La Paz Mexico Beaches.
By Arthus. • Posted April 19 • 2024.
It's because of the beaches that this city is most known around the world, there's no doubt about it. Of course, La Paz has much more to offer its residents and tourists, but the beaches are a powerful magnet drawing more and more people to this paradise each year. It's no wonder, really; the most incredible images I saw before visiting La Paz were of Balandra, the beach many consider to be the flagship of this city. It's impossible not to see an image of Balandra and not be overwhelmed with the desire to set foot on its sands and dive into its waters. In this article, we will talk specifically about the beaches of La Paz, why they are so unique, and what sets them apart from other Mexican destinations.
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Sun, Sand, and Endless Fun
La Paz has beaches that the whole family can enjoy, whether children, youth, adults, or grandparents. The softness of the sand and the serenity of its waters will make the whole family want to dive in. Of course, you should take general precautions like not venturing too far into the sea, not swimming right after eating, and other common-sense measures, don’t you think? With this, I mean to say that there is no need to be overly cautious, because these beaches are so calm in every sense that you’ll never have to worry about things like sharks or other marine animals while you swim and enjoy the incredible Sea of Cortez with your family. Don’t get me wrong, it’s quite normal to swim among the rich marine life of La Paz; in fact, it's the most normal thing to swim among fish at any of its beaches. They are curious and seem not to know shyness because they always approach, they are very beautiful, and all you have to do is enjoy them and avoid bothering them, especially if they are puffer fish, which are among the most curious I’ve seen around here. There’s always the odd joker who wants to catch one and all they end up doing is making them inflate with all their spines ready to defend themselves. It’s embarrassing, but fortunately, the few times it has happened, people around them almost shout to let the fish go and leave it in peace.
Apart from the wildlife, the sunny—and indeed they are sunny—beaches of La Paz can offer two opposite experiences: serenity or fun. To achieve this, you need to know which beach to visit based on your personal mood. For instance, if you're looking for fun and water sports, Tecolote is undoubtedly the choice—an expansive beach filled with water activities, both motorized and non-motorized, and plenty of service options and restaurants, just 25 minutes from La Paz. On the other hand, if it's peace and quiet you seek, I’ll definitely go to my favorite beach, Caimancito, where I know I can find both. And of course, if I wish to fill my eyes with beautiful natural scenes, Balandra is the natural choice. Naturally, at the beaches of La Paz, the sun is always a significant presence, sometimes more intense than others but always framing our visits to this paradise. One thing I always recommend is to watch out for the sun, so no matter what, you should wear a hat during the day. You'll thank me later. There are many more beaches, of course, but the point I want to emphasize is that the beaches of La Paz each have something different to offer. Later, I'll present a table of the main beaches in this city so you can visualize what each one has to offer.
La Paz provides the beaches, the visitors bring the fun. This is because, although some beaches are more entertaining than others, all of them offer essential elements for us and our families to have fun, starting with the safety of this city, the calm sea that allows everyone to swim without problems, the availability of kayaks and snorkels, or the soft sand to play with. These beaches deliver what they promise: sun, sand, and fun.
Fall Magic by the Sea
As I've mentioned in other articles, the first time I visited La Paz, over 10 years ago, I decided to come in the spring. I was excited to finally see the place my parents had chosen for their retirement, where there was always a beach nearby and where the sun shone brightly all day long. Naively, I thought the water would be warm—because it's a beach in Mexico, right? Big mistake, my parents had warned me, but you know how it is, sometimes we don't listen to the wise advice they give us. The water was very cold; the first thing I did when I went swimming at Balandra was to have a coughing fit because of the cold water. Maybe I should have suspected something since I was the only one getting into the sea, but I did it anyway, and boy, was it cold!
I really like to share this anecdote, especially with those who are visiting La Paz for the first time, to dispel the Hollywood stereotype that it's always hot in Mexico throughout the year (by the way, nothing here looks like it's seen through the yellow filter of the movies LOL) and to explain the reality. La Paz is in the northwest of Mexico, way too far from the Mexican Caribbean with which we associate the beaches of this beautiful country, so the weather here is quite different.
Then the charm of autumn in La Paz means one thing: the weather is the best of the year! The sun is not as intense as in the summer, where for many it can be too much, but the water remains warm, and that’s when the beaches and the city itself are most enjoyable because now it's possible to walk around without feeling the intense dry heat of La Paz. Even so, wearing a hat and sunscreen is always a must, but the weather is no longer intensely hot and becomes much more pleasant. It is undoubtedly the best time to visit this city and its beaches. And as for winter and spring, the weather does get colder than the rest of the year, obviously, but the water is just very cold; in fact, the only safe way to get in is with wetsuits. So, the charm of autumn makes living or visiting La Paz even more beautiful.
