The capital of Baja California Sur, La Paz is one of the best places places to live in Mexico. Here’s what you need to know about moving to La Paz, Mexico.
When people ask me about the best places to live in Mexico, they’re often really asking: What are the best places to live in Mexico on the beach?
I fell in love with La Paz, Mexico, when I traveled there in November 2022. It was the last stop on my 10-day trip around Baja California Sur.
To be honest, when I arrived in La Paz, I was feeling a bit disillusioned with the Baja California Peninsula. I didn’t understand the hype of Los Cabos & figured BCS just wasn’t for me…
But, La Paz completely changed my mind.
With its beautiful beaches, waterfront walkway, well-connected international airport and safe reputation, I found La Paz to be one of the most livable cities I’ve visited in Mexico to date.
After reading this post, you will know:
- Important things to consider when moving to La Paz
- Best things to do in La Paz
- Who is living La Paz (the expat community)
- Average costs including monthly rent
- & more!
The capital of the Mexican state Baja California Sur, La Paz is home to around 250,000 inhabitants. One of those inhabitants is Ximena Ruiz.
Born in Mexico City & raised in Querétaro, Ximena has called La Paz home for the past eight years. I spoke to her about life in La Paz and why it’s one of the best places to live in Mexico (you can watch the full interview over on YouTube).
- Thinking about moving to La Paz? Ximena Ruiz & the Host Relocation team want to help! Use the code “Alex5” for a special reader discount on immigration and house hunting services.
Best Things to Do in La Paz
When deciding where you want to live in Mexico, it’s important to consider your lifestyle.
The Baja California Peninsula is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts. Moving to La Paz could be a good fit for you if you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
There are also opportunities for water sports like kayaking, sailing and scuba diving. The Sea of Cortez is home to a variety of marine life including manta rays, sea lions, whale sharks and humpback whales.
The whale watching season in La Paz starts in mid-December and runs through March.
Best Beaches in La Paz
La Paz is home to some of the best beaches in Mexico. Popular spots include Playa El Coromuel, Playa Pichilingue, Playa Tecolote & Playa Balandra.
Consistently recognized as one of the best beaches in the world, one visit to Playa Balandra will have you contemplating a move to La Paz.
The calm waters make Balandra Beach the perfect place for swimming. There are paddle boards and kayaks for rent as well.
A short drive from the city center, Playa Balandra is free to enter, but due to its popularity, visitors can only stay for half a day.
You must choose between the morning shift or the afternoon shift. If you choose the morning, arrive around 8 a.m. Keep in mind that only a set number of people are allowed to enter.
At 10 minutes to noon, the beach is cleared for the afternoon shift which begins at 1 p.m.
I really like this method because it keeps the beach from getting too crowded while still allowing lots of people to enjoy it.
It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the beach itself. I recommend packing your own cooler with drinks and snacks since there isn’t much for sale at Balandra Beach.
Just a short drive up the road from Playa Balandra is Playa Tecolote.
It’s considerably more developed than Balandra (which is a protected site). There are restaurants and bars as well as beach chairs for rent.
Much like Daytona Beach in the United States, the sand is packed down, and people drive their RVs right onto the beach for overnight camping.
Tours leave from Playa Tecolote to Espiritu Santo Island. Visiting this uninhabited island is one of the best things to do in La Paz.
Take the short boat trip out to Isla Espiritu Santo for a chance to get up close and personal with marine life. A highlight of many tours is the opportunity to snorkel with sea lions.
Main Attractions in La Paz
In addition to the beautiful beaches, one of the main attractions in La Paz is the malecón.
This boardwalk has the sea on one side and the city center on the other. The well-maintained sidewalks are among the best I’ve tread on in Mexico, and I loved that there are also dedicated bike lanes.
Popular with visitors and locals alike, the malecón is lined with restaurants and bars overlooking the water. It’s the perfect place to listen to live music, enjoy fresh seafood, go for a jog or just watch one of the city’s beautiful sunsets.
Other main attractions in La Paz include:
- Baja California Sur Regional Museum
- Marina Cortez
- Nuestra Señora de La Paz (cathedral)
- Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur
- Museo de la Ballena y Ciencias del Mar (natural history museum)
- Golf courses
Cost of Living in La Paz
While expats moving to La Paz, Mexico, from the United States or Canada might think that La Paz has a low cost of living, it’s actually an expensive city when compared to major cities in Mexico.
Because La Paz is a small city, limited options mean a smaller range of prices.
“In some other cities in Mexico, you could have the very high-end expensive places, but you can also have the very cheap ones,” Ruiz said. “That doesn’t happen that much [in La Paz].”
According to Ximena, La Paz doesn’t have “cheap CHEAP” options. Instead, prices range from mid to high end.
One factor driving up prices is the cost of labor. The minimum salary is higher in Baja California Sur than, for example, in central Mexico.
The average costs of food and other goods are more expensive in La Paz than mainland Mexico.
Supplies reach La Paz via ship or are transported overland from the border which is a thousand miles away. Geographically, you could almost consider La Paz an island.
Monthly rent in La Paz for a two-bedroom furnished apartment near the malecón (a popular area for expats) costs around $700 US.
