Our annual trip to Loreto - September/October 2010

Pretty much every year since we took possession of our new home in Loreto Bay in September 2007 my husband and I have been driving down to Loreto from San Diego once a year for our vacation in beautiful Loreto - our heaven on earth. In 2008 we actually went twice which was such a treat. Usually we stay for 2-3 weeks but this year we stayed for five weeks and still were not ready to come back. People ask us what we do all day. We are actually pretty busy! Here is a typical day: have coffee and watch the news on the morning, make breakfast, clean up, going for a walk on the beach and golf course with my dog, check my emails, go boating or hang out on the beach and go paddle boarding, swimming, etc, make lunch, walk to the store to get necessary items such as pacificos and ice, go to town to the market or do some shopping, back to the beach, make dinner or have dinner with friends, do the dishes and call it a day!

On Sunday's there is a great Farmer's market in the arroyo where you can get wonderful freshly grown veggies, meats, cheese, and shrimp! The Farmer's market also has other types of "swap meet/garage sale" items too - which can be kind of handy if your coffee maker breaks and you need a new one or you need to replace some pots or pans. I do wish the farmer's market had more hand crafted on local artisan products.

This last trip, we took another couple with us who stayed with us for a week. My husband and his friend drove down from San Diego and I flew from LAX with his wife. The drive is a two day drive and I usually have to pump myself up for the drive with was surprised when I felt disappointed that I would miss the drive down. I realized what I would be missing not only the beauty of the landscape after El Rosario but the time that me and my husband share is a very special experience. The drive is somewhat of an adventure and it is a neat feeling that you do it together and work as a team with your husband for a successful trip. When I saw my husband’s face at the airport to pick me up I was SO HAPPY! We had a great time with our friends and this was the first time for our friend's wife to Loreto. It was great showing them all the treasures of Loreto and seemed they were leaving before we knew it.

Two days later, our very good friends and neighbors came down for another week. They have been hearing us talk about Loreto for years and we had a GREAT time with them. As soon as they got back they started planning their next trip to their new favorite place on earth.

After our second set of friends left, my mom came from Los Angeles for a visit and stayed for 7 days. She hasn't been to the Loreto Bay development since 2007 when there was a TON of construction, hundreds of workers, no landscaping, rebar and tile pieces everywhere so she was so happy to see the development in its current state. My mom said it turned out so much nicer than she could have ever imagined, so that made me happy. We all bought the home together in 2004 so needless to say have been through ALOT.

We did all the fun things in Loreto with mom, fishing, snorkeling, drinks at La Mission, lunch at Vista al Mar, Sunday Farmers market, a little shopping, swimming in the founder's pool, and kicking it beachside with lots of new friends under the palapas while gazing out upon the gorgeous Sea of Cortez. One thing my mom did not join us on was our first hike up into Tabor Canyon. This is a canyon across from the entrance to Puerto Escondido. The canyon is about a 1 1/2 hour hike with large bowls that were once filled with lots of water but this time of the year or possibly due to a very dry rainy season, only had a couple of small pools of water that were not suitable for dipping your big toe in. However, water or no water, the scenery was beautiful! The walls were so high and even though it was about 95 degrees it felt somewhat cooler because of all the shade provided by the very steep canyon. We met some people that had hiked Tabor canyon in April and they said it was filled with water and they were jumping off 15 foot cliffs into very deep pools. I saw the pictures to prove it!

After Mom left, we had no more guests! It was fun to have our friends and family visit but we were very happy to have some just me and my husband time for the rest of our stay in Loreto which was about two more weeks. We ended up meeting some wonderful new friends and it was dinner party after dinner party. Everyone we meet there is always very friendly and warm - expect for the man who yelled at me for having my dog off the leash on the golf course walking trail. He was a little over the top, but I put my dog back on her leash and went on my merry way. - After making sure he was okay and didn't have a stroke or anything due to his recent traumatic encounter with my lick your face off doggie.

Shiloh after an active day in the Sea of Cortez

One of my favorite places in Loreto Bay is on the tee boxes that are terraced right on the Sea of Cortez. It is an amazing look out where you can see from Isla Danzante to Isla Cornado. I wish I was there right now.

As the last two weeks came to a close, we realized that yes tomorrow is the day we are driving home. It is always a sad day for me and Loreto is the only place that I have ever visited that when I leave I cry. I am about to cry right now! I actually first came to Loreto when I was a younger girl of 13 in 1980 as an exchange student with Loreto's Sister City, Hermosa Beach. I remembering crying (all the students were crying) when we all got back on the bus heading home. At that time, Loreto didn't have an airport, so we all took a private bus and drove a 24 hour trip on the road through Baja. It was a great adventure that I will NEVER forget. I actually reunited with one of the girls from the family I stayed with this last time in Loreto. Her name is Kelli Davis and owns a real estate company in Loreto called La Giganta Realty. She is very knowledgeable and hard working. I would recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell real estate in Loreto or needs help with immigration or corporations.

As we got on the road with our truck loaded with the dog pulling our boat, we pulled out onto Hwy 1 and drove past the bank at the entrance to Loreto, we saw our good friend Jorge and his son Chaly. We pulled over to say goodbye. It turns out that they were coming to our house to say goodbye so we were really glad to connect before we left. We have known Jorge since 2005 and many of you probably do too as he was always at the Kayak shack doing the kayak rentals. Now his son Chaly runs the shack and Jorge is in the office in town. We said our goodbyes and back on the road. When we left it was unusually cool which made for a great drive through the hottest part of Baja. That night we pulled into our hotel in Catavina - the Dessert Inn. The next day we were on the road again before sun up and made it El Rosario at about 7:30 am. We always stop at this great cafe called Baja's best for coffee and breakfast. We have gone there for 3 years in a row now. In 2007, when we pulled up to the cafe in El Rosario, it was still dark because we left the hotel SUPER early, I realized I did not have my purse and had left it in the hotel room 1 1/2 drive back. So we went back and got it. My passport was in my purse. At least we got it. We were both upset but my husband actually was pretty cool about it. Plus it was my birthday.

