La Paz is maybe my favorite under-rated city I have visited. Cabo tends to take the spotlight in Baja California, but La Paz, just 2-hours North, is the less talked about neighboring city that’s truly a gem.
Nestled right on the crystal clear waters of the Sea of Cortez, La Paz offers some of the most incredible beaches in Mexico, with a more relaxed vibe than Cabo offers. And, yes, you can swim in the water here!
While much more slow paced than Cabo, don’t let that fool you into thinking there’s not enough to do in this town to spend a full weekend in La Paz.
The town is home to hotspot restaurants, local shops & bars, beautiful white sand beaches, and a multitude of adventures to take in the ocean – swimming with sea lions & whale sharks, visiting Isla Espiritu Santo (a UNESCO site), whale watching, sport fishing and scuba diving.
Planning a few days in La Paz? Here are a few more guides to help you make the most of your trip:
- 3-Days in La Paz Itinerary
- The Best Restaurants In La Paz
- Day Trip To Isla Espiritu Santo Recap
- Balandra Beach Guide
- Republica Pagana Review
Please note, this article includes affiliate links, which means i may earn a commission on any purchase made through the links, at no additional cost to you! i only recommend products & services that i believe in, I’ve used myself, or I’ve been wanting to try – so they all come highly recommended by me, regardless of the small payout :).
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What To Know Before Going
- WHEN’S THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?
- Travel between November and April for temps in the low to mid-80’s. The cooler water may not be ideal for leisurely swimming, but they do attract whale sharks and whales.
- Go during this time to take advantage of whale watching and even swim with the whale sharks (promise, they are safe and not dangerous!).
- Visit from May to September for peak fishing season and warmer ocean temps for swimming.
- If you plan to visit between January and March, be aware that this is peak season, so make sure to book your hotels and excursions in advance!
- Travel between November and April for temps in the low to mid-80’s. The cooler water may not be ideal for leisurely swimming, but they do attract whale sharks and whales.
- MAKE SURE TO EXCHANGE DOLLARS TO PESOS
- While the city is very credit card friendly, always have a few pesos on hand for more local spots and to tip.
- DOWNLOAD DIDI (MEXCIO’S UBER)
- La Paz isn’t too large of a city, but if you need to go somewhere not within walking distance (Balandra Bay is a drive), definitely have this ready to go. It works jut like Uber would!
How To Get There
La Paz has its own airport, and truly, the easiest way to fly directly there is to fly out of the Tijuana Airport. If you’re in San Diego, this makes an easy trip, just using the CBX crossing – you don’t even have to cross the border, just enter in San Diego.
I’ve even seen some Southwestern cities have direct flights, but they aren’t as common.
But, don’t worry – the Cabo airport, with direct flights from LAX and across the Southwest, is just 2-hours from La Paz. Fly in and rent a car or plan private transportation with one of many local companies. Or, if you have the time, tack it on to a trip to Cabo!
Where To Stay
Baja Club, $$$
When I was last in La Paz, this place was just getting ready to open up, and I knew it was going to be the IT hotel. The Baja Club is a new, trendy hotel in La Paz, with a prime location just off the Malecon (La Paz’s oceanfront boardwalk). Let me tell you, this place is a VIBE. It’s everything you can possibly dream of when picturing a dreamy Mexico retreat. I cannot wait to come back to La Paz to check it out!
- Approx. $300/night
- Book a room HERE
Republica Pagana, $$$
With a prime location just steps from the Malecon, the hotel offers some of most stylish accommodations I’ve ever seen, a stunning rooftop bar with some of the best sunset views in town, and an overall intimate, upscale experience.
- Approx. $300/night
- Book a room HERE
This is one of my top places to stay when I’m visiting La Paz! Check out more details on the property with my Republica Pagana review post.
Malecón 1680, $$
Another hotel directly on the Malecón, this hotel also exudes the dreamy, Tulum-like ambiance. Complete with stunning oceanfront rooms, and a beautiful rooftop lounge area + restaurant/bar, this hotel checks all the boxes. And, it’s a bit cheaper than the Baja Club and Republica Pagana.
- Approx. $200/night
- Book a room HERE
Seven Crown Malecón, $
The oceanfront rooms of this hotel, right off the Malecón, really sold me through on my last trip. Each day on the way to dinner, I saw people lounging out on their balconies, admiring the view. Once I saw the price, I knew this was another hotel on my list to check out. The rooms aren’t as lux as some of the other options, but the view, location, and price make it a no-brainer.
- Approx. $100/night
- Book a room HERE
Where To Eat & Drink
Check out my full post on the Best Restaurants in La Paz for more places to eat and drink across the town.
Causal
Taco Fish
Do not skip this place! Taco Fish – an indoor/outdoor taco joint with some of the best fried fish tacos I’ve had in my life. There are two locations, including one right on the Malecon.
Along with the fish tacos, grab some shrimp tacos, and if you’re feeling adventurous, test out the local fish with some marlin empanadas, as well. They’re not my personal favorite (how can you compete with a perfect fish taco???), but when in Rome :).
HarkerBoard
Come here for the craft beer, and stay for the sunset view on their ocean-facing rooftop.
While it’s technically a restaurant/bar, I’d recommend only grabbing a quick snack here – the food isn’t spectacular, so save your appetite for another spot. But, their local craft beer selection is great, and the cocktails are tasty. This place is owned by Americans, so you’ll find a lot of expats & backpackers mingling around.
Bizanga
A laid-back, open-air restaurant with a bohemian vibe, Bizanga is the perfect places to grab mouth-watering bites like ceviche & pork belly, paired with their craft cocktails.
The place is beautifully decorated, and they have both inside and outdoor seating. It’s a great place for a relaxed dinner with live music.
Sonset
A casual cafe serving coffee, juices, and smoothies for breakfast. The smoothies are a perfect quick bite to grab before heading to the beach. At night, it also turns into a cute organic wine bar in the evenings! And, the owner runs the shop – he’s super lovely!
Doce Cuarenta Coffee & Bakery
This is the cutest little joint – you’ll want to stop by every day on your vacation for their iced coffees and pastries. If you have longer to stay, sit down for breakfast and eat some delicious chilaquiles.
The servers are super friendly, the vibes are great, but expect it to be pretty crowded as this place is popular, and it’s popular for a reason.
Upscale
Azotea
Azotea is the rooftop bar & restaurant of the new hotel Republica Pagana, and offers the most insane views of the ocean coupled with the architectural genius of the open-air rooftop. I truly have never seen anything quite like this in my life – it’s breathtaking from every angle.
The menu is small but well-curated, offering a selection of fresh, Baja-inspired dishes that highlight local ingredients. You can grab breakfast here in the mornings, with delicious coffee and light bites to start the day. But where the restaurant really shines is their cocktail program & light bites. The handcrafted drinks they offer pair perfectly with the unbeatable rooftop views.
And speaking of views—this is one of the best spots in La Paz to watch the sunset. Whether you’re grabbing a drink before dinner or settling in for a relaxing evening, the rooftop experience is must & makes this hotel worth a visit.
Quemadero
One of the newest stars of La Paz’s dining scene, Quemadero centers its menu around open-fire cooking and seasonal Baja ingredients.
Expect beautifully grilled seafood, locally sourced produce, creative cocktails, and a modern atmosphere that’s quickly made it one of the city’s hottest reservations.
Nemi
Nemi is the creme-de-la-creme of restaurants in La Paz. If you’re looking for an incredible, high-end dining experience, and are willing to shell out the dough for this, this is your place.
Nemi has been named one of the top restaurants in Mexico for the past few years, and has been on my hit list to try.
La Miserable
End your evening at this cozy mexcaleria, which offers a huge selection of traditional mezcals to try. Enjoy a tasting on their garden patio, or opt for a mezcal-based cocktail – you can’t go wrong with either.
The servers here are extremely friendly, and have extensive knowledge of their mezcal selection. Don’t worry if you don’t know anything about mezcal – they’ll help guide you through!
What To explore
Balandra Beach – Hike From Tecolote Beach to Balandra
When I tell you I was blown away by the beaches at Balandra Bay….JUST WOW. This iconic location in La Paz is filled with incredible views from every vantage point.
