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La Paz, Mexico looks like an off-the-beaten-track vacation spot, however outside fanatics have been coming to this beautiful capital metropolis for ages. Located on the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, La Paz just isn’t solely residence to Mexico’s most stunning seashores, but it surely’s additionally the proper leaping level for thus many exhilarating adventures.
In simply 4 quick days, you possibly can swim with whale sharks and sea lions, soak in sizzling springs, bathe beneath waterfalls, surf some Pacific waves, and spend a day on the seashore.
This La Paz itinerary is predicated on my expertise road-tripping round Baja California Sur, with La Paz as my residence base. La Paz was my final cease on a three-month journey round Mexico.
I shortly fell in love with the realm’s rugged magnificence and attraction. Although Baja is understood to draw a whole lot of People (each vacationers and expats), La Paz itself feels to this point faraway from the craziness of vacationer hubs like close by Cabo San Lucas.
Town is Baja California Sur’s capital and its title means “the peace” in Spanish. Locals name themselves “pazians” (peace individuals in English) and La Paz definitely exudes peace regardless of its measurement. Life is sluggish, locals are heat, and pure magnificence abounds. I hope you get pleasure from La Paz as a lot as I did.
Uncover this better of the area with this 4-day adventure-packed La Paz itinerary.
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The place is La Paz?
La Paz is the capital metropolis of Baja California Sur and is positioned on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula about 2.5 hours north of Cabo San Lucas. La Paz is on the Gulf of California aspect the place the water is extra calm than the Pacific aspect.
This La Paz itinerary works completely for people flying into San José del Cabo because it begins and ends with adventures midway between Cabo and La Paz. It additionally works in case you fly into La Paz or are arriving through automotive as a result of the day journeys are simply an hour or two away from La Paz.
Here’s a map of the route with the entire factors of curiosity for this 4-day La Paz itinerary.
Bought additional time to spare? Take into account doing a full Baja highway journey – a highly regarded route for van lifers within the winter. You possibly can drive all thew approach down from San Diego to La Paz.
4-Day La Paz Itinerary
You will want a automotive for days one and 4, although you possibly can simply swap these outings for extra native adventures.
As at all times, be at liberty to regulate this itinerary as a lot as you’d like. On the finish of this information, I point out another issues to do in La Paz so you possibly can simply add or subtract no matter pursuits you most!
Day 1: Scorching Springs and Waterfalls
Day one adventures happen within the Sierra Laguna mountains close to the small city of Santiago, the place desert terrain meets crystal-clear mountain streams and piping-hot pure springs.
Conveniently positioned 1.5 hours from Cabo and a couple of hours from La Paz, so you possibly can both cease in Santiago throughout a drive between Cabo and La Paz or simply take a day journey from La Paz.
Many sights within the Sierra Laguna are on non-public property, most hikes usually are not properly documented, and cellphone service is minimal, so it’s essential to plan forward. Additionally, you’ll need some water footwear or sturdy sandals and produce loads of water and a few on-the-go snacks!
Word: For touring in Mexico, I like to recommend the Grayl Ultrapress Air purifier water bottle. It lets you safely purify water from the faucet (or from streams), so you possibly can keep away from shopping for and and utilizing so many plastic water bottles.
I like to recommend splitting your time in Santiago between the Santa Rita Scorching Springs and Sol de Mayo Waterfall hike. Each are positioned on well-established non-public ranches which are used to welcoming guests (although few worldwide vacationers make it to those spots).
The 2 ranches are about twenty-five minutes aside, and are each about twenty minutes from the middle of Santiago, on a dusty filth highway. You don’t want 4WD to drive on this highway however anticipate some bumps. We drove it in a Toyota Corolla rental automotive with no points.
Begin on the Santa Rita Scorching Springs, positioned a five-minute stroll from the car parking zone of Rancho Santa Rita. After paying a small entrance charge to the rancher (deliver money!), head down the pathway, passing the picnic tables.
