Things to do
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Isla Coronados
The nearest island to town is a volcanic cone with a white sand beach and clear shallow water on its southern side, half an hour out by panga. Day trips land there for swimming and snorkelling, with sea lions on the rocks at the northern end. There is no shade or water on the island. Wind from the north in winter can call trips off.
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Isla Danzante
A long, steep ridge of an island lies off the harbour at Puerto Escondido, south of town, close enough to cross by sea kayak. Paddlers circle it over a day or camp on its small beaches, passing arches, coves and reef. Guided kayak trips start from Puerto Escondido, and the crossing should only be made in calm conditions.
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Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó
An inscription over the door names this stone church the head and mother of the missions of Upper and Lower California, which explains why every mission road starts here. The nave is long and narrow, with a gilded altarpiece holding the image of the Virgin of Loreto. The church is open daily between Masses. Its bell tower is a later addition, rebuilt after earthquake damage.
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Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó
Some thirty kilometres into the Sierra de la Giganta, a dark stone church finished in the middle of the eighteenth century stands in a palm oasis, among the best preserved of all the Baja missions. Behind it an olive tree planted by the missionaries still fruits in the old orchard. A road winds up through canyons to the village.
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Museo de las Misiones Jesuíticas
Built into the old mission buildings beside the church, the museum covers the Jesuit chain of missions across the peninsula. Saddles, weapons, religious paintings and tools of the mission ranches fill rooms around a courtyard. Labels are mostly in Spanish. The museum is ticketed and closed on Mondays.
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Parque Nacional Bahía
Five desert islands and the water around them make up this marine park offshore from town, protected from industrial fishing. Boats from the marina go out among the islands. Dolphins, sea lions and manta rays are common on the crossings.
