20 Best Things To Do in Loreto, Mexico [2024]

Glance at a map of Baja California Sur and Loreto will barely stand out as more than just a tiny speck along the coast, far north of bustling La Paz, ritzy Todos Santos, and built-up Los Cabos. However, this tiny beach town may be one of the best destinations the region has to offer, with an incredible array of ways to stay busy – or perfectly peaceful, no matter what you’re looking for.

Get ready to experience a whole new side of Baja California in Loreto. Read on for our guide to the best things to do in Loreto on your trip, with activities like whale watching, (affordable!) spa weekends, and secret snorkeling trips handpicked by travel experts and locals for your ultimate getaway.

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Why Visit Loreto, Mexico?

There are plenty of beautiful destinations to choose from in Baja California Sur, but Loreto feels like something special. Its combination of adventurous things to do, laid-back beach town vibes, and wellness-focused activities make it a destination ideal for many types of travelers – or a uniquely varied destination that anyone can love.

How Many Days To Spend in Loreto

With three full days on the itinerary, visitors should be able to enjoy the very best things to do in Loreto without feeling too busy or overwhelmed with a packed schedule. However, travelers who really want to do it all could easily spend five days to a week in Loreto without getting bored.

Best Things To Do in Loreto, Mexico

1. Sail to the Islands of Loreto

The desert-lined coast of Loreto is made even more impressive by the dramatic islands of Loreto that sit just offshore. These five islands are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and hide beautiful beaches, incredible dive sites, and havens for wildlife, making a visit a near obligatory part of a visit to Loreto.

Sailing excursions to Coronado Island, which is known for having some of the clearest waters in the area, are quite popular, though Danzante Island, with its stunning Honeymoon Beach, is another popular destination for visitors.

Both small-group sailing excursions and private charters are available from Loreto and include gear for snorkeling and picnics on abandoned white sand shores. Alternatively, book a multi-day stay aboard a yacht for a memorable experience spent exploring every inch of the islands, anchoring at peaceful bays every evening.

Reviews and Bookings: Sailing Excursion to Coronado Island with Beach Picnic + Snorkeling

2. Go Diving

Baja California Sur is truly legendary for its diving, earning the praises of renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau for being “the World’s Aquarium” for its incredible biodiversity Cabo Pulmo, just north of Los Cabos, is famous for its diving, but Loreto is no small fry – not by a long shot.

Loreto’s best dive sites are sprinkled around the islands of Loreto, ranging from dramatic caverns to wall dives along Danzante Island and more. The area is also a haven for encounters with larger marine life that are protected by the islands, meaning divers can expect to encounter rays, sea lions, dolphins, whales, and even whale sharks.

Blue Nation Baja is a leader in diving in Baja and is based in Loreto, while Loreto Sea and Land Tours is another popular option – make sure to book in advance for experiences, especially between July and December when conditions are usually the best.

3. Walk the Malecón

Stretching along the coastline throughout most of the town of Loreto, the Malecón oceanfront promenade is where to start as you explore Loreto’s tiny but attractive town center. Whether you start from Hotel Oasis at the southern end of the promenade or midway through, make sure to walk the whole Malecón, which is by far one of the best things to do in Loreto!

In the evening on the weekends, the Malecón can get quite lively, especially at the waterfront restaurants and bars that dot the avenue, though little Loreto never feels crazy. Even at its busiest, it’s nothing less than perfectly laid-back.

4. Go Whale Watching

Multiple species of whales migrate to the protected waters of the Sea of Cortez every year to give birth to their babies, making Loreto and the surrounding areas one of the most important and reliable whale-watching destinations in the Americas.

Whale-watching season officially starts in December, but plan to travel to Loreto from mid-January through March to enjoy the height of the whale-watching season and for the best chances to enjoy the experience. Whale-watching tour options in Loreto are with Loreto Sea and Land Tours and Loreto Blue Whales, both certified and well-respected tour companies that make this one of the best things to do in Loreto.

5. Visit Playa El Requesón

The long, luscious white sands in Mexico’s Caribbean region are impressive, yes, but some of the beaches in Baja California Sur are pure magic. Just an hour north of Loreto, Playa El Requesón is one of those special beach destinations that make for the ultimate beach day.

Playa El Requesón is located along the Bahía Concepción north of Loreto and is known for its arch of white sand connecting the mainland to an “island” in a unique dual-sided beachfront. It’s shape makes it less susceptible to waves and a perfect choice for families, though you’ll find all kinds of visitors here on a sunny day. Beach amenities include bathrooms and the occasional roaming vendors selling food.

