La Paz Mexico is just one of the places in the country that you should make time to visit. Aside from enjoying great weather throughout the year, it also boasts of calm waters that you’ll come across in Mexico. This is not surprising since La Paz lies in a protected bay. In fact, you will find La Paz in the Sea of Cortez known as the “aquarium of the world”.
The 5 BEST La Paz Beaches to Visit
(with Photos)
It is aptly named since the narrow sea runs between the country’s mainland and the Baja California peninsula. Here you will find an impressive selection of marine life from whale sharks to dolphins to sea lions and more. Aside from that, La Paz beaches are enticing to locals and tourists alike. In fact, you have plenty of water activities to do here such as jet-skiing, sport fishing, kayaking, sea lion activities, swimming, and scuba diving just to name a few.
Where is La Paz, Mexico?
The Baja Peninsula has two states: Baja California and Baja California Sur. La Paz is the capital city of the state of Baja California Sur. Aside from that, it is a two-hour drive or by bus from Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Aside from getting a good view of the open waters, there are plenty of statues to see here too. You can even spot sea turtles enjoying the beach here. Also, the downtown area is home to numerous restaurants, bars, and shops where you are sure to find something to do in the area. The parking lot is free of charge here so you can drive up to the boardwalk using your rental car without thinking about extra fees.
You will see the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of the Baja Peninsula while the Gulf of California lies to the east. There are more than 900 beautiful islands here with 244 having the UNESCO World Heritage bio-reserve status.
While you are in the city of La Paz, exploring the historical buildings is a good idea. The rich history of the place can give you a better idea of its past. Make your way to downtown La Paz and walk on the boardwalk of El Malecon where local artists, restaurants, and bars are.
Also, it is just an hour away from Todos Santos which is also a good spot to visit while in Mexico.
List of the Best Beaches in La Paz
La Paz is best known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Although the Malecon has a beachfront, the best ones are outside of the town. Let’s take a look.
#1 Playa El Coromuel
Coromuel Beach is one of the closest and most popular beaches in the city. Aside from its stunning beach, it is also within walking distance from the city center. Also, you will not run out of facilities here which adds to the overall convenience of the beach to locals and tourists alike.
El Coromuel is a great place to sit back and relax. You will fall in love with the view once low tide arrives because its white sand beaches are full of palapas. Aside from that, La Paz sports a Blue Flag badge which means that it is known for being family-friendly, clean, and safe too.
On the beach, you will find bathrooms, palm umbrellas, and free palapas too. The parking lot is spacious for the number of guests who travel here. In addition, there are dozens of outdoor activities that you can do here with your family or friends. However, because of the ongoing pandemic, the beach tends to close around 6 pm.
#2 Tecolote Beach
Playa Tecolote is another example of the best places to visit while you are in La Paz. This secluded beach is just half an hour away from the city. But even when it is in a hidden spot, it is still a good choice for those who want to do fun things. Aside from being picturesque, this beach is also visitor-friendly. This means that there are facilities out there to keep you comfy while enjoying the beach.
Also, Playa El Tecolote has a beachfront restaurant where you can cool yourself down with an ice-cold drink. What’s more, they serve simple but mouthwatering international dishes here. You can go paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling here if you like. It is a good idea to arrive early in the day while the crowd hasn’t arrived yet.
#3 Balandra Beach
One of the best-kept jewels in Mexico. Half an hour away from La Paz lies the equally stunning Balandra Beach. Aside from its gorgeous white sands, it also has crystal clear waters. With its rolling hills and cacti serving as its backdrop, it is hard to imagine that you are just a short distance from the city of La Paz.
Aside from its postcard-perfect look, one of the best things that you can do here is to see the rich marine life thriving in its waters. Also, it is the perfect place to go snorkeling too to see sardines, dartfish, manta rays, and even pelicans enjoying their fresh meals. Thanks to its calm turquoise waters, you can do a stand-up paddleboarding activity here.
On the other hand, if you prefer to kayak, you can paddle closer to the mangroves where more aquatic life thrives. Aside from that, keep your eyes peeled for El Hongo or “the mushroom-shaped rock” that tourists often head out to for some snaps.
Playa Balandra welcomes all kinds of travelers from singles to couples to families. This means that the beach can get busy at times. If you want to avoid the crowd, make sure that you head out here early in the day. Also, pack food, water, and other beach essentials here since there are no bars or restaurants nearby. The shallow waters of the beach make it suitable for children of all ages but make sure that you keep an eye on your little ones.
#4 Tecolote Beach
Playa Tecolote is another example of the best places to visit while you are in La Paz. This secluded beach is just half an hour away from the city. But even when it is in a hidden spot, it is still a good choice for those who want to do fun things. Aside from being picturesque, this beach is also visitor-friendly. This means that there are facilities out there to keep you comfy while enjoying the beach.
Also, Playa El Tecolote has a beachfront restaurant where you can cool yourself down with an ice-cold drink. What’s more, they serve simple but mouthwatering international dishes here. You can go paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling here if you like. It is a good idea to arrive early in the day while the crowd hasn’t arrived yet.
