Looking for the best things to do in La Paz Mexico? Discover the top 10 experiences in this stunning Baja California Sur gem — from whale sharks to hidden beaches.
La Paz is one of those rare destinations that still feels like a secret. While the crowds pour into Cabo San Lucas just two hours south, La Paz sits quietly on the edge of the Sea of Cortez offering something far more valuable — authenticity. No massive hotel chains dominating the skyline, no spring break chaos, just turquoise water, incredible wildlife, and a laid back Mexican city that genuinely welcomes visitors.
Whether you are planning your first trip or coming back for more, here are the 10 best things to do in La Paz Mexico.
1. Swim With Whale Sharks
La Paz is one of the best places on the entire planet to swim with whale sharks. These gentle giants gather in the warm waters of the Bay of La Paz between October and April, and local tour operators offer responsible, well regulated snorkeling experiences that put you right in the water alongside them.
This is a bucket list experience that people travel from all over the world for — and in La Paz you can do it without the massive crowds you find at other whale shark destinations. Expect to pay around $80-100 USD per person for a guided tour including equipment and transportation.
2. Visit Balandra Beach
Balandra is consistently ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Mexico — and once you see it you will understand why. The beach sits inside a protected natural reserve about 30 minutes north of La Paz city center and features impossibly shallow, crystal clear turquoise water perfect for wading, kayaking, and snorkeling.
The famous mushroom shaped rock formation at Balandra has become an icon of Baja California Sur. Arrive early — the beach has a limited capacity and fills up quickly on weekends and holidays.
3. Walk The Malecón at Sunset
The malecón is La Paz’s famous seaside promenade stretching several kilometers along the waterfront. In the evenings it transforms into the social heart of the city — locals walk with their families, street food vendors set up, musicians play, and the sky turns extraordinary shades of orange and pink over the Sea of Cortez.
This is completely free and arguably the single best way to experience the real culture of La Paz. Grab an elote from a street vendor, find a bench, and watch the sun go down over the water.
4. Snorkel With Sea Lions at Los Islotes
Los Islotes is a small rocky island about 45 minutes by boat from La Paz and home to a large, lively colony of California sea lions. Snorkeling here puts you in the water with dozens of playful sea lions who seem genuinely curious about their human visitors — spinning around you, blowing bubbles, and showing off.
Jacques Cousteau famously called the Sea of Cortez the aquarium of the world, and a trip to Los Islotes will show you exactly why. Most tour operators combine this with a stop at Espiritu Santo Island making it a full day on the water.
5. Explore Espiritu Santo Island
Espiritu Santo is a UNESCO World Heritage listed island just off the coast of La Paz and one of the crown jewels of the Sea of Cortez. The island offers dramatic red and ochre cliffs, hidden coves with turquoise water, excellent snorkeling, kayaking, and camping opportunities.
Day trips from La Paz are easy to arrange and give you a taste of the island’s extraordinary beauty. For a deeper experience consider an overnight camping trip — falling asleep on a deserted beach under a sky full of stars with nothing but the sound of the sea is an experience you will never forget.
6. Eat Fresh Seafood at The Mercado Municipal
La Paz has an incredible food scene built around the extraordinary seafood of the Sea of Cortez, and the best place to experience it cheaply and authentically is the Mercado Municipal. This bustling local market is where La Paz residents do their shopping and eating — fresh fish tacos, ceviche, aguachile, and seafood cocktails at prices that will genuinely surprise you.
This is not a tourist attraction — it is a real working market and that is exactly what makes it special. Go for breakfast or lunch when it is at its most lively.
7. Take A Day Trip to Todos Santos
Todos Santos is a charming small town about 80 kilometers north of Cabo San Lucas and easily reachable from La Paz in about an hour and a half by car. Once a quiet agricultural town it has evolved into a thriving arts community with galleries, excellent restaurants, boutique hotels, and surf beaches nearby.
The town has a completely different energy from La Paz — slower, more artistic, with a strong expat community that has brought world class food and culture to a beautiful colonial setting. It makes for a perfect day trip from La Paz.
8. Kayak The Bay of La Paz
The calm protected waters of the Bay of La Paz make it one of the best kayaking destinations in Mexico. You can rent kayaks directly from the malecón and paddle along the coastline at your own pace, or join a guided tour that takes you to hidden beaches and snorkeling spots not accessible by larger boats.
Early morning is the best time to kayak when the water is completely flat and the light on the mountains surrounding the bay is spectacular. Guided kayak tours typically cost $50-80 USD per person and include equipment and a light lunch.
9. Watch Gray Whales in Magdalena Bay
Between January and March every year thousands of gray whales migrate to the warm lagoons of Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side of Baja California Sur to give birth and nurse their calves. La Paz makes an excellent base for a day trip to Magdalena Bay where you can take small boat tours that get extraordinarily close to these massive, gentle creatures.
Gray whale watching in Baja is considered one of the greatest wildlife experiences in the world — mother whales actively approach the boats and allow visitors to reach out and touch them, an experience found almost nowhere else on earth.
10. Discover The Historic City Center
La Paz has a beautiful historic center that most tourists rushing to the beaches completely overlook. The cathedral, the surrounding plazas, the colorful colonial architecture, and the maze of streets lined with local shops, cafés, and restaurants reward slow exploration on foot.
Stop into the Museum of Anthropology for an excellent introduction to the indigenous cultures and natural history of Baja California Sur. Spend an afternoon getting genuinely lost in the streets around the central plaza — you will stumble upon the best taco stands, the most authentic shops, and the real daily life of a Mexican city that has not been reshaped entirely around tourism.
Final Thoughts
La Paz offers something increasingly rare in Mexico — a destination that feels completely real. The whale sharks, the sea lions, the hidden beaches, the seafood, the sunsets over the malecón — none of it feels manufactured for tourists because none of it is. This is simply life in one of the most naturally extraordinary places on earth.
Come here before everyone else finds out about it.