6. Go Wild Camping on the Islands of Loreto

If a stay at Villa del Palmar or the boutique hotels in Loreto isn’t your thing, consider getting off the grid and wild camping on one of the islands of Loreto. While you won’t find any traditional campground amenities here, this is just the appeal for adventure-minded visitors who will get the luxury of some of the best beaches in Mexico all to themselves.

Considering that the islands of Loreto are part of the protected Loreto Bay National Park, camping is strictly on a permit-by-permit base only and comes with restrictions such as carry-in, carry-out, and no-pets policies. Permits are available at the Loreto Marina and are first-come, first-serve.

7. Relax at Palmas Altas Retreat

If you’re headed to Loreto for a little rest and relaxation, your first stop should be at Palmas Altas Retreat in the heart of downtown Loreto. Step through the unassuming doorway at the property to discover some of the best spaces in the area for all kinds of restorative experiences, ranging from group yoga classes and meditation sessions to next-level cacao ceremonies.

Palmas Altas also offers frequent day-long retreats making use of new glamping-esque tents on elevated platforms that dot the back of the colorful property. On the weekend, the retreat center also has a cafe that sells fresh-baked bread and organic goodies.

8. Hit the Spa

Continue your wellness journey in Loreto with a trip to the spa. Travelers are usually shocked to find just how affordable the high-quality spa services in Loreto can be. Create your own wellness retreat in Loreto at Spa Las Flores in the town’s central square or at their alternative location in the Loreto Bay community near the new Aventuras Hotel.

From classic massages and facials to more specialized experiences and even nail services, Spa Las Flores offers a surprising array of treatments and can often fit in last-minute bookings. Make sure to drop in early in your stay in Loreto – you’ll probably find yourself coming back a few times.

9. Go Sport Fishing

Loreto has long been a celebrated destination for sport fishing, with many avid fishermen traveling from far and wide to enjoy these ultra-rich waters. Peak fishing season is in the summer when migrating species of fish flood into the Sea of Cortez, but Loreto’s year-round fishing potential only adds to its popularity.

Year-round, fishermen can expect to catch snapper, sea bass, yellowtail, whitefish, amberjack, and more, while the summer season finds schools of wahoo, dorado, sailfish, roosterfish, and marlins visiting these waters. Charters depart early in the morning from Loreto and include experienced guides and hearty food along the way.

Reviews and Bookings: Fishing Charter From Loreto

10. Watch The Baja 1000

The Baja California peninsula welcomes the prestigious Baja 1000 off-road race every November. If you’re into fast cars, dramatic stunts, and incredible desert landscapes, this is a great time to visit Loreto, one of the primary stops on the 1,300-mile journey south to north up that is considered one of the most important races of its kind anywhere in the world.

No need to plan on avoiding Loreto during this time of year if you have no interest in the Baja 1000 – I visited in November just days before the race began and the town felt as laidback as ever, though the excitement in the air was certainly infectious!

11. Go Off-Roading

Give off-roading a try for yourself rather than just leaving it to the professionals. Taking an off-roading ATV tour from Loreto allows even the beginners to tackle some of the official Baja 1000 race routes. 

ATVing across the desert landscapes is also one of the best ways to see the dramatic landscape of Baja, getting off the beaten path literally and figuratievely. If it sounds a little too adventurous for your taste, consider embarking on a guided hike of Tabor Canyon or taking a canyon horseback riding excursion.

12. Hike Tabor Canyon

Much of the draw to Loreto has always been its coastline, but its dramatic desert landscape is one of most beautiful features. Take in all its grandeur at the red rock Tabor Canyon, which cuts into the mountainside near Loreto with expansive ocean views in the distance. You’ll spot waterfalls and dry desert flowers along the way.

This is a hike we recommend starting early in the morning and doing with a guide – the trail is not well marked, and sections can be a bit perilous – though it is possible to do on your own. I traveled with Wild Loreto for the experience and was so impressed with our guide – I’d recommend the experience over and over again!

Reviews and Bookings: Tabor Canyon Guided Hike with Wild Loreto

13. Visit Juncalito Beach

Many visitors exploring Loreto enjoy bathing in the ocean at the south end of Loreto’s Malecón oceanfront promenade – directly in front of Hotel Oasis! – but if you’re looking for a beach day escape on more tranquil sands, head to Juncalito Beach with the Loreto locals.

There are no beach amenities to be found here, so come prepared with everything you’ll need for the day. Playa Juncalito is certainly not as beautiful as Playa El Requesón or some of the other beaches an hour north at Bahía Concepción, but it is the perfect spot for a beach day and a dip in the ocean within a short drive from Loreto.

