Good, practical trip report with 'need to knows' someone considering that destination would want to know. Kudos. Got a few follow up questions:
1.) IIRC, you tend to aim for budget trips (i.e.: value, cost-controlled, frugal, whatever term you like). How did the overall value of this one compare to other places you've been (e.g.: Cozumel perhaps)?
2.) If I interpreted correctly, you indicated diving similar to Puerto Vallarta, 'where everything costs less and you don't need a car.' I've never been to either. Knowing what you know now, do you see any compelling reason(s) to choose Loreto over Puerto Vallarta?
3.) Putting aside subjective appraisals of who is 'best,' is there anything you enjoyed going to Loreto you've have missed at Puerto Vallarta and/or other locations?
4.) How many dives/day, and how many did you get in for that 2-week trip? What do you do besides dive?
Richard.
Speaking of "budget", some of it was unexpectedly depleted when we picked up the rental car otherwise we probably would have done a couple more dive boat trips. We did three trips altogether, one to each of the three nearby islands. When we fly to Cozumel we usually have enough airline miles to cover the flight and only have to pay for airport taxes, exit fees, etc. When we fly to Loreto our only choice is Alaska so we shop around for the best deal. Recently, Mary got an Alaska credit card so next year we will have enough points for one airfare plus a companion pass so for one of us it will be $100 plus taxes etc and airport taxes for the other. Lately we've been going to Cozumel twice a year and part of that is inspired by the low cost for everything. Plus, it's simply difficult to not love Cozumel! Our AirBnB in Loreto was perhaps a couple dollars more per night than places we rent in Coz, so not much difference there. On Coz we know where to do the $10 shore dives so we can really stretch the dive budget, plus we are learning about the colectivos and saving a few pesos on taxis. There does not seem to be much shore diving in the Loreto area and a car would probably be required to get to them, wherever they may be. But, of course, shore diving on Cozumel seems to be somewhat of a secret too.
The usual price for a two-tank dive on Coz is $85 US compared to $135 US in Loreto. In PV it's a little lower than Loreto, but not much. Compared to PV, the visibility and water temperatures in Loreto are similar, you can get an AirBnB for as low as about $22/night, buses are 6 1/2 pesos around town and 7 1/2 pesos all the way to Playa Mismaloya (where you catch most dive boats). A taxi is around $6 US which is very reasonable considering how far it is and comparing it to renting a car. Two of our new friends in Loreto offered to rent us a house for around $100 US for a month. That's two different houses, two different friends. We will definitely look into it.
Puerto Vallarta is big and busy and they have only recently began restrictions on building (or so I gather). Neuvo Vallarta is just North a ways in Estado Nayarit and they have built a bunch of resorts etc on what was probably some really beautiful beaches. Loreto is small and when you are at sea looking back, it's incredible to see so much undeveloped land that still retains it's natural beauty. The islands are almost completely uninhabited (to the best of my knowledge) and have what are probably some of the most beautiful, unspoiled beaches on the planet. I'm very glad that Baja is not part of the USA otherwise it would have been destroyed by now. Loreto is considered to be a "Pueblo Magico." There is no Walmart, Mega, Chedrau, Sr. Frogs, or Hooters. Thank God. From what I have been told there never will be. This also means that shopping is a bit more limited than in a bigger town, but you can get everything you
need. PV or Loreto? It depends upon what you want. I'd say go to both. Of the three places mentioned, I would have to say that Cozumel has the best eats, with PV coming in second. We have had some very good meals at Mi Loreto and Santo Cielo and some not-so-wonderful at a couple of other places. I recommend going to Santo Cielo after the sun sets to avoid
las moscas. I've been diving at PV several times so maybe it's not fair to say this but I've seen a lot more sea life there than at Loreto. But then, we are talking about a LOT of sea life! It's the only place where I've ever seen two morays in one hole and perhaps 20 morays or more on one dive. and probably just as many rays.
We drove up to the San Javier Mission and it was well worth the 50 minute trip. There are beaches about one hour North that are great for snorkeling etc but we didn't make the trip yet. Sportfishing is very big in Loreto. We also enjoy meeting the locals and trying to find something that we haven't already bought elsewhere. The mangos were the best I've ever eaten and sometimes they jump off the tree and land at your feet. The restaurant La Palapa next to the mission served wonderful mango on their plato de fruta. They even gave us a freshly-picked mango as we were leaving.
A man at one of the small shops offered to sell me some
vino de uvas so I'm guessing there is a winery nearby. Unfortunately I'm not fluent so I didn't get everything he said.
Being a native Californian I'd always wondered where El Camino Real begins. Now I know. I think they also have the first mission.
If you have any more questions I will do my best to answer them. From my point of view it looks like Loreto could use a lot more divers but Yago, Monica, and Victor did not seem to have any trouble keeping their boat full.
