Loreto Area

Loreto Area Cruisers Guide

This document is a work in progress…last modified 7/2023

Disclaimer: businesses come and go, and move. Hours of operation and phone numbers not verified. Many of these listings we do not have personal experience with. Links have been disabled to prevent hackers from attacking this site.

Anchoring: consult your favorite cruising guide for the islands.

Loreto (the town)

The easiest way to shop is to anchor off Loreto if it is a nice day. We have found good holding at the following coordinates (depth typically 20 feet or less).

26 00 801N   111 20 169W
26 00 875N   111 20 158W
26 00 842N   111 20 166W
26 00 806N   111 20 187W

It IS an open roadstead so conditions will vary, pay good attention to weather reports. Anchor right off the town either slightly north or south of or parallel to the little panga harbor. Depths typically under 20 feet. If we think it might get choppy, we try to get in and out by early afternoon when the winds can increase. You may bring up some grassy objects when you raise your anchor.

Starting in 2022 there has been a port fee to use the dinghy dock at the panga harbor. We don’t find it burdensome, although their trash disposal fee was probably designed for larger yachts who would have more volume than the average cruiser. You may want to plan to dispose of your trash elsewhere. Fee for 2 persons to use the dinghy dock 5/2023 – 220 pesos.

We have anchored overnight of Loreto on occasion, but other, more protected anchorages such as Ballandra and Marquer at Isla Carmen are not far away. Lots of folks anchor overnight when the conditions are nice.

Dinghy into the small panga harbor and head towards the U-shaped dock. In recent times dinghies were supposed to tie up between the dock and the shore (nearest to the dock ramp), YMMV. Most of that U-dock space is dedicated for loading and unloading for tourist pangas.

We like to start with a nice breakfast at Los Mandiles (orange with palapa roof a little south of Mission Hotel on the Malecon) or buffet breakfast at the Mission Hotel to eat and enjoy some Wi-Fi, then take care of our errands. It’s easy enough to walk just about everywhere. Occasionally we walk TO our destination, then if we have a big load (groceries or laundry for example), then we’ll take a taxi back to the harbor.

Candeleros/Esenada Blanca (south of Puerto Escondido and Loreto)

• • There have been several trash cans on the beach, this is really your first, best place to dispose of trash north of La Paz.
  • This anchorage is the first one north of Isla Espiritu Santo/La Paz that will have a cellular signal

• Villa Del Palmar Resort ‎(at Candeleros/Ensenada Blanca)Anchor here and you might be able patronize the Villa Palmar Hotel restaurants, Wi-Fi, convenience store (mostly snacks and beverages), and the nice Palapa (on the left as you approach the pools) has burgers, pizza, tacos, etc.  AS OF 2023 THIS OPTION MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE, this resort has done very well and may no longer have need for cruiser patronage.
• Park or anchor your dinghy and walk to the stairs (see the shower to wash your feet!) to access the hotel. There may be a security guard to greet you and perhaps write down your boat name. He/she may direct you to the front desk for a wrist band to identify you. Bring cash in various denominations if you want to eat/drink as most guests are on a package plan and so the staff doesn’t have to run to the front desk to make change. It’s a lovely place, at least walk around and have a look, the multiple pools form a big turtle. You may want to stay here or have friends/family visit you sometime. Take a tour of the spa if you are so inclined.

Ligui Village

• Dinghy up to the northwest corner of the Candeleros bay (you’ll see some tall flagpoles which mark a park there) and walk about a half mile into the village of Ligui/Ensenada Blanca for a little market (look where the fishing pangas and trailers are located, to find the road into the village). LAST VISITED 2021, this tienda also has a sister store right along Highway 1, so they may be able to bring things in that you are lacking. They have some produce (better some days of the week than others, dairy products, bread, canned goods, some frozen meats, soda & juices, Magnum bars.

Marina Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido (formerly Fonatur) Marina and harbor UPDATED 2023 – call on channel 16 for slip availability, or a mooring ball assignment. Or, just come into the harbor (we have found minimum depth of about 15 feet after recent dredging 2022), and take a mooring, then go to the office to check in.  The moorings were re-done after Hurricane Odile. Look for a mooring with a yellow float pickups, any moorings out of service will not have a float, and some “reserved” moorings may have a fender or other float with a boat name on it.
concierge@marinapuertoescondido.com
613 131 8097    613 133 0189    613 133 0899
Harbormaster Javier Fuerte (2023)

There IS wi-fi ashore next to the very well stocked tienda and a lovely third floor cruisers lounge with wi-fi was opened in 2020.

