Sport Fishing
La Paz and the surrounding areas are blessed with extraordinary abundance in marine life due to its privileged geographic location. Because the most coveted species like the Striped, Blue, and Black Marlin, Dorado, Roosterfish and Yellowtail are plentiful, this area has become an international paradise for the sport fishing industry.
Along the whole coastline, from the Bay of La Paz, El Sargento and La Ventana to East Cape, including Los Barriles and even farther south, sport fishing is an activity that attracts tourists from all over the world. The fishermen participate in annual tournaments, such as the Bisbee Fishing Tournament taking place during the month of September, with hundreds competing for the first prize.
The fishing fleets that service the area of La Paz are also found in Los Barriles, including yachts and cruise ships completely equipped with experienced captains who know where you will find the biggest fish.
If you prefer lightweight fishing, a couple of hundred yards away from the coastline, or even from the shore, you can find a beautiful catch from shallow areas, finishing the day with a delicious dinner.
But whatever your preference, you will find in La Paz all that you need to make this sport an unforgettable adventure.
Local Beaches
The beaches of La Paz are are among its main
attractions, all extremely beautiful, with shallow slopes and soft white sand. The best ones for sun tanning are found along the highway to Pichilingue. Some of these beaches include services with “palapa” rentals (shade made from palm tree fronds), restrooms, restaurants, bars, and aquatic sport rentals.
One of the closest beaches to the city is Coromuel Beach. This beach has all the services anyone may need to have a wonderful time. A restaurant, restrooms and plenty of parking are available to accommodate all its visitors. Coromuel beach is located on the Carretera Transpeninsular Km 4 right next to the highway.
Another very popular beach in the area is Tesoro Beach. This beach is also located on the Carretera Transpeninsular, one mile away from Pichilinge Port. It is an excellent spot for the whole family to enjoy without worries about tides and currents. Because the water at Tesoro is shallow, it provides children the prefect opportunity to play safely in the water.
Pichilinge is the name of La Paz’s commercial port and home of another popular and well-visited beach. Visitors can enjoy a great seafood restaurant while the rest of the family plays in the ocean or delights themselves with the beautiful sunsets. Pichilinge beach is the perfect place to enjoy a full day at the beach with your family.
Near and at the end of the Transpeninsular Highway are the two most visited beaches in the area, Balandra and El Tecolote. Balandra is without a doubt the most photographed beach in the state due to the well-known Balandra Cup, one on the most impressive creations of Mother Nature. This is also an excellent spot to enjoy the peace and serenity that La Paz offers. Beyond Balandra is El Tecolote beach, the most visit beach in the area. El Tecolote has all the recreation services that you and your family may need to enjoy a full day at the beach.
Diving Snorkeling
La Paz has earned international scuba diving fame due to sites found primarily around the islands that form part of the bay, such as Espíritu Santo Island, considered the most beautiful in the Sea of Cortes.
These dive sites include marine mountains (El Bajo at 18 mts of minimum depth, recommended for experienced divers), colonies of sea lions (Los Islotes, recommended for all levels), coral reefs (Cabo Pulmo, a natural reef very close to La Paz), nearby beaches (Punta Arenas, only one hour from the city), Cueva de Leon (located in Punta Arenas; considered one of the best places for diving) and small islands and artificial reefs (underwater ships such as the Salvatierra and two other Chinese ships that were submerged in 1999). To the north there is Las Animas, a world-class diving paradise and on Cerralvo Island, there are Hammerhead Shark caves where you can swim among these marvelous animals.
Espíritu Santo Islands are located just 25 kms from the city of La Paz. They are made up of two major islands, Espíritu Santo and La Partida, which is five times smaller than the first, three small islands, La Ballena, El Gallo and La Gallina, and four prominent rocky points, known as Los Islotes.
Kayak Surf
The best way to enjoy the natural coastline of our unique Sea of Cortes is to do it in a kayak. It is not necessary to be an athlete nor does it require experience. The waters that surround La Paz, the island and the nearby areas are calm waters that allow all to enjoy this activity.
