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Loreto Basics |
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 © istockphoto.com/binabina |
Loreto is a small town in a truly spectacular setting. Loreto is located in Mexico's State of Baja California Sur. With a population of only 15,000 people, Loreto has only recently been discovered by American retirees seeking a low-cost lifestyle in a warm climate, and they've found what they're looking for in Loreto.
The mainstay of Loreto's economy is tourism. The Sea of Cortez's abundant sea life makes Loreto a mecca for snorkelers and sport fishermen. Loreto also features pristine beaches, hiking, golf, and water sports, without the frenetic atmosphere of neighboring towns like Cabo San Lucas. In Loreto, the watchword is relaxation.
Loreto has a hot, arid climate in the summer, with daily highs in the 90s. The winter and spring can be quite pleasant, with daily average temperatures in the low-80s and refreshing sea breezes cool down the night. Rain is rare and the skies are clear 360 days a year.
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As you look from your ship to the village of Loreto, the gold and green hills of the Sierra de la Gigante mountain range lie to the west and the clear blue waters of the Sea of Cortez are to the east. But it's desert out there in the hills, all the more reason to explore the area.
Your ship will drop anchor in Loreto Bay, and you will be transported ashore via ship's tender. You will come ashore in the northern part of the town, along the city's pleasant Malecon (Paseo Lopez Mateos), which arcs south following the shoreline. The Malecon features grass, palm trees and a seaside walkway complete with benches right at the edge of the Sea of Cortez. How romantic!
The Big Deal in Loreto is the Loreto Bay Company. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, the company is developing the $3 billion Villages of Loreto Bay, a series of seaside villages in walkable neighborhoods near the historic fishing village of Loreto. Plans call for the development of 6,000 one-, two- and four-bedroom condominiums and one- to four-bedroom villa-style houses during the next 11 years. They are attracting retirees and second home owners who appreciate the areas' weather, ambiance and lower cost of living. The Loreto Bay Company also subsidizes flights to the Loreto airport as a way to promote the area.
This is a laid-back place, perfect for relaxation, exploring the desert or swimming, diving, snorkeling or kayaking on the Sea of Cortez. For those who plan to spend at least part of the day in the village, it's helpful to know that Loreto has its own unique culinary traditions. You'll have a good meal which, combined with a cold beverage or two, can make for a very pleasant day.
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 © istockphoto.com/donfenton |
Loreto is on Mountain Time, seven hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time during standard time, or six hours during daylight savings time. Daylight savings time begins on the first Sunday of April, and ends on the last Sunday of October.
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Spanish is universally spoken in Loreto; most of the shopkeepers catering to tourists also speak English.
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Currency
The Peso is Mexico's official currency, and uses the "$" sign to denote the peso amount.
As of August 30, 2010, the exchange rate is roughly 13.00 Pesos per US dollar.Just be aware: larger notes (e.g., $500 Peso notes) are often difficult to change.
Banks and ATMs:
ATM machines can be found in downtown Loreto, in the tourist area. The following is a partial list of the ATMs in town:
- Citibank: At the branch on Avenida Cinco De Mayo, No. 103; Citibank account holders are not charged an ATM transaction fee.
- BBVA Bancomer: At the branch on Avenida Cinco De Mayo, No. 203; another ATM machine can be found on Salvatierra.
See our Loreto ATM map for the locations of the above ATMs.
Using US Dollars in Loreto
As US dollars are widely accepted in Loreto, you don't have to change your dollars into pesos. If you're using dollars alone, make sure to bring smaller denominations to pay for incidentals and taxi rides.
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 © istockphoto.com/Tyrannosaur |
Owing to its geographic proximity, Loreto has a climate almost identical to La Paz. Loreto enjoys 340 days of sun during the year.
During the comfortable winter and spring months, the average daily temperatures range from the mid-60s to the mid-70s F (18-25° C). Summer and fall daily averages rise to the 80s. It can be hot in the summer months, with 100+ degree days not uncommon.
Relative humidities range from the low- to high-60% from December through June, and then rise to the low 70s from July through November. Loreto gets an average annual rainfall of only 2 inches per year.
