Our Favorite Beaches in La Paz, Mexico (A Resident’s Guide)

Looking for some of the top beaches in Baja outside of Cabo? Then you’re in for a real treat!

Since moving to La Paz two years ago, Lori and I have been on a quest to explore as many of the area’s beaches as is humanly possible.

By our count, we’ve made over a hundred visits to some 30 beaches within an hour of town. We’ve decided it’s time to put our findings down in writing to help others plan their own day trip, sunset stroll, or camping adventure in this unique beach paradise.

So grab your snorkel and mask and join us on a journey to discover the best beaches in La Paz, Mexico!

A Resident’s Guide to the Beaches of La Paz, Mexico

The Baja California Sur coastline covers a staggering 1,386 miles (2230 km)—mind you, that’s NOT counting the state of Baja California to the north! That’s a ton of shoreline, and while most of that is rocky headlands and dramatic cliffs, more than enough is idyllic sandy strands of pure bliss.

We’ve explored the entire length of the Baja peninsula and its beautiful beaches from Cabo’s Lover’s Beach to Playa San Felipe, Los Cerritos to Rosarito, Bay of LA and Conception Bay to Cabo Pulmo and beyond. But there are no finer beaches in Baja (in our minds) than those right here in La Paz.

Why, you ask? Stop anywhere between the Malecon and the tip of El Tecolote, head to water’s edge and look down. On most days, what you’ll find is warm, gently lapping crystalline water teeming with colorful marine life—soft sand between your toes, and blue sky above.

We cover around 20 beaches in and around La Paz in this guide. Because we wanted to keep it to a 45-minute driving radius from town, we don’t cover the spectacular beaches of Isla Espiritu Santo, Isla Partida, La Ventana/El Sargento area, or a bit farther south around Todos Santos and El Pescador/Cerritos. We’ll leave those for another guide.

Now, without further ado, let’s dive into our favorite beaches in La Paz!

We kick things off with the one and only Playa Balandra, because honestly, that’s what you came here for, right?

While Balandra is definitely one of our favorite area beaches, visiting has its pros and cons. And, as this guide will show, there are many, many other stunning area beaches worthy of exploring as well!

Why Go Widely considered one of the most beautiful beach areas in Mexico, Balandra wows visitors with its starkly stunning location tucked into a shallow cove fed by the warm waters of the Bay of La Paz and Sea of Cortez. The sand is white and silky smooth, and you can practically walk across the bay at low tide (but be mindful of the tides).

Balandra is not one but a series of beaches in a natural protected area just inside the UNESCO-designated Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California. While all beaches are considered public land in Mexico (at least on paper), it’s relatively rare for the area encompassing such a large piece of coastal real estate to be protected by law from development, making Balandra extra special.

Activities The main activity here is relaxing under one of the provided palapas and taking in the splendor of this enchanting dot on the map. But there’s much more you can choose to do with your time, such as hike to the viewpoint, rent a kayak, or wade through the shallows to visit the famous Hongo or Mushroom Rock of Balandra. Make sure to shuffle your feet and be mindful of the occasional stingray.

Facilities In the interest of keeping this place as wild and natural as possible, there are few services for visitors here. No restaurants or shops, and vendors are banned (though you’ll see them parked outside the park near the main highway), so bring your own food, snacks, and beverages. And you’ll be hard-pressed to get cell signal out here. There are compost toilets for a fee and kayaks for rent. And several first-come-first-serve beach palapas for shade.

How to Get There Getting to Balandra is fairly straightforward. Follow Route 11/ Paseo Obregon/ Malecon north out of town towards Pichilingue, then follow the signs to Playa Balandra/Playa El Tecolote. Look for the Balandra sign and head left at the fork. It’s a 20-30 minute drive from town.

Depending on when you arrive and how many other visitors intend to enter the park, you’ll either need to wait in line in your car or drive to the gate. Either way, you’ll need to check in with a park official at the gate before proceeding to the parking lot.

Alternatively, you can also reach Balandra by boat, and there are a variety of tour companies and touts along the Malecon who are more than willing to arrange a trip for you.

