We woke up in the middle of the night (2:45 am to be exact) to get to the airport to catch our first flight. We only had an hour layover in Vancouver so when the plane leaving Victoria was late, we started to worry. Landing in Vancouver, we speed walked for 15 minutes to our next gate, from one end of the airport to the other. You literally could not have gotten two gates further apart from one another. But, we made it!
We overnighted at the Hilton Garden airport hotel since we knew we’d be tired. They had a reasonably decent gym so I did a morning workout. The gym overlooked a very nicely designed circular pool and atrium.
We’d arranged for a private service, Mayan Traveler, to drive out to Akumal, about an south along the coast where we were staying for the next 10 days for scuba diving. Caribe Akumal Hotel is a very small, older resort and we had one of the bungalows which was very nice. We had no neighbors the whole time we were there, so it was also quiet!
There were five restaurants within just a few minutes’ walk so we rotated between them. We spent a lot of time at the Turtle Bay Café and Bakery because the wifi was significantly better than at our hotel – not to mention they had good coffee, smoothies and excellent ice cream!
Cat in her usual spot at Turtle Bay Cafe and Bakery
This glass of lemonade could have doubled as a dumbbell it was so heavy!
Shadows on a wall
Peaceful beach at night
Peaceful beach first thing in the morning. It got quickly got very busy with snorkelers during the day.
We saw this coatimundi near the dive shop one morning. It had stolen a tortilla from somewhere for breakfast. We also saw a couple agouti but only Andrew managed to get a photo of one.
This industrious little squirrel was stealing twigs from a palapa, presumably to build its own house somewhere else.
The grackles were noisy!
So were the woodpeckers but we didn't see them as frequently as the grackles.
While we were in Loreto or on the road home, I posted a few short videos on Facebook and Instagram. I've now done one more and am posting them all here in one spot for my future reference. All of these are very short, from just a few seconds to a minute. I recommend watching full screen and in HD for best viewing.
On our very first day of scuba diving, not more than five minutes from the marina, we came upon a pod of dolphins. We weren't around them for long and, between that and a bumpy ride, this was the best 6 seconds of video I got!
We also saw several mobile rays jumping out of the water but they are so fleeting (and usually so far away) that I didn't get any video.
We went to the sea lion dive site on Coronado Island on the first day but since we hadn't dived in so long (more than two years!) neither of us took underwater cameras so we could concentrate on just diving and getting used to things again.
Thankfully, we went back a couple days later and the sea lions were quite cooperative!
I had this idea for a "selfie" as I was entering the water. I call this video "Splash!" It wasn't until after our last dive of the trip that I thought I should have got some of Andrew going over the side so people not familiar with diving could actually see what is happening and how we get into the water. Ah well. Next time!
The fish seemed to be plentiful this trip. We wondered if it was because there was no fishing for about six months during the height of Covid. Or maybe I'm just not remembering what it was like before. Either way, we were pleasantly surprised!
One day on our way to Danzante Island, which is one of the furthest ones away, we encountered two Bryde's whales (a momma and baby). They were very playful and hung around our boat for about half an hour before we moved on. We were quite happy to give up some dive time for this as it's a very rare experience. Even our guides and boat captain were excited! (Video by me, photos by Andrew.)
We always enjoy watching the pelicans and other birds around the marina diving for fish. However, they're almost impossible to catch on video or photo. Here are just a few of my many failed attempts and the one successful one.
And the last one . . . a compilation of a few other underwater creatures I managed to get somewhat decently on video.
Since discovering Villas del Santa Niño, we always stay here when we're in Loreto. It's owned by a lovely local woman, Oralia, who keeps the suites and premises clean and appealing. Additions and improvements are always being made. Since we were last here, a second level has been added to the street-front building and finishing touches are being put on a new swimming pool as I type this.
Being along a pedestrian street, it's fairly quiet even with the busy malecon a block away and the town square a half block in the other direction. It's easy walking distance to everything we need - grocery store, restaurants, coffee shops and the dive shop.
Some of the suites are studio, others are 1 or 2 bedroom. All have a kitchen area with a small fridge, stovetop, and all the dishes, pots, etc. that you need.
We would highly recommend!!
The "front" building along the pedestrian street.
The back of the "front" building.
The original building at the back which has a 2-bedroom suite and a 1-bedroom suite.
The end of the "front" building, with stairs leading up to second floor.
The yard area with house and office at the back of the property.
One of the shaded outdoor seating areas and laundry room.
The new swimming pool with hot tub at the far end.
The eagle rays inlaid with tile into the bottom of the pool is a beautiful feature.
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