Is La Paz Mexico, safe?
By Arthus. • Posted March 7 • 2024.
This is a question we hear a lot. Is La Paz really safe? I mean, La Paz is in Baja California Sur, a northern state of Mexico, which is very dangerous, right? Well, the truth is, it's not like that. La Paz is one of the safest cities, not only in Mexico but in all of North America. This may seem counterintuitive because Mexico is a country with a lot of violence issues, but it's true. The city of La Paz is indeed very safe and generally quite peaceful. But, how is this possible? Well, Mexico is a very large country (around 1,242,742 square miles or about one-fifth the size of the United States) and with more than 126 million residents, so, within its territory, it houses many realities, from frankly unsafe areas to paradises of safety and calm, like La Paz in the north or the city of Merida in the southeast (among others). Of course, there are more reasons than this for why La Paz is a safe city to travel to or live in, and in this article, we will explore what we consider the most important ones.
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Assessing Safety in La Paz
In La Paz, a person can walk around peacefully at practically any hour, especially in public areas, and it's normal to see a lively (in the good sense) nightlife along the malecon. Houses are often not locked, and even in the summer, many people sleep in their yards (due to the heat) without much worry about an assault or something similar. I know this might sound strange, especially for someone coming from a big city or just listening to the news that the US media provides. I get it, I also found it hard to believe and then to see and live it, but it's true. This city lives up to its name La Paz, which means The Peace, and it indeed fulfills a truly peaceful, safe, and serene life. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you shouldn't take basic security precautions, however, the relaxed lifestyle, and the tranquility in the character of the local people, really make the city very safe. Again, don't misunderstand me, basic security precautions should always be taken, like keeping an eye on your belongings, taking care of cash, etc., but these are not much different from the precautions one should take in other safe cities in the United States or Canada. Of course, there are crimes in La Paz, but they are minimal, not only by Mexican standards but also by international standards. Let me tell you an anecdote...when I first moved here, I saw a headline in a local newspaper that a crime had been committed and that the culprits had been caught. I mean, it took up the headline of the newspaper! Alarmed and thinking that perhaps moving here hadn't been a good idea, I read the whole story, and it turns out that the great crime committed that stole the newspaper headline...was that some guys had tried to steal some gas tanks from a local store, the police stopped them, and it didn't escalate further. That was the big crime, and it's perhaps the standard of criminality in La Paz.
Crime Statistics in La Paz
It's useful to present statistics regarding crime in La Paz, without forgetting that it's a city with (according to the last census in 2020) 292,241 residents. Surely by 2024, we're talking about over 300,000 people living in this beautiful city. I mention this to be able to make comparisons with other tourist and non-tourist cities in Mexico, the US, Canada, or even Europe. Let's take a look at the ones from last year, that is, the latest available.
Crime Statistics in La Paz, 2023 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Homicides |
Abductions |
Vehicle Theft |
Home Robbery |
Business Robbery |
Rape |
|
January |
0 |
0 |
22 |
46 |
20 |
0 |
February |
1 |
0 |
14 |
35 |
19 |
10 |
March |
1 |
0 |
15 |
38 |
14 |
12 |
April |
1 |
0 |
24 |
38 |
17 |
5 |
May |
1 |
0 |
30 |
37 |
15 |
5 |
June |
0 |
0 |
18 |
37 |
20 |
15 |
July |
1 |
0 |
20 |
37 |
18 |
18 |
August |
0 |
0 |
32 |
26 |
22 |
5 |
September |
1 |
0 |
32 |
27 |
15 |
9 |
October |
0 |
0 |
37 |
27 |
21 |
4 |
November |
0 |
0 |
28 |
27 |
19 |
7 |
December |
3 |
0 |
27 |
34 |
36 |
1 |
Total |
9 |
0 |
299 |
409 |
236 |
91 |
Source: http://bcs.semaforo.com.mx
So, if in 2023, there were 9 homicides in La Paz, for a population of 300,000 people, it gives us a homicide rate of only 3 murders per 100,000 residents! Yes, you read that right, 3 murders per 100,000 residents. In comparison, Los Angeles has a homicide rate of 9.9, New York of 5.5, and all of Canada of 2.25, showing La Paz to be closer to Canada in terms of safety than to the United States.