There are special sites for swimming and snorkeling that can only be accessed with a kayak. Through a simple journey you can observe sea lions, dolphins, and gigantic manta rays jumping, in addition to a variety of tropical fish with diverse colors and coastline birds such as seagulls, pelicans, blue and brown-footed boobies, ospreys and others. Only this activity will give you the extraordinary sensation of being suspended in air because of the transparency of the water. It is an opportunity to view with a different perspective and eyes the marvelous rock formations, the caves and the small islands nearby in the county of La Paz with all its natural beauty.
For surfing lovers, La Paz offers custom-made surf, found mainly on the Pacific coastline, such as off the beaches of Pescadero and Los Cerritos that are only a few kilometers south of Todos Santos. At these destinations, lovers of the sport will practice and enjoy a wholesome environment in an unmatched landscape.
Windsurfing and kite surfing are activities that are slowly finding followers in La Paz waters. During the summer there are moderate winds, mostly in the afternoons; and in
Espritu Santo
Espíritu Santo Islands are located just 25 kms from the city of La Paz. They are made up of two major islands, Espiritu Santo and La Partida, which is five times smaller than the first, three small islands, La Ballena, El Gallo and La Gallina, and four prominent rocky points, known as Los Islotes.
Espíritu Santo Island is the closest to the Bay of La Paz and the most beautiful of all the islands found in the Sea of Cortés. The contrasts between the red, chalky rocks, the turquoise sea and its beautiful sunsets make for very impressive views.
An increasing number of tourists are visiting this series of islands due to their beautiful landscape and unique biological conditions. Tourists are drawn to Espiritu Santo islands because of their valuable conservation and the opportunity to enjoy nature under conditions of minimal human impact.
The biodiversity of this island system is impressive; at least 32 species of reptiles and 98 species of birds have been registered, besides various species of marine mammals, which can be observed along the coastline. Not only do these islands have biological importance, but they also house important archeological sites from the Pericu indigenous people.
Espíritu Santo Island has become the best place in the area to dive, snorkel, hike and camp. In addition to its abundant sea life, it has breathtaking landscape, where the turquoise sea surrounds the red rocks of the mountains. Famous for its tranquility and sunsets, this island is an ideal destination for practicing ecotourism.the winter, the wind is continual, ideal for experienced athletes in these sports.
Mountains & Camping
The true nature lovers will find opportunities around La Paz for hiking, mountain biking and camping. Just about all of the beaches in the county are excellent spots for camping. Those near the city offer more services than those farther away, with less accessibility, but you may find virgin beauty at those sites less impacted by human presence. Examples of these beaches are Punta Coyote, and San Evaristo, located 95 kms (60 mi) from El Comitan via a dirt road offering outstanding views. This same road provides access to other nearby beaches, less known to the public and with great beauty where you can camp in the shade of magnificent rock formations found on the southern part of the Sierra La Giganta.
The desert is also a great place to experience these activities. However, due to high temperatures in the summer and the fall, we recommend to try them in the winter or spring. But, for short bicycle rides or desert walks through the mountain pathways and valleys, you can take advantage of these activities throughout the year.
Another possibility is to travel through the Sierra de la Laguna. Just 30 kms (19 mi) south of Todos Santos, you can begin to observe the amazing Sierra found at the limits of the county of La Paz. This hard rock mountain, with an altitude of 2200 meters (6710 feet), was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1994 and thus you must advise the authorities before you ascend. As you get into the Sierra, the landscape drastically changes, from desert in the lower altitudes to low forest in the mid zones and in the higher area you even see conifers where the climate is very cool and precipitation and water holes are common. Ascending is slow with a steep slope and can take more than 18 hours to the top. There are several areas along the journey where you can rest and camp. You can also enter this Sierra via the east side, from the towns of Santiago and Miraflores.
It is important to maintain and leave these areas clean, minimizing human impact, so that we may visit them again and find them as beautiful as we left them.
