Location: Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico (5 miles to Airport, 3 blocks to downtown, 6 blocks to Marina)
Accommodations: House in Gated Complex, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6)
Relax in a quiet, friendly community within a small Mexican fishing village on the edge of the Sea of Cortez.
THE HOME
Casa #3 is an excellent family retreat. The home is very comfortable and fully equipped for your stay. Upper and lower bedrooms have king beds and adjoining bathrooms. The loft bedroom has two twin beds that can be can be made into a king bed. The balcony adjacent to the loft bedroom has a leather table and four chairs and is our favorite spot to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset. Other features of Casa #3 include a water filtration system that purifies 100% of the water to the house to ensure safe drinking water and ice from the freezer for drinks. Our large fountain on the fully tiled patio provides a refreshing background sound as well as an attractive birdbath for the many local birds. The hummingbird feeders in the back yard are a big hit with the local hummingbirds. Our local property manager is available to provide assistance as needed and is reachable on the cell phone that is available with the house. Please use the link below to see many more photos and learn more details about Casa #3.
THE COMMUNITY
Our home is one of eighteen homes in Club El Palmar II. The central feature of this gated community is the 5-foot deep swimming pool with its crystal clear water in the center of the “U-shaped” complex and is about ten steps from the front door of Casa #3. Please note that there is no lifeguard at this pool so parents must keep a close eye on their children. The pool is the gathering spot in Club El Palmar II where you can meet your neighbors and learn more about the area and interesting things to do while visiting Loreto. The residents and guests are generally English speaking, very friendly, and are eager to share their knowledge of the town.
THE TOWN
Loreto is a quaint Mexican fishing village on the Sea of Cortez (or Gulf of California if you prefer). The locals are EXTREMELY friendly and polite to all visitors. Tourism is the only industry in the region and visitors are made to feel very welcome. There is no crime, panhandling, drugs or violence, and the town is quite clean. Most of the streets are paved but some of the side streets are still dirt. The town is family oriented and so the few nightspots are pretty tame.
From Club El Palmar II to the central shopping area near the Loreto Mission is a short three-block walk. In addition to shopping, Loreto offers excellent restaurants, and cafes. The most prominent landmark in Loreto is the Mission, built 1697, and is the first mission in all of California and remains in use today. Next to the Mission is a small museum that is worth visiting. From the Mission to the Malicon is about a four-block walk. The Malicon is a street next to the seawall and runs the length of the central portion of town. The marina is at the north end of the Malicon and is where you will go to meet the panga fishing boat and Captain if you arrange to take a fishing trip. By the way, the panga fishermen will clean the fish for you and just about any restaurant in town will cook your fish to order for a very reasonable price. A web search of Loreto BCS Mexico will result in many informative web sites.
THINGS TO DO
Fishing in Loreto is world-class. Although there are marlin and other bill fish in the waters, fin fish like Dorado (Mahi) and Yellowtail Tuna are generally the preferred catch. Other activities in the area include swimming, snorkeling, sea kayaking, horseback riding and sightseeing. Charter a private cruise on the luxury yacht EL DON to one of the many secluded beaches on any of the local islands like Isla Coronado, Isla Carmen, Isla Danzante, and many others. Multi-day private charters are also available. Otherwise, join a day charter from the Inn at Loreto Bay on most Saturdays and Sundays for a day on the water, swimming, snorkeling, sun bathing, and enjoying the rich marine life in the area. Whale Watching Cruises are offered each Wednesday and Saturday from January through March at a cost of $70/person. Depart Puerto Escondido around 9:00 AM and return in the early afternoon. See Blue Whales and Fin Back Whales, generally mothers with their calves. It's a GREAT activity without the long ride to the Pacific side of Baja. Contact Margarita in the Velas de Loreto office on the corner of Francisco Madero and Benito Juarez to arrange for your trip on EL DON. The phone number from the US is 011 52 613 135 1247.
GETTING THERE
Loreto has a convenient international airport only five miles from town. Alaska Airlines and Aerocalifornia offer non-stop one hour and 45 minutes flights from Los Angles International Airport (LAX) three days per week. Aero Mexico offers direct flights to Loreto from San Diego three times per week. In general, the easiest and most direct way to reach Loreto is to fly to LAX, spend the night near the airport, and then take a direct flight the next day from LAX to Loreto on either Alaska Airlines or Aerocalifornia. (Note that as of this writing, Aerocalifornia has suspended flight operations until further notice.) Loreto can also be reached by car. The drive takes about eighteen hours from San Diego along scenic Highway 1. About ten hours after crossing the border you reach the town of Guerreo Negro. This is a good place to stop for the night and make the balance of the trip the following day. It is wise to drive during daylight hours since farm animals frequently stray onto the highway in remote areas. Additionally, having two adults awake while driving improves safety. Check with your insurance carrier about coverage for driving in Mexico. Otherwise, contact Vagabundos Del Mar for temporary auto insurance.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: Two AC units in main part of house with remote controls. Master Bedroom has separate AC unit.
- Linens Provided
- Covered Parking
- Off Street Parking
- Beds
- King Bed: Both bedrooms have King beds.
- Twin/Single Bed: Loft area has two Twin beds that can be made up as a King bed.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- CD Player
- Shared Pool
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: Beautiful large fountain on the patio provides relaxing background sound and attracts many pretty birds. Lounge chairs on the patio.
- Balcony: Balcony with leather table & chairs
- Communications
- Telephone: DSL telephone has two lines; local Loreto line for easy calling around town, and VOIP line with Nothern CA area code for unlimited calling to the US. International phone call charges will be deducted from the Security Deposit.
- Free Long Distance
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Ceiling fans throughout the house.
- Suitability
- Kid Friendly
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: Responsible individual must be at least 25 years of age.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Marine Ecotourism on Luxury Yacht EL DON. Reduced day charter rates available to Casa #3 renters. Contact Margarita at Velas de Loreto office at 135-1247.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Rental rates are $120/night for 1-6 nights, $750/week Oct thru May.
A $140/night - $850/week June through Sept includes electricity surcharge.
A security deposit of $250 holds your reservation. Rental Agreement has details.
Upon arrival, your Security Deposit converts to a Damage Deposit.
Cancellations more than 60 days prior to arrival are refunded in full.
Security Deposit is forfeit with cancellation between 30 and 60 days.
No refunds are given for cancellations with less than 30 prior to arrival.
Recommend renters buy Trip Insurance to protect against last minute cancellations.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Property Photos
- View of the front of Casa #3 - Loreto Real Estate
- Spacious bedroom with King bed, large closet, drawers under bed, full tiled bath - Loreto Real Estate
- Tiled patio with large picnic table, lounge chairs, beautiful fountain, Bar-B-Q - Loreto Real Estate
- Swimming Pool is only steps away from front door - View from Living Room
- Sunset from the balcony of Casa #3
- Classic luxury yacht EL DON waiting for your private charter
Guest Comments (3)
First (3) of (3). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #92200
There have been 25338 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2006.
This listing was first published here in 2006.
Date last modified - October 26, 2009
Positive Rating
Lynn Barendt , San Juan Capistrano, CA
Positive Rating
Steve , Chilliwack, BC
Positive Rating
Sandra Bierling , Colorado Springs, CO