La Paz, Mexico seems 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 isn’t solely residence to Mexico’s most lovely seashores, nevertheless it’s additionally the proper leaping level for therefore many exhilarating adventures.
In simply 4 quick days, you’ll be able to swim with whale sharks and sea lions, soak in sizzling springs, bathe under waterfalls, surf some Pacific waves, and spend a day on the seashore.
This La Paz itinerary relies 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 rapidly fell in love with the realm’s rugged magnificence and appeal. Although Baja is understood to draw a number of People (each vacationers and expats), La Paz itself feels thus far faraway from the craziness of vacationer hubs like close by Cabo San Lucas.
The town is Baja California Sur’s capital and its identify means “the peace” in Spanish. Locals name themselves “pazians” (peace folks in English) and La Paz actually exudes peace regardless of its dimension. Life is gradual, 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 situated 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 facet the place the water is extra calm than the Pacific facet.
This La Paz itinerary works completely for folk 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 by way of automobile 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 all the factors of curiosity for this 4-day La Paz itinerary.
Acquired further time to spare? Contemplate doing a full Baja street journey – a extremely popular route for van lifers within the winter. You may drive all thew approach down from San Diego to La Paz.
4-Day La Paz Itinerary
You will want a automobile for days one and 4, although you’ll be able to 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’ll be able to simply add or subtract no matter pursuits you most!
Day 1: Sizzling 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 situated 1.5 hours from Cabo and a couple of hours from La Paz, so you’ll be able to 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 personal property, most hikes should not effectively documented, and cellphone service is minimal, so it’s necessary to plan forward. Additionally, carry loads of water and snacks!
I like to recommend splitting your time in Santiago between the Santa Rita Sizzling Springs and Sol de Mayo Waterfall hike. Each are situated on well-established personal ranches which might be 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 dust street. You don’t want 4WD to drive on this street however count on some bumps. We drove it in a Toyota Corolla rental automobile with no points.
Begin on the Santa Rita Sizzling Springs, situated a five-minute stroll from the parking zone of Rancho Santa Rita. After paying a small entrance price to the rancher (carry money!), head down the pathway, passing the picnic tables.
The new springs are situated 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 situated.
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 price, the rancher will direct you to the path. Catch beautiful 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. Contemplate 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 fundamental Spanish goes a good distance in rural Mexico. Although you’ll be able to actually discover Santiago and La Paz with out talking Spanish, I like to recommend memorizing a number of fundamental phrases and phrases forward of time. As at all times, present respect and gratitude to locals as you discover their personal ranches.
Day 2: La Paz’s World-Well-known Seashores
No journey to La Paz is full and not using a seashore day. Most visits to La Paz focus on seeing Playa Balandra, which has been referred to as probably the most lovely seashore in Mexico.
Whereas Balandra Seashore is actually value visiting, I like to recommend planning on visiting different La Paz seashores as effectively, since Balandra can get crowded and has strict opening hours.
As of November 2023, Playa Balandra usually opens from 8am-12pm, closes for an hour, after which opens once more from 1pm-5pm. Entry is proscribed 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 take advantage of your time. Most La Paz eating places and low outlets aren’t open early, so make breakfast at your resort. Contemplate additionally packing a lunch since eating choices are very restricted round most La Paz seashores.
At Playa Balandra you’ll be able to 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 suggestion is Playa El Tesoro, a surprising seashore between downtown La Paz and Balandra with a chill, native vibe, and a seashore bar/restaurant.
After a number of cervezas or margaritas, head again to city for dinner and a sundown stroll alongside the La Paz Malecon (waterfront boardwalk).
Tip: For those who don’t have a automobile, you will get to Playa Balandra by way of bus, DiDi, Uber, however make sure to determine your return journey forward of time. It’s also possible to guide a tour which incorporates mountain climbing, kayaking, and snorkeling.
Day 3: Swimming with Whale Sharks and a Sundown Hike
For those who 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 firms and strictly regulated by the native authorities.
Make sure to guide a whale shark boat tour with a good firm forward of time for the reason that quantity of individuals and boats is proscribed every day.
For those who go to outdoors of whale shark season or favor to swim with a distinct marine species, you’ll be able to go on a boat tour to Isla Espiritu Santo, which incorporates snorkeling with sea lions. Simply bear in mind 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 firms provide combo excursions that embody swimming with whale sharks and sea lions in at some point!
Most excursions embody lunch and return to La Paz within the early afternoon.
Seize an early dinner and an hour earlier than sundown, head to the Estación de Servicio Repsol fuel station, just some minutes north of downtown La Paz. The fuel 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 town and bay. Probably the most direct route is what locals beneficial to me, and it takes lower than twenty minutes a method. Nonetheless, one other route recorded on AllTrails is 3.8 miles roundtrip.
No matter route you select, certain you’ve got close-toed sneakers and water. A headlamp (or cellphone flashlight) may also be useful for the hike again down. When you attain the highest, make sure to watch the sundown and snap a number of images.
Day 4: Exploring La Paz and Todos Santos
Spend your final morning in La Paz exploring town. A number of the greatest issues to do in La Paz Centro embody:
- Study in regards to the indigenous tribes of Baja California on the Museum of Anthropology and Historical past
- Go to the Whale Museum
- Try Mexican folks artwork within the Museum of Artwork Baja California Sur (free)
- Chill on the La Paz Malecon seashore
- Seek for town’s beautiful murals and avenue artwork
- Wander by means of the Velasco Backyard and the principle sq. of La Paz
Everytime you’re prepared, soar within the automobile and drive simply over one hour to the Pacific surf city of Todos Santos. For those who’re flying out of Los Cabos Worldwide Airport, pack all your baggage within the automobile since Todos Santos is on the best way 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 a number of blocks away to the Resort California, which can or could not have impressed the well-known Eagles music.
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 predominant sq..
Subsequent, head twenty minutes down the street to Cerritos Seashore, which is named one of many greatest surf spots in Baja. The surf at Cerritos is usually appropriate for newbie surfers and surfboards could be rented proper on the seashore.
For those who don’t surf, you’ll be able to simply calm down 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, make sure to cease at 5 Tacos and a Beer for tacos… and beer! From there, you’ll be able to head again to both La Paz or Cabo.
Finest 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 here are my suggestions:
- Resort Posada Luna Sol: This budget-friendly resort is situated 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 first rate costs.
- Orchid Home Baja: Within the probability you’re searching for just a little luxurious, don’t miss Orchid Home, a stunning beachfront boutique resort in La Paz.
Further Issues to Do in La Paz, Mexico
If in case you have further time or wish 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 superb!
- 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, top-of-the-line scuba diving and snorkeling locations in Baja
Get ready to 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 lovely a part of Mexico and make sure to respect native communities and clear up after your self wherever you go!
You’ll find extra of Annie’s work over at Your Buddy the Nomad
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