Considering a Move to La Paz, Baja California Sur?

​La Paz is the capital of Baja California, and the largest city in southern Baja California. We spent several days in La Paz, in order to get a real feel for the city. In that time, we interviewed several long-term residents, and asked them their opinion of the city overall. 

​​La Paz is like any major city, it has poorer areas as well as richer areas. There are malls, a Wal-Mart, movie theaters, and other modern amenities. 

The main selling point for La Paz is the lovely waterfront, Marina, and miles of swimmable, beautiful beaches. The main plaza, or "strip" is called "El MALECON" which means "pier" in English. It's a lovely, long strip of cobblestone walkways, sidewalks, and shaded benches. Everywhere, couples walked hand-in-hand, and families with small children enjoyed the beaches and small plazas/parks that dotted the waterfront. 

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Waterfront home example in La Paz, pricing and photographs listed is public information.

We saw several homes for sale as well as multiple "Se Renta" signs near the waterfront. Many of these homes are not advertised online, so the best way to get the information is to visit La Paz and search the area on foot. However, searching online will show you the average prices for homes and rentals in the area so you can get a feel for what your money will buy. Right now, as I write this post, the peso is at 18 to the U.S. dollar, so our American dollars are stretching very far. You could easily get a rental property near the waterfront (a few blocks away) for $500-750 American dollars. The homes for sale that were a few blocks from the water ranged wildly in price, but $100,000 USD could purchase a nice home in the area near the pier (just not right on the water--that would cost considerably more). 

The Incredible Beaches Just Outside La Paz

We spoke with a Canadian expat, Jennifer, who was walking her dogs on the Maelcon. She is the one who told us: "I love it here in La Paz, and if you want to see REALLY gorgeous beaches, go to the Playa el Tecolote and Playa La Balantra."

​So we decided to do just that!

If you follow the bay, and drive a little further outside of La Paz,  an incredible array of beautiful, unspoiled beaches awaits. We decided to stay an extra day in La Paz just to explore this region. First, you drive northeast on a paved, two-lane highway (the road is well-maintained and safe to drive, but go slow! It's a very twisty road and part of the road descend to sheer cliffs). 

When driving in this direction, you will pass a Hyatt Hotel, the Hyatt La Paz. We stayed in this hotel overnight during our exploratory trip in La Paz. It was nice, the A/C in the rooms worked great. With the exchange rate, it was less than $90. After a free buffet breakfast in the morning, we headed north to the beaches. 

On the way there, you will pass the luxurious private community of the CostaBaja Golf Club. There is a small, private marina with vsmall yachts, then a golf course and luxury condos.  I searched for information on these condos, and they all seem to be sold out, although there are home sites available, and I assume they will expand. You can stay at the hotel in Costa Baja, now is the low season, so the rooms range in price between $118-$200. In the winter months, the rooms are double or tripe the regular rate, if they are available at all. 

The beautiful, family-oriented beaches outside of La Paz, our pictures just don't do it justice.

Lots of kids having fun on the water.

You have to pass the golf course and keep going along the coast. There aren't many homes beyond the Costabaja golf course, although there are a few scattered shops, hotels, and the main marina where the Baja Ferry docks. This is a huge ferry that takes people, goods, and cars across the Sea of Cortez to Sinaloa and Senora. 

From here, keep driving and you will soon reach the Playa el Tecolote and Playa Balantra. Playa el Tecolote has a few restaurants as well as comfortable palapas and chairs for rent. There are also bathrooms and outdoor showers for guests to use. It's a fabulous place to take your kids. The water is warm and safe, clear and shallow all the way out for many yards. 

Sunscreen is an absolute must, we used 70 SPF on the kids and ourselves and my shoulders still got uncomfortably pink after a full day on the beach. 

Our whole trip was very insightful, and we will be adding a major section about La Paz in our upcoming relocation guide about Baja California. If you are thinking about a move to this city,