Ultimate Guide to La Paz Beaches
As I've mentioned before, all the beaches in La Paz are truly beautiful and each offers something different, but what makes them unique and distinct is: the peacefulness of their waters, their safety, the gentleness of their waves, and how enjoyable they are for everyone in the family (even the dogs or cats), not to mention the amazing natural landscapes and the incredible sunsets they provide. I know words might not be enough to convey what these beaches are like, you have to come and see for yourselves to verify that my words are true. These beaches are for everyone, each with its own unique characteristics, of course. Below is a list of the beaches in La Paz, with a brief comment and a link to read the full article about each. These are only the beaches about which we have already written an article. I know there are several more, and as soon as I have more time, I will write the corresponding articles and expand this list.
- Caimancito Beach, a Small Hidden Paradise:
It's not the biggest beach, nor the most spectacular, nor the most untouched. It doesn't have the beauty of Balandra (Oh my God, Balandra!) or the spectacular vibe of Tecolote or the breathtaking landscapes of La Ventana, nor is it a natural pool like Pichilingue. So, why is it my number one, why do I adore it? Simple, it's small, hidden, and cozy, it's just adorable! Continue reading...
- Balandra Beach, a stunning beauty:
I know Balandra is the most well-known beach in this beautiful city, both in Mexico and the rest of the world. It's often said to be the most beautiful beach in the world, and to me and the people of La Paz, it seems so (although I haven't seen the whole world) because of its untouched natural beauty, its iconic mushroom-shaped rock, the surrounding hills, the crystal-clear waters, and the softness of its sand, all of which contribute significantly to its esteemed status. Continue reading...
- La Ventana Beach, Breathtaking Landscapes:
The beach with the most spectacular landscape here in La Paz. I simply haven't found the right words to express what it feels like to be there, seeing its landscapes, the beach, the sky, and Isla Cerralvo imposingly before our eyes. This beach is located 40 minutes from La Paz and is the farthest in this top 5, but it's worth every minute to get there. Moreover, the drive is extremely pleasant, on a spectacular highway in excellent condition, surrounded by desert landscapes, reminding us that La Paz is truly an oasis, a spectacular oasis in the middle of a desert. We who live here and those who visit are truly fortunate. By the way, I consider this beach an exception for family swimming, due to the wind and the more intense sea. While there are areas where you can swim without any problems, there are other spots where it might be a better idea to just appreciate the beauty of the scenery. It’s not dangerous at all, but it’s not as calm as the others. Continue reading...
- Pichilingue Beach, an incredible natural pool:
A genuine natural pool right here in La Paz... Pichilingue. It's a small but incredible beach, a beautiful spot where the waves are so tiny they're hardly noticeable (I'm not exaggerating), allowing all family members to swim safely, even surrounded by beautiful, brightly colored fish that are not at all shy and come close to people (though they quickly swim away if you try to touch them). This makes it one of my favorite worry-free swimming spots. Plus, it has restaurants (with well-maintained restrooms) where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content, all day long as you enjoy this massive natural pool that the Creator and nature have gifted us. Continue reading...
- Tecolote beach, sun, fun and family:
I've always thought that Tecolote is the most fun beach in La Paz. It's enormous, and its crystal-clear waters allow for endless water activities, including motorized ones. Moreover, the vibe here aligns perfectly with Mexican fun. There are many restaurants, sometimes with live music (the beach is so large that it's never bothersome), all under a spectacular sky and natural landscape with the imposing Isla del Espiritu Santo in front of us. It's a family-friendly and relaxed atmosphere that allows for plenty of worry-free fun. This is number 4 on my list of favorite beaches. Continue reading...
- Coromuel, the most popular beach in La Paz:
Coromuel Beach is by far the most popular beach for the residents of La Paz and a destination that travelers must definitely visit when in this city. It is a small beach divided in two by a pier that serves both as a spot for fishing or simply for appreciating the beauty of La Paz and taking lots of photographs. The wave action is minimal, as it is with practically all the beaches around here, and the waters are always calm, making it quite common for this to be the beach where many children from La Paz take their first swimming lessons taught by their parents, creating beautiful memories that truly last a lifetime. Continue reading...
- The beach at the Malecon in La Paz:
There's a beach that's within the urban landscape of La Paz and is an inseparable part of it, creating an urban scenery unimaginable in other cities around the world. I'm referring, of course, to the beach at the Malecon in La Paz, which as its name suggests, is located side by side with the Malecon of this beautiful city. It's undoubtedly the closest beach to La Paz simply because it's within the city itself, and reaching it poses no challenge because in this city, the Malecon is the center of urban life, where things happen. Continue reading...
