Espiritu Santo Island

Enjoy some of the best snorkeling La Paz has to offer at Espiritu Santo Island, a one-hour boat ride from the city. Several tour operators in town offer guided snorkeling tours to the island for a full day of underwater explorations and marine life encounters. The rocky islets are home to more than 500 species of fish, a sea lion colony, sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins, porpoises and the occasional whale shark – the world’s largest fish.

Tours include roundtrip transportation, bilingual guide, lunch and gear. The best time of year for snorkeling is April through October when the waters are calm and visibility is high. Some tour companies offer combo snorkeling/kayaking excursions around La Paz Bay.

Location

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do in La Paz, Mexico?

La Paz in Baja California Sur has no shortage of activities and attractions to keep you busy. Consider including some of these things to do in your itinerary:

Take a boat tour of Espiritu Santo island, where you can swim with sea lions
Enjoy championship golf at Paraiso del Mar, Costa Baja or Bahia de los Sueños
Sea kayaking to the beaches of San Jose island
Snorkeling and scuba diving among ship wrecks and coral reefs
Go whale watching (January to April) for gray and humpback whales
Do some shopping and people watching on the Malecon
Explore the lovely Cathedral Nuestra Señora de La Paz
Soak in the sunshine at Playa el Tecolate
Try a Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) boarding excursion
Sportfishing for marlin and roosterfish (or rent a panga for some family fun)
Go shopping for jewelry and crafts made by talented artisans
Splurge on gourmet cuisine from one of many La Paz restaurants

What do I need to have when flying to La Paz, Mexico from the US?

To enter Mexico by air, land or sea, you must present a current passport and tourist card (FMT), the latter of which are valid for up to 180 days. You can apply for a tourist card online by visiting the website of Mexico’s National Immigration Institute.

When flying in, the FMT is generally filled out upon arrival at the international airport.

When's the best time to visit La Paz, Mexico?

La Paz has an average of 340 days of sunshine per year, and its coast — buffered by steady 10-to-15-knot winds — attract hordes of sea kayakers, stand-up paddlers, snorkelers, and divers. The summers are typically long and muggy; the winters are short, comfortable, and dry. The temperature typically ranges from 53 degrees F to 97 degrees F, and is rarely below 47 degrees F or above 102 degrees F.

The best times of year to visit La Paz for warm-weather activities are from mid-February to late June, and from mid-October to late December. September and October are the region’s rainiest months. December through April is high tourist season, when daytime temperatures hover in the mid-70s and 80s.

What kind of shopping is there in La Paz, Mexico?

Gift and specialty shops, souvenir stands and upscale boutiques sell a variety of handicrafts, ceramics, clothing, jewelry and artwork. La Paz even has an authentic Chinatown, modern shopping malls and a local farmer’s street market that is held weekly. For those who revel in a little retail therapy, pay a visit to these La Paz gems:

Ceramica Ibarra – unique, handmade pottery, lots of practical gift items
Casa Parra – eclectic selection of carvings, baskets, ceramics and handmade arts and crafts
La Antigua California -beautiful artisanal products including glass, silver jewelry, pottery and weavings plus typical souvenirs
Mercado Madero – one of two public markets in town that sells inexpensive clothing and gift items. Also has food stalls selling fresh produce, meat and cheeses
Allende Books – fantastic collection of English books in various genres, with a focus on travel and local history; located near the Cathedral Plaza.