La Paz, Capital city in Baja California Sur, Mexico
La Paz is the capital city of Baja California Sur, located along a sheltered bay on the Gulf of California in Mexico. The city spreads along a waterfront promenade several kilometers long, facing turquoise waters and sandy beaches.
A Spanish explorer founded an initial settlement here in 1535, naming it Santa Cruz Bay. The city later received its current name and grew into the administrative center of the region along the Gulf of California.
The name means peace in Spanish and reflects the unhurried way locals go about their daily routines along the waterfront. Fresh fish is sold at small markets every day, while families stroll along the shoreline in the evening.
An international airport connects the city with other Mexican destinations and offers seasonal flights to the United States. The waterfront promenade is flat and easy to walk, with numerous access points along the shore.
The nearby islands in the gulf are home to sea lions, whale sharks, and whales that pass through during migration periods. Some visitors swim in the bay alongside these large animals when conditions allow.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
