Several among this second wave of settlers were English immigrants. T he town remained small and isolated until after WW2 when it began developing a small commercial and sport fishing industry. As word of the incredible fishing spread, a handful of North American anglers began flying to Loreto fish camps in private planes. T he completion of the Transpeninsular Highway in 1973 enabled tourists to reach Loreto. The town now features a restored cobblestone plaza, the historic mission church and museum, and a new promenade along the water.
Fishing remains the main tourist allure.
Other attractions include the old mission church and museum, an international airport, world class tennis center, a golf course, and marina in nearby Puerto Escondido. Not entirely dependent on tourism, Loreto also benefits from the saltworks on Isla del Carmen, commercial fishing and agriculture. H istory aside, I like Loreto for what it is and is not. It exists as a small community of Mexicans that are untainted, for the most part, by us gringos. I have always found the Mexican people to be incredibly gracious, friendly people - especially if you make even the most basic attempt to communicate in Spanish.