Caimancito Beach, a Small Hidden Paradise.

Caimancito is undoubtedly my favorite beach in all of La Paz, no question about it. It's not the biggest (far from it), it doesn't have the most activities, nor does it boast the spectacular natural beauty of Balandra, but I absolutely love it, just love it. This beach seems so cozy to me, not big, not spectacular, just cozy. It's small, relatively hidden, doesn't have many palapas, there's barely a restaurant, and no one rents kayaks or snorkels or anything, but it's beautiful, my personal favorite, as I've already mentioned. Perhaps it's precisely because it's small and hidden, because not many people go there, and because there's nothing but a pristine beach with soft sand and crystal-clear waters, split in two by a strip of land (which, by the way, resembles a caiman, hence the name), the reason why I'm in love with this beach, which, as the title of this article indicates, is a small hidden paradise in the dazzling paradise that is the city of La Paz, in Baja, Mexico.

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Where is Caimancito beach located?

Unlike other beaches, such as Balandra, El Tecolote, or Pichilingue, El Caimancito is practically within the city limits of La Paz, although a short drive on the Scenic Highway is necessary. Let's not forget that distances here are really short. Starting from the Marina de La Paz, it's less than a 10-minute drive, almost in a straight line, to get there, passing by the City Express Hotel and Playa El Coromuel, right between the Orchid House Hotel and the Playa de La Paz Condos, across from Pedregal de La Paz. The best option is to come by car, whether it's your own, a rental, or an Uber, not only to get there but also to bring everything you need to spend an incredible day.

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Don't expect to see the beach from your car, or even a huge sign announcing it. No, the only thing visible from the street is a wall, a door with a parking sign, and a phrase "El Caimancito," that's all (which is why I say it's relatively hidden; at first glance, it doesn't seem at all related to a beach, it just looks like a public parking lot). Once you enter, they'll direct you where to park and where the beach access is. Don't be disappointed! Once you've parked, all you see are the beach's public restrooms (extremely clean) and more walls, with a small entrance on the left and a huge garbage bin attached to the front wall. Walk a bit further, and you'll find a wooden plank path that will lead you to the palapas. In fact, it's the only beach so far that has a palapa made for those in wheelchairs, hence the plank path. Then you'll see it, a small beach, divided in two by the strip of land I mentioned earlier, with the calmest and most peaceful waters you'll find in La Paz, along with a beautiful horizon that allows you to see yachts crossing the area, the spectacular sky of La Paz, to huge ships of the Mexican Navy, on their way to refuel at a power plant (which, fortunately, is not close by).

If you're arriving from the airport and want to immediately check out the area, any taxi will happily take you. Unlike some other beaches that are a bit further away and more isolated, like Balandra or El Tecolote, getting an Uber to Caimancito is easy and quick. As I mentioned before, the beach is practically within the city limits, so you won't lose internet or cell service. Just remember, when calling an Uber, make sure you're dry and free of sand.

No matter how you get there, El Caimancito is a spot you shouldn't miss on your visit to La Paz. Again, it's not the biggest, nor the most fun or spectacular, but simply - in my opinion - it's the most beautiful. It's perfect for swimming, enjoying time with family, or just being there, soaking in the beauty, peace, and calm of this small beach, hidden behind a parking lot, nestled between two large buildings.

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Unveiling the Charm of Caimancito Beach: A Pristine Destination

Photos can better explain the natural and simple charm of El Caimancito, and yet they are not enough to appreciate its beauty, as only the eyes can achieve. At this beach, the water is the calmest and most stable that I have seen in La Paz. I mean, I know Balandra is spectacular, but the tide there makes the water rise throughout the day, and to feel the waves, you have to cross a good distance. At El Caimancito, that doesn't happen. Here, there are tiny waves, but they exist, and the water is extremely calm, so much so that it is one of the few beaches (if not the only one) where I have seen adults learning to swim, secure and confident in the tranquility of its waters.

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Marine life is more than present at El Caimancito, from fish to birds, it's easy to look around and notice their presence, whether on land or in the air in the case of birds, or in the sea when we swim, in the case of fish. And believe me, you will see many fish of many sizes and colors, which are so accustomed to human presence that it's possible to swim alongside them (always without trying to touch them, of course, otherwise they will quickly flee). The video below will show much better what I'm trying to say, the indescribable beauty of El Caimancito.

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Some of the marine life in Caimancito waters (Video by us).

