1. Deep Sea Fishing
This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to 891 fish species and a third of the world’s cetacean species (which are whales, dolphins, and porpoises). The Sea of Cortez is not only a top scuba and snorkeling spot in the world, it also offers world class deep sea fishing. During my trip to Loreto, I headed out for a one day deep sea fishing trip with my son, Roland. Our captain said we would most likely catch dorado and yellowtail. Turns out everyone on the boat caught sharks. Protected by the Loreto Marine Park rules, sharks were catch and release only.
Shark caught during our deep sea fishing trip.
2. Jalepeno Pineapple Margarita
I love a good margarita made from scratch. On this trip I got to taste a twist on the traditional margarita. This jalapeno pineapple margarita was actually the request of a fellow travel blogger during the trip, Nicole Diaz from the Funthusiast blog. Villa del Loreto, this should become your signature drink!
3. The Gluten Free Pizza
My first meal at Villa Del Palmar was lunch at Casa Mia. They are known for their wood oven pizzas and tacos. To my surprise they offer gluten free pizza. It was the best gluten free crust I’ve ever tasted. The hotel offers a surprising amount of delicious gluten free options. I was highly impressed with their gluten free baking.
Gluten Free Pizza from Casa Mia
4. The Beach & Snorkeling
Explorer Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez “the world’s aquarium” for its abundance of marine life, including sea lions, sea turtles, dolphins, and a kaleidoscopic assortment of tropical fish. It’s the second largest National Marine Park in the world.
5. Hiking
Want a Bear Grylls experience? Take a morning hike with the Danzante tour and travel guide, Carlos Alberto Velasco. Hikes begin on the beach and head into the nearby hills above the Villa del Palmar. Carlos shares great survival tips and information about local flora and fauna. He also shares interesting facts about Baja California, the local islands, folklore and Jacques Cousteau’s connection to the Islands of Loreto. It’s a decent workout and you’ll have a much better understanding of this beautiful part of Mexico.
6. The Sunset
I think the photo speaks for itself. This was one of the most beautiful sunset’s I have seen and it progressively became more and more beautiful and vibrant.
7. The rooms
Upgrade to a one-bedroom suite and enjoy a large living area, dining room and fully equipped kitchen as well as an over-sized terrace with views of the Sea of Cortez and beautiful pools and property.
8. Sabila Spa
This is not your average spa. With all spa treatments you can enjoy a 10 step aqua therapy process. The steps involve spending five to seven minutes in a warm Jacuzzi, a cold plunge, sauna, steam room, hot Jacuzzi, pressure shower, aloe bath and Epsom salt bath. It is a great way to extend your spa experience and feel an extra level of pampering and relaxation.
9. Pools
There are five pools and one Jacuzzi on the property. If you view the property from a balcony, you can see the pools have been built in the shape of a turtle. So, not only do they offer a spot to escape the afternoon heat, but they are a great photo opp!
10. Shuttle to the quaint town for a day with a stop at the La Michoacana ice cream shop.
Loreto was the first Spanish settlement on the Baja California Peninsula and the first capital of the Californias. The town is quaint and worthy of a day of exploration. With a center square with surrounding shops, restaurants, museums and an amazing ice cream shop, you’ll want to set aside at least a day to wander, take photos, shop and indulge in some of the local specialties.
Loreto, Mexico is one of the most overlooked Baja California destinations. Known for the beautiful blue waters of the Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of Mexico), Loreto hasn’t become a major tourism destination like some Baja California towns such as Cabo San Lucas and the wine region of Valle de Guadalupe. This quiet seaside town located on the east coast of the Baja California Peninsula should be on your radar if you love to fish, snorkel and scuba dive.