If you haven’t heard of Loreto yet, you’re about to.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit just revealed that the entire 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue was shot in Loreto, Baja California Sur — a tiny coastal town most Americans couldn’t find on a map. And now, with the magazine hitting newsstands in May and names like Ilona Maher, Bethenny Frankel, and Olivia Dunne attached to it, that’s about to change fast.
For those of us who’ve been booking trips to Loreto for years, the reaction is bittersweet: Loreto’s secret is officially out.
The Biggest Names in the 2026 Issue
SI Swimsuit sent photographer James Macari and nine models to Loreto in December 2025. The lineup reads like a who’s who of sports, entertainment, and social media:
- Ilona Maher — Team USA rugby Olympic medalist, Dancing with the Stars breakout star, returning for her third consecutive SI Swimsuit shoot. Posted a reel from the Loreto beach that racked up millions of views.
- Bethenny Frankel — The Real Housewives of New York star and Skinnygirl mogul making her rookie SI Swimsuit debut at 55. Ashley Graham commented “YESSS ❤️” on her behind-the-scenes post.
- Olivia Dunne — LSU gymnastics sensation and one of the most followed college athletes in history.
- Lauren Chan — The 2025 SI Swimsuit cover model, returning for her fourth consecutive year.
- Brooks Nader — SI Swimsuit veteran and model.
- Molly Sims — Supermodel and SI Swimsuit legend.
- Hunter McGrady — Nine-time SI Swimsuit model who called Loreto “a love letter from the earth.”
- Haley Baylee — Content creator with 32 million followers, returning after a 5-year hiatus from the magazine.
- Jocelyn Corona — Rookie who called the shoot a “DREAM COME TRUE.”
What the SI Team Actually Did in Loreto
This wasn’t a fly-in, shoot-on-the-beach, fly-out situation. The SI Swimsuit crew spent real time exploring Loreto — and they went all in.
According to SI’s own reporting, the team:
- Swam with sea lions in the Sea of Cortez
- Rode horseback on the beach — Olivia Dunne was photographed on horseback along the Loreto shoreline
- Kayaked through mangroves in Loreto Bay National Marine Park
- Spotted blue-footed boobies — a species most famously associated with the Galápagos, but also found on the islands off Loreto
- Explored the village of San Javier — a historic mission settlement in the mountains, reachable by a scenic desert drive
- Shot in both the desert AND on the water — capturing Loreto’s unique landscape from every angle
Nine-time SI Swimsuit model Hunter McGrady summed it up best:
“Loreto felt like a love letter from the earth, where the desert meets the sea in the most breathtaking way. The landscape, the people, the food, the culture, the art — there’s a richness to everything there that stays with you. Experiencing it all alongside a team that feels like family made it even more meaningful.”
Where SI Ate (and What They Loved)
SI Swimsuit published their own official travel guide to Loreto, and the food section is gold:
- Romanita Baja Kitchen — A garden-style outdoor patio with palm trees and warm lighting. Craft cocktails and elevated Baja cuisine. Bethenny Frankel said their french fries were “some of the best of her life.” (That’s a Skinnygirl endorsement.)
- Super Burro — Run by a woman from a family of Loreto chefs who makes tortillas by hand in an open kitchen. SI called it “a favorite for the locals.” Giant portions.
- Maya Restaurant — A small spot in nearby Nopoló that SI said had “some of the most amazing food from our entire trip.” Homemade yogurt bowls, waffles, and ceviche that apparently blew everyone away.
(For our own deep dive, check out our guide to the 7 Best Restaurants in Loreto.)
Where They Stayed
SI’s travel guide highlighted several Loreto hotels including La Misión Hotel on the malecón (perfect for sunrise views), Posada del Cortes (a lush courtyard retreat), and Hotel Oasis at the end of the boardwalk.
For travelers who want something more private and exclusive, our Villa Marina Montaña is Loreto’s premier private estate — 6 bedrooms, a private 130-foot dock, heated pool, full spa, and mountain views from every room. It’s an exclusive Book Baja listing you won’t find anywhere else.
Why This Matters — And Why You Should Book Now
Let’s be real about what’s about to happen.
When SI Swimsuit features a destination, it doesn’t just get a bump in travel interest — it gets discovered. Past SI Swimsuit locations like Belize, Bermuda, and the Dominican Republic all saw measurable tourism increases after being featured.
Loreto is a town of roughly 20,000 people. It has one main street, a handful of boutique hotels, and zero chain resorts. There’s no Marriott. No Hilton. That’s part of its charm — but it also means capacity is limited.
When the May issue drops and millions of people Google “Loreto Mexico,” the best villas, charters, and experiences are going to book up. The smart move is to get ahead of it.
Book Loreto Before Everyone Else Does
We’ve been running luxury trips to Loreto long before Sports Illustrated showed up. Our team knows the best guides, the best fishing captains, and the spots that don’t show up in travel guides.
If the SI coverage has you curious, here’s where to start:
- Villa Marina Montaña — Loreto’s premier private estate. 6 bedrooms, private dock, heated pool, full spa.
- Fishing charters — Yellowtail, dorado, roosterfish, marlin — world-class sport fishing year-round.
- Private charter flights — Skip the layovers. Fly direct from San Diego, Cabo, or La Paz.
- Custom itineraries — Island hopping, whale shark swims, golf at TPC Danzante Bay, horseback riding — we’ll build the trip around you.
Contact Book Baja to lock in your Loreto trip before the rush. Seriously — don’t wait until May.
For a complete guide to everything Loreto has to offer, read our Ultimate Loreto Luxury Escape Guide.