La Paz in Baja California Sur has exploded in popularity over the last couple of years. If you’re considering a visit, here are six things you will enjoy about this authentic Mexican beach town.
1. The Remoteness
La Paz is located at the southern end of the Baja Peninsular. It’s a 1250km long strip of land south of California that’s no wider than about 100km for most of its length. The region is only connected to the rest of Mexico by a tiny 80km wide land bridge at its northern end.
The geography of the area means that it’s cut off from the rest of the country, both in terms of culture and population. Baja California Sur (the state that occupies the southern half of the peninsular) is the ninth largest in the country by size, but is 31st (out of 32) when ranked by population.
Only 800,000 people call the state home, with more than half of that number split between La Paz and Los Cabos. That means that whenever you venture outside of the larger cities, you’ll find a vast natural wilderness that’s almost entirely untouched by humans.
If you want to hike in peace, sail empty seas, or explore pristine desert, few places in the world can compete with La Paz as a base from which to do it.
2. The Beaches
When most people think about Mexican beaches, it’s the white sands and turquoise waters of Cancun that spring to mind. And while Quintana Roo undoubtedly offers some of the best beaches on the planet, the beaches of La Paz can compete with them on almost every metric. The waters are just as clear, and the sand is just as beautiful. You even can enjoy better scenery, with lots of large offshore islands providing a spectacular backdrop to the view.
Aside from the natural beauty, one of the most underrated aspects of the La Paz beaches compared to those found in nearby Los Cabos is their swimability. Because La Paz is on the eastern side of the peninsular, it faces the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez rather than the vicious open waters of the Pacific Ocean.
You won’t find dangerous rip tides, steep drops, and waves that tower above you. Instead, the waters are shallow, and the waves are tiny. It’s a much better destination for families with young kids who love getting in the water.
3. The Cost of Living
Mexico is already well-established as a place with a much lower cost of living than most of the western world, but La Paz is low-cost even by Mexican standards. Boasting the cheapest gas prices in the country, hardly any chain hotels (with their sky-high prices), and a litany of world-class, locally-owned restaurants, La Paz is a great place to have a first-class vacation on a tight budget.
Just make sure you plan to use pesos while in town. While regular visitors to the Riviera Maya might be used to paying in dollars in shops and restaurants, La Paz is less welcoming of American currency. And if you do need to have dollars on you, bring them with you from the US. Dollar-denominated cash points are few and far between in La Paz, and the ones that are available will charge you a hefty fee for using them.
4. The Day Trips
La Paz offers more than enough activities to keep a family busy for a week, but if you’re feeling adventurous, some of the best experiences can be found beyond the city limits.
Whether that’s camping on the virgin sands of Punta Arena, exploring the ruins of one of the most historically-significant silver mining areas on the planet, or heading to quaint and artisan Todos Santos, La Paz has day trips to suit every taste.
Other popular day trips include the natural pools in the Sierra de la Laguna, whale watching tours in Lopez Mateos, and of course, the Americanised party mecca of Cabo San Lucas.
5. The Seafood
As mentioned, La Paz faces onto the Sea of Cortez. The sea has some of the most ecologically-diverse marine life on the planet, and that means there is no shortage of exotic fish that makes its way into local restaurants on a daily basis. You can go to the same fish restaurant every night of the week and enjoy a different selection of daily specials every time.
If you had to choose one local delicacy, it would be the chocolate clams. They can be enjoyed raw or cooked and are a staple part of the diet for locals. If you take one of the boat tours from the La Paz malecon, it is not uncommon for the captain to pull alongside a fisherman’s boat and buy a bucket full for the guests to crack open and eat immediately (and yes, they are still moving when you chew!).
6. Authentic Mexico
Although La Paz has been garnering more attention in the last couple of years, it is a place that has been well off the tourist trail throughout its history. As such, it hasn’t suffered from any of the problems associated with more well-known destinations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. The nearby Los Cabos has also helped La Paz retain the uniqueness that makes it special, with the all-inclusive hotels, nightclubs, and tourist trap shops all gravitating there instead.
As such, La Paz still retains a much more authentic Mexican feel that you will find in those locations. The people of La Paz have fought hard to maintain the town’s vibe. There are strict limits on building heights, it’s nearly impossible for an all-inclusive hotel chain to get a license to operate, and the malecon is maintained as a family-friendly place to hang out. The 5km-long boardwalk is devoid of all-night bars and suspicious people selling their illicit wares. Instead, it is filled with kids riding bikes and families eating ice creams long into the night.
Should You Visit La Paz With Kids?
Yes! If you want to explore the Baja with children, La Paz is a much better choice than Los Cabos. It is more walkable, there are more family-friendly activities to enjoy, and it offers an experience unlike that which you’ll find in the more mainstream Mexican tourist hotspots.
If you want to learn more, check out the Baja California Sur section of our site.
Add comment