Beach Ratings: Amenities and Services
Well, we've reached the part where I will present a table to show some of the most important features of each beach. I will use a scale from 0 to 100 for this. If there is an 'X', it means that specific feature is not present at that beach. For space and user-friendly web design reasons, the table is divided into two parts.
| Beach | Accessibility | Food and Drink | Restrooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balandra | 70 | X | 70 |
| Coromuel | 95 | 80 | 40 |
| Caimancito | 90 | X | 100 |
| Malecon Beach | 100 | 100 | 80 |
| Ventana | 60 | X | 60 |
| Pichilingue | 75 | 90 | 75 |
| Tecolote | 85 | 100 | 70 |
| Beach | Services | Swimming | Landscapes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balandra | 90 | 100 | 100 |
| Coromuel | 95 | 95 | 75 |
| Caimancito | X | 100 | 90 |
| Malecon Beach | 100 | 80 | 85 |
| Ventana | X | 65 | 100 |
| Pichilingue | 80 | 100 | 80 |
| Tecolote | 100 | 100 | 95 |
Accessibility: I am referring to the proximity from the Malecon in La Paz and whether there are any access restrictions ( Balandra has restrictions).
Food and Drink: I am talking about the variety and taste of the food and beverages available at these beaches.
Restrooms: I refer to the availability, quality, and cleanliness of the restrooms at these beaches.
Services: I am referring to the availability of rental items, for water sports or tours, among other things.
Swimming: I mean whether swimming is pleasant, safe, and the cleanliness of the waters.
Landscapes: I refer to the natural beauty of the beaches.
Insider Tips for the Perfect Beach Day
Most, if not all of us, have been to the beach, right? So, we know the basic recommendations for being there—you know, things like respecting the sea, don't swim too far, use sunscreen, don't eat in the sea, don't chase that seagull, among others. These are excellent recommendations and certainly apply to the beaches of La Paz. Let me also give you a short list with some tips from someone who has lived here for years, like me, so you can have the perfect beach day.
- Always use these:
Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. No matter the season, the sun in La Paz never fails to remind us that this city is in the desert.
- Watch your time outside:
Especially in summer, I don’t recommend being on the streets between 12 and 4 PM; on a beach with fresh water nearby, sure, but on the street, with concrete and buildings, I don't think so.
- Stay hydrated:
Temperatures here can be high, so always stay hydrated. The people of La Paz know and do this; they understand that if they don't, they can have a really bad time.
- Mind the dates:
If you prefer to avoid crowded beaches, try to avoid going on the 15th and 30th or 31st of the month, which are payday in Mexico and the beaches tend to be busier as people look for relaxation.
- Follow the recommendations, especially at Balandra:
At Balandra, for example, there’s a manta ray season, and when you access the beach, you receive simple instructions to avoid an encounter with them. It’s also important at this beach to be cautious with the tides in the afternoons; for more details see this article. Balandra Beach, a stunning beauty.
- Don’t bother the fish:
As I’ve mentioned before, the fish here are very curious and swim among or close to people, but that doesn’t mean we can grab them. Let them be, they are in their home, and you are a visitor.
- Don’t litter:
These beaches are quite clean, and anyone littering will draw attention in the worst way.
- Be respectful of people and customs:
This always applies but even more so when we are in a foreign country, among people who mostly do not speak our language and should not be expected to. So, be cool.
- Use common sense:
This always helps in any situation.
This isn’t so much a tip as it is a recommendation. If you're traveling to Cabo San Lucas, come swim in La Paz. I know it's two hours away, but it's worth it. I mean, Cabo is beautiful, its beaches are spectacular, and it has many incredible activities, but with a few exceptions of small and hidden beaches, the beaches there are not for swimming; it really is dangerous to do so there, the current is very strong and the waves are not at all friendly to people. The complete opposite of La Paz, where the virtually non-existent current in its waters and ridiculously small waves will make your beach experience an incredible lifelong memory.
In conclusion, the beaches of La Paz are truly unique and unforgettable. What I love most about them is the calmness of their waters, how safe you feel swimming in them, and the incredible natural landscapes that surround them. Additionally, it's worth acknowledging the friendliness and warmth of the Mexicans (the vast majority at least) towards visitors; they truly enjoy making you feel at home. Here, I'd like to mention something: the tranquility of La Paz is found in its beaches and seas, in the city, and in its people. I have always said that one of the factors that make this place a safe haven in Mexico is the calm nature of its people, which is reflected in the city. But honestly, I feel that this calm demeanor is a reflection of the natural surroundings that the residents of La Paz live with, because we are shaped by what we see and what surrounds us. So, if a person grows up surrounded by natural beauty and peaceful, friendly beaches... why wouldn't they have a similar disposition?
To see more incredible pictures, go to the Pinterest board for this article: Click
Tastes of La Paz.