About La Paz

"El Farro" on the beach, downtown La Paz

La Paz is a small city located approximately 80 miles north of the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula where it faces the Sea of Cortez. La Paz is the capital of the State of Baja California Sur. Its present population is approximately 160,000. It is connected to the U.S. with a paved highway and to the mainland with a ferry service. It also boasts an international airport with daily flights to the US, Mexico City and other major destinations. The city's palm lined main street is on the beach. The climate of La Paz is pleasantly cool in the winter, rarely dropping below 60 degrees, and hot in the summer. The summer evenings are cool due to a local wind system that comes in from the Pacific.

The city is not a resort area, its activities are geared more towards government and work. It is difficult to buy time shares and there aren't any loud cantinas. There is an extensive marine industry here, and most of the goods brought from the mainland arrive via a deep water port on the outskirts of town. Many U.S. and Canadian vessels arrive here to enjoy peace and quiet, purchase provisions and repair their boats. The city is the medical center for the state with five major hospitals with modern equipment. The stores of La Paz have an interesting variety of goods . Because it is a free port, there are American goods as well as Asian and Mexican.

There are many islands close to La Paz and these are ideal for fishing, skin diving, camping and kayaking. There are boats for rent and charter. Since the local islands are inside the Sea of Cortez, the waters are normally calm. Because it is not a resort area, lodging, food and marine activity are very reasonably priced. There are museums, a city theater, libraries and several institutions of higher learning. If visiting La Paz, bring your computer and modem. La Paz now has many local Internet servers that are very reasonably priced. There are several RV parks in La Paz and the surrounding area.

The inhabitants of La Paz are very hospitable, warm and usually go out of their way to help. There is very little crime in La Paz with only the occasional fender bender argument or a domestic squabble. Violent crimes are for the most part non-existent. Until just recently, most people never locked their front doors. The people enjoy a calm quiet life here and most visitors are confused because of the unhurried attitude. Most stores close in the afternoon for a few hours so that everyone can enjoy a good meal and a siesta. There are many different types of restaurants that cater to the wide variety of foods that the inhabitants enjoy. The Paceños ( La Paz residents) are a family orientated people, and smiles and warm handshakes abound. Paceños are proud of their city and its culture. The residents over the years have developed their own version of Spanish. A Paceño can, for the most part, spot a non-resident instantly. Education is taken very seriously, with foreign language and computer sciences being stressed. Pollution and damage to the environment are not tolerated. Paceños are a handsome people and women outnumber the men. A stroll down the palm lined boardwalk on a warm Sunday evening is a delight for young and old.