The rest of the drive was pretty good except for the roads they were redoing just outside of Ensenda and about the last 25 miles coming into Tecate. We usually cross at the Otay Mesa border crossing but decided to cross at Tecate as the border crossing is way more mellow. Not only were the roads dirt but it was raining very hard which turned the roads into a muddy sloppy mess. We reached the border at about 5 ish, got pulled into secondary as we always do so they can check out our boat, and got home at about 7 that night. We were both very happy to be home and our dog, Shiloh couldn't believe her eyes when she saw our house. We realized that living in Loreto is something we definitely will be shooting for. We love the simplicity of life there which lends itself to living your life in a way that focuses on what should be focused on, family, friends, and living without the distractions of too many choices.

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama
Experience Loreto at Casa de Playita

2010 Mexico Tourism up by 32%

Mexico`s Tourism Sector 2010 Growth

By Theodore Koumelis August 2010 - The number of international tourists reaching Mexico by air experienced a 35.2 percent increase in June 2010 compared with the same month last year marking an impressive first half of the year for the Mexico tourism industry.

During the same period, 818,278 tourists from different nationalities visited Mexico, versus 605,435 who visited in June 2009. Of those, some 573,016 travelers arrived by air from the United States, representing a 23.7 percent growth over June 2009. Even more impressive are the 41,184 tourists that arrived from Canada; 21,322 more than in June 2009 - a whopping increase of 107.4 percent. 

Local farmer's market in Loreto

“We feel these numbers are evidence of the strength and quality of Mexico`s destinations,” said Mexico Secretary of Tourism Gloria Guevara. “Despite all that`s going on in the world today, the traveler knows he or she can come to Mexico and find unique vacation experiences offering not only our famous sun and beach destinations, but the chance for archeological, culinary and artistic experiences as well. Mexico is the only place on the earth where you can experience all that in a single trip.”

Increased Flights - This increased demand for Mexico by American travelers has been reflected in a handful of important new flights to Mexico. AeroMexico, Mexico`s largest transcontinental airline, announced the beginning of its new Monterrey-Miami service effective on June 28, and its new Monterrey-Houston route, which became effective on July 5.



The airline also included summer service between high-demand routes, such as Mexico City to Miami, New York, Orlando and San Antonio; Merida to Miami; Monterrey to San Antonio; Los Angeles to Aguascalientes and Bajio; Chicago to Durango and Guadalajara. In November 2010, British Airways is slated to begin operating the only direct flight between London and Cancun, for which it has already begun selling tickets. Meanwhile, China`s Hainan Airlines will begin flying directly to Mexico City. Other airlines such as US Airways and Frontier Airlines have also created new routes to Mexico, such as US Airways` Charlotte to Los Cabos and Charlotte to Puerto Vallarta; and Frontier`s San Francisco to Los Cabos; San Francisco to Cancun; and Los Angeles to Cancun. Meanwhile, Virgin America has announced their intent to launch new non-stop services from San Francisco to Los Cabos and Cancun, as well as from Los Angeles to Cancun.



Hotel Rooms - Secretary of Tourism Gloria Gueva Manzo recently announced that hotels in Mexico have experienced substantial growth throughout the country. The number of available hotel rooms in Mexico has increased 4.6 percent during the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2009. According to the Datatur System, this growth was recorded in 56 of the 70 destinations that are monitored by this department.




Inn at Loreto Bay Pool

Of those 70 destinations analyzed by Datatur, room availability jumped from 310,391 to 323,916, registering an increase of 13,525 rooms now available for foreign visitors. In these 70 destinations, the number of hotel rooms occupied during the first six months of 2010 was 11.3 percent higher than in the same period of 2009.



This increase in hotel rooms is widespread across Mexico. For example, from January - June 2010, Morelia saw a growth of 19.3 percent in hotel room availability and a 30.2 percent increase in hotel room occupancy compared to January - June of last year. Likewise, Huatulco saw a 9.6 percent growth in hotel room availability and 15.4 percent growth in hotel room occupancy, while Merida experienced a 5.9 percent growth in availability and 6.6 percent growth in occupancy during these same months.

Cruise Ship Passengers - Cruise travel is also booming, witnessing the number of American cruise passengers in the first four months of 2010 increase 6 percent compared to 2009. The rise in Canadian cruise passengers was a healthy 9 percent compared to the same time last year. Today, Mexico has a repetition rate of 95 percent among cruise passengers arriving in Mexico.



Last year, Mexican ports received 5 million cruise passengers. This year, the ports expect to receive nearly 6 million. In fact, some carriers want to increase their presence in order to accommodate the larger demand of cruises into Mexico. In 2009, cruise tourism alone generated an economic spillover into Mexico of 500 million dollars, despite the economic crisis and influenza.



Safe Travels,
Loretanamama
Experience Loreto http://www.casadeplayita.com/

Loreto Fishing Report as of August 11, 2010

Loreto Baja, you best choice for your fishing adventures.



With great weather high temperatures in the 90's, the dorado are starting to make a regular appearance. Also, yesterday, Loreto had the first rain of the season.


Here's a quick snapshot of the beautiful weather in Loreto:

Nolopo Beach with Carmen Island in the background

Sunrise: 6:57 AM

Sunset: 8:04 PM

Barometer: 29.74" Hg

Feels like: 102°

Humidity: 84%

Wind: CLM 0 mph


Last week we had SUPERIOR Dorado fishing, most of the fishing boats caught the limit  (Arturo's crew has fishing licenses so even more Dorados for our anglers)

Most of the big bulls weighed in between 15 pounds to 30 pounds!