Factors Influencing Safety
There are many factors that make La Paz such a peaceful and safe city, among which (according to my experience), are the following: The calm demeanor of its population, the availability of employment, of course being a small city, not being near the US border or a route to it, the presence of various Mexican Army, Air Force, and Navy bases, and of course, police presence. Let's take a closer look at each of these factors.
- Local Population Character:
According to what I've seen, not only in La Paz but in other parts of Mexico and of course in the United States, the way of being and living of the local population greatly influences the security and tranquility of La Paz. The locals are (we are :) ) laid-back, they don't like getting into trouble, and prefer to lead a generally calm life, without much fuss. The social value that locals place on tranquility and peace is undoubtedly relevant to the city's security.
- Small City:
Again, according to my experience, small cities tend to be much quieter than medium or large cities (this is not always true, I know), and in La Paz, this holds true to the letter. People tend to relate more closely and sometimes it seems like everyone knows each other, whether in person, through mutual friends, or because the city is so small that you end up bumping into the same people at the supermarket, the cinema, the park, etc. I mean, I know not everyone knows each other, but sometimes it seems that way. The miracles of small cities, I suppose. Another factor that helps is the short distances, that is, in an emergency, everything is close, the police, the hospitals, etcetera, everything is just a few minutes away.
- Availability of Employment:
While wages in Mexico are still far from wages in the United States, prices are also very different, that is, it is much easier to live in Mexico because prices tend to be much lower. I mention this because there really are many jobs in La Paz that allow a person to make a living, especially in the tourism sector, where tips from foreign travelers tend to be generous. Additionally, La Paz has regional offices of Mexican federal agencies, such as CFE (electricity company), ISSSTEE, IMSSS (public health), IPN (education), or the Federal Tribunal (among others), which translates into middle-class people receiving a stable income and additional benefits, this added to the jobs generated by private companies and the continuous investments that are noticeable day by day in this city.
- Far from the US Border:
La Paz is a city located in the southern part of Baja, far, very far from the US border, and without being a major route to get there. Why do I mention this? Because this way, the problem of drug trafficking that plagues many other Mexican cities simply doesn't occur here. In other words, being a small city, far from the drug routes towards the US, the problems derived from drug trafficking that the US media often portrays simply do not happen here.
- Security Forces:
When you arrive in La Paz and drive out of the airport on the highway, one of the first things you see is a huge Mexican Air Force base, followed by another huge Mexican Navy base (which, I was told, is also a naval aviation school). It's impossible not to notice them, and furthermore, the families of the military personnel also live there, so they part of the community. Already in the city (near where I live) there is a base of the Mexican Army (along with a Military Hospital), and although it's not common to see soldiers on the streets, their presence helps to feel safe, because, as I said, they belong to the community, and of course, they want peace for their families. Another presence is that of the National Guard, which patrols the city, in addition to the municipal and state police. Here, I would like to mention again the fact of the distances, which as I mentioned are so short that a distress call is usually responded to in just a few minutes, but to be honest, there aren't many incidents.
The city, then, is very calm and safe due to a variety of factors, and surely there are several that escape me which experts must know much better than I do. But here I only share the experience of a person living in La Paz for some years, who simply shares what he has observed.
Tips for Safe Travel to La Paz
If you visit La Paz, or even better, if you want to move here, there are some security measures or tips that I can recommend to you to make you feel much more at ease. I repeat, the city is very safe, but certainly for people coming from a big city (like me), there's no way to avoid being cautious or wary, based on their own life experience, at least not until they've spent a few years in La Paz and consider themselves as "paceños."
