I’m breaking down some frequently asked questions about Loreto, Mexico. I hope I can save you time and help you feel good about planning your trip. We absolutely loved our time in Loreto as a multi-generational family (grandparents, parents, a young adult, and even a toddler). So, let’s begin!
Is Loreto, Mexico Safe?
This is the question I Googled more than any other…but I didn’t stop there. I scoured every TripAdvisor forum, the CDC site, consulted Reu’s pediatrician, sent multiple messages to our Airbnb host, and still wondered up until the moment we stepped off the plane: is Loreto safe? As Americans, was it safe for our family to travel to Mexico? By that point it was too late to worry any longer, because we’d arrived.
Just like anywhere else in the world, there’s going to be safer parts and more dangerous parts of towns, cities, and yes, even Mexico. I was relieved to find out, through my research, that Loreto was one of the safest places to visit in Mexico.
Geography is part of the reason: Loreto is in Baja California, which is separated from mainland Mexico by the Sea of Cortez. It doesn’t hurt that Loreto is still a fishing village despite becoming a tourist destination in the last few decades. The population of Loreto is around 20,000. On top of that, we were staying outside of town in a gated community called Loreto Bay, with 24-hour security.
The community was made up of a few different neighborhoods, many of its homes were occupied for part of the year or rented out as vacation rentals. Loreto is not very busy, especially in the off-season. That’s a good thing when it comes to safety.
Is Loreto, Mexico Dangerous?
After all of the research, my understanding is there is no gang activity in Loreto, and little crime in general. So I was able to put myself at ease (not to mention my dad who always watches CNN and worries). We brought along our in-laws who regularly visit Mexico and felt safe and comfortable. Reuben was embraced and loved by locals. So much so that I actually had to tell some to please not touch his face, no tocar por favor.
How did you get to Loreto?
Direct flights are available to Loreto Airport (about a 10-minute drive to town or Loreto Bay) from Los Angeles (LAX) and Calgary (YYG). Direct flights are also available from Tijuana (TIJ).
From Bend, we flew to Seattle, Los Angeles, and then to Loreto. It was a quick, easy trip and prices were reasonable in the off-season. It’s also possible to fly into La Paz and drive north to Loreto, which is about a 4-hour drive through the mountains. I don’t recommend this if it’s your first time in Mexico, as the drive would be pretty remote with limited WiFi, albeit beautiful.
Did you rent a car?
We did. This was actually the only bad experience we had in Mexico. The car itself was fine, by the time we received it. The problem is, before you arrive to Loreto airport, you’ll receive a barrage of emails to rent your car in advance. Some of us do rent the car ahead of time, in fact, most probably do because the published rates are so damn low (like $9/day low). Too good to be true? Absolutely.
When you arrive in Loreto, the airport is small. After retrieving luggage, you’ll pass through a quick security line before entering the rental car area. You may notice lines forming here as first time travelers negotiate their $9 rental cars. The rate, according to the sales people, is closer to $450 for a week with local taxes and the insurance you must carry in Mexico. Excuse me?
Go ahead and Google it honey, I’ll wait. That’s what I said to my husband who wanted to accept the $450 charge and get to our destination.
(Long pause while we both tried to get on the internet.)
We were at a stand still. Granted $9/day really did seem too good to be true, but from $81 to $450 seemed like an unlikely jump for taxes, insurance and fees. Ultimately, we negotiated down to $360 which included a $50 carseat. So we’d locked in a rate around $44/day, close to what we’d pay stateside. Our in-laws wound up cancelling their “$3/day!” rental because of the run-around, took a cab to Loreto Bay, and squeezed into our sedan for our drives into town.
Do you need a car in Loreto?
Saw this one coming. By my research, getting a cab or two, to and from Loreto as often as we wanted, would’ve cost us about $50 USD per day, not including the time and energy spent finding a cab. Remember, Loreto isn’t a bustling metropolis. There’s also the issue of “is this cab safe?” that would inevitably pop up. Suffice to say, we felt renting a car was right for us.
If you plan to stay in Loreto Bay for your entire trip, and you certainly can, you’ll just be limited on groceries, but you do not need a car. You’ll be very happy walking the main street for dining, shopping, and even booking tours, sauntering down to the beach on foot, without ever really needing to go far. But if you’re like us, always wondering what else is out there, a rental car makes sense.
What is there to do in Loreto, Mexico?
I wrote another blog post sharing our typical Loreto days, from watching the sunrise on the beach, to breakfast at La Sirena, where to dine, and how to spend memorable afternoons. Suffice to say, there’s plenty of beach-going, swimming, shopping, dining, outdoor activities, water excursions, and activities in Loreto, Mexico. Here’s that blog post.
Is Loreto good for families?
Absolutely. If you’re looking for a stress-free beach vacation that’s low key, Loreto should top your list. Loreto is fairly easy to access from the West Coast, making it a quick trip for families. When you arrive, the commute from the airport to Loreto Bay or town is only about 10 minutes, mostly on one straight road. The Loreto Bay community is gated and includes shops and restaurants that are totally walkable.
The beach is also a short walk from most of the vacation homes, making it a very easy commute for families. Water equipment rentals are available on the beach. Plenty of tour operators have outlets right in town so there isn’t much traveling involved to join an excursion.
The locals are very friendly and kind to families. The food is great, restaurants are kid-friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the town is quiet enough that you’re never waiting long or fighting for space, but busy enough that there are plenty of options and things to do.