The new springs are positioned throughout the small bridge. In entrance of the bridge, you’ll discover a refreshingly cool stream. Swap between the new springs and the cool stream, and ensure to swim up the stream the place a small waterfall is positioned.
Subsequent, head to Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo, the place you’ll discover the beautiful Sol de Mayo Waterfall. After you park and pay the doorway charge, the rancher will direct you to the path. Catch gorgeous views of the river and waterfall above earlier than strolling about 10 minutes right down to the bottom of the falls.
Don’t miss swimming within the calm swimming pools beneath the waterfall and revel in a snack earlier than heading again to Santiago, then to La Paz. Take into account stopping at Los Barriles for a seaside dinner, or maintain your urge for food and revel in one among La Paz’s eating places.
Tip: Some primary Spanish goes a good distance in rural Mexico. Although you possibly can definitely discover Santiago and La Paz with out talking Spanish, I like to recommend memorizing just a few primary phrases and phrases forward of time. As at all times, present respect and gratitude to locals as you discover their non-public ranches.
Day 2: La Paz’s World-Well-known Seashores
No journey to La Paz is full with out a seashore day. Most visits to La Paz focus on seeing Playa Balandra, which has been referred to as probably the most stunning seashore in Mexico.
Whereas Balandra Seashore is definitely value visiting, I like to recommend planning on visiting different La Paz seashores as properly, since Balandra can get crowded and has strict opening hours.
As of November 2023, Playa Balandra sometimes opens from 8am-12pm, closes for an hour, after which opens once more from 1pm-5pm. Entry is restricted and guests are required to depart for the one-hour break every day at midday.
Plan to arrive at 8am to make sure entry and profit from your time. Most La Paz eating places and low outlets aren’t open early, so make breakfast at your resort. Take into account additionally packing a lunch since eating choices are very restricted round most La Paz seashores.
Deliver a good solar hat, a packable seashore towel, and probably a pair of footwear to stroll in. At Playa Balandra you possibly can hike up the cliffs to see the bay from above, lease kayaks to discover the coves and mangroves, hike to close by Playa El Tecolote, and stroll to the well-known “mushroom rock”.
After spending the morning at Balandra, head to a different close by seashore to get pleasure from lunch, lounge on the shore, and wade within the calm, shallow water. My private advice is Playa El Tesoro, a shocking seashore between downtown La Paz and Balandra with a chill, native vibe, and a seashore bar/restaurant.
After just a few cervezas or margaritas, head again to city for dinner and a sundown stroll alongside the La Paz Malecon (waterfront boardwalk).
Tip: Should you don’t have a automotive, you may get to Playa Balandra through bus, DiDi, Uber, however be sure you work out your return journey forward of time. It’s also possible to e-book a tour which incorporates mountaineering, kayaking, and snorkeling.
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Get on the Water
Day 3: Swimming with Whale Sharks and a Sundown Hike
Should you go to La Paz between October and April, you’ll have the chance to swim with whale sharks within the Sea of Cortez. This once-in-a-lifetime expertise is facilitated by native ecotourism corporations and strictly regulated by the native authorities.
Make sure to e-book a whale shark boat tour with a good firm forward of time because the quantity of individuals and boats is restricted every day.
Should you go to exterior of whale shark season or favor to swim with a unique marine species, you possibly can go on a boat tour to Isla Espiritu Santo, which incorporates snorkeling with sea lions. Simply remember that you could not soar within the water with the ocean lions throughout their breeding season, July by means of August.
As well as, some tour corporations supply combo excursions that embrace swimming with whale sharks and sea lions in sooner or later!
Most excursions embrace lunch and return to La Paz within the early afternoon. Be certain that to pack some reef-safe sunscreen, and I additionally advocate carrying a rashgaurd whilst you’re snorkeling to maintain the solar off your again.
Seize an early dinner and an hour earlier than sundown, head to the Estación de Servicio Repsol gasoline station, only a few minutes north of downtown La Paz. The gasoline station is actually the trailhead for the Cerro de la Calavera hike.
