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BajaNews
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Breathing new life into Loreto
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/miami/16256.html
BY JIM BUDD
December 11, 2005
Loreto, in Baja California Sur, is scheduled to become the next major travel destination in Mexico. Again. Attempts along these lines have been made
several times before. An ancient fishing village that once served as capital of both Baja and Alta California, Loreto has been called Scottsdale with
a beach. Just east of Phoenix in Arizona, Scottsdale is one of the most exclusive and expensive resort cities in the United States, a place of spas,
golf courses and spectacular hotels.
For more than three decades, Fonatur (the national tourism foundation) has been attempting to convince the world that the future, or, at least a
future, lies in Loreto.
The fish are jumping and the palm trees grow high. To one side, hawks soar over the desert, to the other, pelicans skim the sea. The Sierra La Giganta
rises up, jutting out of a placid cobalt sea. One can fish, snorkel, scuba dive, frolic among sea lions and explore country virtually unexplored. Why
the overworked and overstressed did not come pouring in years ago baffles me.
Now, in the forth decade, things appear to be happening. A Canadian developer, David Butterfield, is in the process of convincing anyone with a bit of
cash that Loreto will be a wonderful place to retire. And a bit of cash is all that is required. Shorefront property in Loreto costs about one fifth
what it does in California.
Butterfield?s company, Loreto Bay Villages, interestingly, is based in Scottsdale. In Loreto in less than two years, customers have plunked down more
than US$100 million. Those who are not prepared to retire yet will be able to place their units in a rental pool and we will have something like a
horizontal hotel available.
That Fonatur found this international developer may be its greatest triumph of the 21st century. We do not hear very much any more about the Escalera
N?utica or any of the other projects so publicized a few years ago, but Loreto Bay is moving ahead. Eventual goal is the building of 6,000 villas and
1,000 condominium units, with a spa, beach club and shops to serve all whose who move in.
This is all the more remarkable after so many failures. As it did in Cancun, then Ixtapa and Los Cabos, the Fonatur of yore built the first luxury
hotel in Loreto. It followed this with a golf course and then the John McEnroe Tennis Center, named for its "touring pro" (he was always off touring),
a bad-tempered tennis star of the early 1980s who now few people remember.
"Build it and they will come," was the theme of the 1989 film, "Field of Dreams," and may have motivated Fonatur back then. But even with a new
international airport and Aerom?xico flying in daily, few tourists came to Loreto. The luxury hotel, originally a Presidente, went through several
name changes, became clothing optional for a while, closed, and now is open again as The Whales Inn. Whale-watching does bring people to Loreto, but
only during January and February. Once Aerom?xico began operating as a private company, it began flying elsewhere. It has since returned, but, from
what I am told, 10 years ago Loreto was being served by only one flight a week.
The early devotees, sports fishermen for the most part, continued making their way to Loreto, driving down in their recreational vehicles or flying in
aboard their own planes. The village has a sprinkling of small, cozy hotels and a few surprisingly excellent restaurants. The Posada de las Flores is
one of the most attractive boutique inns on the peninsula. And now Loreto has another luxury hotel, built and owned by Fonatur but managed by Camino
Real. It is not the most polished link in the chain.
As might be expected, more than a few people view the development of the Loreto area with alarm. There are those in town who would be quite happy to
keep things as they are and not see their paradise turn into a Baja version of Acapulco. Nationalists may soon grumble that this is another example of
how foreigners are grabbing up Mexico?s best beachfront property. Ecological groups are concerned, especially an international organization known as
the Nature Conservancy, which says it is monitoring the situation in Loreto.
David Butterfield claims that he is completely in favor of that. "Our company is part of the Trust for Sustainable Development," he says. "We intend
to demonstrate that human development can actually enhance a region." Cynics will sneer, and it is difficult not to join them, but just maybe the man
is sincere.
Now 53, Butterfield claims Loreto is where he wants to retire and, more than that, wants it to be the place he is remembered for. Maybe he is one of
those people who will leave the world a better place than he found it.
