Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Mar 2009: Loreto Bay, Sea of Cortes, Guaycura, Giganta

Just 90 minutes after your plane leaves, you’ll step out of Loreto International Airport and into the sunlight of this paradise that will be just the first step of a remarkable walk. Though Mexico is blessed with many naturally beautiful places, it ’s the contrasts that distinguish Loreto Bay: How the mountains dip down into the sea; the way the desert brushes the edge of the beach; bright green palms next to deep blue waters. Paradox? Paradise? Yes and yes.

Loreto Bay has miles of beachfront property along the Sea of Cortez, and the Sierra de la Giganta mountains provide an impressive backdrop. When you walk the coastline, you understand why Loretanos say it ’s “where the mountains come to swim.” And when you venture into the water you’ll agree with Jacques Cousteau who called this region “the World’s aquarium.”

The town’s tranquil location invites visitors to indulge in daring aquatic adventures in the Sea of Cort és and adventurous hikes through the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range, as well as relish the rich Spanish colonial origins that color Loreto ’s captivating tropical setting. The town’s authentic Mexican cuisine, family-owned shops and Museum of the Missions infuse the seaside community with history and cultural, preserving the antiquity of the Baja people and the missionaries who settled in Loreto.

The Inn at Loreto Bay is a 155-room resort with 18 suites, which opened in 2002. This elegant and exquisite resort of Mexican architecture sits on a beautiful secluded beachfront cove in N ópolo between the mountains and the sea. The master suites offer a private Jacuzzi on a large terrace with a stunning ocean view. The junior suites, with beachfront or mountain views, have a rustic artisan feel. At the Inn, virtually every room offers a view of the magnificent Sea of Cortez, with numerous rooms offering views of both the sea and the mountains.

Guests at the Inn at Loreto Bay are treated to 24--hour concierge services, laundry and dry cleaning services, and babysitting. The beachfront hotel also offers complimentary parking and automobile rental is available in the lobby. Small pets are welcome at the Inn.

A virtual plethora of recreational activities await visiting guests. Recreational options include kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, boating, water volleyball, beach volleyball or simply relaxing under a palapa on the beach. The Inn at Loreto Bay also offers guests an on-site

fitness center. Water sports that can be arranged through the concierge include windsurfing, sailing and fishing excursions.

Guests can enjoy golf on the spectacular 18-hole championship course. The greens’ fees are complimentary and golf carts are available for rental. The Loreto Bay Tennis Center is just minutes from the Inn with eight tennis courts, lit for night play, with raquet rental available.

Three on-site restaurants offer guests specialty dishes and authentic Mexican food.

Guaycura is a buffet-style restaurant that serves breakfast with a choice of both Mexican and international entrees. Experience different themes nightly.

Salvatierra allows guests to dine under the stars while at the edge of the sea. Enjoy the gourmet cuisine, a selection of grilled meats, fish and poultry. Menu changes nightly

The Snack Shack is a casual stop located within the hotel’s gardens, surrounded by sparkling pools. The fare includes regional Mexican dishes, grilled steaks, fish, local clams, chicken, hamburgers, and a wide choice of tropical drinks.

The Campanario Lobby Bar is located on the top level of

the resort. Stars, the mountains and the blue sea offer competing views.

Loreto is considered to be the oldest human settlement on the Peninsula of Baja California. The Museum of the Missions, Our Lady of Loreto Mission, and historic architecture and stone walls are popular destinations for tourists to discover the rich art and culture of the region.

For those with more time, experiencing Loreto Bay’s magical beauty and natural wonders would not be complete without trips to San Javier Mission, Muleg é, Magdalena Bay, Juncalito, Primer Agua and the Sierra de San Francisco.

There is an appreciation for nature, too, that runs deep. When winter comes to Baja, so do the majestic gray whales... by the hundreds. They travel to the warm waters to bear their calves, and it ’s here the babies nurse, grow and practice swimming... getting ready for the spring trip North.

There is so much more to see in Loreto Bay; so much more to discover. You’ll want to return again and again.

For reservations, call 866-850-0333 or visit www.innatloretobay.com