Hot Tip #1 Balandra is one of the most popular attractions in La Paz, and is getting more popular by the year. For the best chances of visiting, we recommend aiming for the morning time slot near mid-week. We usually leave town at 7:30am and generally get in.

Hot Tip #2 Don’t want mess with all that? What we’ll often do to get our Balandra fix without the hassle is hike up to the viewpoint on the south side of the bay (accessible from the main highway—look for the straight diagonal trail on your left as you drive north, a few minutes before the fork to Balandra). Afterwards, get back on the road and head a few more minutes north to Playa Tecolote to soak up the sand and sea without all the fuss.

Speaking of Playa Tecolote, here is the scoop on what many consider to be the second best beach in the La Paz area.

We personally have a love/hate relationship with Tecolote. Whether you have a spectacular experience or a meh one will largely depend on three things: What you’re after, where you go (it’s a long beach!), and when you go.

For example, this beach has been my go-to two years in a row on my birthday (among other times). It doesn’t get any better in my mind to head to Tecolote mid-week in September, turn left at the T and head to the far western end of the beach for some easily accessible solitude and pretty darn good snorkeling.

However, if you’re looking for the same vibe on a weekend/afternoon—or head east along the beach during RV season—you won’t find it. Now, if you’re looking for a beach party with a 100 of your closest family members and amigos, there may be no better beach in La Paz to find your happy place.

Also, given its north-facing exposure at the tip of a peninsula, Playa Tecolote is also affected more by weather than any beach on this list. During the summer months, the seas can be freakishly flat and bathtub warm. But as soon as the dry season northerlies start shooting down the Sea of Cortez, it’s a whole other story.

Why Go During much of the year, Tecolote can be a blissful beach bum’s paradise. Crystal clear water teeming with life and lots to explore.

The eastern end of the beach allows vehicles to park on the edge of the sand, allowing for easy setup or a prime RV boon docking site. Alternatively, the far western end is off limits to motor vehicles (in theory) and generally makes for a more relaxing experience if you don’t mind hoofing it with any beach accouterments you might have.

And if you get hungry or thirsty, Tecolote is one of only a few beaches on our list with a handful of restaurants right on the beach.

Activities The sky’s the limit with activities out here. We enjoy the snorkeling, swimming, playing in the sand, eating/drinking at one of the restaurants, occasional hiking, and pretty much chilling out. In the winter months when there’s a bit of surf, the kids like to tool around on their body boards.

We’ve seen others do banana boat rides and jet skiing. If you want to avoid the motorsports, the western end is best. Tecolote is also one of the best places to beach camp in the area, with easy access to the beach and more facilities and services than other beaches.

Facilities There are a half dozen restaurants mostly centered around the T (where the highway ends) serving typical Baja beach fair. There’s also a paid public toilet facility on the eastern edge of the restaurant cluster, as well as kayak rentals, and tours to Isla Espiritu Santo. However, there’s no cell signal here at Tecolote.

How to Get There Same directions as Balandra, above, but instead of taking a left at the Balandra sign, stay right on the highway until you reach the end of the road and the water. You can literally park almost anywhere.

Hot Tip For the most relaxed vibe and best sea conditions, head to Tecolote May to October, mid-week, and before 2pm. Be mindful of the tides (a strong current runs parallel to the shore when the tide is on the move) and the wind forecast.

Playa Tesoro is one of our go-to beaches on the weekend. Crowds thin out the farther you go past the beach restaurant, and the conditions tend to be favorable year round due to the protected geography of the cove.

Why Go One of the top area beaches offering consistently great conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and beach bumming. If you’re looking for a chill vibe, you’ll usually find it here. Numbers of beachgoers are usually manageable, even during busy times, and it’s a fun place to watch the ships come and go from the port, and sailboats enter and leave the small cove tucked around the corner.

Activities Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, eating and drinking, relaxing and taking it easy. The best snorkeling tends to be along the rocky northern side of the cove, but you might not see as much as you would at some of the other beaches on our list like Tecolote and Caimancito.

Facilities There’s a small restaurant offering typical Baja beach food and beverages, as well as palapas and kayak rentals. There’s a public toilet on the hill for a donation or small fee. Playa Tesoro generally gets decent cell signal.

