By Plane
The Loreto International Airport (airport code: LTO; tel. 613/135-0499 or 135-0498) is 6km (3 3/4 miles) southwest of Loreto. For such a new and beautiful building, it doesn't have many flights: Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/252-7522 in the U.S.; www.alaskaair.com) flies nonstop four times weekly from Los Angeles, and Aereo Calafia (tel. 613/135-2503; www.aereocalafia.com) flies from Cabo San Lucas and Ciudad Obregón. When you exit immigration, be prepared for a gauntlet of timeshare sales representatives, who will try to get your attention with calls of "taxi?" or "tours?" Ignore them and walk outside to the real taxis waiting at the curb.
By Car
From La Paz (a 4 1/2-5 hr. drive), take Carretera Transpeninsular (Hwy. 1) northwest to Ciudad Constitución; from there, continue northeast on Carretera Transpeninsular to Loreto. This route takes you twice over the mountain range that stretches down the Baja peninsula, through mountain and desert landscapes, and into the heart of the old mission country. From Tijuana, travel south on Carretera Transpeninsular. The drive takes 17 to 20 hours straight into Loreto, and driving after dark is strongly discouraged.
By Bus
The bus station, or Terminal de Autobuses (tel. 613/135-0767), is on Salvatierra and Paseo Tamaral, a 10-minute walk from downtown. It's open 24 hours. Buses stop in Loreto en route to Santa Rosalía, Tijuana, Mexicali, Guerrero Negro, and La Paz. The trip to Cabo San Lucas on Autotransportes Baja California (tel. 800/025-0222; www.abc.com.mx) takes about 8 hours and costs 586 pesos. You can usually get a ticket for any bus, except during Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays, when buses tend to be more crowded. The bus terminal is a simple building and the staff there is very friendly and helpful.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