Winter water temperatures in the Sea of Cortez around La Paz are in the mid-60s F. During the summer months, the temperatures climb into the mid-80s F. |
Loreto Average Temperatures |
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Jan |
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Feb |
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Mar |
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Apr |
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May |
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Jun |
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Jul |
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Aug |
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Sep |
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Oct |
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Nov |
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Dec |
| Avg High - F |
73 |
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76 |
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80 |
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85 |
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88 |
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93 |
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95 |
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94 |
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93 |
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89 |
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82 |
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76 |
| Avg High - C |
22 |
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25 |
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26 |
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29 |
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30 |
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34 |
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36 |
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35 |
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35 |
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30 |
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27 |
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25 |
| Avg Low - F |
53 |
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54 |
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55 |
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57 |
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60 |
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65 |
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72 |
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74 |
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74 |
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67 |
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62 |
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57 |
| Avg Low - C |
11 |
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11 |
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13 |
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14 |
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16 |
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18 |
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22 |
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23 |
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23 |
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20 |
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17 |
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14 |
Loreto Average Precipitation |
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Jan |
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Feb |
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Mar |
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Apr |
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May |
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Jun |
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Jul |
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Aug |
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Sep |
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Oct |
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Nov |
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Dec |
| Avg, Inches |
0.0 |
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0.4 |
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0.1 |
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0.0 |
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0.0 |
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0.0 |
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0.0 |
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0.0 |
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0.7 |
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0.0 |
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0.5 |
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0.4 |
| Avg, mm |
0 |
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11 |
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2 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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18 |
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0 |
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12 |
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11 |
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 © istockphoto.com/mjunsworth |
Internet Cafes
The cyber cafes in town are centered in the Mission district, along with the ATM machines. Here's a partial listing of recognized internet cafes:
- Dot Com Internet Cafe, In the Mission district, next to Cafe Ole. Rates of $2 for 30 minutes. Open daily, year round.
- Caseta Soledad, Calle Salvatierra, in the Mission District. Reasonable rates. Open daily, year round, 8:00am to 9:00pm.
See our Loreto Internet Cafes & Wi-Fi Hotspot Map for the locations of the above internet access points.
Finding US Newspapers Don't expect to find US newspapers in Loreto.
Kindle Connectivity
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In Loreto, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through Telcel's EDGE/GPRS coverage in the city. |
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 © istockphoto.com/adamdodd |
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Local Holidays & Festivals |
The following local festivals, holidays and events are scheduled to take place in Loreto in 2010:
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- Ano Nuevo (New Year's Day), January 1. National holiday celebrated with dances and fiestas.
- Dia de los Santos Reyes (Day of the Three Kings), January 6. A national holiday when children receive their Christmas gifts as well as shoes full of candy.
- Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day), February 1. Public holiday commemorating the signing of the Mexican Constitution of 1917. The day is usually marked by festivals and street celebrations.
- Carnaval (Mardis Gras), February 11 to 16. Pre-Lenten festival that's big in Mexico.
- Birthday of Benito Juarez, March 15. A public holiday celebrating the birthday of Benito Juarez, who rose from humble origins to occupy the Presidency of the Republic in the second half of the 19th century.
- Primero de Mayo (Labor Day), May 1. A national holiday.
- Cinco de Mayo, May 5. A national Mexican holiday commemorating the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when the Mexican army defeated a French force twice its size just south of Mexico City. Not as big a deal in Mexico as it is in the US.
- Fiestas de la Virgen de Loreto, September 1 to 8. The Virgin of Loreto Festivities involve a series of religious, civic and cultural events.
- Mexican Independence Day, September 16. A celebration of Mexico's War of Independence against Spain. Look for the delivery of the "El Grito de Dolores," the offical grunt that marks the day.
- Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day), October 12. Dia de la Raza is how Mexico celebrates Columbus Day.
- Fiestas de la Fundacion de Loreto, October 19 to 25. The celebrations surrounding the founding of the city of Loreto is one of the most important cultural events in the state.
- Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), November 1-2. Celebrants build private altars to honor the deceased, using sugar skulls, flowers and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.
- Revolution Day, November 22. A national holiday celebrating the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
- Fiestas de San Javier, December 1-3. A celebration of Saint Francis Xavier, patron saint from the neighboring town of San Javier. These festivities attract a lot of pilgrims from the peninsula.
- Fiesta de la Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), December 8. Marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration season.
- Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe), December 11. Commemorates the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint.
- Navidad (Christmas Day), December 25. A public and religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ.
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 © istockphoto.com/Windzepher |
Loreto is a "boutique" port for Holland America ships making 10- and 14-day cruises from San Diego. During 2010, Holland America's ms Ryndam sets sail for Loreto beginning October 12, with visits to Loreto continuing into 2011.
The following cruise line makes port in Loreto:
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Holland America |
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 © istockphoto.com/madisonwi |
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