Enjoying the Outdoors in La Paz

For outdoor enthusiasts, there is a huge variety of activities to choose from in Baja, both in and out of the water. When considering your vacation rentals, keep these activities in mind; they’re only a sampling of the more popular activities you can partake in while on vacation in here.

Beaches

Baja is regarded as having some of the best beaches in the world and La Paz is no exception. The best thing about the beaches is that they often aren’t very crowded, with locals only utilizing them during the summer months to stay cool.

The beaches inside the city limits are great for walking in the soft, warm sand, but for swimming, you’ll want to head north or east towards the Pichilingue Peninsula. Public transit can take you as far as the Pichilingue Ferry Terminal. From there, it’s only a short walk to another gorgeous beach that has a nearby restaurant and free camping. If you’re feeling adventurous, further along this same road lies the serene and peaceful Balandra, and the party beach, Tecolete.

Diving

The best months for diving in Baja is between May and November when the water is clear and warm. There are a wide variety of reputable outfitters where you can charter a diving trip and some of the options include diving with sea lions, visiting sunken shipwrecks, exploring underwater caves, and visiting white coral reefs.

Deep-sea Fishing

If you’re an avid angler, Baja is a fantastic area for deep-sea fishing. Charter trips can be arranged through most of the local hotels. A variety of different fish can be caught nearly year-around, but the best months for fishing are between March and September. Marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, and sierras are among the types of fish you’ll be able to pull out of the warm Pacific.

Sea Kayaking

There are multiple companies downtown that offer kayaking tours. Depending on the company and package, you can rent kayaks for the day, or you can partake in a kayak trip to one of the surrounding islands and camp out at for the night.

Snorkeling

There are a lot of opportunities for snorkelers in Baja and some of the best available are off-shore on the island of Partida, Los Islotes, and Espiritu Santo. These islands are host to secluded beaches where you can snorkel with tropical fish and sea lions. If you want to go a little further from town, you can find the best snorkeling in Baja in Punta Arena on Bahia de la Ventana.

Hiking

If you want a break from the ocean but still want to be outdoors, consider one of the many hiking trails near La Paz. Just north of the city on the Pichilingue Peninsula, you’ll find plenty of day-hiking trails. If you’re looking for something more extensive, you can head south to the Laguna Mountains where you can do a two to three-day loop that includes a waterfall with a swimming pool and hot springs. On the western side of the peninsula, there’s a multi-day hike that climbs to over 5,000 feet into open meadows with pine trees and beautiful vistas of the ocean. Keep in mind that many of the more involved trails aren’t thoroughly hiked, so it’s advisable to hire a guide.

Whale Watching

If you find yourself in Baja between the months of January and April, definitely consider whale-watching in Magdalena Bay, which is a three-hour drive north of La Paz. Many of the larger hotels offer tours for whale-watching and include transportation, breakfast, and a seafood lunch.

Conclusion

Baja is a veritable paradise of outdoor activities, and La Paz is the perfect central base to station yourself in when you’re looking at your next vacation rentals. Whether it’s visiting the beach, hiking, diving, or deep-sea fishing, you’ll definitely find exhilarating activities and unforgettable experiences here for your next vacation.