Loreto, Baja - California

It is cold in December in Loreto, Baja. Bring jackets if you visit in Nov-Dec as the wind off the Sea of Cortez keeps you cool. Loreto, Baja, a Pueblo Magico. The abundant sunshine bakes atop the desert terrain, and the Sea helps to elevate the humidity. With a moderate temp of 76 °F from Nov thru March, we have visited this colorful city on five separate occasions during these best months. Easter and Christmas have always been fun because of all the local events. According to the National Meteorological Service, Loreto’s highest temp recorded was on July 2, 2006 at 112 °F. Loreto’s lowest temp recorded was recorded on Dec 15, 1987 at 32 °F. Loreto was the first Spanish colonial settlement of the Viceroy of New Spain on the Baja coast. The town was founded in 1697 by a Jesuit Order. This missionary order of the Catholic Church was founded by Ignatius of Loyola. The Jesuits discovered a steady spring of fresh water which helped them which lies to the west. The Sea of Cortez is beautiful and filled with sea life. From Guadalajara there are NO direct flights for now so to get there from mainland Mexico, we fly Volaris direct to LaPaz, stay a couple of nights then fly 15 minutes on Calafia AIrlines to Loreto. This resort is just outside of the city limits of Loreto. This resort is only 5 minutes from the local Marina. 400 pesos to airport. 300 pesos from Resort to Loreto town Center. ❤ We look forward to exploring this new area.  Loreto Golf Club

Las Hadas by Brisas Condo

All inclusive hotels are great when you have a tribe of people going with you to the beach. No cooking, all meals included, food and alcohol available 24/7. According to our preference, we enjoy going out to eat occasionally, cooking healthy at home, and joining a tribe at will. Therefore, my research for beach accommodations include rooms without all the food.  The price is always less, but if you eat out a lot, all inclusive hotels like the Barcelo, or the Las Hadas Resort in Manzanillo are best. For our Christmas gift to ourselves, this year we elected a condo on the Las Hadas Resort property. This gives us access to all their restaurants, the pools, and their private sandy beach. The condo's have their own small pool.  The water is always warmer along the coast so we are looking forward to a few days in the sun. Read reviews on Trip Advisor for updates on any hotel.  Las Hadas is where Bo Derek was in the movie "10" with Dudley Moore.  When booking we advise requesting a room on the lower level of the mountain top so that you will not need to call a golf cart to pick you up and bring you to the restaurant, pool, beach. We saw, we enjoyed twice, but we like the Barcelo way more. 

Enter from main drag thru Manzanillo.  One things about Las Hadas that we did not like was the location straight up the mountain away from all other venues of entertainment. Drive past Barcelo, drive past Tesoro Hotel, follow signs, up windy road to Las Hadas Resort.  The Barcelo hotel uses the Las Hadas golf course and tennis courts.  ENJOY the air conditioned LA MARINA MALL in town with a theatre, food court, and of course shopping. We have stayed at over 15 different hotels in Manzanillo to get away from the noise during Mardi Gras around Lake Chapala.  

Mazatlan Malecon

Easy to travel to Mazatlan on a luxury bus. Taxi to the ETN bus station in Guad, then for $40 USD one way, you kick back and enjoy as the drive is about 8 hours from Lakeside. It has the longest malecon in Mexico which is great for biking. We have stayed at three different hotels in Mazatlan and we prefer the quiet historical district where this hotel is located. The Freeman Posada Best Western Hotel is NOT an all inclusive hotel, but for about $75.00 USD, for an ocean view room, you will also enjoy a buffet breakfast daily.  The beds

are very comfortable and the service staff is excellent.  The Freeman is near the end of the malecon, and you can rent a beach bike for 100 pesos per hour and cruise the long malecon.  Historically,  this was the first hotel in Mexico to have an elevator and it catered to the Hollywood stars who loved to go deep sea fishing.  John Wayne and many other famous people have stayed at the Freeman.  Our thanksgiving trip was voted a winner by all. Except we could not find the elusive NEW highway that Mike and Barb travelled on, so we wondered through every tiny village along the way! The Hotel Freeman is convenient to many fine restaurants within a few blocks of the hotel.  Just down the malecon is a unique slide into the ocean, but we highly recommend extreme caution due to a personal experience of painful falls caused by the slippery moss covered steps to the slide.