Last weekend the local Hunting and Fishing Club in Loreto hosted their annual tournament with 25 fishing teams and the first place went to Fily Diaz and guide name Chapa Quintana with a nice 27 pound dorado. Congratulation Fily and Chapa!! I hope the locals establishments paid tribute to your success with two for ones! or as my neighbor says: two for Juan! Although he may be talking about the local talent if you know what I mean...

Where was I? Oh yeah, the Dorado are biting finally. As of lately, the Dorado are being hooked up by the main marina in Loreto or close to Coronado island. However  outside the Island not a bite, ghost town action. In addition, the reefs near the islands of Carmen and Coronado have major action with the Striped Marlin as they have been putting up a good fight for the anglers.

Lastly, still good Yellowtail fishing in different fishing spots like South of Carmen Island (Punta Baja), with great size from 24 to 40 lbs. These same spots are catching Cabrilla and Grouper.

Average per boat 3 pieces.

Here are a couple good sports, Barry Boatman on the left and Wesley Boatman on right.

Here's the scoop on bait:
Mackerel in front of Loreto or Coronado Island and sardine is available in the marina.



Truthful Fishing Report in Loreto Baja, Mexico

Arturo’s Sport Fishing Fleet

Licensed dealer at Hotel La Pinta, at Inn Loreto Bay Hotel
http://www.arturosport.com/
arturossport@prodigy.net.mx
Phone 011-52-613 - 135 - 07 - 66
Fax 011-52-613 - 135 - 00 - 22

For a great rental in Loreto, check out http://www.casadeplayita.com/

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama

Loreto Fishing Report July 24, 2010

Yellowtail, Yellowtail Yellowtail! Still catching yellowtail this time of the year on the reef 50’ north of Carmen Island. All boats bringing in good daily catches and some fishing boats are coming in with 4 to 10 nice yellows weighing between 20-35 lbs! Anglers are  using a 60 to 80 pound leader line on the head because this place is not very deep not to mention the coral reef that snaps lines like construction worker. Believe it or not you can find Dorados near of the reef at the Islands as well. Most are showing up with a weight from 12 to 20 lbs. Below are anglers John Scheenstra left and his son with a Striped Marlin. They fished with expert  fishing Guru, Arturo.

 For Bait use Mackerel: Available on Coronado or from Loreto, catching your own or buy it early morning at the marine, at the price of 10 pieces for $ 15.00 U.S. and 20 pieces for $ 25.00 U.S.
Truthful Fishing Report in Loreto Baja, Mexico.
Arturo’s Sport Fishing Fleet http://www.arturosport.com/
reservations@arturosport.com
Phone 011-52-613 - 135 - 07 - 66
Loreto Vacation Rental

Getting ready to go to Loreto

My husband always tries to push back the trip but once we get on the road all of the stress seems to go away. We drive from Loreto and its a two day drive pulling a 25 ft boat down Hwy 1. While the roads are well maintained there are a few narrow spots and the truckers sometimes get a little close for comfort. We have had a couple close calls on curves where the truckers are 3 feet in  your lane and you have no where to go. The truckers seem to always whip back in their lane, however we do see alot of memorials along the roadside. We will be crossing at the Otay Mesa boarder crossing and go the back route on the Dos Mil highway. This is a huge 4 lane new freeway that cuts  around the back of Tijuana and drops you on the coast at Popotla. Its is the WAY TO GO. Not only do you miss all of the toll booths up until that point but you don't have to go through downtown Tijuana. Getting through Ensenda is about an hour and then you are heading toward San Quitin and el Rosario. Then the big trip through the desert to Gurerro Negro is another 6 hours with really not too much in between except a hotel in Catavina. So we get gas every chance we have. We learned our lesson one time and had to buy gas from a guy in Catavina who was selling it out of a barrel in the back of his car. Once you get to GRO NGO, it is time to cut across the peninsula to the Sea of Cortez. We always spend the night in San Ignacio which is smack in the middle of the peninsula but a little closer to the Sea of Cortez side. The weather is dramatically different too. Mucho mas hotter! No more Ocean air cooling from the Pacific.

I have never been down to Loreto in July but know that it is going be HOT! The best month out of the year for fishing though so we're really excited. We will be doing some repairs on our casa at Loreto Bay as the ceiling and deck are leaking when it rains and we need to get these buttoned up before hurricane season in late July and August. We go back down in September which is my favorite time as Mexican Independence Day is on September 16 and the Loreto Town Square is transformed in a a big community festival that is SO MUCH FUN!

Our friend Jorge and his daughter Paola with me at the festival drinking Micholadas.

Fireworks marking the end of the Festival for the evening

But not the festivities!

We are looking forward to seeing our local Loreto friends and look forward to making new ones too.

Safe Travles,

Loretanamama...Live it Loreto Style at Casa de Playita

Loreto Fishing Report - Week of May 30-June 5, 2010

Loreto, Baja Sur - Your best choice for your fishing adventures.
Check out our vacation rental on VRBO!




We had excellent weather conditions this week. Here is a quick look:

Sunrise: 6:33 AM

Sunset: 8:15 PM

Barometer: 29.85" Hg

Feels like: 89°

Humidity: 46%

Wind: WSW 17 mph



Yellowtail started to finally snap up bait after a slow fishing period over the 10 days. Anglers started where catching yellowtail in at least 7 different fishing spots for a great week of exciting fishing action.

Friday, we had all 11 boats go out with enthusiastic fishermen (and women!). The total count for the day was 43 pieces of yellowtail from 20 pounders to the the biggest weighing in at a whopping 39.8 lbs. ! Above, Mr. Andy Contabel from California caught the biggest one of the day. Congratulations Andy!

