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Cabo is one of the best vacations you will have in Mexico – perhaps in all of North America.
My trip there was so great that I came home with 2 broken toes. Who needs souvenirs anyway?
Don’t worry; you should feel even worse about the lounge chairs that got in my way after one too many Mai Tais (Ahh, the one downside to all-inclusives!).
While paying up front for endless food and drinks seems like heaven on earth, Cabo can draw a crowd and empty your bank account before you can even order your first round of margs and tacos.
The ladder has been a problem for some time, with sky-high nightly resort rates often well into the hundreds.
So many Cabo loyalists have started to explore what lies beyond the city limits, looking for similar landscapes, less crowds and more savings and culture, like La Paz and Todos Santos.
According to Thrillistthere’s another pristine Baja escape to consider, especially now that it’s more accessible than ever with new direct flights.
Loreto: Baja’s lesser-known blissful paradise
Both La Paz and Todos Santos have become trendy beach destinations in their own right, with luxury hotels and easy-to-go culture, in contrast to Cabo’s curated vacations at expensive resorts.
That said, you don’t have to go all the way to the southernmost point of Baja; you can visit Loreto instead of.
This coastal city has been under the radar for far too long, but is now easier to reach than ever before with direct flights from Alaska Airlines and American Airlines.
Here you will find breathtaking coastlines, but honestly they are nothing like the beaches of Cabo as they are not packed with hordes of fellow vacationers!
Some places you could easily have all to yourself or with a handful of other locals, as Loreto is still relatively unknown to the ‘average Joe’ or ‘Jane’ traveler.
Loreto is a place you go to unwind, get away from the stress of life at home, and avoid adding to the burden of Cabo’s annoying partiers – and yes, I was guilty of that.
Now that I’m well into my thirties, Loreto is a lot more attractive. In the same way that you go from working night shifts to gradually discovering ‘happy hours’, more are your problems; it’s the same if you compare Cabo to Loreto.
Coronado Island is a must!
Loreto is home to shimmering turquoise waters no matter which beach you are on.
There are some stuns in and around the city, especially with the towering Sierra de la Giganta mountain as your backdrop.
While many locals and tourists in on the secret of Loreto can recommend a mixed bag of Playa Ligui, Playa Nopolo and Playa Danzante, it is the fantastic Isla de Coronado that’s a must.
With scenic hiking trails, epic views, and the kind of white sand you’ll want to bottle up and take home with you, there isn’t a more beautiful spot this side of Baja.
Getting to Coronado Island is super easy. Just hop aboard one of the many operators who will take you there.
That said, since this isn’t a tourist spot, it’s always best to do some research to make sure they have a good reputation.
I recommend it Loreto sea and land tourswith an impressive 4.9 rating on Google and affordable prices for Loreto’s little-known slice of paradise.
To be fair, Thrillist backs me up on this as their number one recommendation Loreto Bay National Parka protected region that includes numerous islands, including Coronado – perfect for hiking, snorkeling, wildlife watching, or simply lounging in the Baja sun.
Travel Tip: Don’t miss this unique attraction! Go on day walking to view local cave paintings by the area’s indigenous people. Guides speak English and provide transportation and lunch.
Affordable luxury
If you thought Cabo was the only all-inclusive beach getaway, think again!
Just look at those annoying lounge chairs…
Vacationers have large resorts such as Villa Del Palmar within reach to splurge on the ultimate relaxing resort that’s far less expensive than many of Cabo’s best accommodations.
For even more savings, you still don’t sacrifice your experience. Look at 4 star Hotel La Mision de Loreto located near some of the city’s most photo-worthy colonial buildings.
Loreto was the first capital of Baja and is now a designated city pueblo magicfinally.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
