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La Paz Basics |
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 © istockphoto.com/benkrut |
La Paz is the principal commercial center and the capital of the Mexican State of Baja California Sur, which comprises the southern half of the Baja Peninsula. With a population of 250,000 residents, La Paz is a midsize port city. When contrasted to the Los Cabos area, La Paz is a much more laid back city with a more traditional Mexican atmosphere.
The economy of La Paz is based on tourism, fishing, commerce and government activities. Eco-tourists have flocked to the La Paz area to dive, snorkel or sail in its beautiful waters. La Paz rivals Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada for its fishing. There's a Mexican military school in town.
La Paz has a hot, arid climate in the summer, with daily highs in the 90s. The winter and spring can be quite pleasant, with daily average temperatures in the low-80s and refreshing sea breezes cool down the night. The sun shines 340 days a year in La Paz.
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Your ship doesn't actually dock in La Paz, but instead at the port of Pichilingue, about 10 miles north of town. If you're going on an excursion to a point north of Pichilingue, you may never see the city, which would be a pity, because La Paz is a very interesting, very Mexican city.
Taxi fare to town is about $10, while fares within the city average around $5. Taxis are not hard to find, especially around Paseo Alvaro Obregon and the Malecon, La Paz's shore side boardwalk.
La Paz is located inside a beautiful natural bay with excellent protection for its numerous marinas. The tourist zone is located around the Malecon, La Paz's sea walk. Aside from finding some interesting things to buy, aficionados like La Paz for its seafood restaurants and outdoor cafes along the Malecon, and enjoying drinks while watching the golden sunsets.
Another great place to just sit and watch the world go by is at the Plaza Constitucion (known locally as Jardin Velazco). The Plaza is located downtown only four blocks from the Malecon. The town's cathedral, built in the 1860's, is on one end of the main square. |
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 © istockphoto.com/sartriano |
La Paz is on Mountain Time, seven hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time during standard time, or six hours during daylight savings time. Daylight savings time begins on the first Sunday of April, and ends on the last Sunday of October. |
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Spanish is universally spoken in La Paz; all of the shopkeepers catering to tourists also speak English.
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The U. S. Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico.
"Since 2006, the Mexican government has engaged in an extensive effort to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The TCOs, meanwhile, have been engaged in a vicious struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity...
"There is no evidence that U.S. tourists have been targeted by criminal elements due to their citizenship. Nonetheless, while in Mexico you should be aware of your surroundings at all times and exercise particular caution in unfamiliar areas..."
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Currency
The Peso is Mexico's official currency, and uses the "$" sign to denote the peso amount.
As of February 3, 2012, the exchange rate was roughly 12.60 Pesos per US dollar.
Just be aware: larger notes (e.g., $500 Peso notes) are often difficult to change.
Banks and ATMs:
ATM machines are concentrated in the downtown area. Here are a few locations:
- Citibank: has a branch at the Pichilingue cruise ship dock, and at Carlos Esquerro #110; there are 15 additional ATM locations in La Paz; Citibank account holders are not charged an ATM transaction fee.
- BBVA Bancomer: 16 De Septiembre and Guerrero, at the Malecon.
- HSBC Mexico: Ave. 5 De Mayo and Revolucion, near the Plaza Constitucion.
- Santander: Agustin Arreola at Mutualismo, near the Malecon.
To see the locations of downtown La Paz's ATMs, see our La Paz downtown ATM map.
Using US Dollars in La Paz
As US dollars are widely accepted in La Paz, you don't have to change your dollars into pesos. If you're using dollars alone, make sure to bring smaller denominations to pay for incidentals and taxi rides.
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 © istockphoto.com/Tyrannosaur |
| Just north of the tropics and with a desert's low humidity, La Paz has a climate similar to that of Tempe, Arizona. La Paz enjoys 340 days of sun during the year.
During the comfortable winter and spring months, the average daily temperatures range from the mid-60s to the mid-70s F (18-25° C). Summer and fall daily averages rise to the 80s. It can be hot in the summer months, with 100+ degree days not uncommon.
Relative humidities range from the low- to high-60% from December through June, and then rise to the low 70s from July through November. La Paz gets an average annual rainfall of only 7 inches per year.
Water temperatures in the Sea of Cortez La Paz in the winter months are in the mid-60s F. During the summer months, the temperatures climb into the mid-80s F.
