BajaNomad

Opinion of Lorerto or La Paz ?

LoyeB - 10-25-2013 at 06:36 PM

So you guys what are some pros cons of each of these places if I were there to visit and stay a week or more ?

vandenberg - 10-25-2013 at 07:11 PM

I live in Loreto and love La Paz. Choice is a toss up.
Loreto, small Mexican town feel. Walk anywhere, good fishing, friendly people.
La Paz, bigger city with great Mexican feel. More to do, beautiful waterfront, great people.
If you have time try both .

willardguy - 10-25-2013 at 07:14 PM

NOTHING matches the talent on the saturday night la paz malecon!:o

Apples and oranges

captkw - 10-25-2013 at 07:16 PM

Two great places but I would to have say like being on mars or the moon...all depends on the week and what your looking for ??? what are ya looking for..que es tu busca ??

rhintransit - 10-25-2013 at 07:18 PM

both are great. you are trying to compare apples and oranges.

LOL,rhintransit

captkw - 10-25-2013 at 07:19 PM

We doubled

TLBaja79 - 10-25-2013 at 07:56 PM

Its a toss up
Loreto is awesome for so much.
But... LaPaz you are gonna have bars that are open all night, fun people out and about...
In my opinion, can't go wrong!

David K - 10-25-2013 at 09:17 PM

Why not both.. if it's the first time? Both areas have a lots to do.

toss up

EdZeranski - 10-25-2013 at 09:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by LoyeB
So you guys what are some pros cons of each of these places if I were there to visit and stay a week or more ?


We like Loreto but that's based on water, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing. It is not a 'party' town. La Paz has more of a 'city' feel, waterfront establishments along the Malecon, but that is fine too and not as nut case as Cabo. If you go to either they are only 220 miles, a few hours, apart so you can visit both then decide what you like. We stayed at Casa Buena in La Paz, pet friendly with great hosts and are on the web. In Loreto we've stayed at Iguana Inn, clean, fun, and again wonderful hosts with a website.

Good luck, travel safe!

EdZ
OB,Borrego, Loreto

Alan - 10-25-2013 at 09:40 PM

Loreto has always been my favorite town on the peninsula but when I decided on a long term place to stay I chose La Paz. As much as I loved the daytime activities of Loreto I kept asking myself what is there to do when the sun goes down. While it is true that La Paz is definitely a large town, having been here about 7 years I have learned it still has that small town "feel". Before if someone honked when I was driving around I would just put my head down and say I'm sorry because I assumed I screwed up somehow. I have finally realized it is just people I know, saying Hola!

Alm - 10-25-2013 at 10:01 PM

Look at both towns in Google map or Google Earth, and you'll get the difference. La Paz is a Mexican city, by Baja standards anyway. The entire peninsula is a kind of sterilized version of Mexico. Loreto is smaller, less of a city, more of a town, basically a long stretch of resorts and gringo-clusters along the bay, with a couple of streets making a "downtown". Don't expect too much from either place, towns per se are not impressive in any way. It's activities you pursue that make it attractive.

rufflife - 10-26-2013 at 03:59 AM

Loreto for a more calm, laid-back feel. La Paz if you are more into city life. La Paz also has Espiritu Santo Island - Awesome for kayaking and getting away from it all.

gnukid - 10-26-2013 at 07:45 AM

Consider staying in el centro la paz within a few blocks of the malecon to enjoy walking to restaurants and events. If you get too far out you miss all the fun.

acadist - 10-26-2013 at 07:48 AM

I like both, but prefer La Paz. Although it is much larger it still has that Baja feel.

LaTijereta - 10-26-2013 at 08:05 AM

Loreto...
Nothing beats the sun coming up over Carmen in the morning...

Alan - 10-26-2013 at 10:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by LaTijereta
Loreto...
Nothing beats the sun coming up over Carmen in the morning...
Except for the sun rising over Cerralvo :lol:

LoyeB - 10-26-2013 at 11:49 AM

Thank you for the input guys, but we have chosen La Paz as our destination so as far as beaches go anything similar to Bahia Agua Verde close(daytrip) to La Paz. ie remote amazing bays

Skeet/Loreto - 10-26-2013 at 11:53 AM

Loreto:

A very good place close to many Good things to go and See;
The Beaches North and South.
The Mountains and San Javier.
Very Isolated South of Agua Verde
The Bay of Conception on the East Side.

La Paz;

The Best Homemade Ice Cream in Baja.
The Plaza and the Mission
The Scottish Rite Temple

vandenberg - 10-26-2013 at 12:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
Quote:
Originally posted by LaTijereta
Loreto...
Nothing beats the sun coming up over Carmen in the morning...
Except for the sun rising over Cerralvo :lol:


Alan, you will have to do some early morning traveling to see the sun come up over Cerralvo if you live in La Paz.
Not quite down the road.:biggrin::biggrin:

Alm - 10-26-2013 at 12:02 PM

Yes, island Espirity Santo in La Paz... You need to pay $$$ every time to get there. Crossing in a kayak is possible, though a bit long leg for a novice, 7 miles from the very end of the peninsula, and it can get choppy, and landing on La Paz Tecolote beach can be a challenge. I would say that for short kayaking trips and other outdoors - or for doing nothing - Loreto would be my choice. For partying - La Paz.

