Casa Lereé

Casa Lereé Review

This historic adobe building just off the zócalo was the first guesthouse in San Ignacio. Today it is once again a small hotel, run by San Francisco native Jane Beard Ames, known as "Juanita" in these parts. Juanita painted the place with bright colors, decorated the simple rooms with local crafts, and cultivated a shady central garden and a large living room area full of rocking chairs where guests can swap stories. In addition to the two rooms that sit just off the garden, there is a larger room with a kitchen and a full private bathroom. She also has a small bookstore with books on Mexican history, Spanish language, and Baja California. Juanita, who first became interested exploring Baja California as a marine biologist, is so knowledgeable that you could not find a better source of information on San Ignacio. She has compiled an oral history of the town (a copy is in every guest room and is also available for sale) and maintains a collection of historic photos of San Ignacio that locals stop by to consult when they are looking for long-lost images of their own families. A stay with Juanita, a glimpse at her collection, and a flip through her book could easily turn you on to the charm and the magic of this small town.