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Loreto travel information.
You'll be fascinated with Loreto's
tranquil village setting, friendly people, scenic beauty
configured by the towering mountain range of Sierra La Giganta,
historic flavor and abundance of water sport and land
recreational opportunities. First time visitors to Loreto marvel
at this Destination of Discovery.
Why vacation in Loreto?
•Best Sports Fishing in ALL of Mexico
•Scuba Diver's Paradise - crystal clear, warm waters with 3,000
species of maritime life
•360 days of sunshine
•Largest natural marina in all of Mexico - Puerto Escondido
•World-Class Golf - 18 hole championship, par 72, seaside course
•Professional Tennis Centre - 8 courts, a 'stadium court', pool
& sauna
•Water sports: perfect kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, wind
surfing and more
•Land sports - horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking
•Seaside Oasis for American and Canadians - 75% of
visitorsDestination of Discovery
•Convenient flights - 1 hour, 30 minutes from Los Angeles
•Accommodations - from all inclusive resort on the beach to
boutique hotels and B&B
•Incredible variety of attractions - from 5 remote islands to
aboriginal cave paintings
•And, so close: 700 miles from San Diego and 821 miles from Los
Angeles
•12,500 friendly residents eager to help you Discover Loreto.
Loreto possesses nearly 155 miles of coastline, 465 square miles
of sea and 14 islands. The Sierra La Giganta mountain range, one
of the tallest and most spectacular in Baja, overlooks the town
of Loreto and creates breathtaking panoramic vistas. The land is
rich with unique plant and animal life and the water teems with
aquatic life, creating unlimited eco-touristic opportunities.
The History
Dating back nearly 12,000 years, Loreto is considered the oldest
human settlement on the Peninsula of Baja California . To this
day, you can view some extraordinary cave paintings and
petroglyphs. These paintings are spectacular murals done on
rocks, representing larger-than-life animal and human-like forms
in scenes that could be ritual ceremonies, pilgrimages, hunting
or battles. These are truly fascinating displays of early man's
communication style.
In 1697, the Jesuit priest/explorer - Juan Maria de Salvatierra
and a small group of loyal followers founded Loreto with its
sweet water oasis and arid climate. It was here that he built
the first mission of Baja - Our Lady of Loreto. It was from this
mission that Christianity was peacefully introduced to the
Californias , functioning as a catalyst for a land-sea
expedition headed by the Franciscan priest, Father Junipero
Serra. And, it was from Loreto that he launched the 18th century
expedition that led to a string of 17 now-famous California
missions - stretching as far north as San Francisco , California
. Besides Father Serra's expansion northward, Father Salvatierra
also founded pueblos to the south and west that were the
antecedents of population centers such as La Paz , San Jose de
Commondu, Todos Santos, San Jose del Cabo, San Ignacio and
others. In 1744, the Mission of San Javier - only 26 miles from
the heart of Loreto, was built by Father Francisco Maria Piccolo.
The achievements of these missionaries were impressive, given
the difficult geographical environment. Their peaceful work on
the peninsula lasted seven decades, until 1768, when they were
expelled by Carlos III.
Loreto was the capital of the California for more than 133 years
until the capital was moved to La Paz . And today, over 300
years after its founding, Loreto remains rich in history and
full of undiscovered natural wonders. Today Loreto is the seat
of government for the municipality bearing its name and an
exciting tourist destination with state of the art touristic
infrastructure, and its prestigious past gives Loreto another,
deeper dimension - the Mission of Our Lady of Loreto and
adjacent museum are a testament to this legacy. As an oasis on
the shore of the Sea of Cortez , near to Nopolo, Puerto
Escondido, the Carmen and Coronado Islands , modern Loreto is a
mini-Shangri La. Both those who live in and visit Loreto can
appreciate how, 300 years after its founding, its unique blend
of history, culture and nature continue to make life there
interesting and pleasurable.
The Climate
The desert climate around Loreto is typical of Baja. Here, the
dry heat is complimented with cool sea breezes that blow off the
Sea of Cortez , making the climate agreeable all year round. Can
you see yourself vacationing in Loreto...absorbing the
spectacular sunrise? It is truly a Destination of Discovery!
