4-Day La Paz, Mexico Itinerary for Outside Lovers – Bearfoot Principle

La Paz, Mexico appears like an off-the-beaten-track vacation spot, however outside fanatics have been coming to this beautiful capital metropolis for ages. Located on the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, La Paz shouldn’t be solely dwelling to Mexico’s most stunning seashores, but it surely’s additionally the right leaping level for thus many exhilarating adventures.

In simply 4 quick days, you’ll be able to swim with whale sharks and sea lions, soak in sizzling springs, bathe under waterfalls, surf some Pacific waves, and spend a day on the seaside.

This La Paz itinerary relies on my expertise road-tripping round Baja California Sur, with La Paz as my dwelling base. La Paz was my final cease on a three-month journey round Mexico.

I rapidly fell in love with the realm’s rugged magnificence and allure. Although Baja is understood to draw a variety of Individuals (each vacationers and expats), La Paz itself feels up to now faraway from the craziness of vacationer hubs like close by Cabo San Lucas.

The town is Baja California Sur’s capital and its identify means “the peace” in Spanish. Locals name themselves “pazians” (peace individuals in English) and La Paz actually exudes peace regardless of its measurement. Life is sluggish, locals are heat, and pure magnificence abounds. I hope you get pleasure from La Paz as a lot as I did.

Uncover this better of the area with this 4-day adventure-packed La Paz itinerary.

The place is La Paz?

La Paz is the capital metropolis of Baja California Sur and is positioned on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula about 2.5 hours north of Cabo San Lucas. La Paz is on the Gulf of California facet the place the water is extra calm than the Pacific facet.

This La Paz itinerary works completely for people flying into San José del Cabo because it begins and ends with adventures midway between Cabo and La Paz. It additionally works in case you fly into La Paz or are arriving by way of automotive as a result of the day journeys are simply an hour or two away from La Paz.

Here’s a map of the route with all the factors of curiosity for this 4-day La Paz itinerary.

Acquired further time to spare? Think about doing a full Baja street journey – a very talked-about route for van lifers within the winter. You’ll be able to drive all thew approach down from San Diego to La Paz.

4-Day La Paz Itinerary

You will want a automotive for days one and 4, although you’ll be able to simply swap these outings for extra native adventures.

As all the time, be happy to regulate this itinerary as a lot as you’d like. On the finish of this information, I point out another issues to do in La Paz so you’ll be able to simply add or subtract no matter pursuits you most!

Day 1: Scorching Springs and Waterfalls

Day one adventures happen within the Sierra Laguna mountains close to the small city of Santiago, the place desert terrain meets crystal-clear mountain streams and piping-hot pure springs. 

Conveniently positioned 1.5 hours from Cabo and a pair of hours from La Paz, so you’ll be able to both cease in Santiago throughout a drive between Cabo and La Paz or simply take a day journey from La Paz.

Many sights within the Sierra Laguna are on personal property, most hikes are usually not nicely documented, and telephone service is minimal, so it’s vital to plan forward. Additionally, you’ll need some water footwear or sturdy sandals and produce loads of water and a few on-the-go snacks!

Word: For touring in Mexico, I like to recommend the Grayl Ultrapress Air purifier water bottle. It permits you to safely purify water from the faucet (or from streams), so you’ll be able to keep away from shopping for and and utilizing so many plastic water bottles.

I like to recommend splitting your time in Santiago between the Santa Rita Scorching Springs and Sol de Mayo Waterfall hike. Each are positioned on well-established personal ranches which are used to welcoming guests (although few worldwide vacationers make it to those spots).

The 2 ranches are about twenty-five minutes aside, and are each about twenty minutes from the middle of Santiago, on a dusty dust street. You don’t want 4WD to drive on this street however count on some bumps. We drove it in a Toyota Corolla rental automotive with no points.

Begin on the Santa Rita Scorching Springs, positioned a five-minute stroll from the parking zone of Rancho Santa Rita. After paying a small entrance payment to the rancher (carry money!), head down the pathway, passing the picnic tables. 