How to Get There Similar to Balandra instructions, but half the distance! Follow Route 11/ Paseo Obregon/ Malecon north out of town towards Pichilingue (but if you get to the port/ ferry terminal you’ve gone too far).

The left-hand turn into Playa Tesoro is between two blind curves, so you’ll want to be mindful of oncoming traffic as well as large trucks behind you high-tailing it to the port.

Remember, a left turn signal in Mexico ALSO signals cars behind you that it’s ok for them to pass [ON YOUR LEFT]!!!

Hot Tip #1 Keep an eye on the tides here if you’re planning on swimming. It’s a fairly shallow little cove and on some days the water can recede 100+ yards at low tide.

Hot Tip #2 If you visit on a busy day and plan to leave before sunset, be sure to park as close to the parking lot entrance as possible to avoid getting boxed in. Drivers love to double and even triple park here as things fill up into the afternoon.

Now, get ready to leave the most popular beaches behind for a couple of lesser known wonders. 45 minutes northeast of La Paz—right smack on the Sea of Cortez—are spectacular Playa Saltito and Playa Los Muertitos.

Why Go Head here for solitude, absolutely stunning views, camping under star-filled skies, and some of the very best snorkeling in the greater La Paz area. This is our favorite place to snorkel, particularly in May-November when the cove is blocked from the southerly wind and seas are flat and gin clear, and marine life is abundant.

On weekends—and especially holidays—these can be great beaches for escaping the crowds and mayhem of the most popular beaches.

Activities Snorkeling and solitude are the two main draws here, but we’ve seen people fishing, grilling, paddle boarding, and camping. There’s also a small hike up to the top of the headland that separates Saltito from Los Muertitos if you’re feeling up to it. Or crack open another Modelo—it’s all up to you!

Facilities Zip, zero, zilch. Not even trash cans. Pack it in and pack it out. And no cell signal as well, so plan accordingly.

How to Get There How you approach these two area beaches will depend on what part of town you’re coming from. In any case, get yourself to the Libramiento Norte de La Paz (the truck bypass east of town) and go north.

Eventually, you’ll see a blue sign indicating Pto. Pichilingue to the left, and El Saltito straight. You guessed it—stay straight. You’ll come to another junction where the sign says straight for ‘El Coyote’ and right for ‘El Saltito’. Take the right and drive 10km (about 10 min.) along a nice sealed road with stunning views until the pavement ends.

From here, the road becomes a dirt/sand track but is usually well maintained. We’ve seen compact cars make the journey, but you’re usually better off with a set of all-terrain tires and a bit of clearance.

Now, here’s the important part: You’ll want to ignore the sign pointing right for Saltito and, instead, take one of the sand tracks headed straight to the water (the real Playa Saltito) or slightly to the left (Playa Los Muertitos).

The Saltito-signed road to the right leads to another beach masquerading as Saltito and charging an entrance fee.

Hot Tip There are signs restricting motor vehicles from driving on Playa Saltito, and for good reason. The sand here is coarse and very loose—and we’ve seen a number of vehicles get stuck. Not to mention the fact that it’s an unspoiled wilderness with a fragile ecosystem, and the designated dirt road that parallels the beach isn’t far from the water line.

Playa Pichilingue is a mysterious, somewhat quirky, and often stunning beach just past the Port of La Paz (often referred to as simply, Pichilingue). This beach offers up a striking contrast between white sands melting into neon blue water and the heavy industry and dilapidated buildings that surround it.

A lot of people really seem to dig Pichilingue. We’re not sure what all the fuss is about, but we think it still makes for a fun enough day at the beach if you play your cards right and come with the right expectations.

Why Go Visit Playa Pichilingue for crystalline waters, colorful marine life, RV and tent camping with cell signal, consistently good paddle boarding, worthwhile sunsets, and an offbeat, off-kilter vibe.

Activities Swimming, snorkeling, camping, kayaking.

Facilities There’s a restaurant here…but the operating hours are hard to pin down, and the online reviews don’t inspire confidence. Besides that, not a whole lot else.