Gas and diesel are available at the fuel dock. Water can be obtained from the fuel dock and it is very potable. Suggest you use your own hose to fill as the harbor staff may drop their dock hose into an occasional holding tank.

A small swimming pool is there too, second floor the marina complex.

• There is also a set of docks behind the boat yard, boats with deep draft might have a hard time getting in. Many boats up to 40 feet would probably fit in there fine. Marina office can provide info and rates.
• There is a lovely outdoor restaurant space upstairs on the second level deck, La Brisa. Very convenient and reasonable. Thin crust pizza and a salad makes a nice dinner. Lots of items available too, full bar.
• To access Loreto from Puerto Escondido, there are a few options. Have/make friends with a car, ask on the morning VHF net if someone can provide a ride to town, have marina office order a rental car for you (they are delivered to the marina from town). As of 2022 the marina also has a shuttle service. We typically rent a car up there a few times a year.
• The Waiting Room, large southeast cove just outside the harbor, formerly with moorings, was closed in spring 2018. There’s a lot of junk on the bottom in there from old moorings.
• The Ellipse mooring field (circular area on the right as you enter the channel) is also managed by the Marina Puerto Escondido office.

Nopolo/Loreto Bay (between Puerto Escondido and Loreto)
You can access the Inn at Loreto Bay restaurant (and we used the pool 5/2022). We have a decent lunch there occasionally, last in spring 2023…reasonable pricing.

Walk down the beach a little south of the hotel and look for a pathway through the buildings. Along those pathways you’ll come to a boulevard with a few eating places and shops including a mini-mart. Along this paseo: Le Bistro (great French baked goods) Wine Cellar Nopolo (tapas and American sports on TV), La Sirena (coffee, bakery, breakfast and lunch). Towards the very north end of the boulevard (where it starts to curve) is Pan Que Pan Bakery, a couple small restaurants, and Pedro’s Place restaurant and delicatessen/tienda with many grocery goodies that cruisers enjoy.

San Javier (Mission)

• If you haven’t visited San Javier yet, it is well worth the drive, read our post at https://cuisinemarine.com/san-javier/. It is about a 35 minute drive each way from the turnoff at Highway One. There are occasionally a few dodgy bits to the road but it’s very passable in an ordinary car, we last went there in early 2021. The Palapa restaurant just to the right of the church has a nice breakfast. Sometimes some fresh farm goods are available for sale. Definitely walk back behind the church to the right, to see the ancient olive tree and walk down the pathway to see a few agriculture fields and the water supply.

Car Rental

Most convenient is to have the Puerto Escondido Marina office call and make a reservation for you. Rate includes Mexican insurance and delivery to and drop off at the marina ($55-75/day depending on season and availability).

Grocery/Liquor/Wine

Delicatessen  (last visited 5/2023)
Specializing in gourmet items, international ingredients, cheeses, spices, condiments, wines, vast selection of frozen meats like thick pork chops, steaks, lamb, organic chicken breasts, wine cellar from about 100p, Italian and other sausages, lots of goodies from Costco. (Proprietor Pedro Lopez ran the tienda and Porto Bello restaurant at Marina Fonatur for many years.)
On Benito Juarez between Ayuntamiento y Marques de Leon, and at least a few blocks past the Ferramar chandlery and on the opposite side of the street. Two story, big green banner. (directly across the street from their former location in 2015, 2014)
613 135 0733   Also? 613 135 2477
newdeliloretobcs@gmail.com

El Pescador (last visited 6/2023)
The second largest supermarket. Seems to have improved since Ley came to town. We bought some frozen shrimp there recently that was quite good. A few more “gringo” items here (canned diced tomatoes for example) than Ley carries, even a few Costco items are seen. Meat counter (their thick cut bacon is lovely), sometimes Johnsonville sausages, general groceries, frozen green beans (otherwise hard to find), liquor and wine.
Salvatierra at Independencia (at the traffic light).
613 135 0060
www.elpescador.com.mx