The fishing spots included the area north of Loreto, Coronado Island, San Bruno reef, Punta Colorada, Puerto Almeja reef, east of Loreto off of Alfonso reef and Punta Perico Carmen Island.

The Summer bite of Dorado is starting as well but very sporadic.

Spanish Mackeral bait is being caught from the lighthouse off of Coronado Island Spanish mackerel , or big eye and mackeral just off  Loreto out in front.
Bait is also available to buy at the marina on the morning.



Arturos Sport Fishing.

www.arturosport.com

reservations@arturosport.com

Loreto Baja California Sur, Mexico

The true full Fishing report in Baja.

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama ...Live it  Loreto Style at Casa de Playita

Check out our vacation rental on VRBO!

New Video of Loreto Bay and Villas for rent

Loreto Bay Vacation Rental

The Return of the San Diego - Loreto flight...via Mexico City????

Okay, so I guess it’s better than no flights from San Diego to Loreto. Last month, Mexican government officials met with the Director General of Aero México, Andres Conesa Labastida, to discuss the possibility of returning the flight route from San Diego to Loreto. I was SO excited!!! oh wait, did I just read there is a stop in Mexico City??? Yes, I did. My favorite flight, San Diego to Loreto, that takes about an hour and twenty five minutes or just enough time to order and drink a Tecate before the Kamikaze Mexican airline pilots start to make the decent has turned into an eight hour flight. OMG. What's the point? I understand that this gives the lovely residents of Loreto a direct flight to Mexico City without going to La Paz first, but from my understanding, this resurrected flight to Loreto is supposed to give a hand to the declining tourism market of Baja California Sur. I could drive to L.A., park at my mom's house and take an hour and a half flight from LAX and be there quicker. Atencion Señor Conesa Labastida, por favor, puedo encontrar contigo? (translation: Attention, Mr. Labastida, Can I have a meeting with you to explain how freakin’ long I have been waiting for the best flight on the planet to come back to San Diego and now you want to fly to 6 hours out of the way to get there?) No comprendo...


To read this article in its entirety visit Radar Politico



Safe Travels, Loretanamama...live it Loreto Style (at least for a week) at Casa de Playita

Fishin' for the Mission (Loreto)

Pre-Register for Fishin' For the Mission and get your Boat Name on your shirt.s! Join Jim Duggins, president of Fishin' For the Mission to help raise money for the Mission and orphanage in Loreto. The dates are july 15th thru 18th 2010. For more info email Jaime at jaimekathyg@hotmail.com

Loreto Fishing Report - Week of April 26, 2010

Loreto Baja, your best choice for your fishing adventures.

Updated: Sunday May, 2 2010

Good weather, good fishing.

Sunrise: 7:00 AM

Sunset: 7:50 PM

Barometer: 29.88" Hg

Feels like: 70°

Humidity: 73%

Wind: N 3 mph

Eventhough, the Yellowtail bite has slowed a bit as the weather is starting to warm up, the boats are still catching an average of 3 per boat with an average weight of a whopping 22-30 pounds.

The Fishing Spots

A couple miles straight out from the Loreto Marina  fisherman are catching 2 to 4 yellowtail.

The Alfonso and Choya reefs 9 miles east of Loreto are two of the places where the yellowtail have been caught all season and still going strong.

Don't miss the scenery at Coronado Island just east  of the light house near the bait spot. This is practically right out in front folks. Any closer to shore and you could swim in the fish youself. And lastly, although a little bit of a trek but well worth it, is Puerto Almeja reef 20 to 25 miles north of Loreto. Here in addition to a strong Yellowtail bite,  you can catch Sea Bass (Cabrilla).

Fishermen are catching Cabrilla, up north off of Puerto Almeja reef  with Rapalas early morning. For those of you not familiar with a rapala it is a type of fishing lure that resembles a minoe or a small makeral and allows fisherman to catch fish in all types of conditions.

Gentelmen (and Ladies too!) Start Your Engines!

Let the games begin! The Dorado have begun to bite now too! These super colorful fish and fiesty swimmers will put up a fight and pull you overboard if your not carefully surefooted. Fisherman have caught Sailfish and Striped marlin occasionally on Mackerels and Spanish Mackerels, out side of the Coronado light house. Don't miss the hot bite this summer - it's just gonna get better!

Up above, you will see a picture of some recent Loreto visitors Ted Butland, Steve Mc Nall, Aari Hieta and Kalevi Kekkonen from California - all with a nice yellowtails.

Bait can be bought on  the bait boat outside of the Loreto Marina , 10 pieces for $15.00, 15 for $20.00 and 20 for 25 US dollars.

Truthful Fishing Report in Loreto Baja Mexico

Arturo’s Sport Fishing Fleet

Hidalgo, Centro and Loreto Bay beach club.

www.arturosport.com
arturossport@prodigy.net.mx
Phone 011-52-613 - 135 - 07 – 66
Cell +521 613 104 35 26

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama...Live it Loreto Style (at least for a week) at Casa de Playita

Beach Rentals Offer Great Value with Fun in Sun!

It's a great time to vacation at the beach -- not just because it's summertime, but because it's really a renter's market right now. Many owners are stuck with second homes on the water they can't use. So they're trying to rent them in the summer market at deep discounts. Mexico offers a really value for the dollar right now with the dollar at 13-14 pesos. So if you do the math, the dollar is worth about 30-40% more in Mexico! For years, hot spots like Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta have been a notoriously hard place to find a decently priced rental. But now due to other tourism destinations on the rise like Loreto and La Paz, owners are offering beautiful accomodations at a really decent price without all the crowds!