Leo - 10-26-2013 at 01:07 PM

Enough said, both places are great if it's only for a week or two. Anything longer, La Paz wins out, also warmer in winter months.

Skeet/Loreto - 10-26-2013 at 01:12 PM

Now if you are looking for Ladies La Paz is the Place!!!

On the Malacron each nite there are lots of Pretty ladies. Also around the Public Square there is Dancing and loving.

If you are seeking Local House there are several nearby.
Cheap and well Located.

The Ladies of La Paz are Pretty and Young.


,

Alm - 10-26-2013 at 01:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Now if you are looking for Ladies La Paz is the Place!!!

What if LoyeB is a lady? :)

La paz Ladies

captkw - 10-26-2013 at 01:28 PM

Ahh Yes,,There is a breed of Gals in La Paz that also have japanese blood in um..from the time the the Japanese where there to "help" with the pearls (Wrong !!) anyway,, I fogert the name/term but these gals are a Knockout !! the malicon is also very well known for he/shes so,, you might want to be careful,,,know what I mean vern !! And myself can say only god knows how many trips I have been out esprito and san jose that for camping,diving I would do Carmen..for fishing maybe isla cerrovo south of la paz...my two centovo's...K&T:coolup:

dtbushpilot - 10-26-2013 at 02:44 PM

La Paz, no contest regardless of what you are looking for.

Udo - 10-26-2013 at 02:57 PM

My opinion exactly.

I'll go along with DT.

Loreto, at least to me, the three times I have been there seemed like an expensive rip-off just after the tourist $.
La Paz, even at the Malecon, it is a family atmosphere, and all money is as good as the rest.
There is soooo much more to do in La Paz.

Howard - 10-26-2013 at 03:43 PM

If you go to sleep before 8:00 P.M. choose Loreto

If you go to sleep after 8:00 P.M. choose La Paz

Alm - 10-26-2013 at 03:48 PM

La Paz is cheaper, as usual when the place is more "Mexy" and less of a resort. Not much cheaper, though. Let's say, cheap hotel in Loreto is $30-35, in La Paz $25-30.

These two places are very different. What you are looking for would determine the attractiveness. Kayaking and snorkeling is better in Loreto, and generally quieter. In La Paz there is a better party scene if you are looking for that, but if you are not, it's a big, loud and not very clean city. Surfing is better in La Paz.

Bajahowodd - 10-26-2013 at 05:02 PM

I don't believe it was ever established if LoyeB was planning to drive or fly. Obviously, if driving, one would have to drive right past Loreto to get to La Paz. In that case, I think it was DavidK that mentioned to do both. I agree. However, If LoyeB is flying in, doing both would be more difficult, involving probably the better part of two days just to travel to and fro.
Having spent a great deal of time in both locations, I find it difficult to choose. I have favorite hotels, restaurants and activities in both locations.

Lengua - 10-26-2013 at 08:32 PM

I'd agree with most of the comments . Sounds like you're visiting not taking up permanent residency. If you were though , most like La Paz because the health care is better. I know many Mexican Nationals from Loreto that end up going to La Paz when they need a specialist .

Since you're visiting I'd like to suggest Balandra Bay for water activities, Rancho Viejo for Arracherra tacos Okaydaka at Costa Baja for Sashimi and other delicacies taht are mouth watering.

have fun.:P

kayakity yak

EdZeranski - 10-26-2013 at 08:55 PM

Quote:


Since you're visiting I'd like to suggest Balandra Bay.....

have fun.:P


Great place! We launched there two weeks ago then paddled north to Teclote Beach and back, loaded the yaks, then drove back to Tecolote for lunch. Casa Buena was our base, great folks and place. Bonnie hit several of the fabric stores to get material for some sewing projects


EdZ

Alan - 10-27-2013 at 05:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
Quote:
Originally posted by LaTijereta
Loreto...
Nothing beats the sun coming up over Carmen in the morning...
Except for the sun rising over Cerralvo :lol:


Alan, you will have to do some early morning traveling to see the sun come up over Cerralvo if you live in La Paz.
Not quite down the road.:biggrin::biggrin:
That's why it beats the sun rising over Carmen. It means I am heading out fishing for the day! Heck, in Loreto you see the sun over Carmen everyday so it isn't quite as special. :lol:

ncampion - 10-27-2013 at 07:58 AM

Quote:
Quote:
That's why it beats the sun rising over Carmen. It means I am heading out fishing for the day! Heck, in Loreto you see the sun over Carmen everyday so it isn't quite as special. :lol:


I don't know, so far this hasen't gotten old for me........





[Edited on 10-27-2013 by ncampion]

picking the best location for a sunrise in Baja?

tripledigitken - 10-27-2013 at 08:27 AM

Too hard to pick THE location. Carmen seems to find itself in many of my favorite shots.

Carmen con Venus





Even my avatar!