Juarez Market (last visited 6/2023)
Small market that has a nice corner of “gringo” goodies including some treats from Costco. Kirkland sea salt crinkle-cut potato chips, anyone? EXCELLENT PRODUCE 5/2023. Meat counter and canned goods.
Benito Juarez near the roundabout at Ugarte and Salvatierra and next door to the Coppel Store.
Opens at 7:00 AM

Cactus Liqores (last visited 6/2023)
Liquors and decent wine selection. Good prices, where the gringos go. ADDITIONAL LOCATION 2022 – on the Malecon a little south of the Mission Hotel. Second, original location on Hidalgo, a little east of Independencia, not far from Pescador grocery
135-2075

Bodega Aurrera (last visited 6/2023)
(a Walmart affiliate), smaller than the outlets in Constitucion and La Paz
Staple items, some produce and cold items, nothing special in our opinion but must be a good place for the locals to bulk buy.
Independencia – a few blocks north of Super Ley Grocery

Super Ley Express (last visited 6/2023)
Opened in 2013. Biggest supermarket in town. We like their fresh English muffins and bagels (rarely seen in Mexico). Really good produce selection, and good quality. Has ATM machines affiliated with major banks, we have used many times with no problems.
Independencia, 2 blocks north of Benito Juarez

El Gavilan –  Semillas y Especias (last visited 6/2023)
Condiments, beans bulk herbs, spices, nuts, grains, dried fruits, international ingredients like coconut milk, and gluten free items. Proprietor Gabriel Vasquez is a treasure. Ask him for his Chilean raisins. His olive oil (in unmarked bottle) is very nice. Ask about his 4-wheeler tours too!
Salvatierra @ Independencia across from Pescador market
Shop #135-2331
Cell #613 – 137-2700
www.elgavilanloreto.com
gabriel_562@yahoo.com

Tortilleria Dulce
last visited 5/2023
Benito Juarez  (south side of street) between  Indepencia and Guerrero, a little east of Ferremar. Try the (baked? Fried?) crispy flour tortillas – they don’t always have them, they are great as crackers!

Delicatessen branch – at Pedro’s Places in Nopolo/Loreto Bay
last visited 5/2018
Better stock in the Loreto location, but he can bring items down to Nopolo store. And, he now owns the restaurant next door.
newdeliloretobcs@gmail.com
613 135 0733  ? 135 2499

Pescaderia Mariscos Alvarez – Seafood Market
Excellent selection at good prices
On highway 1 just a little north of Ugarte
+52 613 116 6456

Loreto Bay General Store
(Mini-Mart) at Nopolo (last visited 6/2022)
Paseo Mision de Loreto #305
613 111 9659

Hardware, Electrical and Plumbing supplies

Madereria Y Ferreteria California
last visited 6/2023
(Loreto’s version of home depot)
On Hwy 1 north end of town, west side of highway (KM 5?)
+52 613 109 7701

Romero Electrical (5/2023)
across from FerreMar on Benito Juarez

Ferreteria Chucos
last visited 6/2023
Madero about 2 blocks south of Hidalgo
Good sized store

Laundry   

Self-Serve at Marina Puerto Escondido (last used 10/2023)
Works on honor system, report your number of loads and pay at the marina office

Lavanderia La Rana (last used 10/2021)
Wash and fold, very reasonable. (drop-off) same day service possible, we usually pick up the next day. They don’t use smelly soaps.
Benito Juarez #85 – several blocks west of Ferremar, same side of street look for frog logo
613 135 1383

Marine/Hardware

Ferre-Mar chandlery
last visited 5/2023
Boating/fishing/dive-snorkel gear/batteries/hardware/batteries/cleaning supplies, pieces and parts, camping gear, coolers, even vacuum seal bags and sealers (southern Baja chain with stores in La Paz and Constitucion)
Benito Juarez, Maybe 4-5 blocks west of the Malecon, will be on your right. Blue Building.
613-135-0407
USA Warehouse 619-710-1421
ferremarloreto@hotmail.com
www.ferremar.mx
https://www.facebook.com/ferremarine

El Tigre Auto Parts (last visited 2014)
One of the side streets between Juarez & Salvatierra?

