreto Airport Private Transfer: Pick Up or Drop Off here!

Finally, you could include Loreto as a drop off destination in a tour package. This is what we did when we stayed at Magdalena Bay Whales’ Grey Whale Camp – we negotiated pick up in La Paz and drop off in Loreto as part of the tour price.

Which airlines fly to Loreto Mexico?

Alaska Airlines flies from Los Angeles and San Francisco, American Airlines connects Loreto with the Dallas Fort-Worth and Phoenix airports, while WestJet offers flights from Calgary in the winter.

How far is Loreto Mexico from San Diego?

Loreto is 744 miles (1200km) from San Diego. Driving down Baja can be a great way to see more of the peninsula and make for a fun road trip. The journey takes about 16 hours, so we’d recommend breaking it up into two or more days. Alternatively, Volaris and Aereo Calafia fly from San Diego to Loreto once a day.

Are blue whales sighted in Loreto, Mexico?

Yes, Loreto is actually one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. To be in with a chance to spot the world’s largest animal you’ll need to time your trip between January-March and book onto a licensed tour, like this one we took with Loreto Sea and Land Tours.

Read next:

The 26 Best Things to do in La Paz

What to eat in La Paz, Mexico + The 4 Best Spots for Fish Tacos

Balandra Bay: Mexico’s Most Beautiful Beach

Everything you need to know about swimming with Whale Sharks in La Paz

Everything you need to know about Snorkelling with Sea Lions in La Paz

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