For these reasons, you shouldn't swim at the boardwalk beach in La Paz.

In the city of La Paz, in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, there are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful and spectacular beaches one could ever hope to visit in their lifetime. Swimming in its crystal-clear waters and feeling its soft sand is a delightful and enjoyable experience. However, there is one beach located right in front of the city that might not be the best choice for a day of swimming, and I am referring, of course, to the beach on the Malecón of La Paz. Don't get me wrong, this beach is stunning and possibly offers some of the best sunsets in the city, where the contrast between the sky and the sea, reflected in the numerous boats and yachts, creates dreamlike postcards every day. Yet, the wisdom of the locals tells us that it is better not to swim in these waters.

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The first time I came to La Paz, I didn’t know this, and my parents, who had been living here for a few years, were somewhat skeptical of this information. So, one of the first beaches where I swam here in La Paz was precisely this one, specifically in the area in front of the La Paz marina. I remember the water was cold since I came in the spring, but it was swimmable. However, what caught my attention was seeing that I was the only one swimming there. There were boats, many kayaks, people walking on the Malecón and, of course, on the beach, but I was the only one swimming. It was then that I remembered what they had told me: "Only tourists swim at the Malecón beach here in La Paz" or the classic "if you want to know if someone is a tourist, see if they go swimming at the Malecón beach." These phrases didn’t make sense to me at the time. The beach is as beautiful as I mentioned and offers spectacular views of both nature and the city, so swimming there seemed simply natural to me.

However, I did notice something different compared to Balandra or Coromuel, beaches that I had already visited before... the water wasn't as refreshing, it felt not as pure.

It may not be entirely fair to compare this beach with Balandra or others. After all, this beach is located in front of the city, houses the marina along with its boats, as well as many condominiums. In other words, this beach isn't untouched by human activity, unlike many others in La Paz. Being in front of the city, it also features a very different environment and ambiance from the others. And well, this is precisely why locals always recommend never swimming at the Malecón beach. Walking on its sand, of course, renting a kayak or a boat to go fishing, certainly, enjoying its dreamy sunsets, without a doubt. But swimming in those waters? Never.

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Here are the main reasons locals give for why swimming at the Malecón beach is never a good idea:

Discharge from vessels:

It is understood that there are procedures to handle waste on boats, and the paceños have been here much longer than I have. However, in the interest of honesty, I must say that I have never witnessed any unsavory activities at the Marina de La Paz, although I obviously don’t monitor it 24 hours a day.

Oil from boat engines:

There is an undeniable truth here. With so many vessels, it wouldn’t be strange for one to accidentally or carelessly leak oil into the water. Indeed, the water in front of the Marina feels slightly different—thicker, or perhaps I’m not sure how to describe it, but definitely not as pure as at other beaches.

Discharge from nearby condos:

This might not be entirely true. Generally, the city has quite effective sewage systems that definitely do not end up on the most frequented beach of the city, visible to all residents and tourists.

Runoff during rain or hurricanes:

This is definitely true. The last hurricane in 2023 showed us images of downtown streets with strong torrents of dirty water, which, due to the street design (rising from the Malecón), sweeps all the street dirt right into the waters of the Malecón beach. I should clarify that the streets of La Paz are generally incredibly clean. It’s rare to find garbage in the streets, so by dirt, I mainly mean dust, dry leaves, and other normal things, not that people are littering. Nope, this city is very clean, and its residents take great care of it. Another thing I'd like to clarify is that hurricanes here do not occur for several years, and truthfully, it almost never rains. So, the situation with the rain sweeping dirt from the streets is not at all a daily occurrence.

Proximity to the main street of La Paz:

There’s a valid point here. The Malecón is the busiest street for both cars and people, so it can be somewhat noisy, at least by La Paz standards, and the smog from cars is just a few feet from its waters. I would like to add that when I am walking on this beach, I don’t really notice the smog. It becomes noticeable when you sit to have coffee on the terrace of some restaurants, and unfortunately, you choose or are seated at a table next to a traffic light. That’s when the smog and noise from the cars are quite unpleasant. By the way, if you are assigned a table next to a traffic light, ask for another one or change restaurants—trust me, it’s not pleasant to eat or drink next to a traffic light on the Malecón here in La Paz.

In conclusion, like all cities, La Paz has its myths and urban legends, almost all of which contain some truth surrounded by exaggerations to make them more interesting. Regarding whether you can swim at the Malecón or not, my personal recommendation is to look for beaches farther away from the Marina de La Paz, which is relatively easy since the Malecón stretches for more than 3 miles. There, you can find spectacular, crystal-clear, and very pleasant waters. I have done this myself, especially in the summer when the heat is intense and the water just calls out to you. But if you prefer to follow the advice of those who have lived here their whole lives or for generations, it's better not to swim here. In any case, the beaches in La Paz are among the best for swimming in Baja, and with so many varied options available, you will definitely be able to choose the best one for you and your family.

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