So what's the best way to take advantage of this soft market for rentals? Financial guru, Clark Howard,  recommends a website called Vacation Rentals by Owner. As the name suggests, it helps you rent directly from owners -- whether it's a home, condo, cabin, villa or apartment! For extra value, be sure to look at "fill in the gap" deals where you rent accommodations that are available in between other renters.  Meanwhile, if you're renting an older property, look to see that it's been renovated within the last three years. And don't be shy about asking for more pictures from the owner!

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama.....Live it Loreto Style (at least for a week) at Casa de Playita

Loreto's own Bookstore

Monday, April 26, 2010, From Mexico Living


LORETO - What is NEW at El Caballo Blanco Bookstore

Five years ago, after 15 years of Baja adventures, El Caballo Blanco moved their bookstore from New Mexico to Loreto. Wild natural beauty drew them to Loreto and friends helped them sink roots. The owners enjoy the best of all lives; fascinating people, new ideas from distant places, and neighbors who became family.

El Caballo Blanco Bookstore now has a wide range of brand new titles and and more copies of favorite books...including the Shawn and Heather's Cruising Guide (Sea of Cortez), the new Baja Almanac, many children's books in English and Spanish, Victor Villasenor's WALKING STARS: Stories of Magic and Power, and another book of Mexican Folktales; HORSE HOOVES and CHICKEN FEET!

Plus many shelves of 'almost' alphabetized used fiction and non-fiction, and many light beach-reads.


In El Caballo Blanco, browse the best Baja book selection. Thousands of used books fill the palapa room, with new Baja books, art and maps in the second room. They also stock art supplies, pottery, and fabric, comfortable chairs and their ever-ready coffee pot. Stop in for coffee and a chat!

El Caballo Blanco (”The White Horse”) Bookstore

Address: Paseo Hidalgo #19 (2 blocks from the Malecon) in Loreto, BCS, Mexico

Owners: Alberto and Jeannine Perez

Phone: 613-116-5374 613-116-5374

Email: jeannine1220@yahoo.com

 
Safe Travels,
Loretanamama...Live it Loreto Style (at least for a week) at Casa de Playita

Benefits of using a vacation rental property vs. a hotel for your vacation

Benefits of Vacation Rentals

Vacation home rentals are, hands down, the best way for you to enjoy a truly relaxing, rewarding and budget-friendly family vacation – one you’ll remember forever! Vacation homes give you the room to relax after a long day and provide unique and luxurious amenities and services versus the limited accommodations and space found at even the highest-rated resorts and hotels. And for some, vacation homes are a vacation unto themselves.

Exclusive Luxury, Unmatched Privacy

Vacation home rentals provide – luxurious amenities like:

• Private pools, spas, patios or decks, fireplaces, beach access
• State-of-the-art home theatres
• Multiple master suites and bedrooms
• Game rooms with amenities like billiard tables, air hockey, stand-up arcade games and more
• Full kitchens plus large and multiple dining areas
• Entertainment and electronics amenities like TVs and DVD players throughout, computers with high-speed Wi-Fi internet access and even Wii, Xbox and PlayStation video game systems!

When it comes to privacy, vacation homes are second to none. You’ll rest easy knowing that you’re in a spacious home as opposed to just a single room. Moreover, many vacation homes are located in gated communities with some homes featuring fences for added privacy.

Want more vacation luxury? Many vacation homes provide access to premier services like pre-arrival grocery shopping, massage delivery and in-home chefs.

In essence, vacation home rentals give you more luxury than the top resorts plus the privacy and comforts of home.

Location, Location, Location

You’ll find vacation rentals in most major travel destinations. Whether you’re looking for a secluded mountain cabin, a quiet beach cottage or a home close to ski resorts or attractions and theme parks, vacation homes are the best choice for getting away from it all while staying close to the fun. Most vacation home rentals are just minutes away from your favorite sightseeing spots, attractions, golf courses, restaurants, shopping centers and other vacation area hot spots.

On site property managers 

Many vacation homes have an on site property manager. This provides guests to enjoy additional benefits and services including a 24-hour customer service contact, concierge services, housekeeping, partnerships with local vendors, and sometimes the ability to search and reserve a home securely online.

Major Savings. Priceless Value.

You’ll discover great savings and value when renting a vacation home – sometimes in ways you’d least expect! Vacation homes make it easy to save on:

• Dining – with full kitchens, you can make your own meals and snacks at a fraction of the cost you’d pay at restaurants and area attractions
• Entertainment – with private pools, community playgrounds, clubhouse movie theatres, game rooms and other unique amenities to enjoy, you’ll save big when staying in
• Accommodations – with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, you’ll keep your family or group together instead of spending more on additional rooms

Beyond saving you money, vacation homes provide truly unique values you can’t put a price on:

• Time for yourself and family to kick back and relax
• Room for your group or family to play – indoors or out
• Lasting memories of a truly relaxing, one-of-a-kind vacation experience

Discover the true meaning of the word vacation.

Safe Travels,

Loretanamama...Live it Loreto Style (at least for a week) at Casa de Playita

Loreto Fishing Report - Week of April 12, 2010

Loreto, Baja - Your best choice for your fishing adventures.

April 17, 2010

Good weather, good fishing.

Sunrise: 7:00 AM

Sunset: 7:50 PM

Barometer: 29.88" Hg

Feels like: 70°

Humidity: 73%

Wind: N 3 mph

Hold on to your sombreros compadres - The fish are biting and its just keeps getting better!
Here are this week's highlights and totals of the coast of Loreto, Baja California Sur:
Yellowtail - These are some of the best fishing spots
9 miles east of Loreto Alfonso and la Choya reef
Carmen Island on the north side
Punta Lobos and Punta Perico
Coronado Island east side of the light house near of the bait spot
San Bruno reef 14 to 15 miles north of Loreto

Most of the each  boat averaged between 6 to 10 yellowtal with only a couple days of slow fishing, average weight was between 22 to 30 pounds.