Ximena surveyed her expat friends and clients to learn how much they spend monthly living in La Paz. She said that, on average, a couple with no children spends between $2,000-$2,500 US per month.
Here’s what $2,500 per month ($1,250 per person) will get you in La Paz, Mexico:
- Small, furnished (new or nearly new) apartment near the malecón
- Dining out for most meals
- No penny pinching or strict budgeting
- Living like you’re on vacation
As with anywhere, cost of living depends on your particular lifestyle. There are always opportunities to save money just like there are opportunities to spend more.
Real Estate in La Paz
Since the pandemic, Ximena said she’s observed rising housing costs. Over the last three years, housing prices have increased 15-20%.
Even so, monthly rent in La Paz is more affordable than other popular Baja California Sur such as Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo).
Landlords in La Paz are open to month-to-month arrangements which make the city an ideal place for snowbirds looking to escape cold winters in the United States and Canada. Rentals are generally furnished.
The most popular neighborhoods for expats moving to La Paz are near the malecón and El Centenario.
Located on the road going north out of La Paz (past the international airport), El Centenario features large lots. The houses are bigger than in the city center.
Who is Moving to La Paz Mexico?
Prior to the pandemic, Ximena said the expats moving to La Paz were mostly retired people.
However, with more people working remotely from Mexico, La Paz has seen an increase in younger expats and families.
Check out these posts about expats living in La Paz, Mexico:
- City Guide for Nomads and Expats by My Latin Life
- An Eco-Friendly Capital by International Living
- Best Restaurants by Eternal Expat
Weather in La Paz
With around 350 days of sunshine annually, the weather in La Paz might seem perfect at a glance, but there’s more to consider.
While humidity isn’t as much of a factor as other coastal cities in Mexico (remember, the Baja California Peninsula is largely desert), it’s still very intense weather.
August and September are the hottest months of the year with an average high of 97°F and low of 77°F.
Ximena advises her clients to spend the summer in La Paz before deciding to move there full time. The temperatures are so severe that outdoor activities during the summer months in La Paz could put you at risk for dehydration and heat exhaustion.
The rainy season in La Paz starts in July and runs through December. But, even during this time of year, La Paz doesn’t see a whole lot of precipitation.
La Paz only gets one to two weeks of rainfall a year. Storms sometimes happen during hurricane season, but the location of the city largely protects it.
The best time of year to visit La Paz is December through February. During the winter months, temperatures are in the mid-70s with a nice breeze coming off the water.
Is La Paz Safe?
La Paz has a reputation as one of the safest cities to live in Mexico.
I spent four days in La Paz in 2022 & I can say that I felt very safe during my time there. My activities included walking at night, driving and jogging on my own.
Of course, regardless of how safe a city feels, it’s important to use common sense and maintain situational awareness. Petty theft is always a risk in Mexico, so keep an eye on your personal belongings.
One of the reasons I felt so comfortable in La Paz is that the city has a small town feel.
People weren’t rushing around, and the few times I needed help (mostly just asking for directions), locals stopped what they were doing to point me in the right direction.
Public Transport in La Paz
While La Paz city center is highly walkable, getting around beyond centro is a bit more complicated.
Public transport in La Paz consists of a public bus system and colectivos (shared taxi vans). The public bus system has a reputation for being crowded and slow while colectivos are unreliable and difficult to use if you don’t speak Spanish.
Taxis are widely available and safe to use. Just be sure you negotiate the price before starting your trip.
As far as getting around the Baja California Peninsula, you can take an intercity bus from La Paz to Los Cabos via Todos Santos. The journey takes two and a half hours.
I rented a car for the duration of my stay in Baja California Sur and most people will tell you your own vehicle is a must for getting around the peninsula.
- Having your own vehicle is the best way to get around the Baja Peninsula! This post has everything you need to know about buying a car in Mexico.
What to Know Before Moving to La Paz, Mexico
If you’re someone who is used to having everything available to you at a moment’s notice, moving to La Paz, Mexico, might not be the right choice for you.
As I mentioned in the section about the cost of living in La Paz, the location of the city on the Baja California Peninsula effectively makes it an island.
In addition to higher average costs for things like food, this results in supply challenges.
There’s only one road down the Baja California Peninsula, so if/when the road is closed due to weather, the supply chain is disrupted. Shortages happen from time to time.
It’s just something to keep in mind if you’re thinking about moving to La Paz.
Related Articles
- A Guide to Working Remotely From Mexico
- Best Hospitals in Mexico for Expats
- 9 Mistakes Expats Make When Moving to Mexico
Final Thoughts on Moving to La Paz, Mexico
One of the best places to live on the Baja Peninsula, moving to La Paz is a great option for expats who want to live by the beach in Mexico but don’t want an overly touristy resort town.
The capital of the state of Baja California Sur, La Paz is the ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts and beach lovers. Known as the “Aquarium of the World,” the Sea of Cortez has an incredible variety of marine life.
La Paz has good infrastructure ranging from the malecón lined with palm trees to an international airport. You get small city amenities without sacrificing small town charm.
Niceness is built into the local culture here, and if you’re looking for a slower pace of life, La Paz is a great place to live.
- Thinking about moving to La Paz? Ximena Ruiz & the Host Relocation team want to help! Use the code “Alex5” for a special reader discount on immigration and house hunting services.
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