Laguna de San Ignacio
Previously inhabited by the Cochimi Indians, this area was known as Kadacaamán (stream of the cottonwood). Later, in 1716, San Ignacio was discovered by the Jesuit Priest Francisco María Píccolo and founded in 1728 by the Mexican Jesuit Juan Bautista Luyando.
Located 73 kilometers (45 miles) from Santa Rosalía and 142 kilometers (88 miles) from Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio is the departure point for those seeking cave paintings in the San Francisco Sierras. It is an absolute paradise within the desert. This fishing village is located at the spot where an underground river springs from the Earth to form a peaceful lagoon, surrounded by cattails and cottonwoods. Shaded by immense palm trees, the road follows its course until arriving at the small main plaza, a favorite meeting spot among the ignaciana population and adorned by leafy trees from India.
San Ignacio de Loyola Mission
Located in front of the current main plaza, the construction of this temple began in the early eighteenth century at the request and under the financing of the Society of Jesus. With the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, the work remained unfinished until the arrival of Dominican Juan Crisóstomo Gómez.
The mission was constructed with 120-centimeter (3.9-foot) thick volcanic stone blocks, which has allowed it to stay mostly intact. Its bas-relief-decorated façade and niches with sculptures of different saints catch visitors’ eyes. Inside, the great carved wooden altar, plated in gold, stands out. With seven oil paintings and a statue of Saint Ignacio de Loyola, the mission is a treasure trove of eighteenth century religious art.
Information and Management Unit of the San Francisco Sierras Archeological Area
Functioning as a museum, this building basically serves as a permanent exhibition hall where a replica of a small part of the Cueva Pintada (the largest cave in the area) is displayed with fireboxes, displays and photographs that illustrate some of the work that is carried out in the region. Located next to the San Ignacio Mission. Hours: from November to April, every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from May to October, Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
San Ignacio Lagoon
This splendid sanctuary is found about 55 kilometers (34 miles) out of town. Here, grey whales arrive every year in order to find their mate and give birth to their calves. From February to March the area is filled with tourists from all over the world who come to bear witness to this spectacular show. On the site, eco-tourism camp operators are available and can provide bilingual boat tours.
In addition to the whales’ incredible display, there are many other natural attributes that the area offers so that visitors can participate in an endless number of activities. The adventurous can go hiking, 4-wheeling, bird watching in the marsh, kayaking, surfing and scuba diving. The Pelícano, San Ignacio, Malcomb, Delgadillo Islands and the Delgadillo Islet, which are found in the Pacific Ocean, also belong to the San Ignacio lagoon system.
Cueva Ratón
Getting to this cave from San Ignacio is easy. Just take the highway north 44 kilometers (27 miles) and then veer to the right and go another 37 kilometers (23 miles) on a dirt road. Here, visitors will come upon the impressive San Francisco Sierras, which is where this cave is found. The interior of the cave receives enough light to observe the cave paintings, which have been dated back some 4,000 to 5,000 years. The drawings show men without faces and wearing headdresses.
They are believed to represent warlocks or shaman. Among the animals represented are deer, sheep and rabbits. These creatures appear pierced with lances, darts and arrows. The illustrations have been interpreted as hunting scenes or almost magical combat.
Given the significance of this spot, it has been an object of study since 1994 and is part of a conservation project in which the INAH, the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles, California and the Baja California Sur government are involved.