- Consider the weather: La Paz is a city with a lot of heat, and in summer, as you can imagine, it is very, very hot. So much so that in stores and supermarkets, they sell rehydrating serum (like Gatorade, but called Electrolito, and yes, it works!) as if it were water because it is very necessary to drink it to avoid dehydration of the body. Unless you come in winter when the weather tends to be very cool (never cold like winter in the US), you should wear a hat.
- Avoid risky areas or activities: In this point, I mean risky neighborhoods and risky activities, like if you don't know how to dive, please don't do it.
- Keep valuables secure: I mean, this is kinda obvious, but always keep your belongings close to you and avoid displaying expensive items in public.
- Stay informed: Try to stay updated on local news and any safety advisories issued for the area.
- Respect local customs: Please, be respectful of the local culture and customs to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself.
- Trust your instincts: If something feels off or unsafe, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation.
- Don't be a hero: If you witness a crime, please call 911 (yes, it's the same here) and avoid being a hero.
- Don't carry all your cash or cards: Cash is always handy, but almost all shops accept cards, and you can save the cash for grabbing a delicious hot dog on the malecon.
These tips are basic I konw, but I consider them sufficient for those visiting La Paz, especially for the first time, to feel safe in this city, which, I never tire of saying, is truly wonderful.
Public Transportation in La Paz
In La Paz, public transportation is not excellent (especially during hot weather), but it is sufficient for getting around. Of course, for travelers, I recommend renting a car; it will be much more comfortable and effective for your trip. Alternatively, you can also request an Uber or Didi, which will take you to any destination for a few dollars, with relatively short wait times. If you wish to take a trip to Cabo, you can take a bus that departs from the malecon terminal, and in a couple of hours, you'll be there, or if you prefer the experience of driving through the desert (I love it, highly recommended!), take your rented car and enjoy some of the best landscapes you'll ever see in your life. The highways are safe and in very good condition, at least the federal ones.
Transportation in La Paz is like the city itself, generally very safe and without major issues. In the case of Uber or Didi, it's possible to pay with a card or in cash; personally, I always prefer charging it to my card because then I don't need cash to move around the city, and I save it for, as I mentioned, my hot dog on the malecon, which sadly still doesn't accept cash.
My Own Experiences as Traveler and Resident
I can personally provide two perspectives, that of a resident and that of a traveler, and both are really positive, but I'll comment on them in more detail below:
- Traveler:
The city is extremely safe and peaceful to explore, the people are generally very friendly with each other and with tourists. The proximity of the beaches and the availability of transportation to and from them makes it very safe and easy to visit them and delight in the beauty of their waters. The tranquility of the city is felt at all times (along with the heat, LOL) and after a few days, you start to feel the sense of security that the local residents have, so you can go out happier to explore the city, whether it's during the day or night, because you know that (always maintaining precautions and common sense) the place is peaceful.
- Resident:
I can sum up my residency in La Paz as follows... I should have done it earlier. The city is peaceful, safe, small, you have the most beautiful beaches minutes away, you have all the amenities and services of a big city (security, health, shops, entertainment, culture, etc.) but you live a relaxed and comfortable life, where everything is close to you and you have time to truly live your life and enjoy your family. Once you achieve that and enjoy your safe and peaceful life in the city of La Paz, you can consider yourself a paceño.
Conclusions on Safety in La Paz
Ultimately, the city of La Paz, in Baja California Sur, Mexico, is a safe city for both travelers and residents. Of course, as we could see in the crime statistics table, there is crime in La Paz, but it is very low and isolated to the extent that it does not compromise the safety of people in La Paz. The social value that locals place on tranquility is a great help in keeping the city safe and with few crime problems. The distance from the US border keeps La Paz free from drug trafficking issues that other Mexican cities sadly experience. This, along with the presence of security forces just minutes away from any incident and access to services, amenities, and entertainment, makes this beautiful city a truly safe place not only to visit in summer but also to make a full and harmonious family life.
If your concern about coming to La Paz was whether you and your family would be safe, think no more. Come and discover this city with your family, and I assure you that the only risk you'll have is that you won't want to leave.
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Tastes of La Paz.