Chino Auto Parts (last visited 4/2023)
Juarez at Ventura 135-1720
Batteries, Auto Parts, oil, pretty good inventory
135-1720

Baleros y Rotenes (Bearings and Seals)
On Highway 1 in Cuidad Constitucion, at the intersection of Olachea, roughly 1/4 mile NORTH of the Super Ley Market on the east side of the street.
In Loreto? CLOSED???  Off Indepencia just a little south of Salvatierra

Fishing licenses and park permits
at the base of the town pier

Carlos Cristiani Cruz Diving Services
Puerto Escondido – Street Level of the Puerto Escondido complex. Bottom Cleaning, Diving and underwater maintenance.
613 131 8098  613 109 2013
VHF 16
carlos_crisc@hotmail.com
Serviciossub.cristiani@gmail.com

Metal Fabrication
Tim Yarbrough tim@wefab.com
House of Stainless, S.A. de C.V. and Loreto Expeditions, S.A. de C.V.
Office 52-613-135-1533
Cell 310-756-5742

A few mechanics that have been recommended, we have not tried

Outboard mechanic Eugene behind concrete wall at the road to San Javier

Welder. Fernando “El Condor” 613 105 8665

Restaurants & Take Out

Los Mandiles
last visited 7/2023
Our favorite breakfast place, great prices and staff
Right on the malecon a couple blocks south of the Mission Hotel
 +52 613 135 1099

Pollos Mexico
Great grilled chicken and more, eat in or take out
Ugarte (the main drag) not far from Hwy 1

Café Ole
Breakfast, lunch, Mexican cuisine
135-0496
Daily 7 am – 10 pm, closing at 2 on Sunday..
Madero #14 near Hildalgo, right off the town square, southeast from the Cathedral
outdoor patio and indoor seating (no wifi?)

Del Borracho Saloon & Grill
last visited 3/2021
Western themed. Good spot for burgers
613 109 3001
San Javier Rd. a little south of Loreto and .4 km west of Hwy 1
Weds. – Fri. 11 am – 6 pm. Sat./Sun. 9 am – 6 pm – Limited hours in summer

El Rey del Tacos (last visited 5/2022)
9 am – 2 pm, seems to be open when they feel like it
Benito Juarez between Misioneros and Suarez
Fish tacos, where the locals go! get there early

La Picazon (friends were there 5/2016, we have been there at least twice)
Alex and Imelda
Monday-Saturday from noon to 6:00 pm
613-111-8782
North of town, via graded road north. By boat is across from Isla Carmen, about 1 mile away. Shore is rocky so you may need to anchor out your dinghy. Anchoring with your sailing vessel is doable in good conditions, friends on Hylas 54 have anchored there (not overnight).
lapicazon@hotmail.com
www.facebook.com/LaPicazonLoreto

La Michoacana Ice Cream
Madero between Salvatierra & Benito Juarez, next to Orlandos

Mita Goumet   (last visited 2019)
Calle Davis #13, on the town square just east of gazebo
Lovely patio, also indoor seating, a little pricier than some of the others but deliciously prepared fish, among other choices. Friendly husband and wife team.
613 135 2025
www.mitagourmet.com

Mission Hotel
last visited 2019
Used to go there fairly often for a Sunday brunch
On the Malecon very near the town docks
134 0350

Hotel Oasis
last visited 2019
Saturday night buffet! Oysters/Clams (in season) plus BBQ Chicken, Ribs, nice sides. Lovely outdoor patio, usuall live (acoustic) music.

Orlando’s
last visited 2016
Madero between Salvatierra & Benito Juarez
Nice outdoor garden setting, try the mango fish
613 109-6207

Pan Que Pan
last visited 6/2023
breads and pastries to go, gluten free items. Closed Monday.
Hidalgo near Pino Suarez. A second location north end of Loreto Bay near Pedro’s Place.
breakfast and lunch, pizza, salads
613 101 4544

Pepegina’s
(last visited 6/2021)
Several locations in Loreto. Most scenic their lovely outdoor location right at the panga docks off the malecon.

Vista al Mar (Clam Shack) (last visited 2019)
Hwy 1, KM 103, right on the beach between Puerto Escondido and Nopolo
Extensive menu, not just clams! Good fish and shrimp tacos
613 113-3354

Wine Cellar Nopolo
last visited 5/2018
Tapas-type dishes, lasagna
sports on TV
Kitty corner from the Inn at Loreto Bay
613 104-5562
www.nopolowinecellar.com
info@nopolowinecellar.com

Services

ATM

In Super Ley Express Grocery store – ATM machines affiliated with major banks

Our Favorite – Banco Azteca –
Benito Juarez at Indepencia, great exchange rate

Other

Propane Plant
Hwy 1, 3.5 miles south of Loreto and before Nopolo
a little south of the turnoff to San Javier
135-0303

Telas Cindy
last visited 5/2022
Miscellany, Fabrics/notions/embroidering
135-0430
Salvatierra #85 west of Pescador grocery
telascindyloreto@hotmail.com

Auto Repair
(electronics – alternator?) Marco – Salvatierra to school, turn right (at Colima?) then left at empty lots, head down street – home on left side – see mechanic stuff under carport

Dolphin Dive Baja
Scuba Fills & Rentals
Benito Juarez
613 118-2311
135-1914
www.dolphindivebaja.com

Blue Nation Diving
Plaza Misión Loreto, Ave. Salvatierra
info@bluenationbaja.com
(+52) 613-124-0607
www.bluenationbaja.com

Medical
Hospital
Hwy 1 just south of main drag into Loreto
Doctors are available at the hospital – Go into the emergency entrance
613 135-2035

Doctors

Dr Green – 135-2006 @ the hospital?

Dr. Jorge Luis Salinas Palma (Dr. Salinas)
Visited 2021
good english
Ayuntamiento
cel 613 118 5493
ofc 613 135 2797
jl.salinas.palma@gmail.com

Laboratory Nuez
Indepencia bet deportiva and tamaral

Dentist – Salud Dental – Dr Alejandra Dyer
135-1296
Hidalgo bet misioneros and madero?

Pharmacia del Rosario
Last visited 5/2023
Pharmacy, best selection for toiletries
Salvaiterra almost across from Pescador and Benito Juarez near Ferremar

Pharmacia Similares
Ayuntamiento (one long block north of Indepencia) right off Salvatierra

Optica Center – Eye Glasses
613 109-2744
Salv next to domingos steak house

Misc.

Loreto Mision & Mision Museum
Mision Nuestra Senora de Loreto
Est. 1697
Tours 30 P. per person, signs are in English, te tour takes about an hour.
135-0005

SAYC-5 Computer Store
Last visited 2017
Computer sales and service, internet, security systems and surveillance
613 135 0853
http://www.sayc5.com/
Ayuntiamento n of indepencia

Alternator Repair
“the Chicken Mechanic’
or Marcos
Preperatoria y misioneros

Manny’s Refrigeration
135-8939
Cell:613 044 111-0302

Injectors Repair – Consititucion
Madima – Constitution Alvaro Obbegon y Cuauhtemoc

Metal Fabrication & Stainless Steel – House of Stain Steel
135-1533 — 613 111-8146
www.wefab.com

Tornillos y Accesories
Hardware with “Hard to Find Stuff”
Independecia near Kino
135-2110

Shipping – Estafeda
135-0905

Hotels

Hotel  Oasis
Friends like – South end of Malecon (Blvd. A. L. Mateos) at Baja Calfornia
Older traditional one story hotel.  Hammocks on patios type of place.  Very laid back, clean, air conditioning, great staff, restaurant on premises.
$70 – $90
613-135-0211
www.hoteloasis.com

Coco Cabañas
Friends have recommended
Quiet, safe and clean with good Internet. Kind of a modern B&B feel, without the breakfast.
Apx. $59 USD.
About 2 blocks from the malecon, is on a dirt street.
613-135-1729

La Damiana Inn B&B
Recommended by friends 2016
www.ladamianainn.com
613 135 0356

Hotel Angra (last visited 2015)
Benito Juarez, across from the larger Pemex
12 rooms, pretty new, decent Wi-fi, A/C, cable with some English channels, private secured parking.
Pedro @ Dali recommends
www.hotelangra.com
613 135 1172
atencionalhuesped@hotelangra.com

Sukasa
Bungalows right on malecon.  Clean, older, very laid back place with full kitchens, hammocks on patios, very nice American runs it.  Perhaps $60/night.  Wonderful to be right on waterfront.  Only drawback is some units don’t have full a/c. Friends stayed there and liked it.
613-135-0490