Loreto isn't going head-to-head with better-known Los Cabos when seeking visitors
The general director for the Tourism Board of Baja California Sur says Baja’s seaside destination of Loreto isn’t going head-to-head with better-known Los Cabos when seeking visitors.
In fact, Jesus Ordonez says the two destinations aren’t rivals at all.
“Loreto does not compete with Los Cabos,” he states. “To the contrary, they complement each other. Loreto is a smaller destination, more designed for travelers looking to do an immersion in culture in a very strongly defined Mexican community. So what Loreto offers to the traveler is a small destination for those that appreciate the conservation of nature, heritage, culture and way of life. Cabo offers luxury and a different type of amenities. As mentioned, they complement each other. They very well could be part of a joint journey to travel to Loreto Baja California Sur.
“The type of experiences that Loreto offers have to do with sea, oasis, community and Sierra de la Laguna range,” he continues. “So basically this is not a beach destination, because we’re talking about diving, sportfishing, kayaking, whale-watching, birdwatching, or going on a day tour to islands. We have five islands in Loreto Marine National Park. There are experiences within the water, within the sea facing an oasis and the Sierra as a backdrop. There is also going to the Sierra and visiting the cave paintings or visiting the mission in the nearby town of San Javier, which is the second-oldest mission in all of California. You are also going to do some birdwatching and hiking. So the type of experience here is soft outdoors, very heavy into nature. And Los Cabos is a very, very different experience, where either you go to a high-end luxury hotel, a spa experience, go golfing, and enjoy whale watching. You can go surfing and sportfishing there as well.”
Ordonez says travel agents in this country are familiar with Loreto, with the tourism board having been doing webinars and meeting with travel agents. “We educate them about the destination, the type of hotels we have, how to get here, the direct flights we have from Calgary during the winter season,” he reports. “And also, if they want to fly throughout the year, how can they fly into Los Angeles or Phoenix or Dallas and then connect to Los Cabos. So yes, we’re constantly working with trade to get them to know more about the destination, feel comfortable and confident to promote it and bring people down. We’ve also been doing fam trips so that the word is out there and the Canadian market gets to know our destination.”
Tourism authorities report that there’s much to do within a two-hour drive of Loreto, with those heading north able to visit the nearby town of Mulege and Via Conception Bay, which has shallow, turquoise water, and eight islands that can be visited.
Also nearby is Santa Rosalia, an early French mining town by the Gulf of California. “It is like going back in time to the early time of the mining experience in Mexico by the French,” Orodnez says.
There is a bakery and a church in Santa Barbara designed by Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame. Also to be found are a museum and hotel, prompting Ordonez to say Santa Barbara offers “a great experience” for visitors.
“In between Santa Rosalia and Mulege there is another beautiful island called San Marcos, which is great for a day trip with beautiful beaches and caves,” he adds. “In the south, we have Puerto Los Mateaus and right now it is a great place to do blue whale-watching. So you know within Loreto.”
The Loreto area is one of the best spots to view blue whales, he adds. “Blue whales are a very mystical, but shy species but you can have that beautiful experience in Loreto at this time of year.”
But Ordonez says tourists will find Loreto itself appealing.
“Loreto is a very small community of only 20,000 inhabitants, most everyone knows everyone,” he says. “You become part of that community when you stay here.
“Everything is within walking distance, all the restaurants and hotels. The average hotel size is 12 to 15 rooms. There are larger properties, such as four-star hotels like La Mission. However, most of the properties are owner-operated and are friendly, sharing the main things you can do while staying there.
“We have a marina, plazas to explore with main events that cover local markets, dances and historical celebrations. The first mission in all of the Californias, Our Lady of Loreto, and right next to it is The Museum of the Missions. So you will have a cultural immersion within the destination, a heritage experience, and close encounters with nature through such activities as diving and whale-watching.
“Loreto is the place to go for people that want to experience an intimate, authentic Mexican destination.”
Meanwhile, Ordonez says Loreto appreciates WestJet having direct non-stop seasonal flights from Calgary that run from November through April and “we are excited to continue this to get more Canadians to find out more about this Pueblo Magico,” using the term Mexican authorities use to designate communities that are particularly interesting for tourists.