14. Eat Chilaquiles at Orlando’s

For such a small town, there are plenty of great places to eat in Loreto, though Orlando’s is one of the undisputed favorites. Just two blocks away from Loreto’s central square, Orlando’s serves up generous portions of Mexican classics, with breakfast dishes like chilaquiles and enfrijoladas being particular highlights on the menu.

Whether you visit for brunch or any other time of day, you’ll always find Orlando’s busy and buzzing with locals and visitors alike. Affordable prices and a cool, covered outdoor dining room make it memorable – and certainly one of the places you’ll come back to.

15. Eat Seafood at Bajamar

From its humble beginnings as a popular food truck in Loreto, Bajamar has transformed into a memorable eatery on the Malecón oceanfront promenade in the heart of downtown. Few places in seafood-obsessed Loreto do the classics as well as Baja Mar, which serves up everything from spicy Mexican aguachile and sashimi to ceviche and the freshest of catches.

The restaurant’s interior is nothing to write home about, and most will want to sit on the patio overlooking the ocean. Make sure to order a michelada made with the classic Clamato to accompany your meal; the Bajamar iteration of this favorite drink as over-the-top as they come, dripping with plenty of chile-crusted tamarind sweets.

16. Visit San Felipe

Just 45 minutes outside of Loreto in the mountains of the desert is the “jewel of the Baja California mission churches,” Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó. Still functioning as a church today, this historic temple is set in a rare desert oasis in an area that offers both history and natural beauty for those looking to explore the areas around Loreto.

Would-be visitors can organize private transportation from Loreto or join on a small-group guided excursion to San Javier that includes a guide and lunch. Highlights of the excursion also include stops along the way for panoramic ocean views and visiting local farms with centuries-old olive groves and oasis rivers. Even on a hot day, I thought it was one of the best things to do in Loreto and made for the perfect half-day trip from the city.

Reviews and Bookings: Explore San Javier Mission, Lunch, Walk & Historical Tour

17. Enjoy Farm to Table Cuisine

If there’s any food trend sweeping Baja California Sur, it’s farm-to-table cuisine. Famous spots in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo tend to get all the press, but Loreto and the surrounding area are brimming with cool new culinary concepts that use the freshest local ingredients straight from the farms – and the seas.

Located in the Loreto Bay community, Gastoteca AZUL is a farm-to-table cuisine and craft cocktail destination worth trying while you’re in Loreto. Even better, make sure to stop by San Javier Farms at the end of your visit to the Spanish colonial mission at San Javier to enjoy a new farm-to-table spot.

18. Visit La Purísima

Much like San Javier, La Purísima is home to both a unique oasis and a Spanish colonial mission, making it another perfect day trip destination from Loreto. As the second-largest oasis on the Baja California peninsula, it’s known for its lush greens and blue river that stand out dramatically against the dusty desert.

Unlike the San Javier mission, the mission at La Purísima has not been well maintained. However, it makes for a cool visit and will leave you feeling like you’ve discovered long-lost desert ruins. A trip isn’t complete without a stop for farm-fresh local food on the journey before returning to Loreto. Or, cross the peninsula to the Pacific coast beaches at San Juanico just a short drive further.

19. Try SUP Yoga

Whether you’re in Loreto for adventurous activities or a wellness getaway, adding SUP (standup paddleboard) yoga to your itinerary is a great way to enhance your stay. Early morning lessons at Loreto’s calm beachfront with trained guides are a great way to start the day. Even as an almost total beginner, I loved the experience.

SUP yoga is also a popular part of many of the sailing excursions to the islands of Loreto, where hidden bays and beaches make for the perfect place to enjoy the experience. Make sure to ask in advance for the experience if you’re booking a small-group excursion to make sure it’s part of your itinerary.

20. Try Chocolate Clams

There are plenty of classic Baja flavors you won’t want to miss during your visit to Loreto – fish tacos! machaca! seafood galore! – but chocolate clams (almejas chocolatas) are a must. Named for their dark brown shells rather than their flavor, these clams are an important part of Loreto’s culinary tradition and are usually roasted on the beach beneath the sand or eaten raw with chile and lime.

The best place to try Baja California Sur’s famous chocolate clams is at the weekly barbeque buffet at Hotel Oasis, which is a popular Saturday evening tradition in Loreto. Show up early (5:00 PM sharp!) to watch the clams cook and take in the sunset with a drink in hand. It’s a culinary experience you won’t want to miss.