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La Paz Average Temperatures |
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Jan |
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Feb |
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Mar |
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Apr |
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May |
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Jun |
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Jul |
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Aug |
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Sep |
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Oct |
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Nov |
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Dec |
| Avg High - F |
73 |
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76 |
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79 |
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85 |
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88 |
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93 |
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96 |
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96 |
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94 |
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90 |
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83 |
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76 |
| Avg High - C |
23 |
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24 |
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26 |
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29 |
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31 |
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34 |
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36 |
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36 |
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34 |
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32 |
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28 |
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24 |
| Avg Low - F |
55 |
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55 |
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56 |
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59 |
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65 |
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66 |
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74 |
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75 |
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74 |
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69 |
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62 |
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57 |
| Avg Low - C |
13 |
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13 |
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13 |
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15 |
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18 |
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18 |
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23 |
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23 |
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23 |
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21 |
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17 |
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14 |
La Paz Average Precipitation |
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Jan |
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Feb |
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Mar |
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Apr |
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May |
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Jun |
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Jul |
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Aug |
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Sep |
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Oct |
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Nov |
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Dec |
| Avg, Inches |
0.7 |
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0.2 |
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0.0 |
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0.0 |
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0.0 |
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0.1 |
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0.5 |
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2.2 |
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3.3 |
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0.4 |
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0.4 |
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0.9 |
| Avg, mm |
16 |
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6 |
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1 |
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1 |
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1 |
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3 |
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12 |
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54 |
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80 |
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11 |
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9 |
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21 |
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 © istockphoto.com/Elizabeth2010 |
Internet Cafes
There are several internet cafes on Paseo Alvaro Obregon, which is adjacent to the Malecon. Hourly rates are reasonable. You can get internet access at the following cyber cafes:
- Bajanet, Madero 430, between Hidalgo and Constitucion.
- Omni Services, Alvaro Obregon 460-C, on the Malecon near Immigration and close to Marina de La Paz and Burger King.
To see the location of La Paz's Internet Cafes, see our Map of La Paz Internet Cafes.
Finding US Newspapers
The closest thing you'll find is a copy of the local English language paper, the Gringo Gazette. Libros Books, on Avenida Constitucion a block northeast of Plaza Constitucion has a good selection of English-language publications.
Kindle Connectivity
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In La Paz, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through Telcel's 3-G coverage in the city. |
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 © istockphoto.com/adamdodd |
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Local Holidays & Festivals |
Look for the following local festivals, holidays and events taking place in La Paz in 2012:
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- Ano Nuevo (New Year's Day), January 1. National holiday celebrated with dances and fiestas.
- Dia de los Santos Reyes (Day of the Three Kings), January 6. A national holiday celebrating the New Testament story of the arrival of the three wise men who each brought a gift to the Christ child. It's the day that children receive gifts as well as shoes full of candy, and people buy a pastry called rosca de reyes.
- Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day), February 5. Public holiday commemorating the signing of the Mexican Constitution of 1917. The day is usually marked by festivals and street celebrations.
- Todos Santos Art Festival, February 4 to 11. Todo Santos hosts a week-long art festival, including art shows, concerts, handicraft demonstrations and workshops.
- Carnaval (Mardis Gras), February 15 to 22. The city's biggest street party and entertainment festival starts Thursday, March 16, and continues through Tuesday, February 21.
- Birthday of Benito Juarez, March 21. A public holiday celebrating the birthday of Benito Juarez, who rose from humble origins to occupy the Presidency of the Republic in the second half of the 19th century. Since it takes place on Wednesday in 2012, people also get off on Monday, March 19.
- Semana Santa (Holy Week), April 1 to 8. The week before Easter is filled with celebrations in La Paz, with daily parades, music and staged performances held at the town square. Easter takes place on Sunday the 8th.
- Primero de Mayo (Labor Day), May 1. A national holiday.
- La Paz Foundation Fair and Festival, May 5. Festivities commemorating the establishment of the city include a slate of artistic and cultural events.
- Cinco de Mayo, May 5. A Mexican holiday commemorating the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when the Mexican army defeated a French force twice its size just south of Mexico City.
- Election Day, July 1. A national holiday set aside for the election of a new Mexican president in 2012.
- Mexican Independence Day, September 16. A celebration of Mexico's War of Independence against Spain. Look for the delivery of the "El Grito de Dolores," the official grunt that marks the day.
- Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day), October 12. Dia de la Raza is how Mexico celebrates Columbus Day.
- Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), November 1-2. Celebrants build private altars to honor the deceased, using sugar skulls, flowers and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.
- Revolution Day, November 20. A national holiday celebrating the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
- Inauguration Day, December 1. In 2012, this national holiday celebrates the inauguration of the new Mexican president.
- Fiesta de la Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), December 8. Marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration season.
- Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe), December 12. Commemorates the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint.
- Navidad (Christmas Day), December 25. A public and religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ.
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 © istockphoto.com/Lo-So-Ma |
La Paz has been a boutique port for Carnival Cruises and Holland America, as well as ships from smaller luxury cruise lines, on voyages to the Gulf of California. However, in 2012, La Paz will fail to play host to any cruise lines, due to a number of factors.
The following cruise lines make port in La Paz:
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Carnival |
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 © istockphoto.com/madisonwi |
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© 2008-2012 CruisePortInsider.com |
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