Located on the Baja California Peninsula about two hours north of Cabo, La Paz is a particularly colorful city with a name that translates to “the peace.” It boasts 340 days of sunshine annually for enjoying a wealth of recreational pursuits while being edged by strikingly clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches that rival those found in the Caribbean. If you plan to visit, be sure to put some of these top things to do on your itinerary.
Stroll the Malecon Promenade
One of the most popular things to do in La Paz is to stroll the picturesque three-mile-long waterfront promenade known as the Malecon. It’s great for people watching, gazing out at the sea and peering into the water to view a host of colorful fish, as well as being lined with all sorts of vendors, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Come and enjoy an ice cream while watching a spectacular sunset, and check out all the sculptures, created by local, regional and national artists, most of which have a sea theme.
Snorkel with Sea Lions
A short boat trip from La Paz, Espiritu Santo Island is a UNESCO-listed nature reserve where you can snorkel among some 300 sea lions that reside here. In the process you’ll also be able to view all sorts of marine life here in the Sea of Cortez, including so many colorful fish that renowned explorer Jacques Cousteau once called it the “Aquarium of the World.” Blue whales, humpback whales, California gray whales, orcas, manta ray, dolphins and leatherback sea turtles are just a few of the many creatures that live here or pass through during migration as well. Join an excursion with one of the few tour operators that permitted to bring passengers here like Baja Sur Tours. With your expert guide Jahaziel, he’ll show you how they like to play, and enjoy a good belly rub too.
Swim with the Whale Sharks
The Bay of La Paz and the Sea of Cortez is one of the world’s top spots for swimming with whale sharks. The ocean’s largest fish returns here every winter and stays through late spring to feed in the rich waters. Swimming with these gentle giants is an unforgettable experience that can be enjoyed through numerous tour operators, including Baja Sur Tours, offering the opportunity on its own or combined with a sea lion snorkeling excursion.
Go Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking is a great way to paddle among the brilliant blue waters and watch for all sorts of marine life, including frequent dolphin appearances, whale sharks, huge schools of fish, manta and mobula rays. There are day trips as well as multi-day tours that include camping on remote, unspoiled beaches. The experience is open to everyone with average fitness skills, including beginners, as you’ll be instructed on proper sea kayaking techniques and safety rules before launching.
Visit Stunningly White Sand Beaches
There are many breathtaking white sand beaches near La Paz to visit, with Playa Balandra, or Balandra Beach, arguably the very best. Often ranked among or at the top of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches, and even the best in the world, not only is the sand powdery soft, but it’s edged by some of the most strikingly clear and calm, warm aquamarine waters. There are no mega resorts here, only wooden beach umbrellas, and a food truck that sits on one end. It doesn’t get deeper than perhaps just above waist level – you could just keep on walking if you didn’t want to swim. Often times you’ll see schools of tropical fish, so you may want to bring a snorkel and a mask, though you can often look in from above and view them too.
Shop Handmade Items and More
The streets of La Paz, particularly along the Malecon, are filled with vendors, including artists and jewelry makers, along with art galleries and shops selling unique handcrafted goods. The prices are very reasonable, though it can be fun just to go browsing. Casa Parra is a favorite, filled with fabulous handmade items, from simple embroidered napkins to exquisite hand-beaded sculptures. The owner purchases her wares from the locals, to help artisans maintain their craft and time-honored traditions.
Dine on Fresh Seafood and So Much More
As one would imagine with a city by the sea, the menus in La Paz often feature delectably fresh seafood, though it truly offers something for everyone, including vegetarian eats. You’ll find many options for dining with a magnificent view along the waterfront as well as quaint cafes, taco stands and vendors selling various local street foods. Estancia Uruguaya Parrilla Bar, just a few blocks from the Malecon is renowned for its tasty cuisine that includes traditional criolla empanadas and some of the best grilled steaks, sausages other meats. At Mercado Bravo, the local market, you can buy fresh seafood, the area’s famous flour tortillas and produce to cook up your own meals.
Explore the Museo de la Ballena
The city’s Museo de la Ballena pays homage to some of the region’s most popular and frequent visitors: whales. Gray whales are the most famous, known as the “Friendlies,” as they seem to enjoy interaction with people and even bring their calves to meet humans that arrive to visit them in boats known as pangas. They congregate in lagoons near La Paz between mid-January and mid-April before heading north to Alaska on their annual migration. Other whales can be found in the area too, like humpbacks, sperm whales, minke whales and fin whales. This cultural center gives visitors a good understanding of the biology, history, and future threats to the migrations of these amazing creatures in addition to providing lots of other interesting and educational information about them.
Take a History Tour
Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia is an ideal place to start an educational journey about the prehistory of this area, but if you’re really into history, you may want to take a tour. Tours by Locals offers a city tour of La Paz, and you may also want to make stops at some of its most impressive colonial structures like the Antiguo Palacio Municipal, the Teatro Juárez and the Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz Airapi.