Marine Ecology
The Sea of Cortes is considered one of the richest in flora and fauna. This aquatic arm had its origin millions of years ago, with the tectonic Pacific and North American plate movements, which, during their collisions and frictions, created the continents and Baja California peninsula. The extraordinary wealth of this ecosystem is due mainly to the sunshine, the heat, winds and marine currents, which are ingredients that in this sea -baptized by Jacques Cousteau as the biggest aquarium of the world- unite in perfect combination for sea life. Millions of species inhabit the coast that surround La Paz, from colorful invertebrates such as Sea Urchins, Anemones and Corals to Whale Sharks, gigantic Manta Rays and several species of marine mammals, not to mention peculiar fish such as Cortes Angels and Seahorses. Many of these can be observed with just a mask and snorkel.
In addition, Baja California Sur is the birthplace for Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus). Each year from January until March it is possible to see mating, birthing and breeding, mainly around Laguna Ojo de Liebre in Guerrero Negro, Laguna San Ignacio and canals within Bahía Magdalena (Puerto San Carlos y Puerto Adolfo López Mateos), which is the closest body of water to La Paz and part of the county of Comondú, accessible by a three-hour drive on the transpeninsular road north.
In the city of La Paz you can find information about marine mammals, everything from the history of these animals to impressive displays of complete Gray Whale skeletons.
Serpentarium & Aquarium
Centers that combine entertainment with environmental education are located in La Paz.
We highly recommend the visit to the Serpentarium of La Paz, located very close to the downtown area. The majority of the exhibits are found out in the open, where you will be able to observe various species of reptiles that inhabit this ecosystem, such as snakes, turtles, iguanas, lizards, and reptiles from other parts of Mexico, such as crocodiles. The purpose of the Serpentarium of La Paz is to have a place where the public can understand and learn about the importance the reptiles have in the food chain, the respect they deserve and need in nature.
Another fantastic option for a day trip will be the Aquarium, presenting the colorful residents of the waters of the Sea of Cortés, such as the Cortés Angel and the Seahorse, among hundreds of other species that will surprise the visitor with their colors and forms.
Cactus Sanctuary
The desert is a fragile ecosystem with abundant vegetation and animal life, which offer surprising treasures for those who have never had experience with deserts. High temperatures during the day, low temperatures in the night and scarce rains effect the desert life such as the adaptation of plants and animals in order to survive in an environment that we would considered hostile, but is the habitat for many species.
At first sight the desert may seem a solitary place, but when you observe it in detail for just a few moments, you discover birds such as Aura Eagles, Roadrunners, Woodpeckers, Pilgrim Falcons, Foxes and a variety of enormous insects and spiders of unique beauty.
The variety of cactae with its flowers and colorful fruits, birds and reptiles are an invitation to walk and explore this landscape which is a natural beauty, even more so after a small rain, given that part of the magic of the desert consists of how rapidly plants are grateful for water, and the complete desert flowers that shed new leaves, changing drastically in front of our eyes.
The Cactus Sanctuary is found in the Ejido El Rosario, 45 minutes on highway number one to the south towards the town of El Triunfo and then 10 minutes on a dirt road. You need to locate the center of the Ejido and its main office (la delegacion), where you can ask for the key in order to enter.
The Cactus Sanctuary is a natural reserve of 50 hectares that includes a park of 6 hectares in its initial stage. This is a exhibition of the natural life, characteristic of the desert zone of La Paz. This is an ideal site to understand this type of ecosystem; because it has more than cactus, with other plants, animals and through its marked pathways you will find self-guided tours with information about plants and animals. Because this ecosystem is very fragile, within the Sanctuary it is not permitted to remove animals, plants, or any parts of the plants, harm any living organism, to have campfires, to smoke within the perimeter or to discard trash.
Todos Santos
Leaving La Paz on Highway 1 and traveling south, turning right on the road that goes west, at 80 km (50 mi) you will find a beautiful oasis that will amaze you: Todos Santos. This Mission was called Santa Rosa de las Palmas originally and was founded in 1733 and subsequently abandoned in 1840 because there was no population. However, the Jesuits developed a very important economical project for this region: sugar cane production and harvest. This production remained into the 20th century and it generated family businesses like candy-making and bakeries.
Actually, Todos Santos is an abundant, fertile zone (local families grow their own vegetables) and cooler than the rest of the county (5† to 10†C cooler) due to the humidity and the winds coming off the Pacific Ocean. It is a town with colorful and special traditions. You can still see colonial style buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries in good condition (this was the best time for the sugar mill industry and the sugar cane production). Some of them have been restored and have become hotels, inns, restaurants and art galleries.