How to Get There Follow directions to Balandra (above) until you get to the port/ ferry terminal. Just after the Baja Ferries terminal, there will be a speed bump (tope) and a fork in the road. Head right, then take a left into the parking area for Playa Pichilingue.

Playa Tesoro and Playa Caimancito are the two beaches we’ve spent the most time at over the past two years. If you’ve got dogs in tow (they check for pets at the gate) or don’t feel like lugging your stuff a hundred yards or so from the parking lot, you may need to look elsewhere. For everyone else, read on!

Why Go Playa Caimancito sports a stunning pair of beaches situated in front of an upmarket condo on one side, and the Orchid House hotel on the other. This is our favorite beach close to town and offers some surprisingly great snorkeling.

The condo side (away from the palapas) always seems to be fairly subdued and finding a spot over here is hardly ever a problem. The beach cabanas on this side belong to the condo, but the rest of the beach is open to the public.

Activities Snorkeling and swimming are the two main draws for us. It can also be a good place to paddle board, so long as you play the tides right and avoid the boat channel. We’ve also seen people fish off the end of the jetty and rocky north end.

Facilities Public palapas and a small pop-up restaurant on the south end of the beach. Nice and clean restrooms (tips encouraged) in the parking lot.

How to Get There Head north out of town along the Malecon past Playa Coromuel. Just past the playground/ parking area in front of Hotel La Concha and just before the large speed bump, take a left into the parking lot entrance (there’s a guard there that will ask you if you have any pets).

Playa Coromuel is one of the strangest and most popular beaches a short drive from the city center. If you’re looking to get a quick beach fix and the Malecon beaches just won’t do, Playa Coromuel satisfy your craving.

Once upon a time, this was a fairly substantial aquatic park, complete with three double spiral water slides and two overwater zip-lines. While the road signs remain, most reminders of Coromuels recent past have disappeared.

These days, its a funky and popular municipal style beach, particularly popular with area teens and young couples.

Why Go The main draw of Coromuel is that it is the closest “swimming” beach to town, and one with a festive vibe. It’s also a great place to catch a sunset with a sundowner and sand between your toes.

Activities Swimming, eating, relaxing, socializing.

Facilities We get the sense that there was a lot more here during the Aquatic Park days. These days, there’s a smattering of eateries serving up seafood snacks, beer, and the like. There is also a public toilet for a fee.

How to Get There See directions to Playa Caimancito, above. The main difference is you’ll need to take the retorno (turnaround) before you get to El Caimancito and double back on the lower/ southbound side of the highway to reach the entrance to the Playa Coromuel parking lot.

Hot Tip Sunsets here are stunning, but come with a price. This is peak time here, and the very narrow parking lot doesn’t help matters. Getting in and out with anything bigger than a compact car might take some advanced maneuvering skills.

Switching gears again, we head back up near Playa Tecolote, to Tecolote’s little brother, Playa Tecolotito. One bay to the southwest, Tecolotito can only be accessed on foot or by sea, which is the allure of this picturesque cove.

Why Go Stunning sea views bookended by a short, yet moderately strenuous, hike, Tecolotito is the perfect antidote to holiday crowds and being visitor 451 to Playa Balandra.

Activities Swimming, snorkeling, hiking, relaxing.

Facilities Absolutely none, and that’s the beauty of it. Pack it in and out.

How to Get There Look for the dirt track leaving the highway on the left just before rounding the last couple of bends to Playa Tecolote. Follow the track to the beginning of the trail leading up and over the ridge (this is stark desert landscape, so the trail stands out). 20-30 minutes later, crest a small dune and you’re there.

Hot Tip If you snorkel or paddle board and the conditions are favorable, getting to Tecolotito from Tecolote (or the hidden cove between, see below) offers a fun little adventure. Just be mindful of the tides and wind forecast for your return journey, as conditions can change dramatically around midday.

The Mogote Peninsula is impossible to miss from anywhere along the Malecon in central La Paz. It’s the long, thin strip of land across the lagoon and channel. What’s out there, you ask? A whole lot of nothing. Well, except for that big hotel and gated development at the tip of the peninsula. But the rest of the six-mile (10 km) sand bar is pure dunes and wild shoreline.