We had a golf cart taxi take us to an evening of FUN for a mystery dinner. We walked all over, rode bikes along the malecon in the early COOL, and loved the pizza place directly up the hill from the natural waterslide. The hotel has a private beach directly across the street and the pool is on the top of the building.  Great views, excellent location, supreme service, with valuable pricing.  Explore all Hotels.com hotels. Eddie and Betty, Dan and Joy and Mike and Barb enjoyed a fabulous full blown turkey meal at a quaint local cafe. There is so much to see, and being retired, well we take full advantage of exploring the country we live in. VIVA MEXICO!

LetraCH - Restoran del Mar

Enter into the old style charm of Mexico as you ramble down the cobblestoned street from Guadalajara down Pepe Guizar to the Boutique Hotel and restaurant LetraCH which is right next to an OXXO and across from Lake Chapala.  This is a favorite spot for the Tapito's from Guad, they love the food and convenience to Christiana Park, the malecon (without the noise) and the old railroad museum. Newly revamped to include luxury suites and a fabulous SPA. An hour massage for 900 pesos, a refreshing facial that deep cleans as it adds moisture only 750 pesos. Why drive all the way to San Juan Cosala?  Enroute to Mezcala, this family owned and operated JEWEL offers lots of history, and less traffic. 

ADDRESS for TAXI: Carretera a Mezcala, Gonzalez Gallo 4 - Las Redes, 45900 -Chapala, Jalisco. Book online or call 376-765-3004.  Newly remodeled with pool, massages, air conditioning.  Follow them on Facebook.  Letra CH - Restoran del Mar.

Hotel Lindo

With only 8 rooms at this boutique Hotel, you are guaranteed to get excellent service. You can book online on Hotels dot calm, and give the address to your Taxi driver. The best way to drive from airport is to take the Libriemiento towards Ajijic, turn RIGHT at Wal-Mart, drive through 4 stop lights, just past Colon in Ajijic, turn RIGHT up mountainside at the corner at PIZZA place LaSerenata - up one block, turn RIGHT on Angel Flores. Hotel Lindo front door pictured.  GREAT beds, sheets, breakfast included. Walk to Ajijic Plaza in 5 minutes down Colon.  Eat at Tango's facing the malecon.

ADDRESS FOR TAXI: Angel Flores 17A - Las Salvias, 45920 Ajijic, Jalisco.  CALL: 331-865-4766 EMAIL: reservas@hotellindoajijic.mx

The Blue Rose Bistro

The Blue Rose is a spot that works hard to give all guests a fine dining experience to include food, service and atmosphere.  Comfortable seating was made for a party of 20 in their new location in Ajijic. Just past Colon, pass the Waffle House, turn LEFT towards LAKE like you are going to Dental Express. NEW location right on the corner.  This Bistro has an excellent chef and wine selection. The female owner pays attention to the atmosphere and provides great music, flowers and every detail to enhance your dining experience. Her menu offers a variety of flavors that will astound your taste buds. The chef uses fresh ingredients and many couples reserve tables for those special occasions. Depending on the season and weather, outdoor seating around a fire pit with friendly service. An expat favorite with a taste of finery from home. Like them on Facebook and make a reservation on messenger, or call 376-766-2948 (English Spoken fluently) The Blue Rose exceeded my expectations as they catered to a fun gathering on my birthday 2022.  

Local Spa

Just past restaurant row in San Juan Cosala at the base of the Racquet Club area residents can enjoy a spa day at the Grand Cosala Resort, or the boutique hotel next door for under $20 USD.  Dip into hot pools that are 110 F, thermal waters, cooler waters, get a facial, a massage - and choose NOT to drive 3.5 hours to the beach --- get-refreshed quick in just 40 minutes from home. The Grand Cosala allows you to enjoy the pools from 10 am - 6:00 pm - even if you check into a room visitors are allowed to change into bathing suits on site, bench it, enjoy a meal at the garden cafe, then check bags into room at 3 PM. The front desk staff speak English and you can book by phone or online.

Attached to Grand Cosala is a Italian Cafe, and in the same shopping center is a garage of Costco goods and a second boutique hotel for a day in the sun with a lovely cafe and view of the lake.

Grand Cosala contact info in comments.

Book facial or massage a few days prior to Spa day.