Loreto, Mexico
For years my reference point of Western Mexico was Dylan McKay going down to surf in Baja or the gang from The Hills partying in Cabo.
And while I have spent a couple of months traveling in Mexico I never made it farther West than delicious Oaxaca. When Villa del Palmar asked me to come visit them in Loreto I immediately said yes without knowing where it was.
Frankly I’ll go nearly anywhere in Mexico that isn’t near the border or Juarez. But now I’m in Loreto, a small town on Baja California Sur, a long thin peninsula on the West Coast of Mexico and it was surprised me.
Mexico is a gigantic country.
Sitting on the plane with Cailin and Rease we started to descend and as we looked out the window at Baja Sur California we were confused with the mountains and cacti.
I did not know this side of Mexico and thought it would look like Playa del Carmen.
Silly girl.
Loreto seems very low-key and definitely for someone who wants to avoid the crowds of Cabo.
Crowds do not exist here, the town is a mere 15000 people who continue to take siesta from 1-4pm and the hotel is 45 minutes away.
This is definitely off the beaten track and I like it.
As much as I am a city girl there is something I really like about dry, isolated places. Maybe it balances my personality or chi – as hippies and yogis would say.
I’m spending a week here before heading off around Baja and then heading over to Mazatlan. I have a feeling this this not the last time I will be surprised.
A 3 hour siesta after a big Mexican lunchtime feast is my kind of a place. That’s a perfect horizontal sunset (no clouds), amazing colors!
My friends know that between 4-7pm on Saturdays they should not call me, it’s my pre-fiesta siesta 😉
The resort looks great and it’s good to know there are places away from the crowds on the Baja. How was the food?
I adore the food in Mexico, here seafood plays a really big role and you can’t go wrong with that.
Ah – The Western part of Mexico looks incredible! That sunset has such rich colours and the rocky look around the hotel feels like a hug!
It’s like no other place I’ve been.
Mexico never fails to impress. The beauty and variety is amazing!
It just makes me want to stay and see more, it will be hard to go back.
Looks beautiful. I’ve heard some incredible things about the baja peninsula but haven’t made it past Tijuana so far!
I really want to go to Tijuana, I heard it’s safer than Pennsylvania!
That part of Mexico is high on our list – we’ve never been anywhere west or north of Mexico City and I am dying to finally go to Baja – your pictures look great!
Can you believe I have never been to Mexico City?
Sounds like my kind of Mexico.
Apparently mine too!
It’s dry and arid all along the Pacific coast from Baja until you get to about the middle of California. Luckily you get warm water down there. Have a blast! That’s my favorite kind of environment.
I love the desert, there’s something really special about it.
I have been to many places – never been to Mexico. With this “intro” post, I have a feeling you will convince me to take the next plane out! Look forward to your Mexican surprises!
Oh we need to talk about Mexico, so close and affordable. And the people are really amazing.
Looks and sounds lovely, enjoy!
Thanks Andi!
This looks really great! I’d love to go to Mexico one of these days, and you always speak so highly of it. Funny you should mention the few areas you won’t go to – while on a road trip almost 10 years ago, my friends and I had a night in El Paso, TX, so we decided to walk across the border. None of us had ever been to Mexico, so we thought, why not? Of course we didn’t realize Juarez is not the place to be, and after an hour walking around getting creeped out, we turned and went back.
That is hilarous, you are very lucky.
I love that you didn’t even Google the place before you went. Now that’s what I call traveling without a plan! You’re bound to have a few surprises along the way. 🙂
If you don’t have expectations about a place you can’t be disappointed.
Oh, wow. So many people in D.F. scorn Baja California as being “unMexican” and “part of US” (*rolls eyes*) but I’ve always wanted to go there to see what it’s like. It’s supposed to be so different. And wow, your photos! Lush! I’m so excited to hear more about this, Aynge. I can’t even begin to tell you.
I haven’t been down to Cabo so I’m not sure if it’s like Cancun but let me tell you this is not part of the US.
Hi Ayngelina,
I received your blog post through my “Loreto” Google alert. The Villas Palmar are lovely, but I hope you get the chance to see the town of Loreto.
My wife and I have been living here for 7 years, and we love any kind of good press for our little town. If you are still here, we volunteer to take you on an afternoon or evening dining expedition… you will be surprised and the quality and variety of foods available. Write me at: [email protected]
I’m sorry I missed you but I was able to stay two days in town and really enjoyed it. I’d love to come back.
Looks beautiful.
I’m impressed how you’re able to travel and get some “funding” through tourism boards. That’s awesome.
I’m still working through things but trying to find a balance of people who can help me but also ensure that I get to do the things I would normally do without the help.
I look forward to sharing your love of traveling through Mexico. I’m headed for Baja starting Sept and should actually be in Baja in Oct.
Any tips?
I guess you’ll have to read on 😉
That looks amazing! You’re right, Mexico IS a massive country! Whenever I read about it, I’m always surprised by the different landscapes and styles that exist within the country.
That resort looks wonderful. I could use a dip in their pool to cool down right about now!
It’s gigantic and I try to explain to people that’s why it’s safe to travel through because I’m no where near where there are the isolated issues. I love this place.
I love the feeling of being far away from things. It forces me to relax, especially if I’m chilling at a resort where all there is to do is eat, drink and go swimming.
If the resort had been closer I would have felt compelled to go exploring, I really liked the forced isolation – although a few days later we did take the shuttle in to explore. You can only relax so much.
I’m in Cancun right now but kinda wish I was in a place like this instead.
Go to Playa del Carmen, you are so close.
It looks so much like the American Southwest! Which I guess isn’t really that surprising given the location.
I still haven’t been to the American Southwest but it’s now on my list.
The resort looks perfect. Not over-developed and still right in the middle of a beautiful natural area.
Sometimes resorts can look really generic but it’s impossible with this landscape.
Loreto look absolutely beautiful!
It’s really stunning.
One of the things I love so dearly about Mexico is how there is just so much diversity in one country. I really wish I could go back for another few months.
Me too…
I could get behind a place where afternoon siestas are still the norm. 🙂
I was taking siestas even before I went to Mexico – I think perhaps I’m not Italian but rather Mexican.
Ayngelina,
Thanks for saying it. Mexico is gigantic country. There are tons and tons of places to explore. Don’t get hooked on things that happen in SOME parts of the country. I have always wanted to do a road trip thru the entire Baja peninsula (Loreto included). It sounds so exciting.
Completely agree. There are definitely places I would not go but I have never felt unsafe any time I have visited Mexico.