The recent springs are positioned throughout the small bridge. In entrance of the bridge, you’ll discover a refreshingly cool stream. Change between the new springs and the cool stream, and ensure to swim up the stream the place a small waterfall is positioned.

Subsequent, head to Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo, the place you’ll discover the beautiful Sol de Mayo Waterfall. After you park and pay the doorway payment, the rancher will direct you to the path. Catch gorgeous views of the river and waterfall above earlier than strolling about 10 minutes all the way down to the bottom of the falls.

Don’t miss swimming within the calm swimming pools beneath the waterfall and revel in a snack earlier than heading again to Santiago, then to La Paz. Think about stopping at Los Barriles for a seaside dinner, or maintain your urge for food and revel in one in all La Paz’s eating places.

Tip: Some fundamental Spanish goes a good distance in rural Mexico. Although you’ll be able to actually discover Santiago and La Paz with out talking Spanish, I like to recommend memorizing just a few fundamental phrases and phrases forward of time. As all the time, present respect and gratitude to locals as you discover their personal ranches.

Day 2: La Paz’s World-Well-known Seashores

No journey to La Paz is full with no seaside day. Most visits to La Paz focus on seeing Playa Balandra, which has been referred to as probably the most stunning seaside in Mexico.

Whereas Balandra Seaside is actually price visiting, I like to recommend planning on visiting different La Paz seashores as nicely, since Balandra can get crowded and has strict opening hours.  

As of November 2023, Playa Balandra sometimes opens from 8am-12pm, closes for an hour, after which opens once more from 1pm-5pm. Entry is restricted and guests are required to depart for the one-hour break every day at midday. 

Plan to arrive at 8am to make sure entry and profit from your time. Most La Paz eating places and occasional retailers aren’t open early, so make breakfast at your lodge. Think about additionally packing a lunch since eating choices are very restricted round most La Paz seashores. 

Convey a good solar hat, a packable seaside towel, and doubtlessly a pair of footwear to stroll in. At Playa Balandra you’ll be able to hike up the cliffs to see the bay from above, hire kayaks to discover the coves and mangroves, hike to close by Playa El Tecolote, and stroll to the well-known “mushroom rock”. 

After spending the morning at Balandra, head to a different close by seaside to get pleasure from lunch, lounge on the shore, and wade within the calm, shallow water. My private advice is Playa El Tesoro, a surprising seaside between downtown La Paz and Balandra with a chill, native vibe, and a seaside bar/restaurant. 

After just a few cervezas or margaritas, head again to city for dinner and a sundown stroll alongside the La Paz Malecon (waterfront boardwalk).

Tip: For those who don’t have a automotive, you may get to Playa Balandra by way of bus, DiDi, Uber, however make sure you determine your return journey forward of time. You can even e book a tour which incorporates mountaineering, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Day 3: Swimming with Whale Sharks and a Sundown Hike

For those who go to La Paz between October and April, you’ll have the chance to swim with whale sharks within the Sea of Cortez. This once-in-a-lifetime expertise is facilitated by native ecotourism firms and strictly regulated by the native authorities. 

You should definitely e book a whale shark boat tour with a good firm forward of time for the reason that quantity of individuals and boats is restricted every day. 

For those who go to outdoors of whale shark season or choose to swim with a unique marine species, you’ll be able to go on a boat tour to Isla Espiritu Santo, which incorporates snorkeling with sea lions. Simply bear in mind that you could not bounce within the water with the ocean lions throughout their breeding season, July by August. 

As well as, some tour firms supply combo excursions that embody swimming with whale sharks and sea lions in at some point!

Most excursions embody lunch and return to La Paz within the early afternoon. Be certain that to pack some reef-safe sunscreen, and I additionally advocate sporting a rashgaurd whilst you’re snorkeling to maintain the solar off your again.

Seize an early dinner and an hour earlier than sundown, head to the Estación de Servicio Repsol fuel station, only a few minutes north of downtown La Paz. The fuel station is actually the trailhead for the Cerro de la Calavera hike.