Here is a picture of the man himself, Loreto's own fishing guru, Arturo Susarrey with a big ol' Dog Snapper:

Way to hog tie that little doggie!







Although, the fisherman were roping in one Yellowtail after another, Cabrilla is the best catch so far this week, and Punta Perico reef is one of the best spots.

Still good Dog Snappers fishing at  Lobos Point off Carmen Island.  You can troll with live bait close to the beach.

Bait:
Mackerels and Spanish Mackerels, outside of the Coronado light house .
Or you can buy on the bait boat, 10 pieces for 15.00, 15 for 20.00 and 20 for 25 US dollars.


Truthful Fishing Report in Loreto Baja Mexico



Arturo’s Sport Fishing Fleet
http://www.arturosport.com/
arturossport@prodigy.net.mx
Phone 011-52-613 - 135 - 07 – 66
Cell +521 613 104 35 26

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama...Live it Loreto Style (at least for a week)- Casa de Playita

5th Annual Loreto Earth Day

Attention all Loretanos! Please join in the fun for the 5th Annual Loreto Earth Day.

Have trash bag will travel! Sunday, April 18th. 2010 everyone will meet in front of Rancho Jurel on Davis Street. Please bring  a few large trash bags and gloves to help beautify Loreto and clean up the arroyo from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m..

We gotta eat right?! Participants please bring a side dish to serve 8-10 people and belly up the bbq pit for a
 bar-b-que on the beach, complete with Loreto burgers and all the fixins Loreto style PLUS drinks. All provided by the committee as a reward for everyones help.

Let's make this event a success!

Gracias!

Loretanamama...Live it Loreto Style- Casa de Playita

Highway 1 in Baja - Road conditions

April 8, 2010
Brought to you by BajaInsider

Earthquake Affects Baja's Highway 1     

There were some limited bridge closures last weekend for 3 bridges in the Tijuana area for inspection following the 3:40PM 7.2m Earthquake near Mexicali. However, Mexico Highway 1 was not affected. As of last night the road was passable from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas with a few remaining detours for construction, most of which are now temporarily paved. The road is passable to all vehicales.
It is important to keep in mind the size of the Baja California peninsula. The quake only significantly affected the area near Mexicali and for the magnatude of the quake, only limited damage occured. Mexicali is about 650 miles north of La Paz for example, where the quake was not even noticed last weekend.

We will have a complete road report update early next week, as Insider Staff is driving the length of the peninsula.

March 7, 2010

TJ to Loreto                 


The road is without major obsticales and a very pleasant drive. There are still a couple of well defined detours around washouts from January rains, but nothing to sweat. Even cumbersome RV's were making the passage with ease.

There are two places in Baja California and one in Baja Sur where road surfacing has short distances reduced to one lane but delays are short.



March 8, 2010

Surface Streets in La Paz

With the unusual winter rains there are a significant number of potholes erupting in surface streets in La Paz. There are some particularly rough spots in the Abasolo between 5 Feb and CCC. An entire lane is reduced to dirt on the road back from Pichilinque to La Paz in front of La Concha Hotel. Keep to the left.

Entire lengths of surface streets are also being resurfaced with paving machines. The new surface is flawless. Watch for road closures on Colosio, Colima and Jalisco this week. Watch for speed traps next week, a common trick in both the US and Mexico when the smooth new roads keep drivers unaware of their speed.

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama...Live it at Casa de Playita

10 SIMPLE Packing Tips

10 Simple Packing Tips - from Travelmaestro


April 9, 2010

He who would travel happily must travel light.
- Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Packing for a trip can be stressful. Use these 10 simple packing tips to take control of your luggage so you will be free to enjoy the fun of your trip.

1) Color your world – but only with two or three coordinating colors. Take two tops for every one bottom and mix and match to create “new” outfits. Pack light weight, quick-dry Use scarves and jewelry to accessorize and 5-7 pieces can last you two weeks easily, just be sure to wash as needed!

2) Pack it in plastic bags – Pack everything in 2 gallon zip lock bags. You (or TSA) can dump your bag and repack in a flash. Put coordinates and accessories together and each bag holds a complete outfit (or three) that you can see at a glance.

3) Leave the wrinkles at home – Lay folded shirts on top of pants or skirt then fold pants in thirds around the shirts. Leave a little air in the bag to eliminate creases. Or roll everything and press every bit of air out of the bags. I like to fold, but my master backpacker friends insist that rolling is the best way.

4) Use space efficiently – Put fragile items like Roll socks and stuff into shoes, then match shoes against each other. Fill corners and crevices with socks, underwear, and swimsuits. Try to take only two pairs of shoes, one for walking and a sandal for dress. This is the hardest part for shoe lovers, but you’ll be glad to have the extra room and less weight.

5) Wear your coat – If you need cold weather gear, just wear your coat and keep scarf and gloves in the pockets to save space in your bag. If you need to pack a blazer, fold it in half lengthwise toward the back with shoulders together; fold both arms to the left, then turn the front right side inside-out and wrap around the left side and arms. Take care the collar isn’t crimped and fold in half horizontally with the lining side out. This will eliminate wrinkles, take up less space, and prevent any spots.

6) Size does matter – For toiletries, use travel sized shampoo and toothpaste and toss them all in one zip lock bag to prevent having sudsy socks upon arrival. You don’t need a 27 ounce bottle of conditioner for a weekend trip, no matter how frizzy your hair gets. Besides, if you carry on your bag, the TSA will confiscate anything that doesn’t meet the 3-1-1 guidelines.

