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    La Paz
    Matthew T Rader / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Mexico

    La Paz

    CityCulture

    La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, nestled on a protected bay in the Gulf of California.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Mexico
    7. Baja California Sur
    9. La Paz
    La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, nestled on a protected bay in the Gulf of California. You come here for boat tours to Isla Espíritu Santo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for Balandra and El Tecolote bays, and from October to April for whale sharks in the bay. The city center, with its cathedral and approx. 5 km long Malecón, is easily explored on foot.

    Sights in La Paz

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Malecón de La Paz
    Park

    1Malecón de La Paz

    The approximately 5 km long waterfront promenade stretches along the center of La Paz Bay. Along the path are bronze sculptures with marine motifs, plus cafés, restaurants, and a bike path. In the evenings, many locals come for a stroll and to enjoy the sunset over the bay.
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    Church

    2Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe

    The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located on Calle 5 de Febrero, slightly south of the center. On December 12th, the Feast Day of the Guadalupana, it is the destination for processions from all over the city.
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    Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace
    Church

    3Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace

    The neoclassical cathedral with two towers stands on Plaza Constitución in the center. It was built in the second half of the 19th century on the site where Jesuits founded the mission of La Paz in 1720.
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    Playa Balandra
    Park

    4Playa Balandra

    Shallow bay with turquoise water about 30 minutes' drive north of La Paz, known for the mushroom-shaped rock El Hongo. Balandra is a protected area: Access is limited to two time slots per day, each for 450 people; online reservation is recommended during peak season.
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    Attraction

    5Playa El Tecolote

    Long sandy beach at the end of the road north of La Paz, with views of Isla Espíritu Santo. On the beach, there are simple palapa restaurants, and boat trips to the island also depart from here.
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    Attraction

    6Fiscal Pier

    An old pier on the Malecón, opposite the city center, offering popular bay views. Evenings draw many visitors for sunset.
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    City walks in La Paz

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Culinary La Paz: Markets & Local Specialities

    Discover authentic La Paz on this culinary journey through bustling markets and hidden delights. Taste fresh seafood, local specialities and sweet treats as you experience the city's vibrant everyday life away from the tourist trails.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Essen & Trinken

    1

    TacoFish

    Simple taco spot on Calle Manuel Márquez de León in downtown La Paz, featuring Baja-style fish and seafood tacos.
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    2

    Delicrepas

    Creperie in the center of La Paz with sweet and savory crepes, suitable for breakfast or a snack in between.
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    3

    Mei Hua

    A Chinese restaurant in the heart of La Paz.
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    4

    La Baja Crudas Mariskeria

    Seafood restaurant on Avenida Revolución de 1910 in the center. The menu features raw and marinated seafood like Ceviche and Aguachile.
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    5

    El Paceñito

    Fish and seafood restaurant on Boulevard Padre Eusebio Kino, slightly southeast of the center. A place popular with many local guests.
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    6

    Bismarkcito

    Fish and seafood restaurant on Paseo Álvaro Obregón, La Paz's waterfront promenade (Malecón), between Constitución and Hidalgo Streets.
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    Dining and Drinks

    In La Paz, you mainly eat fish and seafood, often at simple taco stands or in Mariscos eateries.

    Tacos de pescado

    Fried fish in tortillas with slaw and salsa, mornings and at noon at many stalls.

    Ceviche and Aguachile

    Raw marinated fish or shrimp with lime and chili, typical for Mariscos eateries.

    Chocolate clam

    Large clam from the Gulf, raw, grilled or served as a cocktail.

    History and Culture

    From Mission to Pearl CityIn 1535, Hernán Cortés' expedition reached the bay, but a permanent settlement didn't emerge until 1720 with a Jesuit mission. The cathedral, built in the second half of the 19th century, now stands in its place. La Paz was long known for pearls from the bay. The Carnival of La Paz is one of the peninsula's oldest festivals, filling the Malecón with parades and music every year before Lent.ExcursionsIsla Espíritu Santo: Full-day boat tours with a snorkeling stop at the Los Islotes sea lion colony.Balandra and El Tecolote: Bays about 30 minutes by car north of the city.Todos Santos: Artist town on the Pacific coast, a good hour's drive south.

    Traveling locally

    The center and the Malecón are easy to explore on foot or by bike. City buses run on fixed routes and are cash-only; taxis can be found on many corners, and Uber is also available in La Paz.A bus line to the northern beaches runs from the Malecón bus terminal; a rental car offers more flexibility. Boat tours to Espíritu Santo depart from the Marina and from the beaches north of the city. The airport is located about 10 km southwest of the center.

    Accommodations in La Paz

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    Plan your trip to La Paz

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      Trip to La Paz

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      • 1Malecón de La Paz3 days
      • 2Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe4 days
      • 3Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace5 days
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      La Paz
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    Nearby

    Baja California Sur

    Baja California Sur

    Baja California Sur encompasses the southern half of the Baja California peninsula, a desert land between the Pacific and the Gulf of California. You go for the resorts of Los Cabos on the southern tip, for boat trips from La Paz to Espíritu Santo Island with the sea lion colony of Los Islotes, and for the artist town Todos Santos near the Pacific coast. Further north lies the mission town Loreto on the Gulf. The islands and protected areas in the Gulf of California have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005.
    Todos Santos

    Todos Santos

    Todos Santos is a small town on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, precisely on the Tropic of Cancer. Since 2006, it has held the title of Pueblo Mágico. The center around the mission church features many galleries, cafes, and restaurants, while long surf beaches lie on the outskirts.
    San José del Cabo

    San José del Cabo

    San José del Cabo is the administrative seat of the municipality of Los Cabos on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, located approximately 32 km northeast of Cabo San Lucas. You come for the quiet historic center around Plaza Mijares, with its mission church, low colonial buildings, and gallery district, where the Art Walk takes place on Thursday evenings from November to June. On the outskirts of town is the Estero San José, a lagoon at the mouth of the Río San José.
    Cabo San Lucas

    Cabo San Lucas

    Cabo San Lucas is located at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, where the Gulf of California meets the Pacific Ocean. Its landmark is the rock arch El Arco, which you can reach by boat from the marina. The town is geared towards tourism, with hotels along El Médano beach and many bars in the center.
    Loreto

    Loreto

    Located on the Gulf Coast of Baja California Sur, Loreto was founded in 1697 as the peninsula's first permanent Spanish settlement. The Mission Church and Mission Museum form the heart of its small downtown. Off the coast is the Bahía de Loreto National Park, home to five larger islands.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI