ECOTOURISM

In Loreto?s environs there are various places where you can observe a wide variety of flora and fauna, such as the gray whale.

Bahia de Loreto Marine Park ? Located off the coast of Loreto. This marine park covers 206,580 hectares (508,474 acres), which includes the islands of Coronado, Montserrat, El Carmen, Danzante and Santa Catalina. At this place you can observe an abundance of marine fauna, such as whales, seals, dolphins, coral and starfish. You?ll also see a wide variety of migratory birds and small reptiles.

Bahia Magdalena (Magdalena Bay) ? Located 96 (60 mi) southwest of Bahia de Loreto (Loreto Bay). At this place you?ll find a group of lagoons and low barrier islands that are the breeding grounds of eight whale species. From January through March you?ll see imposing orcas, humpback whales, pilot whales, gray whales and the blue whale, the largest mammal on earth.

El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve ? Lies more than 200 km (124 mi) north of Loreto, off Highway 1. This ecological reserve, which covers about 2.5 million hectares (5.4 million acres), offers beaches, salt marshes, sand dunes, mountains and volcanic rock formations. At this reserve you can observe indigenous plant and animal species, including mule deer, antelope, pumas, sea lions and leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles.