It was our first time in La Paz, Mexico but it will definitely not be our last. With non-stop flights from L.A. it’s turning out to be a great weekend getaway for those on the West Coast. Sadly for the rest of us, we have to make due with the longer flight, but that also gives u an excuse to stay longer too!
La Paz, Mexico
Church in La Paz
We didn’t know anything about La Paz before visiting this sleepy town 100 miles up the coast of the Baja Peninsula from Cabo San Lucas, but after spending a few days there, we considered buying a condo on the beach. Seriously, there are only a handful of places that we’d consider living in this world, and La Paz is one of them. Why do you ask? Well, let me tell you all there is to do in La Paz.
Sea Kayaking
On the Sea of Cortez in Baja California
I think the number one activity in La Paz is the outstanding Sea Kayaking. You can do day trips or multiday tours. We took an amazing 10 day excursion with Baja Outdoor Activities to San Jose Island and it was pristine. We barely saw another soul during our expedition and had the most amazing time. It may have been a lot of work, but we also had a lot of fun. Pods of dolphins swam by our group of 11 on a daily basis, we saw a whale, (and it isn’t even migration season) margaritas were flowing on the beach each evening and people spent their down time snorkelling and hiking on the stunning coast line. There are trips all over
Whale Watching
Whale Tail
Each year whales make their annual migration through Baja California. They stop to have calve and nurse in shallow lagoons. We have heard from Baja Outdoor Activities that in season whale sightings are almost guaranteed and that many times they come right up to the boat and swim alongside giving guests the chance to pet them. That’s an extraordinary experience, that I think I’d love to try!
Sea Lions at Los Islotes at Isla Espiritu Santo
Sea Lions are so cute
Swimming with sea lions is one of the most uplifting things you will ever do in your life. We had the opportunity to swim with them on several occasions and we never give up the opportunity to jump in the water with them. One of the most popular excursions in La Paz is less than an hour panga ride away. Visit the Los Islotes sea lion colony and see these playful creatures close up. Espiritu Santo has one of the most unspoiled eco-systems in Baja.
Explore the Malecón
A Statue on the Malecón
Stretching 5.5 km (3.5 miles) from Hotel Marina – the hotel where we stayed in La Paz, there is a beautiful waterfront promenade known as the Malecón. Evenings are the best time to visit as the entire town seems to come out to enjoy the cooler evenings. People bike, run and walk along the waterfront, stopping in restaurants for dinner or drinks and live bands play late into the night. It’s magical.
Pool at Hotel Marina in La Paz
Eat
There are many great restaurants all over La Paz, ranging from small fish taco stands to fine dining. Our favourite meal out was at Jonathan Roldon’s Tailhunter where we enjoyed coconut shrimp, fish tacos, fresh salsa, guacamole and the best margaritas we’ve had in years. It’s has been a staple in La Paz for 18 years and he also runs fishing charters out to the Sea of Cortez. It’s a place where we instantly felt welcomed and at home. Yet another reason why we think we could live here.
Paddle Boarding
Deb loves to Paddle Board
If any of you have been following for a while, you’ll know that Dave and I love paddle boarding. If we could carry a paddle board with us, we’d do it everywhere. Well, in La Paz, you can rent paddle boards and paddle along the shore. Hop on to discover the waterfront and stop in town for an ice cream to cool off. I think that if we lived in La Paz, we would use our paddle boards for our commute. If we ever needed to go into town from our waterfront condo (I’m dreaming now) we’d just hop on our boards and paddle in.
Shopping
La Paz is filled with jewellery makers and artists and there is a loca co-op for artists, a walking street filled with artists and various art shops throughout the town. One of my favourite parts of visiting Mexico is to by handmade necklaces and this trip was no different. We bought chains from street vendors and had them change them in front of our eyes to suit our taste.
Go to the Beach
Just 15 minutes out of town, you’ll find some of the best beaches in Baja. It’s no wonder we saw so many condos developing out of town. Baja city doesn’t have a beach downtown but it’s not long out of the city centre that you’ll find yourself on some beautiful stretches of sand. You can reach them by bus, motorbike or renting a car.
Go Off Roading
Off roading is huge here. So huge, that the Baja 1000 finishes in La Paz every other year. The nearby desert terrain is the perfect setting for off road fun. With little civilization along the tracks, a person has hundreds of miles to fun to explore. We had a taste of the off roading experience during our drive to our launching off point for our kayaking trip to San Jose Island, and we can attest, it is some of the best off roading we’ve seen outside of Mongolia.
Go Sailing
Marina filled with Sailboats in La Paz
Sailing is a major activity in La Paz and when in Baja California, how can you not take a sailing trip on the Sea of Cortez? While out on a boat you’ll have the chance to see nearly everything mentioned above. There is nothing better than sailing on the sea and the spectacular coastline of Baja California will take your breath away. Not to mention the spectacular sunsets.
Why La Paz?
La Paz, Mexico is growing quickly. Golf courses are springing up, eco adventures are becoming popular, diving is a huge attraction and the town is a perfect getaway for the whole family. It’s has it all. La Paz is perfect blend of a sleepy Mexican town with all the amenities of the big resort towns like Cabo San Lucas and Cancun. When we plan our next trip to Mexico, it’s going to be here for sure
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