The Best of La Paz

The Baja Peninsula is a popular tourist destination known for its warm, dry climates and stunning waters. With the vast Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Sea of Cortez on the east, Baja is a delightful location that provides ample land and sea adventures. La Paz is located on the eastern coast, nestled in the heart of the Sea of Cortez. The city is large enough to host a major airport and plenty of accommodations, making it an easily accessible getaway. It is clean and well kept, with a stunning coastal boardwalk stretching several miles. 

BY Land

Walking the Malecon

A widely paved coastal walk about 5km long following the Sea as it sparkles as far as the eye can see. Hotels, bars, restaurants, shops, and ice cream parlors bring life to the Malecon day and night. The main promenade features sculptures, beaches and several parks perfect for lounging. It took us about 3 hours to walk the entire length of the Malecon, including our stops for photos and snacks. 

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Balandra Beach 

A wide, shallow cove where turquoise waters greet silky white sand. Craggy cliffsides and numerous caves border the cove, creating a warm beach day no matter the time of year. This beach is incredible, and expectantly crowded. Tourists are regulated closely so it’s best to arrive super early and wait in line as the beach opens for the day. Bring plenty of supplies for lunch and drinks and plan to make the most out of your visit. Adventure seekers can hike, kayak, or stand up paddle board right from the beach. 

Sand Boarding

The mediterranean climate and coastal location makes the perfect recipe for piles of sand dunes created by wind pockets. And what better way to experience sand dunes than sand boarding down the surface? 

By Sea

Swimming with Whale Sharks 

These gentle giants come to the area around La Paz each winter for feeding. They laze in the shallow coastal waters for several months, feasting on the plankton. Whale sharks can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh 20 tons or more! Typically, the calm, warm waters are the perfect place to swim with these gentle giants and observe them in their habitat. Although the waters were very rough on our visit, it was still incredible to be in their world with them. Even being several feet away, we were getting tossed around underwater by the propulsion from their caudal fins. It was exhilarating! 

Snorkel with Sea Lions

The Los Isolates islands hosts over 400 sea lions. Snorkelers and divers can swim alongside them as they flip and play. They are permanent residents here because of the protected waters and rich food supplies such as fish and squid. On your tour, you may even see dolphins, turtles, humpback whales, and rays in this biodiverse ecosystem. 

Tours

We used OnBoard Baja for many of our adventures in La Paz and had a fantastic experience with them. We appreciated their great communication and customer service leading up to the trip and in person, and they had competitive rates. If you want to swim with whale sharks or sea lions, you must book a guided tour, as the protected waters are highly regulated. On land, you can get around easily in a taxi or on foot and a tour is not required. 

Where to Eat

Trattoria Italiana La Paz- our favorite little Italian restaurant. It’s tiny and can only accommodate a few tables but the dishes are some of the most authentic we have ever tried outside of Italy. 

Hotel Marina Dinghy Dock Restaurant – I love the solitude of breakfast overlooking the marina here. 

312 rooftop- A lovely spot to have dinner and drinks as you watch the sun go down over the Sea of Cortez. 

There are also several great seafood restaurants and typical Mexican food scattered throughout the Malecon. And of course, grab an ice cream cone anytime as you take in that delicious view! 

La Paz is one of our favorite desitnations in Mexico. It is easy to get there, inexpensive to visit, and offers a great balance of chill beaches and adventurous activites. It is a great place to experience authentically warm Mexican hospitality and indulge in fresh cuisine. We hope you fall in love with it, just like we did!