Since 1986, when Charles Stewart established his studio here, Todos Santos has become a foreign and Mexican artists' refuge. Now, when you take a walk, you will enjoy art and handcrafts in addition to its architecture. For some years, the “Festival del Arte” (Art Festival) has been held in February. It is the most important art festival in the state, featuring local, national and foreign artists.
In Todos Santos, you can find lodging, from rustic to luxury accommodations, at moderate cost as well as comfortable hostels. The food varies from traditional to international and the kindness of the people makes it a memorable and necessary visit.
Several miles south of Todos Santos, on the way to Cabo San Lucas, you will find San Pedrito and Los Cerritos beaches, ideal places for surfing and camping.
Mining Town Tour
On highway 1 to the south, at 48 km (30 mi) from La Paz you will find El Triunfo. This is a small town that operated gold and silver mines during the colonial times. In 1878, the El Progresso Mining Company started to work here and in 1890 the population increased from 175 to more than 4,000 persons, many of them Italians, English, French, Germans and Chinese, in addition to the Mexican people who came from far away looking for a jobs as engineers, workers, machinists, miners or smelters. The chimney called “La Ramona” was made according to a design made by Gustav Eiffel. Because of its prosperity, this town was the first one with electricity and telephone services. El Progreso Minning Company left the town in 1912 and the town lost its progress when the available technology was not sufficient to take out the mineral veins still hidden in the mountains.
Now, El Triunfo is a beautiful place for a visit to see the old Minning Company ruins, “La Ramona” chimney (and a smaller one called “Julia”), vistas, antique architecture that still keep secrets and the church that is a colorful building by the side of the road. If you go by the “Camino Real de Santa Ana”, that used to connect El Triunfo with San Antonio, you will find some buildings more than a hundred years old and some mines like “El Hormiguero”, “Santa Rosa” and “Mina Mendoceña”.
San Antonio, the same as El Triunfo, was an abundant silver vein zone at middle XVIII century and tapped out the same as its neighbor, at the beginning of XX century. You can visit now by walking the beautiful “Camino Real”, an 8 km (5 mi) dirt road, or taking the highway 1 to the south. History Tours
As well as the natural attractions around La Paz County, this city is also the starting point to visit the entire state. In addition to the ecological richness of the peninsula and the seas around it, there is also a historical heritage that gives a special flavor to this culture known as the “Otro México” (the other Mexico).
For your first introduction, there is the “Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia” (Regional Museum for History and Antropology) located in downtown La Paz. This museum has archaeological and anthropological pieces that will introduce you to a magical and fascinating world.
The first examples of the human existance on the peninsula are from more than ten thousand years ago. The cave paintings, considered by UNESCO as a world heritage, are expressive displays in ocher, red and black colors representing human and animal figures in most cases and even abstract forms. Its magical-religious meaning is still a mystery and cannot tell us too much about the tribes that made them. You will find them within the whole state but their main concentration is 12,000 square kilometers (7,460 square miles) around the Sierra de San Francisco. To visit them you need a special guide; you can find them mainly at Mulege, San Ignacio and Loreto but ask for this tours in La Paz as well.
Further historical heritage that you can visit is “La Ruta de las Misiones” (the Missions Route). This is a tour visiting the missions founded between the end of XVII century and the XVIII when Europeans tried to colonize the peninsula. Spanish military conquerers failed in this endeavor but the Jesuits succeded. They started founding the Mission of “Nuestra Señora de Loreto Concho” in 1697 and they extended their religious conquests to the peninsula constantly struggling with the environment and the resistent natives. San Ignacio Kadakaaman, Santa Rosalía de Mulegé, San Francisco Javier Vigge Biandu, San José de Comondú Caamanc Cadeú, Nuestra Señora de La Paz Airapí, Santiago de los Coras, San José del Cabo Añuiti, Santa Rosa de las Palmas and San Luis Gonzaga Chiriyaki are beautiful examples of some of the most amazing missions. You can get to most of them easily by good and direct roads.
