Loreto sits halfway down the Baja California peninsula and, remote as it sounds, it is easy to reach. It has its own international airport four miles from downtown, a paved federal highway running the length of the peninsula and a sea connection to the mainland. Here is what is worth knowing about each option.
By air
Loreto International Airport (code LTO) is the fastest way in. It receives domestic flights from Mexico City and Tijuana year-round, and seasonal international flights from the United States and Canada. It is a small single-building terminal: fifteen minutes from the plane to the curb.
Downtown is four miles from the airport, about twelve minutes by car. There are authorized taxis at the exit, and we arrange private transfers for guests; it is worth requesting one when you confirm your reservation through contact so someone is waiting with your name.
If there is no direct flight
The usual alternative is flying into La Paz or Los Cabos and continuing by road: four and a half hours from La Paz, about six from Los Cabos. It is a beautiful stretch, but it means half a day of driving. It is worth it only if you were already planning to see the peninsula.
Driving the Transpeninsular
Federal Highway 1 crosses Baja California from north to south and runs through Loreto. Approximate distances from the usual entry points:
- La Paz: 220 miles, about 4 hours 30 minutes.
- Los Cabos: 325 miles, about 6 hours.
- Guerrero Negro: 260 miles, about 5 hours.
- Tijuana and the border: 700 miles. Best done over two days with a stop along the way.
Advice from people who drive it often: drive in daylight, fill the tank in every town that has a station even if you are only half empty, and do not count on cell service across the desert stretches. The run between Santa Rosalia and Loreto, with the sea on your right and cardon cactus on your left, is one of the best drives in Mexico.
Do you need a car once you are here?
Not to get around town: downtown, the malecon and the beach are all walking distance from our rooms. A car helps if you plan to drive up to San Javier or explore the southern beaches on your own. If you decide once you are here, the front desk can arrange a rental the same day.
By ferry from the mainland
There is ferry service between Topolobampo or Mazatlan and La Paz, with capacity for vehicles. From the port in La Paz, add the four and a half hours by road to Loreto. It is the option for travelers with their own car or RV and no hurry; the overnight crossing takes several hours.
By bus
Bus lines run the length of the peninsula and stop at the Loreto terminal, with connections from La Paz, Constitucion, Santa Rosalia and Tijuana. It is inexpensive and works well, though schedules are limited. From the terminal to the hotel is a five-minute taxi ride.
Getting from the airport to the hotel
Three options, in order of convenience:
- Private hotel transfer: booked along with your room. Someone meets you at the exit and twelve minutes later you are checking in.
- Authorized taxi: available at the terminal when each flight lands.
- Rental car: the counters are inside the terminal.
Our address is in the malecon area, right downtown, so any driver knows it without directions.
When to arrive
If your plan includes an island trip or a day of fishing, keep in mind those activities start around seven in the morning. Arriving the day before saves you from losing that first morning. See the options under experiences and in things to do in Loreto.
What you see along the way
If you drive in on the Transpeninsular, the final stretch is part of the trip. From the north you pass through the Mulege valley, with its palm oasis and its mission, and along Bahia Concepcion, a string of turquoise beaches worth an hour of your time. From the south, the road crosses the plain at Ciudad Insurgentes and then climbs the Sierra de la Giganta before dropping to the sea.
Three tips from people who drive it often: avoid driving at night because of loose cattle, carry cash for stretches with no signal or card terminal, and build slack into your timing, since the mountain curves are not highway speed. Once you are here, everything is close: all of it in things to do in Loreto is less than an hour away.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights to Loreto year-round?
Domestic routes operate year-round; some international routes are winter seasonal. It is worth checking availability for your exact dates.
How long is the drive from La Paz to Loreto?
Four and a half to five hours, on paved highway in good condition.
Can you fly in on a private plane?
Yes, the airport handles general aviation. Write to us through contact and we will arrange your transfer on arrival.
Do I need a passport if I am coming from the United States?
Yes, along with the corresponding immigration form. If you enter by land with a foreign vehicle, check the current requirements before you leave.
Is there transportation to San Javier?
There is no regular public transportation. You get there in your own car, a rental or on an organized tour; the front desk can help you book one.
