About La Paz & Baja
Cosmopolitan La Paz is a mix of laid-back, old-world beauty and chichi upscale trends. It’s surprisingly international – you’re as likely to hear French, Portuguese, or Italian here as English or Spanish – and yet paradoxically it’s the most ‘Mexican’ city in all of Baja. The beachside malecón, superb restaurants, and funky stores make it a great place to meander and you can shop uninterrupted by touts’ invitations. The city makes a good base for day trips to Cabo Pulmo and Todos Santos, and there’s a lively, long-term expat community. With several large education institutions, La Paz has the feel of an American college town, with the bulk of studies focused on marine biology and tourism.
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History
La Paz was inhabited by native Indians prior to the arrival of the Spanish in 1535. Unfortunately the only trace left of these Indians is their magnificent rock art, which can be found dotted around the peninsula. On the 3rd of May 1535, the famous explorer Hernán Cortés arrived in the bay of La Paz and named the city Santa Cruz. In 1596 Sebastián Vizcaíno arrived and gave the town its modern name. La Paz is featured in the John Steinbeck novel The Pearl (1947) and mentioned extensively in his travelogue The Log from the Sea of Cortez (1951). |
Climate
La Paz has a desert climate and is typically dry, warm, and sunny with temperatures averaging between 24 and 33° C (75 and 91° F). Summer months (July–September) are typically between 34 and 36° C (93 and 97° F) and can be humid. The winter months (December–February) are the coldest with temperatures dropping below 15° C (59° F) at night, but mostly range from 20 to 25° C (68 to 77° F). Breezes from the Bahía de La Paz keep the temperature moderate. The bay also acts as a barrier against seasonal storms in the Sea of Cortez. La Paz averages over 300 days of sunshine annually. Rainfall is minimal at most times of year, although erratic downpours can occur. Rain tends to be concentrated in a short, slightly rainier season that peaks in August and September, following the pattern of the North American monsoon. The driest season occurs March through June, when the region can be completely free of rain. During the summer the cooling Coromuel winds, a weather phenomenon unique to the La Paz area, blow during the night from the Pacific over the peninsula and into the Bay of La Paz. As with most of the Gulf of California, the temperature of the water changes substantially over the course of the year, with temperatures around 20° C (68° F) during winter and around 30° C (85° F) during summer months. |
Getting Here
Coming from North America |
Coming from Southern California - Border Crossing |
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Coming from North America (USA or Canada) we recommend flying into Los Cabos International Airport (airport code SJD). With over 140 flights a day from carriers like American Airlines, United Airlines, South West, Alaska, US Airways, West Jet, Sun Quest, Delta, flying to Los Cabos offers the most flexibility. As a result, Los Cabos is becoming the number one option for travellers wishing to visit La Paz from North America. We recommend the shuttle service offered by Eco Baja Tours. This two-hour service from Los Cabos delivers you directly to La Paz in an air conditioned, luxury van with bi-lingual drivers and Internet access. Shuttle prices start at $35 American dollars, one way. If you require a more personalized service, just email us and we’ll be happy to organise your pick-up and transfer.
Flying from EuropeComing from Europe allows you to fly directly from Mexico City to La Paz with one of many modern and excellent Mexican airlines. Flights to and from La Paz from Mexico City or Guadalajara arrive at least two or three times a day. The airlines offering this service are Aeromexico, Volaris, Viva Aerobus, Interjet and Aero Califia.
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For several years now the airline Volaris has offered a flight from Tijuana to La Paz. Many of our customers from southern California and the San Diego area find this quick and easy flight offers incredible value. When visiting California, this is how the Cortez Expeditions team travels. Crossing the border using the new bridge! It is amazing. Check out the bridge information here. You can also read about one of our customers experiences using the bridge here on Trip Advisor.
DrivingDriving is another one of our preferred methods, depending on the time of year. The two-day drive from San Diego to La Paz allows you to stop and check out the famous birthing areas of the grey whale, indigenous rock art, historic Spanish missions, sleepy Mexican towns, and some of the best beaches, surf, and scenery Baja has to offer. To learn more about this drive (something we do at least 5 or 6 times a year), email us.
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Places to Stay
Cortez Expeditions is located in Marina Palmira and right on the end of La Paz´s famous boardwalk "El Malecon". A ten or fithteen minute walk from the center of town and its bars and restaurants. Car rental, grocery stores, and the beach are all within walking distance.
For those traveling with non-divers – or if you are looking for a luxury condo or all inclusive resort – there are plenty of accommodation options on the beach or around town. We have a portfolio of accommodations from $20 USD/night at hostels to $1000 USD/night suites, self catering…you name it, we have it! Email us for more info
For those traveling with non-divers – or if you are looking for a luxury condo or all inclusive resort – there are plenty of accommodation options on the beach or around town. We have a portfolio of accommodations from $20 USD/night at hostels to $1000 USD/night suites, self catering…you name it, we have it! Email us for more info
Hotels & Air BnB
La Paz has a variety of Hotels, hostels, Bed & Breakfast, Self catering apartments, villas and Air BnB options. We work closely with a few hotels and know some of the Air BnB locations. If you are looking for something in particular and have a special request, it is best to contact us via email.