4 Reasons to Visit La Paz in Baja California Sur.
There is one word that comes to mind when I think of La Paz: MAGIC. The next words might be “peace”, “charm”, or “fairy tale.” I have never fallen in love with a place the way I have with the capital city of Baja California Sur. I’m not sure if it was the breathtaking sunsets straight out of a movie or the sparkling waters that glitter like a thousand diamonds, but this coastal town in México is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.
I grew up in San Diego, CA, just a stone’s throw from La Paz and it blows my mind that I had never visited before this year. The vibrant city is located in the Mexican State of Baja California Sur and is just a flight into San Jose International Airport (SJD) and about a two-hour drive north of Cabo San Lucas along the water. It’s funny to me that I never visited when I lived in California but literally flew across the country from New York for a quiet escape there. Let’s just say that it was well worth it. “La Paz” translates to “peace” in Spanish and the city definitely delivers.
Photo by Ken Soleta.
Photo by Ken Soleta.
Here are four (of many) reasons to visit La Paz in Baja California Sur:
The Eco-Tourism.
If no vacation is complete for you without being out by the sea, there is no better place to visit than La Paz. The coastal city is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the waters of the Sea of Cortez, which was named “the world’s aquarium” by renowned French marine biologist Jacques Cousteau. The Sea of Cortez is home to more than 5,000 species of micro-invertebrates and 900 species of fish, making it one of the world’s most prized ecosystems. Get ready to cross whale watching and swimming with 400+ friendly sea lions (which I’ve been told are like big puppies!) off your bucket list!
One of the highlights of my time in La Paz was taking a phenomenal full-day scenic boat trip with On Board Baja to Isla Espíritu Santo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park. My friends and I had an amazing captain and the best bilingual tour guide, @untamedbaja, who took us past the volcanic rock formations and the bird colony at San Gabriel Bay for an afternoon of snorkeling and paddleboarding in crystal-clear turquoise waters and eating fresh ceviche on a pristine white sand beach. The locals in La Paz care so much about the environment and this excursion with On Board Baja gave me a newfound respect for wildlife (which is really saying something because I watch nature documentaries regularly for fun and love marine biology). The conservation of species and habitat in natural protected areas is of the utmost importance and it shows in this marine biology sanctuary.
Photo by Wesley Taylor.
Photo by Wesley Taylor.
2. The Breathtaking Views.
My first night was spent enjoying the sunset from the Malecón, the palm tree-lined beach boardwalk, and I distinctly remember feeling like this view was prettier than any picture. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the way the oranges, pinks, and purples painted the sky that evening. I stayed at the restored colonial-style villa Baja Club Hotel right along the Malecón and still can’t believe the views from the balcony every single evening. I jokingly said to my friends, “Every once in a while, life gives you a fairy tale,” and they laughed and rolled their eyes (because I am a cheesy person who says very cheesy things like this all the time). I wholeheartedly stand by that statement though because the views of La Paz really will take your breath away.
3. The Culture.
If we’ve learned anything from Beauty and the Beast, I hope it’s that there is so much more out there than this provincial life (where are my Disney fans at?!). One of my favorite aspects of travel is immersing myself in the culture and stepping outside of what I’ve always known. So, I loved taking a walking tour of the city of La Paz with RED Travel México and learning about the historical buildings, local street art made in collaboration with Colectivo Tomate, and even the local legend of the burrito and taco.
4. THE Food.
I am a foodie through and through and have been known to travel to cities just to try the chef’s signature dessert or to plan an itinerary around when the no-reservations hole-in-the-wall with the best hot chicken in the state might have the shortest line. So, the local cuisine in La Paz blew my mind because I loved every single meal I had. Imagine the freshest fish tacos, octopus, and ceviche you could possibly dream of and then multiply that by ten. Just thinking about the deconstructed key lime pie dessert at Nemi makes me want to book a flight to México instead of finishing this sentence. Looking back at the cochi n rice and papavaca (fries, steak, parmesan, and chimichurri!) dishes I devoured at Hambrusia while taking in the sunset along the promenade makes my heart skip a beat. The grilled octopus and beet salad from The Baja Club would be my go-to lunch every single day if I had the option. The food in La Paz could literally have a book or five written about it.
It’s been a long year and half for all of us, and I think it’s safe to say that we all are in need of a little magic. So, if you’re reading this, this is a sign that it’s time to book a flight with your best friends to La Paz in Baja California Sur. You won’t regret the chance to laugh together, snorkel together, dance together, explore together, and watch the sunset together. The key word being TOGETHER, because La Paz is a city that you’ll want to experience with the people you love. The magic of this city is one that is even better when shared.