Loreto Is a Quiet Gem on Mexico's Baja Peninsula Karen Schwartz - The Associated Press
go to original March 9, 2014

A chica. A church. And a scarf. Here’s a sneak peek of the short film “Morado” shot on location in Loreto, Baja California Sur. (Stark Insider)

LORETO, Mexico — Efforts to turn the seaside village of Loreto into a major destination have been going on for years. So far, though, the results have been limited, and that in itself makes it worth visiting.

Loreto is already a gem — a historic town nestled between gold-hued mountains and the blue Sea of Cortez. It's known mainly to whale watchers (late winter), sport fishermen (year-round) and snowbirds who drive down from British Columbia, Canada.

Loreto was earmarked for tourism development 30 years ago, part of an initiative that also included Cancun, Ixtapa, parts of Oaxaca and Los Cabos. While the others flourished, the development of Loreto faltered.

In a renewed effort two years ago, Mexico's tourism agency gave Loreto its "Magic Town" moniker, a label to promote places notable for natural beauty, cultural riches or historical relevance. Still, the international airport here welcomed only about 40,000 tourists last year, compared to the million or so who flew to Los Cabos, 300 miles (480 kilometers) to the south.

And there are no cruise ships. Instead, there is the Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site made up of five islands accessible only by boat.

Read the rest at greenwichtime.com

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