La Paz, Mexico
Desert Meets Marine Life
La Paz is the capital city of Baja California Sur. It is a two hour drive northeast of Cabo San Lucas. La Paz offers amazing beaches, unforgettable sunsets and endless fish tacos.
The Big Draw
What makes La Paz truly special is its geographical juxtaposition. The stark desert landscape suddenly and unexpectedly reveals the most stunning aqua-coloured waters you've ever seen. Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez "the world's aquarium," and one look at its marine life confirms he wasn't exaggerating.
If you are looking for a little adventure, La Paz has exceptional snorkeling and scuba diving. The diverse sea life lends you the opportunity to swim with whale sharks and sea lions.
Hit the Beach
Head north along the coast from downtown and you'll find several gorgeous beaches, with Playa El Tecolote being a standout. The beachfront restaurants serve surprisingly great food, so you can leave the snacks at home. However, you must leave behind your expectations of cell service too. There's zero reception.
Getting there is easy: Aguila is the bus company that will take you to and from the local beaches. Terminal Turistica is located off the waterfront between the La Paz sign (yes, stop for photos) and Kiosco del Malecon, the popular beach pavilion.
“The Sea of Cortez is ‘the world’s aquarium’”
Beyond the Boardwalk
If you only walk the waterfront, you'll miss the best of downtown. La Paz unveils its charm to the persevering pedestrian. Venture a few streets into the downtown core to find the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur. Its row of street lamps out front makes for a great evening photo shoot, similar in spirit to the Urban Light display at Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Grab a scoop of ice cream from a shop like La Fuente or La Sabrosa and take a stroll up and down the streets of La Paz to fully appreciate all it has to offer.
Don't Miss
If you're driving from Cabo, stop in Todos Santos. This quaint coastal town runs on its own unhurried clock, a slower pace of life is embraced by restaurateurs and artisans alike. Check out Todos Santos Brewing for some local beers and sodas.
Timing Tip 📅
There’s a transformation in La Paz mid-week. Stay into the weekend so you can witness a quiet, sleepy town come alive by Thursday evening.