#5 Playa El Caimancito
El Caimancito is an incredible beach that is within walking distance from the Malecon. Aside from its picture-perfect look and crystal waters, you can also find coral reefs of the same name here. It is a few minutes away from downtown and once you get here, you will find that it matches the tranquil beauty of the popular beaches in La Paz.
Photo Credit I http://conocemexicoydisfrutalo.blogspot.com/2016/12/playa-el-caimancito.html
In addition, you can easily see the expansive white sands of El Caimancito even from a distance. What’s more, there are no vendors on the beachfront to spoil your view. This is why it is best that you bring your own beach supplies here if you plan on spending some time here. On a good note, there is a parking lot for those who are here on a day trip.
Also, they have bathrooms nearby, but the rest you will have to supply yourself. Thanks to its close proximity to the city, you can always make your way back if you are getting hungry or just pack a good meal to have a picnic by the beach.
#6 Isla Espiritu Santo
Meanwhile, Isla Espíritu Santo is a World Heritage site worthy of a visit. This impressive island that is just off the coast of La Paz is a great spot for day trips. A good reason to visit here is its marine life. Aside from seeing dolphins, orcas, and sea lions, you might even see humpback whales breaching the waters.
Photo Credit I https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_Esp%C3%ADritu_Santo
All the beaches here are made from white sand that sits beside the gorgeous blue waters of the ocean. Its inviting clear waters are suitable for snorkeling and diving too. If you want to extend your stay here, look for tour operators that offer beach camping in this protected area.
Espiritu Santo Island is accessible by going on a boat trip. Fortunately, there are several boat operators that work here so heading to the island is not an issue. While you are at it, arrange for water sports with your tour operator. This way, they can prepare your gear for snorkeling or diving for a fee.
Aside from that, the island is believed to be one of the most beautiful that you will find in Mexico. Plus it is in the Sea of Cortez. And because of this, the area can become crowded at times. However, if you are looking for a great experience in La Paz, this is one of the beaches that you should head out to. Make sure that you book a trip here using Red Travel Mexico. They are one of the numerous local experts that can make your trip here more memorable.
Other Must-See Beaches in La Paz
There are other popular spots in La Paz that are worth adding to your itinerary. Let’s take a look.
#1 Los Cabos
Cabo Pulmo is one of the crown jewels of San Jose del Cabo. It is a protected Marine National Park under UNESCO. Recent years showed that this marine national park boasts of being one of the best examples of ocean conservation across the globe. Thanks to the united effort of locals, scientists, researchers, and others, marine life has been thriving here.
Tourism-wise, this area attracts explorers and adventurers of all ages. Aside from that, this off-the-beaten-path beach is ideal for snorkeling and diving. However, if you will go down into the deep, make sure that you avoid touching the coral reefs as much as possible. A diving guide will show you around.
#2 La Concha Beach
The best beach that you will find close to town is the one in the La Concha Beach Resort. Although it is a private beach club, guests can still come and visit by buying drinks from the bar or eating dinner in their restaurant. You can have some palapas, lounge by the beach, or do some water sports.
#3 La Ventana
If you are looking for beautiful places to visit while you are in Mexico, La Ventana is a good choice to add to your list. The sandy shores and strong winds attract adventurous tourists to the beach. The high season here is during the winter months. Surfers, kiters, and other sports enthusiasts often come here to catch the wind. You can also rent jet skis here while taking lessons in kiting.
#4 Los Barriles
Meanwhile, Los Barriles is known for its colorful parachutes and sails from water-loving sports enthusiasts. Tourists are often at the main beach during the months of March to December because of the wind flowing here. If you are into parasailing, wakeboarding, and other adrenaline-filled water activities, this is a good place to be in. You will see the crowd swell during the summer months too.
#5 Los Isotes
Los Isotes is in the north end of Isla Partida and is home to a sea lion colony. You don’t have to go diving to see them in action. In fact, these playful sea creatures can approach you even while you are snorkeling. Go on a tour here to see its beauty up close.
Where to Stay in La Paz
Travelers to Mexico City who want to see more beaches during their stay can visit La Paz. Aside from the bustling city life that will welcome you in Baja California Sur, you will find several hotel accommodations here too.
Check out Playa de La Paz where you can stay in one of their condominiums. Aside from their spacious rooms, you will have access to their outdoor pool too if you feel like taking a dip.
In addition, Hotel Catedral La Paz is another option to consider. The hotels offer easy access to different tourist hotspots which make your stay here more enjoyable. Aside from that, you can also explore the city on foot if you like. Depending on where you are staying, you can go for a short walk or buy some ice cream to cool you down. You can also travel to Bolivia using the main highway that connects La Paz to it.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Recent years showed that tourists are still heading to Mexico for their much-needed rest and relaxation. Even with the pandemic ongoing, tourists from Savannah and Los Angeles, and other parts of the United States make their way to the beautiful beaches in Mexico.
The good news is that you can visit Mexico and its beaches any time of the year. However, if you want to see whale sharks in La Paz, the best time to visit is during the months of October to February. On the other hand, if you are here for sport fishing, time your travel during the months of September to December.
Take note that the best way to enjoy La Paz is all-year-round. However, if you are not keen on being around a crowd, choose to visit the area during the winter months or rainy season. You can also check which beaches are quiet to get some privacy with the family.
