The Natural Landscape:
The natural landscapes features amazing and rare elements, such as the vegetation, the topography, the bodies of water, and other elements that contour the panoramic view, for recreational use and scenic enjoyment.
Baja California Sur has sustained little transformation by the hand of men. Its landscape maintains an untouched and natural image.
This image is one of the main tourist resources of the locality. It creates an
opposite conception from civilization in the tourist's mind; an adventurous motivation, an eagerness to discover it.
Its particular fauna is another major attraction. Composed of a wide array of specimens such as the rabbit, the squirrel, the prairie wolf or coyote, the quail, the hare, the wild boar, the raccoon, the badger, the arboreal squirrel, the iguana, the cacomistle, the duck, the goose, the deer,the turkey and several species of doves. The seals, the whales, the pelicans, among many others, complement the beauty of the landscape.
Sport fishing is internationally famous for the quantity and quality of the species and also considered a major tourist resource. The Blue Marlin fishing is especially prominent. Diving and sailing are also a must in this place, especially between July and November.
At the Carrizal Valley, in the municipality of La Paz, there are abundant fossils from the Pleistocene: mammoth, mastodon, turtles, among others. Near Todos Los Santos, 50 miles South of La Paz, an important finding of human remains was discovered dating back approximately 3,000 years. The best preserved element was the skull, named as the Man from Matancitas. These remains gave rise to a museum, where an exhibit of radiographies shows the bone remains.
There were three main native groups: the Pericues, who inhabited the Southern part of the state; the Guaycuras on the Central area; and the Cochimies who lived in the Northern part. They lived a simple life, devoted to collecting seeds and fruits, hunting and fishing.
Historical Monuments:
Loreto offers a wide variety of cultural and tourist activities
and attractions. The accumulation of historic traces and
features are especially significant. The National
Archaeology and History Institute (INAH, by its initial in
Spanish) has already identified 7 in Loreto and 2 in San
Javier, currently used as museum, churches, hotel and
dwellings.
Archaeological Zones:
In the Sierra La Giganta, which comprises the municipality
of Loreto, have been located several traces of cave
paintings, representing the life of ancient Californians,
dating back 10,000 years.
Among the cultural attractions in this area, the missions
built along the peninsula by the friars from the Company
of Jesus are prominent.
Loreto's Historical Downtown:
Mission of Our Lady of Loreto Concho
This mission was built during the Seventeenth Century
and founded in 1697. It preserves master pieces from de
Eighteenth Century.
Museum of the Missions:
It was the old penitentiary, a police station, the general
warehouse and the colonial treasury. It was built in the
Eighteenth Century and abandoned by the end of the
Nineteenth. By the beginning of the Twentieth Century it
was re-built and used as a jailhouse, later as a school and
as a municipal arts center. In 1973, by the executive order
of President Luis Echeverria it was recovered by the INAH
to house the Museum of the Missions.
The Stone House of Loreto:
Located downtown Loreto, this building housed the old
penitentiary and the House of Government, where the
Mexican independence was sworn and the Adherence Act
was signed in 1822 and 1824, respectively.
Pier:
Remodeling the pier (malecon) enhanced the beauty and
ambiance of Loreto, creating the perfect place for
relaxation and even, for recreational aquatic activities.
Historical and Tourist Sites in the Municipality
San Francisco Javier Vigge Biaundo Mission
The Mission was founded in 1699 by the Jesuit Francisco
Maria Piccolo. The temple built by the Spanish missionary
Miguel del Barco in 1744, features an outstanding
Baroque style, with its structural solidity made of ashlars
and mortar. It is the greatest sample of missionary
architecture (The Queen of the Missions). It is majestically
located at the Sierra la Giganta, West of Loreto.
Loreto Golf Course and Club House:
The Golf Course facilities contrast with the natural
scenery. It lies between the Sea of Cortes and the Sierra
La Giganta, 5 miles South of Loreto, by the
Transpeninsular Highway. The 18-hole, 72-par championship golf course is set on a
177-Acre area. It features a four-Acre practice area, three
artificial lakes which beautifully enhance the landscape. The club house restaurant can host 60 guests. It also
offers a terrace-bar, swimming pool and sun decks.
Loreto Tennis Center:
The Tennis Center features 8 courts in excellent
conditions with lighting system, and championship stadium
for 280 people. It also offers restaurant-bar services, proshop
and swimming pool, sauna, instructors and green
areas for relaxation.
Puerto Escondido:
The Puerto Escondido basin is a natural marina for small
vessels, providing security, tranquility and a quiet place to
the tourism. The infrastructure was built by FONATUR and
there is a small hotel in construction. In the short-medium
term this place will be a top-level nautical destination,
additionally featuring golf courses, marina, real estate<
development, hotels, commercial area, among other
facilities and services, complementing the attractions for
those visiting Loreto by sea.
It is one of the securest places in the peninsula during
hurricane season, due to its topographical configuration.
The other one is Pichilingue.
Islands:
The center has several islands, of great importance and
beauty for the nautical tourism, such as:
Del Carmen Island.
It is an important tourist attraction, not only for the variety
in its sport fishing species and its countless beautiful
beaches, but also because it preserves traces from the
old salt industry: parts of a Nineteenth Century building
firm and strong. The voyage takes approximately 1 hour
by boat.
Coronados, Danzantes, Monserrat, La Catalana, and
Las Galeras Islands
This small archipelago includes the above mentioned
island, isles and islets, lagoons and coves beauty and
tranquility to the tourism, who can explore the sites by
boat or kayak. They are an important attraction and great
to practice all kinds of aquatic sports, such as diving for
the diversity of marine species. There is also a sanctuary
for seals and birds.
The Bahia Loreto National Park is a region's paramount
natural heritage.
By executive order from President
Ernesto Zedillo in July 1996, it was declared a Protected
Natural Area. It was taken into consideration the countless species living or visiting the sea and the islands,
which are of great value for the ecosystems balance
conservation. This park comprises an area of 510,470 Acres, which
makes it the largest marine park along the Sea of Cortes.
Primer Agua:
Primer Agua is an indigenous settlement South of San
Javier and 9 miles from Loreto. It has a spring and
facilities with a swimming pool.
Sierra Tabor:
Located South of Loreto, facing Puerto Escondido, it is the
most suitable place for hiking.
