Elite Traveler September-October 2016

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

part of the Loreto National Marine Park, with each island offering aquatic activi- ties, hiking and beach fun. Just 15 miles south of Loreto is Puerto Escondido, a beautiful natural harbor with a safe deep water marina and pro- tected anchorages. Puerto Escondido is the perfect stop for boaters who choose to explore the Baja in their sailboat or luxury yacht charter. Like Loreto, Puer- to Escondido offers excellent invest- ment opportunities with new master planned residential developments that include canal front residential lots with their own private dock.

LORETO & PUERTO ESCONDIDO Despite its status as the oldest set- tlement on the peninsula, dating back more than 300 years, Loreto today is a modern escape. Luxury amenities for vacationers and investors include marinas, five-star resorts, fine dining, an 18-hole oceanfront golf course and master planned residential communi- ties, and some of the world’s greatest sport fishing can be found only minutes offshore. Situated just beyond Loreto’s coastline in Loreto Bay are a total of five deserted islands—Coronado, Del Car- men, Danzante, Montserrat and Santa Catalina—all of which are protected as

LA PAZ Once the center of the world’s pearling industry, La Paz is still known today as the “Pearl of the Sea of Cortés.” As the capital of Baja California Sur, La Paz is both the region’s largest city and a world renowned resort destination. Already recognized for its natural bays, magnifi- cent islands, pristine beaches, abundance of marine life and perfect weather, La Paz is now gaining stature in the golfing world with the addition of three superb courses. Paraíso del Mar, Costa Baja and Bahía de Los Sueños are each part of master planned developments bearing the same name. The area also has excel- lent accommodation options to suit both business and pleasure.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COSTA BAJA RESORT

BAHÍA MAGDALENA Located on the Pacific side of the Baja Península is a real bucket list entry for any eco-tourist or adventure traveler. A long string of barrier islands protects a series of shallow bays that fill with gray whales during calving season, from January–March. Several professional tour guides serve the area allowing visitors to get up close to the world’s largest mammals on the planet. The surrounding estuaries and mangrove swamps support a unique and vibrant marine ecosystem. A sheltered channel links the two largest bays, Bahía Magdalena and Bahía Almejas, creating some of the best conditions for kayaking and windsurfing anywhere on the west coast of North America. If you are a serious fisherman or a surfer ,”Mag-Bay” will look like heaven.