Why Go This is a great spot to go if you want to get away from town (and civilization) for a while. Even on the weekends, you’re not likely to see more than a half dozen others during your visit. It’s not really a swimming beach (silty bottom, waves, and strong currents), but it’s a great place to go to clear your mind and even spot the occasional whale shark.

Activities Beach combing, walking, running, camping. You may notice the tire tracks in the picture, above. Yep, this place is popular with ATVs. If you’re curious, the locals we’ve talked to hate that people do this, particularly in the sea turtle nesting areas. If you want to get your kicks on Mogote and respect the local habitat, it’s an awesome place to sand board instead.

Facilities Nada.

How to Get There Follow Fed. 1 to El Centenario. Just past town, where the highway splits, remain straight towards San Juan de La Costa. The road to Mogote is the second right and was recently paved all the way to the coast (complete with too many speed bumps to count). Follow the sand track up to the top of the dune and look for a good place to park. Watch out for soft sand.

Tucked in a picturesque, mangrove fringed cove to the south of Playa Balandra, El Merito offers a scenic and serene reward for the effort to get here.

Why Go This is a worthwhile hike just south of Balandra, offering opportunities for exercise, exploration, and breathtaking views—especially around sunset. A rare oasis of green mangrove forest along the desert coastline. This is one of the best beaches in the area for mangrove explorations.

Activities Hiking, swimming, relaxing, exploring.

Facilities None.

How to Get There Head to the Balandra viewpoint trailhead south of Playa Balandra. Hike up to the top of the first ridge and head left (south) instead of right (north) at the trail fork. In another 20-30 minutes, you’ll arrive at Playa El Merito.

At first, we really didn’t like Playa La Concha. Located at the end of a narrow alley between Playa Caimancito and Playa Coromuel, La Concha’s easy to miss. The stalled [read: abandoned] 7-story hotel project dominating the south half of the beach and the wide assortment of trash, fishing tackle, and broken bottles wasn’t doing this place any favors. Add to that, the fact that we visited on a rare gloomy day didn’t help matters either.

But over the course of future visits, we discovered where La Concha shines. You’re not going to find it at the top of any Best Beach lists. Yet, this little known and under appreciated corner not far from town deserves a look.

Why Go On a sunny day (which, let’s face it, is most days around here), the small cove here is awash in a hundred shades of blue. Colorful coral can be seen peering out through the clear water, beckoning snorkelers. And the sunset views from the northern end of the beach and excellent Seaside Restaurant are second to none in La Paz.

Activities Non-motorized water sports are this beach’s forte. Explore vibrant coral, paddle around on a SUP or kayak (bring your own) or swim some laps at sunrise or sunset. Dining at two of the superb restaurants that dot the cove is also a worthwhile and popular activity here. And, of course, sundowners at Seaside Restaurant are a must!

Facilities The beach has no public facilities, but if you’re staying at Hotel La Concha, you have access to a pool, restaurant, beach club, and of course, the beach.

How to Get There If you’re not staying at the hotel, you can access this beach via the public alley across from the main gates to Pedregal de La Paz. Coming from town, take the retorno just after the dog park and either park in the dog park parking lot or the lot directly across from the public beach access.

If you’ve spent any amount of time in La Paz, then you’re already familiar with El Malecon, the three-mile seafront promenade running the entire northwest edge of town. Along the length of the Malecon, expect to encounter a dozen or so pocket beaches offering various levels of facilities.

Why Go Though you will occasionally see swimmers training for a triathlon or small children splashing around here, most locals prefer to head north to Playa El Coromuel and beyond for a dip.

So why go then? Well, for one, you’re probably already here. Or will be at some point. The beaches along the Malecon offer a perfect excuse to grab an impromptu palapa and catch the sunset, or watch the boats glide in and out of the harbor—not to mention offering easy access to the numerous activities and restaurants on either side of Paseo Alvaro Obregon.

Activities Strictly speaking, volleyball, soccer, and paddle board/ kayak rentals are the main activities on these beaches. But there are countless land-based activities available as you make your way along the boulevard.

