Explore the best beaches in the La Paz area with our expert recommendations. As longtime residents of 3 years, we offer unique insights and hidden gems most travelers overlook. Whether you seek tranquility or adventure, we’ve got you covered in this blog post!

Let us help you discover the ultimate La Paz beaches, personally tested by us. From our top favorites to the average spots, we’ve explored them all. I will tell you why in the post below where the perfect spot is for your family. 

Playa Pulguero Tepetates La Paz Mexico

To reach Playa Pulguero Tepetates, head towards Tecolote Beach and turn right at the prominent sign. Navigate dirt and sandy roads to find parking at this secluded spot.

We love this beach for its crystal-clear waters, abundant seaweed, and breathtaking views of Isla Espiritu Santo. It’s a secluded paradise where we’ve enjoyed hours of solitude, making it a truly special experience.

This beach captivates us with its clear waters, plentiful seaweed, and breathtaking views of Isla Espiritu Santo. It’s a secluded paradise where we’ve cherished hours of solitude, making it truly one of the best places for an exceptional experience.

Key Information

Getting to this beach feels like an adventure, especially for first-timers. The first time we went, we encountered a local charging a fee near a private trailer marked “propiedad privada.”

You can decide whether to pay the local or just drive past. After our first encounter, we never saw him again. The trailer remains, but it’s usually deserted.

What to Know Before You Visit Playa Pulguero Tepetates

This remote Baja hidden gem offers solitude, but watch out for summer rattlesnakes and stingrays. It’s less crowded than nearby Tecolote Beach, ideal for families seeking tranquility.

Explore abundant coral and marine life at this hidden gem. Keep an eye out for dolphins—they occasionally grace this tranquil spot due to the reef.

Playa El Saltito and Playa La Sorpresa La Paz Mexico

Located on the eastern coast of the peninsula, facing Corvallis Island in the Sea of Cortez, this beach features a sunken boat that attracts a variety of fish, making it a haven for snorkeling enthusiasts.

Saltito Beach, a 30-minute drive from downtown La Paz Mexico or the city center, can get crowded on weekends. You might end up at Sorpresa Beach instead. Prepare for an adventure!

Key Information 

The road to Saltito Beach starts near the power plant and is mostly paved. With friends guiding us, we followed until the road turned sandy and rough. It’s an adventure, especially without a 4WD!

Navigating to Saltito Beach can be tricky. Follow the paved road to its end, then stay right at the split and continue on the pavement until you reach a large sandy area—that’s your spot before choosing a direction!

At the 5-way intersection, the best way is to follow the road that points you towards the blue water and down the hill. The road will be a little to the left and in front of you. But if you get lost one of the best things to do is just ask a local for directions.

What to Know Before You Visit

Saltito Beach lacks services, but it’s spacious and often bustling with locals, especially on weekends. Dive into the lively fiesta atmosphere and perhaps enjoy a fish dinner caught with a spear gun at home!

Playa El Caimancito, La Paz Mexico

Situated between Puerto Cortes Baja Resort and La Concha Beach Resort, this beach features a gate guard for access control. We’ve never driven in due to this for no particular reason, ensuring controlled entry and exit with the guard’s assistance.

Key Information

If you plan to visit, bring all your essentials as there are no food and beverage services available. While we’ve anchored nearby, we’ve yet to set foot on shore. However, the sandy shores resemble those of Puerta Cortes and the famous Balandra Beach.

The sign clearly indicates no dogs allowed to help preserve the beach. Operational hours are from 8 am to 7 pm daily, and bathrooms are available near the road.

What to Know Before You Visit Playa El Caimancito

This lesser-known beach requires a stroll down the boardwalk for access. Palapas are available for shade, and it’s considered family-friendly by beachgoers.

Playa El Coromuel La Paz Mexico

This beach boasts perfect white sand and minimal rocks, ideal for swimming. Buoys block off the swimming area, offering safety from jet skis, making it a favorite spot for us.

The pier offers an above-water view of the ocean, where dolphins are occasionally spotted. Unfortunately, the water slide is closed forever due to a past injury, according to a local source.

Key Information

Entry to the beach is free, but arrive early, especially on weekends. Enjoy food and drink service right to your spot on the beach, enhancing the experience significantly.

What to Know Before You Visit Playa El Coromuel

This beach gets busy on weekends like others in La Paz. Located towards the Malecon’s end, it offers stairs to the upper walk path for stunning sunset views for the perfect family picture spot.

