La Paz and Loreto

La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, on the shore of a bay of the Gulf of California, the sea that oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called the world’s aquarium. It has a peaceful malecón, turquoise-water beaches and is the base for visiting Espíritu Santo Island, with sea lions and deserted beaches, part of the islands and protected areas of the Gulf of California, a World Heritage site.

In the bay of La Paz, between autumn and spring, whale sharks— the largest fish in the world—are often present; they feed near the coast and can be seen on tours that follow protection rules. Balandra beach, a few kilometers from the city, is a shallow cove between hills, featuring a mushroom-shaped rock.

About 350 km to the north, Loreto was the first capital of the Californias, founded in 1697 around the mission of Nuestra Señora de Loreto. The town is small and sits opposite the Bahía de Loreto National Park, with islands, dolphins and, in winter, blue whales. In the mountains, the mission of San Javier is one of the best preserved on the peninsula.

This destination brings together 2 cities: La Paz, Loreto.