About La Paz
Capital of the state of Baja California Sur, this beautiful port city is recognized for its pink sunsets framed by the Sea of Cortes, and ideal place to make contact with nature balanced with a modern and avant-garde city. Activities like kayaking, camping, hiking, fauna and flora watching, the Isla del Espíritu Santo is an added attraction, since it is located close to La Paz.
To find several marine species like giant mantarays, whale sharks, hammer sharks, and friendly sea lions are frequent, they can be observed and admired by simply diving. Sport fishing is abundant and that is why international tournaments of marlin, jurel, pargo, dorado and tuna are held.
La Paz was visited by conquistadors, pirates and missionaries. On May 3 of 1553 Hernán Cortés set foot there naming it Bahia de la Santa Cruz; the true colonization begins in 1720 when the Jesuits submitted the locals and built the mission of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de la Paz.
Places to Visit in La Paz:
Malecón (beach boulevard) Alvaro Obregón
Along this five kilometer long boulevard you will find the best restaurants, hotels, night clubs, bars and specialty stores. You can take a relaxing walk on its wide and well illuminated sidewalks; or just simply enjoy its reddish sunsets that includes live music on the weekends.
You will can also see El Mogote a small peninsula, the cruise ship port and a series of bronze sculptures where one of the most outstanding one is El Cristo de Mar.
Jardin Velazco
Architectural beauty surrounded by old buildings, where the Paceños meet, with its gardens, benches, kiosks and the unique fountain Hongo de Balandra makes these gardens something special. It is located between the streets of 5 de mayo, Revolución, Independencia and Madero.
Nuestra Señora de la Paz Cathedral
Founded as a mission on December 3, 1720 by the priests Juan de Ugarte and Jaime Bravo, abandoned in 1735 due to the hostility of the Indians of that region.
In 1871 the current building of the Cathedral is built with a Latin cross base and covered by a two sided roof and two pyramidal towers. In the interior it has a beautiful altar dedicated to the virgin that gives it its name.
Instituto Sudcaliforniano de la Juventud (Southcalifornian Youth Insitute)
One time this building was the Government Palace, the current occupants are dedicated to inform and orient the local youth and to promote art and culture.
Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia (Regional Museum of Anthropology and History)
There are several exhibit halls in this modern museum where you can observe archeological, ethnic, mineral and historical pieces from the peninsula. You can also see fossils from different species, utensils used by the local Indian tribes, and maps and information from our Independence and Revolution times.
Serpentario de la Paz (Snake exhibit)
In this open air space one can observe species that inhabit the peninsula and other states of Mexico like serpents, arachnids and reptiles among others. The exhibit was developed to provide knowledge and create ecological and preservation conscience to both, locals and visitors.
- Cultural Center Profesor Jesús Casto Agúndez. - Modern cultural complex were various cultural and artistic manifestations are presented.
- Teatro de la Ciudad (Theatre for the performing arts)
- Galería de Arte (Art Gallery) Profesor Carlos Olachea Boucieguez
- Biblioteca Infantil (Children’s library)
- Biblioteca Pública (Public Library) Profesor Filemón C. Piñeda
- Museo de las Ballenas Grises (Gray Whale Museum)
- Acuario de las Californias (Californias Aquarium) - Located in one of the most beautiful beaches in La Paz called el Caimancito, in this aquarium you can observe the beauty of the marine fauna that inhabits the Baja California Sur coast.
Wyland Mural
Located in the Callejón Cabezud a few meters from the Malecón, it represents the sub aquatic world and the hundreds of marine species that inhabit the Sea of Cortes. The author was born in Detroit, Michigan, he has also presented his art in other cities of Mexico, Canada, Japan, Australia, France, New Zealand and the US, showing all the beauty that the oceans have and creating a sense of preservation and protection of the ocean.
Night life in La Paz
In La Paz you are overwhelmed by the unlimited fun you can find during the day with its sun, sea and sand; at night it transforms into an array of excellent places to listen to music, dance, shows and to enjoy Mexican entertainment main component of the fiesta.
You find bars and nightclubs where you will spend a great evening or stay up all night partying in one of our famous discos. There are restaurants that offer elegant dinners or if you like romantic music places to dance or just listen to the music.
Annual Events in La Paz:
January
- Whale watching in Bahía Magdalena
February
- Carnival in La Paz
The Carnival in La Paz has been held for about 100 years, international, national and local performers present their different and various acts. This begins in the last week in February or in the first week in March.
It is celebrated on the Malecón (beach boulevard) beginning with the burning of a figure that represents the bad humor, then continues with the crowning of the King of Happiness and the Queen of the Carnival, and also presenting awards to the Queen of Poetry and a Laureate Poet, spectacular fireworks and the traditional float parade.
- Baja Cactus car race.
- Art Festival in Todos Santos.
April
- Western Outdoors Jurel fishing tournament
May
- Founding of La Paz Anniversary Celebration.
- 2 Seas 500 Race
- Tuna fishing tournament
June
- Mexican Navy Day Celebration
- Coyote 300 car race
- International Dorado tournament
July
- International Fishing Tournament
August
- Félix International Fishing Tournament
- Bisbee’s International Fish Tournament
November
- Baja 1000
Beaches
Without a doubt one of the main attractions are its perfect beaches that combine with the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortes. Palapas, restaurants and all kinds of aquatic gear for rent is available, it is where you can enjoy the sun and a peaceful swim, and where you can also find pangas (small boats) that can take you to Isla Espiritu Santo and de sea lion colony.
- Playa Comitán
- Playa Las Hamacas
- Playa de Palmira
- Playa de Coromuel
- Playa Caimancitos
- Playa del Tesoro
- Playa de Pichilingue
- Playa de Balandra
- Playa el Tecolote
- Playa el Coyote.
Sports Activities
Sport Fishing
La Paz is recognized for being an exceptional place for year round sport fishing catching marlin, jurel, pargo, cabrilla, tuna, dorado, wahoo, sailfish and rooster fish among others.
This activity is practiced from the traditional deep sea fishing to the one with lighter equipment. There are all kinds of yachts to small boats available at a reasonable cost.
The marinas that are in La Paz convert into the point of departure of all fishermen.
- Marina La Paz has a capacity of 85 vessels.
- Marina Palmira has a capacity of 206 vessels.
These marinas offer all the services plus you will also find restaurants and specialty shops that will assist you in renting or buying fishing, diving or kayaking equipment.
Best Times to, and what to Fish
- Dorado - May and September
- Blue Marlin - July, August, September
- Marlin Rayado - March and April
- Sailfish - June, July, August and September
- Sierra - November to February
- Jurel - February, March, April and May
Ecotourism
With an enviable geographic location and its beautiful bay that allows to be the starting point of a great number of ecotourism tours like hikes, flora and fauna watching, camping and mountain bike trips among others.
The desert is full of surprises; the flora and fauna have developed endemic characteristics due to the relative isolation from the mainland. A valley of gigantic cactus, primitive cirios and spiny chollas; home to some resident some migratory birds like falcons, roadrunners, hummingbirds and other species like the bighorn sheep (cimarrón), foxes, coyotes, pumas among others.
There are numerous arroyos and creeks of crystal clear water that you find as you go up the sierra