Playa El Tesoro La Paz Mexico

Playa Tesoro is a beach we passed many times before reaching Playa Tecolote. As I drove I only got a quick glimpse. You will love this beach because they have lots of services for you and your family.

Crystal-clear water at Playa Tesoro offers mesmerizing views and the chance to spot sea turtles. We were lucky to encounter a sea turtle while anchored nearby.

Playa Tesoro’s intimate setting between two hills offers a unique canyon-like ambiance, making it stand out from larger beaches.

Key Information

Tesoro Beach provides daily rentals of kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, along with palapa rentals and drink service. Restrooms are located closer to the house on the hill, while cold beer and great margaritas await you.

What to Know Before You Visit Playa El Tesoro

The free parking is limited, so arrive early or seek a spot later in the day. Cash and coins are preferred, though payment methods may have changed. When kayaking in the afternoon, stay close to shore to avoid strong Coromuel winds that can sweep you off into the sunset.

Playa El Tecolote La Paz Mexico

El Tecolote Beach, La Paz’s largest beach, boasts tide pools, abundant sea glass, and beachfront restaurants. Drive right onto the sand, where visitors park, relax, and enjoy the amenities for a day or even a week.

At El Tecolote Beach, rent jet skis or take panga trips to Isla Espiritu Santo. Don’t miss Baja Toto Drinks. It is one of the best spots for seafood tostadas, margaritas and the vacation beach vibes.

Key Information

At El Tecolote Beach, families can camp and park right on the beach for a full day of fun. Vendors offer fruit cups, beers, trinkets, and ice cream, but they can get bothersome after a while.

It’s not one of our top picks because of the vendors. If you stay farther from the restaurants, you’ll find a better balance of peace and avoiding vendors.

During weekends, it remains a popular spot, bustling with parties and lively vibes. Loud music, friends, and family create a lively atmosphere perfect for making new beach buddies and soaking up the vibes.

What to Know Before You Visit Playa El Tecolote

For the hike to Playa Tecolotito, steer clear of parking alongside other vehicles at the trailhead to prevent break-ins. We once encountered an attempted break-in, even in broad daylight, but thankfully managed to thwart it.

Playa La Concha La Paz Mexico

La Concha, or “the shell beach,” offers a serene escape with fewer crowds due to overshadowing hotels. Despite its name, shell sightings have been rare during our visits. Playa Vista Mar has a lot of shells if you and your family are looking for shells.

Key Information

For convenient access to La Concha Beach, park in the recently upgraded middle area between Hwy11. Enjoy additional amenities such as a dog park and workout equipment.

Simply follow other beachgoers or head to the south end of La Choncha hotel, between La Concha Condominiums, for the beach walkway, especially if it’s less crowded.

The iconic La Concha Hotel, La Paz’s first beach resort, was praised as a hidden gem by a visitor at Don Eddie’s Sport Fishing Center in San Quintin. He fondly recalled sailing with his trailerable boat parked nearby and savoring drinks from the hotel bar.

What to Know Before You Visit Playa La Concha

La Concha Beach features reefs and rocks in shallow water close to the sand, drawing morning lap swimmers. Shielded by mountains and tall buildings, it’s protected from southward Coromuel winds making this bay perfect for snorkeling.

While lacking public restrooms, purchasing a drink from the La Concha Beach Resort hotel may offer bathroom access.

Playa Pichilingue La Paz Mexico

Located just after the ferry terminal on Hwy 11 northbound, this beach boasts mesmerizing turquoise water perfect for families. Shallow waters and white beautiful beaches create the stunning color, leaving us breathless every time we pass.

You’ll adore this beach—minimal waves make it ideal for a day out. Weekends get busy, so snagging a spot might be tough, but the vibe is friendly and welcoming.

Key Information

The soft sand makes it ideal for a day out, and during winter months, some folks even camp in RVs. Plus, there’s a public boat ramp on the northern side. Just past the boat ramp is a trail to the point offering great views.

Be mindful of the drop-off from Hwy 11 to the sandy road; missing the turn means a turnaround. Drive cautiously to avoid damage.

What to Know Before You Visit Playa Pichilingue

Explore the mangroves at low tide in winter; find brittle sea stars by the boat ramp rocks. Sailboats love the calm bay and stunning beaches.

The lagoon will drain out at low tide during the winter creating a great place in the mangroves you can walk through and explore with the family. The rocks by the boat ramp have brittle sea stars aka ‘starfish’. Sailboats love the calm bay and stunning beaches here.

Pro Tip: If you are visiting Pichilingue, discover Perlas De La Paz by booking a tour, read our review here. They grow pearls just outside of this bay by the island. They grow coral and help conserve the area of La Paz Mexico. Your kids will love the educational tour and don’t forget to buy pearls as a souvenir. 

Playa Los Gaviotas La Paz Mexico

Explore our favorite beach in the La Paz area, easily reachable by vehicle. It’s a great spot to enjoy white sands, stunning views, and aqua-green waters. During whale shark season, you might even catch a glimpse of baby whale sharks in the bay.

Remember, Balandra is part of a natural protected area, called ‘Area de Protección de Flora y Fauna, Balandra’. So please practice “leave no trace” principles to preserve its natural beauty.

Key Information

You will have to park in the Pichilingue area and find the trail that goes up the hill. Once you reach the top follow it along and it will take you to the beach where crystal clear water awaits for you and your family.

What to Know Before You Visit Playa Los Gaviotas

Arriving by boat is the easiest option. The north side features large coral reefs, ideal for spearfishing triggerfish. Despite busy weekends, it’s one of the least crowded beaches around.

Bahía De Los Muertos

Los Muertos marks the start of Baja’s Caribbean-like beaches. With white powdery sand reminiscent of the Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas, it’s adorned with smooth rocks scattered across patches of the beach.

Key Information

Los Muertos is ideal for a north wind as it’s sheltered by land. Its east and west sides boast reefs, perfect for avid snorkelers and spearfishing enthusiasts alike.

What to Know Before You Visit Bahia de Los Muertos

At Los Muertos, two restaurants await you: one near the free public parking and boat ramp, while the other features a pool with a slide and offers to cook your freshly caught fish for a nominal fee.

Ensenada De La Partida (Isla Espiritu Santo) La Paz Mexico

In this area, accessible by boat within the National Park Isla Partida and Isla Espiritu Santo Island, you’ll find several beaches. The vibrant marine life, including sea lions, thrives here.

At low tide, fiddler crabs dot the beach, providing a fun experience for kids. One beach features a shallow pass between the islands, with a fishing village and a trail leading to a rocky beach on the eastern side of the bay.

Key Information

Access to this location requires a boat, and National Park passes are mandatory as the island is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Numerous tour companies offer excursions to this beach, ensuring a memorable experience while adhering to conservation regulations.

What to Know Before You Visit La Partida & Isla Espiritu Santo

Camping is prohibited in this area, and it’s essential to adhere to National Park rules to preserve the pristine nature of the surroundings.

Playa Balandra (Balandra Beach) La Paz Mexico

Balandra Bay, home to the iconic Mushroom Rock (El Hongo), is renowned as one of Baja California Sur’s treasures. While it’s been dubbed “Mexico’s most beautiful beach”, other hidden gems accessible only by boat also vie for that title.

With the powdery white sand beaches and pristine waters, it’s perfect for swimming, but be cautious of stingrays in the Balandra Bay area.

Key Information

Balandra Bay limits daily visitors to 200 to preserve its beauty. Arriving early ensures entry, as once the limit’s met, no more are admitted. Accessible by a boat tour or hiking from neighboring beaches once capacity is reached, it remains a pristine retreat.

What to Know Before You Visit Playa Balandra

Balandra Bay offers free pit toilets and a food truck in the parking lot. Palapa shades on the beach provide shelter from the sun free of charge.

Exploring the sandbars at Balandra Bay is best during low tide for full access to the middle. High tide might limit your exploration options.

If you’re coming from Los Cabos or Cabo San Lucas, plan to get to Balandra Bay early. The picturesque 2.5-hour scenic drive adds to the adventure. From Todos Santos, it’s a shorter 1.5-hour drive, ensuring you arrive with plenty of time to enjoy the beauty.

Which Beach in La Paz Mexico is The Best?

There’s a wealth of beauty in and around the City of La Paz, from its incredible beaches to the bustling Malecon. Even if you don’t venture far, the Malecon beach offers a memorable experience with clams, seagulls, and nearby playgrounds. And don’t miss the breathtaking sunset views at one of the most popular beaches. Your family is sure to have an amazing time exploring the town of La Paz.