7) Plan for shopping – If you think you will bring home souvenirs of your trip, don’t pack your bag to the brim before you leave home. Leave some space to bring back those collectible shot glasses and magnets. If you are a real shopaholic, pack a collapsible bag that can be filled and checked on the way home if necessary.

8) Security issues – Be sure to identify your bag with your name address and phone contact on the outside and especially inside. Use an external tag with a cover or put the information side down to prevent would-be burglars from identifying your empty address as a target while you are away. If you must use locks, be sure they are TSA approved or they will get cut off if your bag is chosen for inspection.

9) Identification – Personalize your bag by tying something identifiable to the handle so you can distinguish it from the other million identical bags on the carousel. Make a colorful yarn pompom or use a unique luggage tag.

10) The ultimate packing formula – Pack a good attitude, half the clothes you think you need, and twice the money!


Safe Travels,
Loretanamama...Live it at Casa De Playita

The Advantages of a "Vacation" Home Cooked Meal

A Vacation Home-Cooked Meal


The economic recession has hit a lot of people and businesses hard, and vacationing has become a much more financially cautions affair for a lot of us. If you are thinking about taking a vacation this year, but are afraid of over-spending, not to worry; there are a lot of things you can do to make your next vacation affordable and inexpensive. One of these is booking a hotel room or vacation rental that includes a kitchen for cooking your own meals, rather than eating out at restaurants every day. This trick not only saves you money, but it lets you experience the local culinary culture. Eating home cooked vacation meals makes it a lot easier to continue regulating your eating habits if you’re on a diet. Here’s a brief outline of just some of the benefits of vacation home cooked meals

1. Makes it Easy to Set up a Food Budget

Home-cooked vacation meals work only if you set up a food budget for each day of your vacation. Having a budget for your food items is a great advantage if your goal is to save money. When eating out at restaurants, people have a tendency to spend a lot more than they originally intended to. Having a documented food budget lets you keep track of your expenditures and avoid excessive or impulse food purchases.

2. Don’t Pay for Expensive Restaurant/Hotel Meals

If you are staying in a place with high tourist density, restaurant prices in destinations tend to be overpriced, and hotel restaurants are not much better. If you order food via room service, it’s even worse. By cooking your meals yourself, you can eat in the comfort of your room without having to pay extra. Have breakfast in bed whenever you want, and save some money while you’re at it.

3.Makes Sticking with Your Diet Easier

If you’re trying to stick to a strict diet, cooking your own meals while on vacation is a great way to do so. When you eat out at a restaurant, it can be much easier to stray. By shopping for ingredients on your own and cooking at your hotel or vacation home accommodations, you get to be fully in control of what you eat and what you don’t.

4.Experience the Local Market

Local Farmer's Market every Sunday in Loreto

Part of truly getting to know a place involves simply walking around town and seeing the shops that local residents visit every day. Shopping for groceries at the local market gives you the perfect opportunity to do just that. Be a little adventurous and try out some of the native ingredients. If you’re in a foreign country, you’ll get a chance to non-traditional foods. Shopping for your own food in a foreign place can actually be a really fun and enriching experience.


Take Advantage of Vacation Home Savings

Vacation home rentals are the best places for home-cooked meals. They come with full kitchens, tend to be cheaper, if you’re staying for several days and with a group of people. Professionally managed rentals provide guests with full kitchens, stocked clean pots, pans, plates, cups, eating utensils, refrigerators, cabinets and storage spaces. In other words, the perfect set up to plan out your home made vacation meals.

So next time you go on vacation, skip the restaurants and go for the savings. You’ll be surprised at what a huge difference budgeting your food expenditures makes. Cooking your vacation meals at home lets you keep track of your food costs and avoid overly pricey hotel room service as well as expensive restaurant meals. Planning out your home-cooked meals will let you experience more of the local culture and keep a closer track of your diet. Opting for home-cooked vacation meals is just one of the many ways you can save money and avoid breaking your back on your upcoming vacation, because even in tough times, it’s nice to take a few days off and enjoy a relaxing vacation.

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama ...Live it at Casa de Playita

LORETO FEST 2010 - Cooking Competition "Flavors of the Sea" April 30-May 2

Loreto Fest 2010 "By the Sea" April 30 - May 2nd

The Loreto Bay National Park is hosting a cooking competition, "Flavors of the Sea" as part of the April 17th Festival "Loretanos, for a Sea Full of Life!" Join us in celebrating the richness of the marine products available in our park, and the importance of using them sustainably.





DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION:

1. PARTICIPATION: anyone residing within the municipality of Loreto is invited to participate. Professional chefs are welcome to participate and promote their best recipes, however they will not be eligible to participate in the competition.

2. REGISTRATION: pre-registration is required in the central park office on Calle Victoriano Arnes between Pedro de Ugarte and Julian de Mallorga, or by calling Perla Lozano at the same office at 135-0477. (For assistance in English, call or email Cynthia Mayoral cmayoral@rareconservation.org, 613-111-0510 613-111-0510.)

3. THEME: Celebrate the richness of the marine products available in our park. Each entry should include, in some way, chocolata clam, either as the principal, or a secondary ingredient. All marine products used must be legally obtained.

4. PRESENTATION: The food will be presented at the "Loretanos por un mar lleno de vida" Festival at the dock/marina on the malecón, Saturday, April 17th, from 10am – 2pm. Each dish should serve small portions for a minimum of 10 people to sample.

5. PRIZES: First prize is $1000 pesos plus a surprise gift, second prize is $750 pesos plus a surprise gift, third and fourth prizes are surprise kitchen appliances. And, of course, everyone wins by celebrating the importance of enjoying and caring for our marine resources.

