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La Paz is just what it advertises:
peaceful!
La Paz (meaning peace in Spanish) can trace its history back
10,000 years, thanks to the cave paintings left by hunter-gatherers.
Hernan Cortez landed here, John Steinbeck waxed poetic about it, and La
Paz has always been an important trading point in the Sea of Cortez.
Today, this modern city is home to a bustling population, but with a
warm, welcoming heart. People here are relaxed and pleasant. Life is
peaceful, sociable and enjoys one of the highest standards of living in
Mexico. With over 300 sunny days a year and tremendous natural beauty,
it’s no wonder that paceñas (the people of La Paz) are so friendly!
The city itself feels much more like mainland
Mexico than most places in Baja Sur. You won’t find the kind of
overwhelming tourism you might find in other parts of Los Cabos. Here,
locals and visitors intermingle side by side, and tourism is a quiet but
respectable business.
Smart city planning led to the construction of
the malecon, or boardwalk, the heart of La Paz. Spanning over five
kilometers (that’s over three miles), the boardwalk meanders along the
sea and is a popular place for running, cycling, rollerblading, or
taking a pleasant evening stroll. This is a place where people meet and
greet each other, an artery that keeps the lifeblood of La Paz pumping.
Shops, restaurants, bars and cafes line the malecon, and small vendors
sell crafts and jewelry. In the evenings, this is the place to go, as
families, couples and friends take advantage of the balmy climate to
enjoy the gentle sea breezes. In this community you’re more than just a
turista, you’re an amigo.
If you find yourself strolling down the malecon,
you’ll immediately notice the placid waters and a few impressive islands
in the distance. One of them is Isla Espiritu Santo, a UNESCO
biological preserve and home to Ensenada Grande beach (consistently
rated among the top beaches in the world). Interested in checking it
out? A number of tour companies and outfitters offer organized tours
and trips to the islands, including a growing number of conservation
trips to help protect the wildlife found on these and other nearby
islands. Camping on the islands is popular with paceñas, and you can do
like the locals do: bring a cooler, a sleeping bag and sleep under the
stars.
La Paz is an important port for the Sea of
Cortez, and is a major connecting point to mainland Mexico. There’s the
ferry service that connects La Paz to Mazatlan and Los Mochis on the
mainland. Los Mochis is also the final stopping point for the Chepe
railway, the line that connects the Copper Canyon in the state of
Chihuahua to the ocean. A great Mexican adventure begins in La Paz,
crosses the sea of Cortez, and takes the rail line all the way to the
towering peaks of the canyon (or vice versa, depending on your travel
plans). La Paz has an international airport, with direct flights to the
United States. It’s also an easy place to fly into mainland Mexico,
with flights connecting you to destinations throughout the republic.
If you’re itching to get into the water, La Paz
gives you a number of options to satisfy your cravings. You’ll find
fantastic kayaking, snorkeling and swimming at the beaches up the coast
from the city, namely Balandra and Tecolote. Here, crystalline beaches
are framed by towering hillsides draped in cactus, and the waist-high
water stretches languidly into the Sea of Cortez. These are great
beaches for children, too, since the water is usually peaceful, tranquil
and shallow (also great for budding shell collectors!). Divers will
rejoice at the fertile waters gracing the shores of La Paz, with
millions of fish and sea creatures to spy. And while surf is in short
supply on this end of the peninsula (except for an occasional swell),
you’ll find some of the best windsurfing and kite boarding in the world
just south of La Paz, at La Ventana.
Los Cabos often gets a reputation for being a
glamorous destination, while La Paz can be written off as “relaxed.”
However, you will find a healthy dose of “the good life” around La Paz,
and a bit of sparkle as well. La Paz is home to a growing number of
upscale communities, including brand-new marinas and a Gary Player
signature golf course. Development in La Paz is on the rise, but with a
focus on maintaining the feeling of tranquility and peace that makes
this a special place. You can shop, dine on fantastic food, and enjoy a
drink in style here. Yachting, fishing, golfing and (of course)
fantastic sunsets help make La Paz one of the ten best places to retire,
according to one popular publication.
Safety is a common concern for visitors, but rest
assured that La Paz is one of the safest cities in Mexico.
Statistically speaking, the Baja peninsula is safer than most American
and Canadian cities. You’ll see a lot of people walking around at
night, and most visitors and residents from abroad feel safe throughout
the city. If you should run into any trouble, there are a number of
fine medical facilities, and you can easily find English-speaking
doctors and dentists. Most people in the service industry speak
English, and you’ll find that most locals speak at least a little
English (which will help while you work on your Spanish). There’s no
need to be afraid, or on edge here…relax! Remember, it’s called La Paz
for a reason!
Peace is waiting for you. There’s more to Baja
beyond Los Cabos, and many visitors find an unexpected treasure in La
Paz. The beauty of the place and the warmth of the people: you’ll find
La Paz is hard to forget once you’ve experienced it. Whether it’s a new
exploration, a jumping off point for your next adventure, or a resting
place after a long journey, you’ll soon understand why people have been
visiting La Paz for over 500 years. Take a break, relax and discover La
Paz.