You can go directly to Balandra Beach, or if you’re looking for a bit more adventure, I’d highly recommend making the hike from Tecolote Beach to Balandra, to visit all three beaches that make up Balandra Bay.
You can start the trail in Tecolote – the beach here isn’t as beautiful as the rest, but there are plenty of seafood shacks lining the beach, so fuel up here before you start the journey. From there, you’ll follow the trail up the hills, and are able to descend down to each of the three beaches. Stop along the way for the most stunning photos. Your jaw will be dropped the entire way (I mean, just look at these photos!).
→ If you’re looking for a deeper dive into what to do here and how to access the beach, check out my Exploring Balandra Beach post.
Day Trip To Isla Espiritu Santo + Swim With Sea Lions
Isla Espiritu Santo is the reason I found La Paz. The beautiful clear water of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, coupled with the white sand beaches, make it an absolute MUST in any La Paz itinerary. And, to snorkel with sea lions? Say no more.
We booked our tour off of TripAdvisor, at about $130 per person. The cost includes the full day tour, plus an incredible ceviche lunch.
You’ll embark on an hour boat drive to the “Holy Island” to experience the magic of the place also called the Jewel of the Sea of Cortez. Pack some beer to throw into the boat’s cooler, too! You’ll want these when you hit the beaches.
The first stop on the tour is at the sea lion colony at Los Islotes for snorkeling. If you don’t mind cold water (depending on the time of year you go), you can hop in with just your bathing suit, but the tour offers an add-on to rent a wetsuit. Here you’ll be able to swim up close with the friendly sea lions – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
After that, you’ll head to Playa Ensenada Grande for lunch and relaxation on the incredible Isla Partida – which was voted the most beautiful beach in Mexico AND one of the top 12 beaches in the world. Take some time to explore the beach, or just lay in the sun and take in the beauty. The ceviche lunch is set up and served right on the beach, and when I say I was blown away at how delicious it was….I think I went back for thirds 🙂
Want a more in-depth look at the day trip? Check out my post Day Trip to Island Espiritu Santo for complete coverage of this excursion.
→ Book the same Isla Espíritu Santo tour we took here.
Swim With Whale Sharks
If you’re visiting La Paz during whale shark season (generally October through April), I’d make this your number one priority!
Swimming with whale sharks had been on my bucket list for years, and somehow it was even better than I imagined. Seeing the largest fish in the world glide through the crystal-clear water just a few feet away is one of those experiences that’s hard to put into words.
Most tours leave from the Malecón in the morning and head into the protected whale shark area. Once your guide spots one, you’ll enter the water in small groups and swim alongside them as they slowly make their way through the bay.
I honestly wasn’t expecting the experience to feel so peaceful. Even though these fish can grow over 30 feet long, they’re incredibly calm as they glide beneath the surface, feeding on plankton and completely uninterested in the swimmers around them.
Because the area is protected, there are strict rules about how many boats and swimmers can be with each whale shark at a time. Your guide will walk you through everything beforehand, so just follow their instructions and enjoy the experience.
We booked our tour through TripAdvisor with a local marine biologist, and I’d happily recommend the same one. Learning about the whale sharks and the ecosystem throughout the tour made the experience even more memorable.
→ Book the same whale shark tour we took here.
Walk the Malecón + Explore the Streets of La Paz
Take some time to walk around the city and explore. I love leaving room in a trip to mindlessly roam – you never what you’ll stumble into on the streets, and it gives you such a better understanding of the city, rather than following a strict itinerary moving from place to place.
The Malecón is about 3-miles long, bordering the ocean the entire length of the way. Take in the swaying palm trees and bright blue water as you walk. La Paz is also filled with beautiful bronze statues and painted murals, so keep an eye out!
Is La Paz Worth A Visit?
If you haven’t already decided yourself, it’s an definite YES!
I swear this is one of my favorite, most underrated location of all time. And, as the years go by, more and more cool restaurants and hotels are popping up. Each time I go back, I discover new spots! Now is the time to visit before the whole world finds out about this gem of a destination.
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