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Skeet/Loreto
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Only if he is by chance a "Water Witch"!!
that is one of those people who take a Green Elm Limb, put it in both hands an "Witch for Water"
It is hope that this will occur otherwise:
Where do you get theWater???????????
Skeet/Loreto
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jerry
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who ever wrote this isnt up to date never even mentioned alaska airlines flying in 3 times a week other things are missing too beware of the hoopla
jerry and judi
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Sharksbaja
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ho hum........ but what a perfect example of "second hand information"
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Phil S
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Well, we were there in late November, and just what they have done all summer is unbelievable. People are starting to move into the homes now.
I talked with Darlene Tait, and she says now over 500 homes sold, totalling over $200 million. They now have 24 hour police patrols. The water
pressure in the existing homes has been increased. Finally, enough pressure to turn off the kitchen sink spray hose from dripping. Starting to cool
off down there now. Gets to the high 50's or low 60's at night.
Great for sleeping. Noticed at Puerto Escondido there is a new building being constructed right on the concrete sea wall. Anyone know what that is?
Another rumor says that there is a Mexican Investment group has purchased all the land at the puerto, and should close soon. How interesting. And two
weeks in Cabo sure was an eye opener. My gosh, as far as you can see from coming into town from LaPaz to Cabo, houses being built for the Mexican
workers. And after spending about four hours in LaPaz pooping around, Mexican homes in construction all over also.
Stopped at San Jose del Cabo, and viewed the marina that is in construction. No signs of any homes being built yet, but did drive further on a new
sometimes paved in cement most of time still dirt. But roads everywhere with utilities being installed. This project must be humongus. I'd guess
maybe somewhere over a 1,000 homes will be built in just this subdivision. Skeet. Where are they getting their water????? Arrived back in the states
Thursday evening. Crossed TJ border with just a twenty minute stop. Hardly any cars in the lines. It was 5:30 p.m. Wed. evening. We drove right
through the vendor booths, and maybe twenty cars back from the crossing. Roads in great shape other than the usual occation pot holes. Seems to be
getting a little wider too. Northbound military stops had a couple abandoned check points. Those that were open only kept us there a few minutes.
One overyly polite group got a Christmas gift of a dart board & four darts that I was bringing back to the states. After giving it to them, and
mucho gracious's, one said, "no Playboy"????? So I'm going to look around the second hand stores and see if I can accumulate some for the return trip
to Loreto. Happy holidays & season greeting from Phil & Wendy
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bajalou
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Some of the soldiers get to go home for Christmas too - I've seen some of the checkpoints closed at this time of year before.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Skeet/Loreto
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Phil ; Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
thanks for the Good Report.
I guess we will have to wait until a couple of Hundred Homes are occupied at Loreto Bay before we can tell about the Water~
Stay Happy~
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Skeet/Loreto
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Phil: Many years ago I would go to the Garage Sales and collect Playboys at 10 cents each to take south.
Always had two or three laying in the back of the pick up, so when I was stopped, the soldiers were only interested in the Playboys!!!
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bajajudy
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Phil
Actually there will be 2000 homes in Puertoloscabos. And 2 or 3 have already been started in the Fundadores subdivision. The one owned by
Sanchez-Navaro, the developer, is almost complete.
As I have been saying, this project makes Loreto Bay look like child's play. It is huge and there are plans for all the way to Shipwrecks that
include a Maya Palace, something from Pueblo Bonito, a polo/golf club just past Buzzards and before Punta Gorda. The list goes on and on.
Thanks for the report.
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Cincodemayo
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Humpbacks?
How come they show a Humpback? This isn't Hawaii...
[Edited on 12-12-2005 by Cincodemayo]
Don\'t get mad...
Get EVEN.
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Cincodemayo
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Small pangas in the marina...
Are some of these owned by Navarro? Must be the $$ trickledown factor.
[Edited on 12-12-2005 by Cincodemayo]
Don\'t get mad...
Get EVEN.
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flyfishinPam
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Mood: gone fishin'
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Gotta love it!
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaNews
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/miami/16256.html
BY JIM BUDD
December 11, 2005
.... the Fonatur of yore built the first luxury hotel in Loreto. It followed this with a golf course and then the John McEnroe Tennis Center, named
for its "touring pro" (he was always off touring), a bad-tempered tennis star of the early 1980s who now few people remember....
