1. Balandra Beach
This one frequently tops the list for visitors to La Paz, and for good reason. What makes this beach unique is not the clear waters or the soft white sand (check, on both counts though). What sets this one apart is actually quite simple - the quintessential tranquility of a beach, something that has long disappeared with the sprawling of all-inclusive beach resorts around the world. More on that in a bit.
Balandra Beach is a large circular bay that is protected from the open ocean. While the downside is that you won't experience those wild, crashing waves that will make you grab on to your shorts, the calm, still, clear waters also means you really don't have to be too concerned with drifting away. The water also barely gets deeper than 4 feet at its deepest point, which makes it ideal for all ages.
This is about as 'crowded' as it gets
Balandra Beach
Balandra Beach
Balandra Beach
The 'main' beach is lined with a few umbrellas, but even that little bit of developmental contamination is absent when you make your way out to one of the beaches across the bay. You can rent a kayak to get to the other side, but you might find even that unnecessary once you start paddling - it's a lost easier to just walk across in the knee-deep waters, which may rise all the way up to your waist in the middle of the bay. Once you get there, this awaits you.
One of the beaches on Playa Balandra
Remember that tranquility thing I mentioned? Well, if you thought the main beach was nice and quite for your taste, you're in for a real treat at one of these beaches across from it. Not exactly like it, but think along the lines of Tom Hanks in the movie Cast Away.
An empty beach across the bay at Balandra
An empty beach across the bay at Balandra
Another thing I should highlight about Balandra Beach is the location. As mentioned earlier, this is not a resort beach. In fact, there is no hotel or resort anywhere near the beach, which largely contributes to the serenity here. So you cannot roll out of your hotel bed and lay on the beach, but you do get to visit a beach that is protected from commercial development, something that is hard to come by anymore. And if that's not enough, getting there can also be a lot of fun.
Drive to Balandra Beach
Drive to Balandra Beach
Drive to Balandra Beach
2. Dive
I cannot talk this one up enough. I'd say this really is the top attraction in La Paz, but it also requires that you be scuba-certified. That is not always the case with travelers, and hence this attraction's #2 position on my list. But if you are able to get some diving in, La Paz has a lot to offer - corals, fish, turtles, wrecks, sea lions, and whale sharks.
I managed to get a two days of diving on this visit. You can read more about Day 1 of diving and here's a school of Yellow-tailed Surgeonfish. Read more.
Yellow-tailed Surgeonfish
Day 2 of diving was at Los Islotes, where the sea lion pups get quite playful with divers. Read more.
Play with Sea Lions at Los Islotes
3. Snorkel
If you're not a certified scuba diver, fret not. A lot of this can be enjoyed from the surface of the water. Dive shops generally cater to all skill levels, and so is the case here in La Paz. You can experience the same interactions with the sea lions as a snorkeler. And when it comes to whale sharks, there is no diving allowed here anyway. So you'll be snorkeling next to them instead.
Snorkel next to these gentle giants
4. Explore the town
A scroll along the Malecón in downtown La Paz gets a lot of attention, and rightfully so. The waterfront walk presents beautiful views of the sea on one side and the town's lively scene filled with restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops on the other. An equally satisfying experience is a drive along Highway 11, which runs alongside the Malecón in downtown, before extending its way to Balandra Beach to the north. Here are some of the views on the drive.
Drive on Highway 11 in La Paz
Drive on Highway 11 in La Paz
Drive on Highway 11 in La Paz
When you make it into town, La Paz has its share of history and the Catedral BasilicaMenor de Nuestra Senora de la Paz, or simply La Paz Cathedral, is part of that history. It is located in the center of town and on a weekday afternoon, parking was a breeze.
La Paz Cathedral
One of the things I like to do when I visit a new place is to just wander around in ordinary, everyday places - places that aren't known for restaurants, museums, or any attraction whatsoever. You know, places that normally won't show up when searching for "Things to do in X". It's just nice change of pace and a break from the traveling pressures of "must dos". So if you want to get a feel for what La Paz looks like without makeup, just stroll down (or drive) through the streets of the town.
Streets of La Paz
Streets of La Paz
5. Eat Fresh Seafood
With a sea on one side and an ocean on the other, the Baja Peninsula is not shy about showing off her culinary wealth through seafood. You'll find anything from fancy sit-down restaurants to a down-to-earth joints around street corners. Dinner one night was at Mariscos Bismarkcito, where we enjoyed some incredible Ceviche and lobster.
Ceviche
Lobster stuffed pablano peppers
And now to the aforementioned down-to-earth place. Just a short stroll from La Paz Cathedral on Independencia, you'll find Tacos de Pescado, a modest establishment in a quiet neighborhood, serving fresh fish and shrimp tacos.
Tacos de Pescado
The cashier takes your order and the cook prepares your taco while you watch.
Watch your taco being made
You're handed a naked taco, which you can dress to your heart's content at the self-serve toppings station.
Self-serve toppings
The result - a fish tach for 20 pesos.
Fish taco. 20 pesos.
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