There are a number of routes to the beautiful Cerro de la Calavera viewpoint, which overlooks town and bay. Probably the most direct route is what locals really useful to me, and it takes lower than twenty minutes a method. Nevertheless, one other route recorded on AllTrails is 3.8 miles roundtrip.

No matter route you select, certain you’ve close-toed trails footwear and water. A headlamp (or telephone flashlight) can be useful for the hike again down. When you attain the highest, make sure you watch the sundown and snap just a few photographs. 

Day 4: Exploring La Paz and Todos Santos

Spend your final morning in La Paz exploring town. Among the greatest issues to do in La Paz Centro embody:

• Be taught in regards to the indigenous tribes of Baja California on the Museum of Anthropology and Historical past
• Go to the Whale Museum
• Try Mexican people artwork within the Museum of Artwork Baja California Sur (free)
• Chill on the La Paz Malecon seaside
• Seek for town’s beautiful murals and avenue artwork
• Wander by the Velasco Backyard and the primary sq. of La Paz

Everytime you’re prepared, bounce within the automotive and drive simply over one hour to the Pacific surf city of Todos Santos. For those who’re flying out of Los Cabos Worldwide Airport, pack all your baggage within the automotive since Todos Santos is on the way in which again to Cabo. In any other case, deal with it as a day journey.

Seize lunch at Alma y Many’s earlier than exploring the colourful streets of Todos Santos. You should definitely stroll just a few blocks away to the Lodge California, which can or could not have impressed the well-known Eagles music.

Wander by the close by Cielito Lindo Market, which options native artisans. Cease in native boutiques and surf retailers, and get a peek on the beautiful Iglesia Mision Todos Santos and essential sq.. 

Subsequent, head twenty minutes down the street to Cerritos Seaside, which is called one of many greatest surf spots in Baja. The surf at Cerritos is often appropriate for newbie surfers and surfboards will be rented proper on the seaside. 

For those who don’t surf, simply chill out on the seaside, seize a drink from the bar stall, and stroll alongside the miles-long sandy shoreline. 

In your approach again to Todos Santos, make sure you cease at 5 Tacos and a Beer for tacos… and beer! From there, you’ll be able to head again to both La Paz or Cabo. 

Finest La Paz, Mexico Motels

Since every day on this La Paz itinerary is packed stuffed with actions, you gained’t spend an excessive amount of time at your lodge. However in case you’re making an attempt to determine the place to remain in La Paz, listed below are my suggestions:

• Lodge Posada Luna Sol: This budget-friendly lodge is positioned simply steps from the seaside in La Paz’s business zone.
• Lodge & Suites El Moro: One of many highest-rated resorts in La Paz, Lodge & Suites El Moro includes a water view, a beautiful pool, and first rate costs.
• Orchid Home Baja: Within the probability you’re in search of slightly luxurious, don’t miss Orchid Home, a beautiful beachfront boutique lodge in La Paz. 

Extra Issues to Do in La Paz, Mexico

In case you have further time or wish to swap out sure actions, there are many different issues to do in and round La Paz. Listed here are another suggestions:

• Go sandboarding on the Mogote Sand Dunes
• Take a day journey to La Ventana, a country seaside city well-known for windsurfing and its sizzling springs seaside. Their Thursday Farmer’s Market is superb!
• Hire a kayak on the La Paz Malecón
• Go horseback using by the desert at an area ranch
• Go on a long-distance kayak journey
• Take a day journey to Cabo Pulmo, top-of-the-line scuba diving and snorkeling locations in Baja

Save this submit to Pinterest

Nicely, there it’s! As soon as-in-a-lifetime experiences, beautiful seashores, charming cities, and enjoyable actions all tucked into one 4-day La Paz itinerary. Get pleasure from this stunning a part of Mexico and make sure you respect native communities and clear up after your self wherever you go!

You could find extra of Annie’s work over at Your Good friend the Nomad

Associated Posts