Major city · Mexico
La Paz
Give La Paz 3 nights: one for the malecón and downtown, one for Balandra and the northern beaches, one for a Sea of Cortez island boat. Skip it only if you want resort nightlife.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jul–Sep (heat and hurricane season)
- Airport
- LAP
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
La Paz is the calm capital of Baja California Sur, on the Sea of Cortez about 2 h by bus from Los Cabos. It is a working city with a long waterfront, cheap taxis and the best beaches in the region a short drive north. Most travellers stay 3 nights, use it as a base for Balandra, Isla Espíritu Santo and whale season, and skip the resort strip entirely.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about La Paz, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyDowntown La Paz is calm and walkable, including at night.
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 078 Tourist assistance (national)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLAP La Paz International (General Manuel Márquez de León) (About 8 km south of the centre; US and Mexican carriers.LAP La Paz International (General Manuel Márquez de León) (About 5 mi south of the centre; US and Mexican carriers.
- Getting aroundDowntown is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$40–70 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealFish or shrimp tacoM$30–60 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught / can at a shopM$50–90 (≈ US$3–5)M$25–40 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across townAgree the total before you get in.M$80–150 (≈ US$5–9)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–400 (≈ US$11–25)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personMX$350 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomMX$1,800 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomMX$3,500 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,500 (≈ US$85) · High MX$3,000 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LAP La Paz International (General Manuel Márquez de León) (About 8 km south of the centre; US and Mexican carriers. Taxi fares are preset and paid at the counter inside the terminal.)LAP La Paz International (General Manuel Márquez de León) (About 5 mi south of the centre; US and Mexican carriers. Taxi fares are preset and paid at the counter inside the terminal.)
Weather and climate
La Paz: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C75°F
11°C52°F
1 rd
Feb
25°C77°F
12°C54°F
1 rd
Mar
27°C81°F
13°C55°F
0 rd
Apr
30°C86°F
15°C59°F
0 rd
May
33°C91°F
17°C63°F
0 rd
Jun
35°C95°F
20°C68°F
0 rd
Jul
36°C97°F
24°C75°F
1 rd
Aug
36°C97°F
25°C77°F
2 rd
Sep
35°C95°F
24°C75°F
2 rd
Oct
33°C91°F
20°C68°F
1 rd
Nov
29°C84°F
16°C61°F
1 rd
Dec
25°C77°F
12°C54°F
1 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Downtown is walkable. Taxis are cheap and plentiful — agree the total price before you get in, and confirm it is not per person. Uber also operates. A rental car pays off for the northern beaches and day trips; insurance is expensive and agencies may hold a large deposit on your card.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Balandra beach
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Car or taxi north on the Pichilingue road, about 25 kmCar or taxi north on the Pichilingue road, about 16 mi
Entry is capped and often needs a timed reservation in high season; go at opening.
Playa El Tecolote and Pichilingue
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Beach bus from the centre, or car
Calm bay, seafood shacks; the last bus back leaves the beach around 18:45.Calm bay, seafood shacks; the last bus back leaves the beach around 6:45 PM.
Isla Espíritu Santo
goDoor to door: Half day to full day
Boat tour from the malecón or Playa El Tecolote
Sea lion colony and snorkelling; book a day ahead in high season.
Todos Santos
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or car south on Highway 19
Small town with surf beaches; doable as a half day, better as an overnight.
Cabo San Lucas
skipDoor to door: About 2 h
Autotransportes Águila bus, direct or local
Resort strip; go only if you want that scene.
Loreto
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus north on Highway 1
Colonial mission town and islands; sleep one night.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro and the malecón
Walkable to restaurants, the waterfront and the bus terminal; best for a short stay without a car.
Esterito
Quiet streets just north of the centre, 5–10 min walk to the malecón; cheaper rooms.
Playa Concha and the Pichilingue road
Beachfront hotels and marinas 5–8 km north; you need a car or taxis.Beachfront hotels and marinas 3.1–5 mi north; you need a car or taxis.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$700–1,200 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,200–2,500 (≈ US$65–140) excl. bed
- High
- M$2,500 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 3 nights × MX$1,800 | MX$5,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × MX$1,500 | MX$9,000 |
| Airport taxi to downtown, one way2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Beach bus to the northern beaches, round trip2 × MX$200 | MX$400 |
| Isla Espíritu Santo boat tour, half day2 × MX$1,500 | MX$3,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$1,880 |
| Trip total≈ MX$3,447 per person per day, bed included | MX$20,680≈ US$1,200 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights and tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | M$40–70 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Fish or shrimp taco | M$30–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Seafood plate at a mid-range restaurant | M$200–350 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Beer: draught / can at a shop | M$50–90 (≈ US$3–5) / M$25–40 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi across townAgree the total before you get in. | M$80–150 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Bike rental, per hour | M$40–100 (≈ US$3–6) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | M$200–400 (≈ US$11–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Agree taxi fares before entering, and confirm the price is for the car, not per person.
- Northern beaches have limited or no public transport; the beach bus leaves town around 10:00 and the last bus back leaves the beach around 18:45.Northern beaches have limited or no public transport; the beach bus leaves town around 10:00 AM and the last bus back leaves the beach around 6:45 PM.
- Camping and landing on some Sea of Cortez islands requires a registered guide.
- Summer heat and hurricane season run roughly Jul–Sep; check forecasts before booking.
- Car rental insurance and credit-card holds can cost more than the rental itself.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance (national)
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
La PazLa Paz
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No US consulate in La Paz; the nearest is in Cabo San Lucas. Most other countries: embassies in Mexico City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → downtown, taxi: preset fare, buy a ticket inside the terminal
- Taxi across town: M$80–150 (≈ US$5–9), agree first
- Beach bus to Balandra / El Tecolote: about M$100 (≈ US$6) round trip
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dees-KOOL-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh)
- El total, no por persona — The total, not per person (el toh-TAL, noh por per-SOH-nah)
Preset airport taxi fares and beach-bus times change: confirm at the counter or terminal.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for La Paz. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jul–Sep (heat and hurricane season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LAP: preset taxi fares, Uber fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: malecón, Centro, Esterito, Marina Costa Baja.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Balandra reservation, island tours, whale season) and eat pages with last orders.
- Beach-bus and ferry fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialLa Paz municipal government
- officialBaja Ferries
- secondaryWikivoyage: La Paz (Mexico), revision 5334086 (CC BY-SA 4.0)