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And the "horizontal hotel" whatever the hell that is!
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Worldtraveller
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Did McEnroe ever have money invested or another stake (aside from lending his name for a few bucks) in the tennis center? Has his name been removed?
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Skeet/Loreto
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MacEnroe got $400,000 for putting his name on the Tennis club and allowing a billboard at the entrance "proclaiming this as The Home Of John
MCEnroe!!
Vicky Carr got $50,000 for showing up and putting on a HellofShow at the Club. I was there to see and Hear this great Artist.
The only time I ver saw the Hotel full was when The Sr. George Bush made a Visit, the Ford Motor Co. had an event one time.
On Friday Nites the Hotel would have a Great Buffet, with the food being brought in by Air, Music and just a good Party.
Skeet/Loreto
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Phil S
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I think the pic of the boats at the port is an illusion, or a vision. I can't remember even finding an opening from the sea into the marina yet. Did
see the construction of the long arm going out from the beach with lots of equipment around. Certainly no boats. Lots of panga's (notice I'm spelling
this correctly now) on the beach next to the project. I'm told there is a great restaurant near the beach, but couldn't find anything that tempted
us. Wonder where the breaking point will be in the peninsula, after all the building from Cabo & San Jose del Cabo & other points north will
be when it happens????????????????/ Going to be maybe Loreto? Maybe just south of there. Maybe Cabo will be in the future the equivelant of Sunken
Atlantis. Maybe Loreto will then be "the point"!!!!!!!!!!Imagine that!!!
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Cincodemayo
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Phil S...Hola! Just got an email notifying the Loreto Bay owners that the El Camino has been purchased by Loreto Bay and will become the Inn at Loreto
Bay. Another feather in the cap so to speak! Hope to be down that way in March but will notify you guys so we can do drinks and dinner....
Don\'t get mad...
Get EVEN.
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bajajudy
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Phil et al
I have sailed all over the world and nothing stops a customs agent/immgration officer/any male official faster than a Playboy strategically placed
within his view. Works like a charm everytime.
Peanut butter works in some areas too. Kinda like the cokes and stuff we all give to the guys at times.
And yes you are correct, that photo is from some other resort. It will be a long time before "yachts" are bobbing in the marina. They did float a
dock this week. They are making them here. They have huge pieces of styrofoam that they put into metal box and pour concrete around them, flip them
over and" voila" a floating dock.
As for the rest of the peninsula, I think it is safe for a while. There is still plenty of land to pillage here. Should keep them busy for a decade
or two.
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Don Alley
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajudy
Phil
Actually there will be 2000 homes in Puertoloscabos. And 2 or 3 have already been started in the Fundadores subdivision. The one owned by
Sanchez-Navaro, the developer, is almost complete.
As I have been saying, this project makes Loreto Bay look like child's play. It is huge and there are plans for all the way to Shipwrecks that
include a Maya Palace, something from Pueblo Bonito, a polo/golf club just past Buzzards and before Punta Gorda. The list goes on and on.
Thanks for the report. |
Only 2000 homes? At Loreto Bay they're building 6000! (Up from the 5,000 figure a year or so ago). And 1,000 condos. And more golf! Stores!
Restaurants! an authentic hillside village! And there will be a new marina at the existing condos. And some say they have an option to develop all the
way to the Airport. Or beyond to Colonia Zaragosa (south Loreto). MORE MORE MORE!
I think Loreto Bay is a developer's Black Hole that will in time swallow the earth, including your small, petty PuertoLosCabos! BWAHAHAHAHA (evil
laugh)
Our travesty is bigger than your travesty!
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bajajudy
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jeez
I guess I will stay where I am.
I, too, always wanted to live in authentic Mexican village, that used to be an authentic Mexican fishing village.
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Dave
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Don Alley
Our travesty is bigger than your travesty! |
Travesty?
Apparently, Mexicans don't feel this way. It was Mexicans who sold the land and Mexican officials who issued the enviornmental/construction permits.
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