How to Camp in Loreto, Mexico

Loreto is located in the Baja California Sur desert.

Loreto is a quiet town on the Baja California peninsula in Mexico. Located in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, Loreto is in the desert along the Sea of Cortez. It is known for its sportfishing, especially for mahi-mahi, marlin and sailfish. If you are looking to camp out, Loreto has several fully equipped campgrounds that are open to the general public. In addition, there are many deserted beaches in the Loreto area that are popular with campers.

Things You'll Need

• Camping supplies
• Fishing poles
• Tents
• Campfire wood
• Passports
• Baja California road map
• Baja California Sur road map

Instructions

Preparing Your Camping Trip

1. Get your supplies ready. Make sure to bring tents, fishing poles, extra cash, swimsuits, food and water.

2. Drive to the Mexican border. For easiest access to Loreto, cross at the Tijuana border crossing near San Diego.

3. Use your Baja California road maps to make your way to Loreto.

Camping Out in Loreto

1. Look for a campsite in Loreto. Many of the hotels and resorts offer fully equipped campgrounds on their properties. If you are having a hard time finding a campground that is not fully booked, you can camp out on one of the many deserted beaches in the Loreto area.

2. Prepare your campsite. This includes setting up your tents and arranging your supplies.

3. Spend some time fishing. There are many boat rental services in Loreto if you want to rent one. Make sure to take your fishing poles with you.

4. Spend some time hiking. The nearby desert mountains around Loreto offer beautiful desert scenery.

5. At night, make a bonfire with your campfire wood. This is a great way to pass the time during the night.

Wrapping Up Your Camping Trip

1. Clean up your campsite. Even if you are camping on the beach, where there are no rules or regulations about cleaning up campsites, it is still your responsibility to make sure you pick up your trash for the sake of the environment.

2. Check out of your campsite if you did not camp out on the beach.

3. Drive back to the border.

Tips & Warnings

• Crossing the border at Tijuana is the easiest way to get to Loreto. From Tijuana, Highway 1 straddles the Pacific Coast for the top half of the peninsula but eventually makes its way toward the Gulf Coast and passes through Loreto.

• If you choose to camp out in a campsite instead of on the beach, the campsites in Loreto are fully equipped with showers, laundry machines and snack bars. Some campsites even have pools.

• If you are feeling up to the challenge, spend some time diving. The waters of the Sea of Cortez are clear and pristine, and they offer opportunities to view sea life.

• Eat what you catch. Loreto is known for its sportfishing, which can result in some tasty fish tacos.

• Alaska Airlines offers nonstop service from Los Angeles International Airport to Loreto International Airport.

• Each person must have a passport to cross back into the United States, so make sure you and any fellow travelers bring your passports on your trip.

• Wear warm-weather clothing. Because this is the desert, the temperature in Loreto rarely goes below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Expect at least 10 hours of driving south of the border. Loreto is located roughly 500 miles south of the border, and there are no high-speed interstates.

• Bringing extra water is a must. Not only is Loreto a dry, desert climate without much freshwater resources, but the water system in the town is not up to sanitary standards.

References

• Baja.com: Camping in Loreto
• Alaska Airlines Vacations: Loreto

Resources

• Baja Kayak Adventures: Hotels, Accommodations, and Campsites in Loreto