For our extended family of six, we loved all staying under one roof with plenty of space, and having the ability to cook a meal at home versus eating out for an entire week. Our vacation rental included a twin cot, a pack-n-play, a high chair, beach towels and beach toys, plus a refillable filtered water dispenser. More on where we stayed, below.
Can you swim in Loreto?
You’d better! The Sea of Cortez is about as calm as they come, with undulating waves that barely break as they hit the shore. The water is so calm that you can see fish swimming below you. The Loreto Bay community has a beautiful, low key stretch of beach that’s walking distance from the neighborhood, including some palapas for shade. You can bring your own water, beverages, snacks, and sunscreen. Hotel Loreto Bay Golf Resort & Spa, which sits right up against the beach, offers a beach bar and service to the palapas.
From June through November, the water temperature averages between 78 to 86 degrees, which is very comfortable for swimming and snorkeling. We love traveling in the fall when the water is still warm, but the summer crowds have subsided—exactly the case in Loreto.
But is it safe to swim in Loreto?
I read some forums about stingrays burrowing beneath the sand where the water hits the shore, and I have to admit I was a little nervous about this, as were some of our family members. I wore a pair of water shoes and had my son Reu in his baby Keens for the first few days at the beach.
We didn’t experience any stingrays getting startled and jumping out of the sand, so we’re not sure if this is seasonal, overblown, or a combination of the two. While it’s good to know what you can expect, it’s important not to let a fear like this keep you out of the water. I believe those stingray encounters along the shoreline are rare.
Practical advice: The sand is soft where the water hits the shore, so if you’ve forgotten your water shoes, the local advice is to run a paddle along the sand or shuffle your feet as you enter the water. Another option would be to jump in and swim out just a few feet to where the sand is compact and there’s no sinking effect.
Where did you stay?
We stayed in a vacation rental in Loreto Bay, steps from the main drag of shops and restaurants, and a few blocks through a beautiful, manicured neighborhood to the beach. The neighborhood included a well-taken care of lap pool, and really beautiful courtyards worth meandering through to admire the tropical foliage.
Our vacation rental was part of a collection owned and managed by Loreto Retreats, who certainly know what they’re doing. The home itself featured three king guest rooms each with their own full bathrooms, our master was up a flight of tiled stairs, and included a spacious patio overlooking the sea and plenty of patio furniture to lounge, dine, or even dance. A second, spiral staircase led up to a viewing tower that looked out over rooftops for 360 views of the mountains on one side, and the sea on the other.
The home was spectacular in itself, but Loreto Retreats’ personal concierge really set the experience apart from others. Our concierge helped us plan and book a boat excursion and put together a surprise birthday party for my husband and mother-in-law that took place in our vacation rental, complete with live music, dinner, dancing, margaritas, and cake (read the full story, here).
Loreto vs. Cabo
Aside from being in the same state, Loreto and Cabo couldn’t be more different. As I researched the two destinations, Cabo was the better destination for 20-somethings looking for a lively beach bar and nightlife experience, which is sadly (or maybe happily?) no longer me. Loreto, on the other hand, seemed so quiet that I was worried we’d be bored—or worse, not have enough variety to fill a week. But the truth is, with a beach in your backyard and the Sea of Cortez temps in the high 70s, how much more do you need?
We were pleasantly surprised by the dozen or so restaurant options in Nopolo’s Loreto Bay community where we stayed—offering a variety of dining options and all within walking distance. In the city of Loreto, a mere 10-minute drive from Loreto Bay, we found more options for casual and fine dining. There were spas, shopping, and souvenirs to bring home—none of which felt over-touristy or overdone.
There was also plenty to do from driving into the mountains to visit a historic church, to walking along the beach, to boat excursions, and even ATVing (which we skipped, don’t worry dad!).
If we were looking for a more restful Cabo experience, my research pointed me toward San Jose del Cabo, the more artsy community just beyond the main drag of hotels and beaches, where farm-to-table inns and boutique hotels have been gaining lots of notoriety as of late. Even then, San Jose del Cabo seemed like a better place to go as a couple than as an extended family.
Loreto offered plenty of space to spread out in a vacation rental that was situated just a few manicured blocks from the beach, and we could count the people we’d see along the way, on one or two hands. It was quiet, and that was just right for us.
Loreto vs. La Paz
La Paz is definitely on our list for a future trip, having dipped our toes into Baja Sur, and having picked up a very cool guide book that basically put La Paz up there as an idyllic paradise in our minds, with white sand beaches and clear blue waters galore.
La Paz is the capital city of Baja, and as much as we love to dine in great restaurants and experience city life, with our little guy it seemed like Loreto’s slower pace was more our speed. La Paz offers a variety of experiences, you can stay city center in an Airbnb, or you can stay in an eco-retreat on a remote stretch of beach.
It almost felt like we’d have too many options in La Paz, and I wanted to keep it simple. I’ve been known to over-plan and over-program on vacation, so choosing Loreto eliminated my need to see and do it all in La Paz. There’s always next time, though.
In terms of safety, Loreto just felt safer than La Paz. Loreto is more remote, and we were able to find a vacation rental in the quiet, gated community of Loreto Bay with 24/7 security. It seemed a bit easier to get around—with a single road leading from our neighborhood to town.
It had been years since we visited Mexico, and because of the news cycle and traveling with my toddler, I was cautious and wanted to feel as safe as possible in Mexico. Knowing that La Paz is a much bigger city with some standard urban crime, Loreto was a better choice for us.
Should You Visit Loreto?
Yes, absolutely, and I hope I’ve answered your questions. If you have additional questions, please leave them in the comments below.
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