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Walking the beach of El Caimancito is one of my favorite activities when I come to this place. Feeling the wind on your face, listening to and smelling the sea, while appreciating the natural and architectural beauty of the site is dazzling. Here, there's no untouched natural beauty (as there is in Balandra) but the constructions present blend very well with nature. I mean, they really look good, they seem as if they were a part of the natural landscape, unlike other beaches in the world or in Mexico (like Cancun), where the hotels are huge constructions that alter the entire landscape. At El Caimancito, they don't look bad, actually, even the small cabin of the public beach restrooms looks good!

As can be noticed in the photos, the beach is divided into two parts, let's say the left and the right, with the right side being my favorite. This is because it just seems to me like a beach with much calmer waves, but several people I know feel just the opposite... they prefer the left side. It seems to be a matter of taste. If walking along the beach and seeing its crystalline waters is incredible, walking through El Caimancito (I mean the strip of land) is also amazing. You can see how the waves break there gently, the marine life near the rocks (the water is really clear and allows you to see everything) and the birds flying close looking for food or landing looking for rest, all this while you enjoy the sun, the sea, the fresh wind, and thank God for being able to live these moments.

What to Bring to Caimancito Beach?

So, if we're going to a small, relatively hidden beach, even within the city of La Paz, what should we bring? There must be stores nearby, restaurants, and such, right? Well, no. I mean, in La Paz, everything is close, and El Caimancito is no exception, but to go to a store, you need to drive, and the only restaurant actually belongs to a hotel (anyone can enter, of course) but it's not like in El Tecolote, where there's a wide variety of food and drink options, so it's necessary to bring our own food and umbrella.

As you can notice in the photos, there are several palapas and umbrellas, but the public ones are few; the others belong to the Hotel or the condos, and people are extremely respectful of that. So, if they don't get a palapa, they bring their own umbrellas to be able to enjoy this wonderful place. Of course, I won't stop recommending the use of a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses, here in La Paz, they are very necessary, believe me! So, consider that to El Caimancito, you have to bring everything we might need or want to eat and drink, always in a cooler, never forget the cooler and make sure it seals well, because otherwise, the sun here will make your food less enjoyable, and I say this from personal experience. Also, on this beach, nobody rents items for activities like snorkeling or kayaking, but it is possible and desirable to bring your own equipment, especially for snorkeling, it's truly a wonderful experience! (and always remember, you must respect the fish) and you will want to share with everyone back home. While there are no people renting things, there are some vendors who offer popsicles or ice creams, which taste good and help cool off the body, but there's nothing more, so it's important to go fully prepared to spend an incredible day.

Let me share a quick story... Once, while I was at El Caimancito with my wife, I saw a Mexican gentleman swimming far out in the sea, where almost no one goes, (not because it's dangerous but just because it's far) and he would dive and come up with something in his hands... In the end, the man approached to sell fresh clams, which he was retrieving from the sea! I couldn't resist and bought a couple (he cleaned them and prepared them with lime and some Mexican salsa). The cost for each was 40 pesos (about 2.35 USD), and while he was preparing them, he told me that he wasn't from La Paz, but from a state in the southwest of Mexico, called Oaxaca. However, he was there because he had come to visit his son, who was the captain of some yacht... He also told me that taking fresh clams from the sea to eat is the most natural thing at his home, in fact, he was a bit surprised because he hadn't seen anyone else do it (I haven't seen it either) and he wanted to take advantage of that last day before flying home, to eat some clams and sell some others. If you're wondering, they were delicious, the best I've ever tasted, literally freshly taken from the sea!

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Top Activities to Enjoy in Caimancito Beach's Serene Waters

As I've mentioned, El Caimancito is not the "most fun" beach to be at in La Paz, that place, I believe, belongs to El Tecolote beach. However, that doesn't mean El Caimancito is a place where a person or a family can't have fun, on the contrary! The only thing is, as I wrote lines above, it's necessary to bring our own equipment or things to have fun. That said, below is a list of the best activities that I personally recommend doing in this hidden paradise.