Because of its biological diversity and geological peculiarities,
Loreto is an ecological entity with varied ecosystems. The
coastline in and around Loreto is one of the richest and most
varied in Baja. You will find the towering Sierra La Giganta
Mountains , reefs, caverns, bays, oasis, a multitude of islands,
coves - all influencing and being influenced by the climate of
Loreto
You have a great selection of accommodations in Loreto: 5 Star
Resort and Hotel, 4 Star, 3 Star, 2 Star hotels and bungalows.
Mix these with first rate RV Trailer Parks, and you have a
formula that will take care of everyone's needs. You'll find
spacious and well appointed rooms with satellite TV, telephones,
restaurants, lounges, exceptional ocean views, entertainment and
the friendliness of the Loreto people.
Places to visit
With nearly 155 miles of ecologically inspiring coastline,
gateway to the Sea of Cortez , an abundance of islands, canyons,
missions, cave paintings and more, you will never have a loss
for places to visit in this Destination of Discovery.
MISSIONS
The missions of Our Lady of Loreto and San Javier are testaments
to 'discovery' as they were built by the Jesuit priest/explorers
- Juan Maria de Salvatierra and Junipero Serra.
PUERTO ESCONDIDO
This port is Loreto's gateway to the Sea of Cortez . It is by
far the largest, natural marina in Mexico - affording a safe
haven for a multitude of power and sail boats, and it is an
integral part of the Master Plan: Loreto-Nopolo-Puerto Loreto
development.
FIVE ISLANDS
The five islands of Coronado , Del Carmen, Danzante, Monserrat
and Santa Catalina form the axis for the Loreto corridor to the
Sea of Cortez . They will add a true 'personality', maritime
resources and scenic beauty to your aquatic experiences.
CAVE PAINTINGS
Between Loreto and Bahia de Los Angeles lies the Sierra de San
Francisco , home to a collection of extraordinary aboriginal
cave paintings. Estimates date them to be 1,000 to 1,500 years
old!
NOPOLO GOLF & TENNIS CENTER
Just minutes from downtown Loreto, you can find an exceptional
sports complex: The Loreto Golf and Tennis Center . It is
located in Tourism Complex of Fonatur known as Nopolo. You will
find 9 championship tennis courts and a professional, 18 hole
golf course - both with full service facilities - sauna, pools,
pro-shop, dressing rooms, restaurants, and scenery that will
stimulate your athletic talents.
SEA OF CORTEZ
This maritime bonanza is a unique ocean environment formed
millions of years ago when Baja California slid westward due to
geological activity in the San Andreas fault . And, due to its
positioning, Loreto has the enviable reputation as having the
BEST SPORTS FISHING in all of Mexico .
Loreto Bay National Park
The Loreto Bay National Park is located in the Loreto region of
Baja California . It keeps different kinds of ecosystems and
biological communities. Before the National Park was established
all the wildlife was in perish caused by an irresponsible use of
the marine resources in the area. After this the Mexican
Government established in 1996 the insular complex at the Loreto
Bay a National Park.
This National Park is located from the north part of the
Catalina Island to the south region of the Coronados Island .
The park has an area of 206, 580.75 Has, and represents a hole
range of different habitats, from white sand beaches to rocky
areas and marine cannons. Because of this, the Loreto Bay
National Park has a high biodiversity from tropical species to
Californian species, with a high endemism
The flora includes cactuses and bushes in land, mangrove forest,
and a high biodiversity in microalgae and macroalgae. The fauna
includes around 1,385 species, 89 under a special protection (NOM-059-ECOL-2001)
to insure the preservation of the biological diversity and the
marine resources.
Activities
You can't believe how extraordinary Loreto is until you have
personally experienced this 'best kept vacation secret'. It has
everything you need for a fun filled vacation - especially for
the sports enthusiasts.
Best Sport Fishing in all Mexico
The operative words are ABUNDANCE and GREAT SIZE - Sailfish,
Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Yellowtail, Roosterfish,
Cabrilla, Red Snapper, Grouper, Sierra and more.
Water sports
The Sea of Cortez nurtures your every nautical desire -
experience kayaking, sailing, whale watching and wind surfing
along hundreds of miles of pristine shorelines.
Land Sports
If you every get tired of the water or are inclined to connect
with the flora and fauna of Loreto or 'land based sports', the
opportunities are endless:
•Golf,
•Tennis
•Hiking
•Biking
•Excursions to historic missions
•Aboriginal Cave Paintings
•and, just laying around by the pool or beach
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