There are a number of routes to the beautiful Cerro de la Calavera viewpoint, which overlooks the town and bay. Essentially the most direct route is what locals beneficial to me, and it takes lower than twenty minutes a technique. Nevertheless, one other route recorded on AllTrails is 3.8 miles roundtrip.
No matter route you select, certain you might have close-toed trails footwear and water. A headlamp (or cellphone flashlight) will also be useful for the hike again down. When you attain the highest, be sure you watch the sundown and snap just a few pictures.
Day 4: Exploring La Paz and Todos Santos
Spend your final morning in La Paz exploring the town. A number of the greatest issues to do in La Paz Centro embrace:
- Be taught in regards to the indigenous tribes of Baja California on the Museum of Anthropology and Historical past
- Go to the Whale Museum
- Take a look at Mexican folks artwork within the Museum of Artwork Baja California Sur (free)
- Chill on the La Paz Malecon seashore
- Seek for the town’s beautiful murals and road artwork
- Wander by means of the Velasco Backyard and the primary sq. of La Paz
Everytime you’re prepared, soar within the automotive and drive simply over one hour to the Pacific surf city of Todos Santos. Should you’re flying out of Los Cabos Worldwide Airport, pack your entire baggage within the automotive since Todos Santos is on the way in which again to Cabo. In any other case, deal with it as a day journey.
Seize lunch at Alma y Many’s earlier than exploring the colourful streets of Todos Santos. Make sure to stroll just a few blocks away to the Resort California, which can or could not have impressed the well-known Eagles tune.
Wander by means of the close by Cielito Lindo Market, which options native artisans. Cease in native boutiques and surf outlets, and get a peek on the beautiful Iglesia Mision Todos Santos and major sq..
Subsequent, head twenty minutes down the highway to Cerritos Seashore, which is named one of many greatest surf spots in Baja. The surf at Cerritos is often appropriate for newbie surfers and surfboards might be rented proper on the seashore.
Should you don’t surf, simply loosen up on the seashore, seize a drink from the bar stall, and stroll alongside the miles-long sandy shoreline.
In your approach again to Todos Santos, be sure you cease at 5 Tacos and a Beer for tacos… and beer! From there, you possibly can head again to both La Paz or Cabo.
Greatest La Paz, Mexico Lodges
Since every day on this La Paz itinerary is packed stuffed with actions, you received’t spend an excessive amount of time at your resort. However in case you’re attempting to determine the place to remain in La Paz, listed below are my suggestions:
- Resort Posada Luna Sol: This budget-friendly resort is positioned simply steps from the seashore in La Paz’s business zone.
- Resort & Suites El Moro: One of many highest-rated inns in La Paz, Resort & Suites El Moro encompasses a water view, a stunning pool, and respectable costs.
- Orchid Home Baja: Within the likelihood you’re in search of a bit of luxurious, don’t miss Orchid Home, a stunning beachfront boutique resort in La Paz.
Extra Issues to Do in La Paz, Mexico
In case you have additional time or need to swap out sure actions, there are many different issues to do in and round La Paz. Listed below are another suggestions:
- Go sandboarding on the Mogote Sand Dunes
- Take a day journey to La Ventana, a country seashore city well-known for windsurfing and its sizzling springs seashore. Their Thursday Farmer’s Market is wonderful!
- Hire a kayak on the La Paz Malecón
- Go horseback using by means of the desert at a neighborhood ranch
- Go on a long-distance kayak journey
- Take a day journey to Cabo Pulmo, among the finest scuba diving and snorkeling locations in Baja
Get ready on your journey with these journey suggestions
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Effectively, there it’s! As soon as-in-a-lifetime experiences, beautiful seashores, charming cities, and enjoyable actions all tucked into one 4-day La Paz itinerary. Get pleasure from this stunning a part of Mexico and be sure you respect native communities and clear up after your self wherever you go!
You’ll find extra of Annie’s work over at Your Pal the Nomad
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