• Kayaking: Kayaking is so popular in La Paz that kayaks can be purchased at the supermarket for about 450 USD, and seeing them on the beaches (always respecting other people) is simply natural. Doing it in the calm and crystal-clear waters of El Caimancito is a must.
• Snorkeling: Once again, I must mention, no one rents them here, so you have to bring your own and discover the wonders that this beautiful beach has in store. The marine life here is incredible, full of colors and shapes, which undoubtedly transport you to another world as you dive into its waters.
• Eating and Drinking: One of my favorites, without a doubt. No alcohol in my case, and I always recommend being careful with that. I mean, it's a beach and there are more people there. LOL.
• Swimming: There's no way you won't swim if you come to this beach. The colors, the smells, they make you want to enter the sea and be part of all that beauty. Moreover, it's possible to swim with children at the shore without any problem, but if you want to go deeper, you only need to swim a few minutes offshore, and voila! You will be in a deeper part, with even more marine life.
• Walking along the coast: I can't deny that I'm a laid-back guy, so walking along the coast of El Caimancito simply delights me, and it's so short that I can do it several times, from the hotel restaurant to the former government house (a beautiful mansion at the north end of the place) where you find a rocky body ready to be explored, all while the wind cools you down a bit from the sun and you listen to the birds and the sea waves, breathing in the marine atmosphere. It's just incredible.
• Simply sitting and watching: Another one of my favorite activities is this, sitting under the palapa, drinking a Coke, and appreciating the tranquil beauty of the place, listening to the sea and the wind, and watching people enjoy themselves with their families. This is how I like to define this place, tranquil beauty.

There will always be activities to discover yes, but I believe these are the best on this beach and allow you to take advantage of its location, its peace, and of course, the indescribable beauty of La Paz. If the photos look good, just imagine seeing it with your own eyes.

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The Best Time to Visit Caimancito Beach for an Unforgettable Experience

Visiting this beach in the summer is incredible and very enjoyable, but it might be difficult for some people, especially if it's their first time in La Paz, where summers tend to be very hot. I would recommend fall, maybe by the end of September or mid-October; the water is still warm, but the weather is not so hot anymore, allowing the complete experience of El Caimancito to be truly pleasant. In winter, the water here is very cold, and it's not recommended to swim in it (unless you're wearing a wetsuit), and during spring, swimming without issues is possible again, but the water remains cold, though of course, not as much as in winter. Remember that La Paz is in the northwest of Mexico, and winters here are cold (not as much as in the States or Canada, of course, but they are cold).

I must confess that the first time I traveled to La Paz, I wasn't even aware of the existence of this beach. Everything was about Balandra, El Tecolote, Coromuel, etc., but if someone mentioned El Caimancito to me, I don't even remember it. It took years for me to decide to discover this paradise. I mean, from the outside, it looks like a parking lot! But once you cross the entrance, you get to know what is undoubtedly my favorite beach in La Paz, a city that is full of beautiful beaches.

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Insider Tips: Making the Most of Your Trip to Caimancito Beach

As I always say, the best tip will always be to use common sense, especially when interacting with more people, many of whom do not speak our language, but who are undoubtedly, for the most part, very friendly. Here are some basic tips to make your visit to El Caimancito a great experience.

• Don't litter

  In the parking lot, which is a short distance from the beach, there's a huge trash disposal area where you can leave all the trash you've generated during your visit. Nothing should be left on the beach, please.

• Avoid taking your drinks or food into the water:

  And especially avoid spilling them in it. Appreciate the clarity of this beach waters and keep them that way.

• The water is for enjoyment:

  There are restrooms a few steps from the beach; you can use these, and as I said, they are really clean.

• Do not disturb the fish:

  The marine life here is incredible, truly rich and beautiful, with fish happily swimming alongside people or between their feet. So, don't bother them. They are in their home, and people here tend to respect and take care of them a lot, because that's what you should do too.

• Leave your spot as you found it:

  If you find a clean spot, it's your obligation to leave it the same way. If you come across some trash, you can take it to the disposal area in the parking lot.

• Wear a hat and sunscreen:

  Always, always wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Believe me, you don't want to forget that. The sun in La Paz is always present and intense.

• Pay attention to the dates:

  If you're like me and prefer to hit the beaches when they're less crowded, a great tip is not to go around the 15th or 30th of the month, because that's when workers get paid and the beaches tend to fill up as they take a well-deserved break from their hard-working days. So, if you prefer fewer people, avoid these days, known as "dias de quincena" here in La Paz and, from what I understand, in Mexico in general. If you prefer going when it's more crowded because that's your vibe, then those are the days for you.

These are tips from someone who has not only traveled but lives in La Paz, so believe me, they will be very useful for when you visit this paradise. You'll have a peaceful yet memorable day and create memories for you and your family that will last forever, at my favorite beach in all of La Paz, El Caimancito... Did I mention I'm in love with this place? Because I am, oh yes, I am.

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To see more incredible pictures, go to the Pinterest board for this article: Click

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