Facilities You’ll find surprisingly few public facilities along these beaches. There’s a public toilet near the Muelle Fiscal. Across the street, however, expect to find dozens of restaurants and bars, along with a few rental shops scattered in between.

Hot Tip The beaches along the Malecon are fairly dead during the day, but become very popular around sunset. If you plan to arrive during that time, expect slow traffic and few parking places along the Malecon. We usually find parking a couple streets up the hill north and east of Jardin Velasco (the main plaza).

Located on the Sea of Cortez—halfway between Playa Tecolote to the north and Playa Los Muertitos to the south—Playa Coyote doesn’t see a lot of visitors. The beach here is rocky, and the road rough, but if you’re looking for solitude less than an hour’s drive from town this is one of the best beaches for finding your happy place.

Why Go For off-grid isolation and rugged good looks, Playa Coyote is hard to beat. But it will take some work to reach and some provisioning if you plan on staying awhile.

Activities Whatever springs to mind in this wild seaside wilderness.

Facilities None.

How to Get There Follow the directions for Saltito, above, but instead of turning right towards Saltito, head straight, following the sign marked Playa El Coyote. Continue along the unsealed road for another 20 minutes (~10 km) until you reach the beach. A high-clearance, off-road equipped vehicle is recommended for the last stretch.

Hot Tip Be sure to pack enough food and water for your journey, as well as off-road recovery gear. There is no cell service and no facilities or services for many miles.

Looking for a rarely visited hidden gem? Then check out Playa Las Gaviotas. But there’s a reason no one goes here. You can only get here by sea and on foot.

Why Go The water here is some of the clearest around, and the red stones contrast wildly with the turquoise of the water. This is a great place to snorkel and paddle board, and it’s highly unlikely you’ll see another soul around.

Activities Kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, fishing, swimming, hiking.

Facilities None at Playa Gaviotas, a few at nearby Playa Pichilingue (see section above).

How to Get There You’ll need to either put in at Playa Pichilingue and get here by sea on your own steam, or hike over the headland via a vague collection of trails.

Hot Tip It pays to time the tides and wind just right here. Head out at low tide and you’ll have the current to your back when you return. Wind-wise, a calm day is ideal, but too calm and you might find yourself swarmed by tiny flying insects. They don’t bite, but can be aggravating.

Situated on the edge of the Benito Juarez neighborhood—more commonly known for its namesake hotel, La Posada—the twin beaches of El Conchalito and La Posada might not offer much in terms of raw natural beauty (these days expect to see more derelict construction projects and beached sailboats than beach umbrellas). Yet this corner of town remains a popular area for local residents, especially around sunset.

Why Go Against a ghostly backdrop of wrecks and abandoned buildings, El Conchalito is an excellent spot for a sunset walk, a seaside jog, dog walk, or quick paddle at slack tide. On the north end, in front of Hotel La Posada, Playa La Posada is one of the best beaches in town to view the sunset. However, the word from local residents is you wouldn’t want to swim at either beach due to “contamination”, and we’ve rarely seen swimmers in the water here.

Activities Exercise, sunset viewing, dog walking, paddle boarding, kayaking.

Facilities No public facilities.

How to Get There Head south from the center of town along Route 11 (Mariano Abasolo) until you reach the five-way intersection in front of the Toyota dealership. Take a hard right onto Nueva Reforma and follow the road to the water.

Finally, if like us you’ve exhausted everything else on this list and then some, take a drive up the highway towards San Juan de La Costa to the fishing beaches of Califin, Sauzoso, and Camaron.

Would they ever top any Best-Of lists? Nope. But they might be worth a visit if you fish (shore cast or have your own boat) or just want something a bit different.

Why Go These aren’t picture postcard beaches, but they are popular with fishermen. Grab your rod and tackle and try your luck, or just go for the heck of it. Who knows what you’ll find?

Activities Fishing, camping, grilling, kayaking, paddle boarding, watching other people fish…

Facilities With the exception of a smattering of ranches and high-end lodges tucked away, there’s a whole lot of nothing out here.

How to Get There Drive like you’re going to Playa El Magote—keep straight/right at the “Y” after El Centenario, but don’t make the right-hand turn to Magote. Just keep truckin’ for another 20 min./25 km.

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