6. JUDGES: The panel of judges is comprised of local chefs

7. CRITERIA FOR JUDGING: dishes will be judged based on flavor, presentation and originality

8. AWARDS: awards will be announced and prizes given at the closing ceremony at 2:00pm

9. LOGISTICS: Loreto Bay National Park is responsible for all of the logistics of the event (tables, chairs, napkins, etc.) If anyone wants to add their own touch to the presentation, they are more than welcome.

Submitted by: Cynthia Mayoral

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama ...Live it at Casa de Playita

Loreto Fishing Report - 04-05-10

Loreto Baja, your best choice for your fishing adventures.


Good weather, good fishing.

Sunrise: 6:14 AM

Sunset: 6:43 PM

Barometer: 29.8" Hg

Feels like: 81°

Humidity: 26%

Wind: WSW 11 mph today



Yellowtail throughout the week. The best fishing sites are Alfonso and Choya reef at about16 to 18 miles east of Loreto.

San Bruno reef is another very good fishing site, 15 miles north of Loreto.

Punta Lobos Carmen Island is also a good fishing spot this week, 22 miles east Loreto.

We had full moon this week and this affects the good fishing, but catches were nevertheless good. Average per fishing boat were 5 pieces of Yellowtail with a weight between 20 to 38 pounds

The yellowtails are eating in San Bruno reef small squid, in the other fishing spots sardines

Here is picture with Francisco Susarrey and his cousin with a good Yellowtail from Alfonso reef .

Still good Dog Snappers fishing is being captured in Lobos Point Carmen Island you can trolling with live bait close of the beach.

Mackerels and Spanish Mackerels, out side of the Coronado light house
Or you can buy on the bait boat, 10 pieces for 15.00, 15 for 20.00 and 20 for 25 US dollars.

Truthful Fishing Report in Loreto Baja Mexico
Arturo’s Sport Fishing Fleet
http://www.arturosport.com/
arturossport@prodigy.net.mx
Phone 011-52-613 - 135 - 07 – 66
Cell +521 613 104 35 26

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama  - Live it at CasadePlayita.com

Heard of You-Touch-It-You-Bought-It Minibars? Those and Other Extra Fees Worsen the Lives of Tourists on Arthur Frommer Online

Another Reason to consider vacation rentals Those and Other Extra Fees Hidden Fees from Hotels you should be aware of on Arthur Frommer Online

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama



Posted using ShareThis

HomeAway CEO – more fun as a private company, OTAs worried about hotel clients to try rental

HomeAway CEO – more fun as a private company, OTAs worried about hotel clients to try rental

Safe Travels,
Loretanamama...live it at CasadePlayita.com

Retirees find Magaritaville across the border anything but a waste

http://tinyurl.com/yj2lnf2

Saft Travels,
Loretanamama...live it at http://www.casadeplayita.com/

Loreto Living: September in Loreto

Loreto Living: September in Loreto

September in Loreto

Every year, we try to make two trips to Loreto. We have been going down since 2004. Although nowadays, we have to drive the two day and 750 mile trip since there are no more flights from San Diego - which is a bummer but it really isn't because we justify staying longer and have a great time sight seeing and experiencing all the different terrain of the northern and southern baja peninsula. - plus we pull a boat now and you can't really bring one on a plane.

Last year, we only made one trip in September. The weather in Loreto is stunningly beautiful starting in mid September. The dessert comes alive with flowers and green lushness after the heavy rains in July and August. It can be a little humid but quickly dries out around the 20th leaving an amazing floral scent just lingering in the air. September is such a great  time to be in Mexico because Mexico's Independence Day is celebrated during this month and there are Fiestas in a big way in Loreto's Town Square. One night in September, the Town Square is transformed into the most authentic mexican celebration with banners hanging from the municipal buliding, cafe's with table and chairs, school dance troops preforming traditional mexican folk dancing, fireworks, vedors selling michelados (a delicious combination of beer, clamato and spices over ice), children running freely and playing games, and it seems that everybody knows everybody in the community. Another really unique thing about Loreto in September is the yellow butterfly migration. It starts very slowly at the end of the month and within about three days, the ocean looks like it has snow falling on it because of all the beautiful butterflys migrating from the mainland. It is truly an amazing sight we look forward to everytime. It seems to renew your faith in the importance of the little things and reminds you that the beauty of nature comes in small packages too.

""

March Fishing report - Loreto 2010

Weather: Not the the best conditions this past week but fishing boats went out four days.




Sunrise: 6:36 AM

Sunset: 6:34 PM

Barometer: 29.9" Hg

Feels like: 67°

Humidity: 48%

Wind: WNW 9 mph today


Yellowtail, throughout the week we fished in the Alfonso and Choya reef 16 to 18 miles east of Loreto, with very good luck because we caught plenty big of yellowtail, some teams caught over 20 heads of Yellows with weights of 26 to 38 pounds. Some times you can hook up those over 40 pounds.

Other good places for Yellowtail

• Pulpito area north Loreto 35 miles

Today we show a picture of the best sport fishing catch of Yellowtail in Baja California, with Marty Dufek Group, who captured 63 Yellowtail and weighing from 22 to 34.8 pounds.

Also you can link to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkeNDL1ZOII and see the video of this trip.

Dog Snappers, is being caught in Lobos Point Carmen Island you can troll with live bait close of the beach.



Mackerels and Spanish Mackerels, few miles out from the port of Loreto and out side of Coronado Island few, miles from the light house on the east.



Or you can buy on the bait boat, 10 pieces for 15 usd, 15 for 20 and 20 for 25.







Truthful Fishing Report in Loreto Baja Mexico



Arturo’s Sport Fishing Fleet



www.arturosport.com

arturossport@prodigy.net.mx



Phone 011-52-613 - 135 - 07 – 66



Cell +521 613 104 35 26

Wanna get away?