Destination Overview:
La Paz, a sleepy fishing town with a population of 180,000, is a town that transforms itself into a world class diving and fishing destination when the water in the Sea of Cortez warms up. A short, picturesque 2 hour drive from Cabo San Lucas or an even shorter flight from Phoenix or Los Angeles, La Paz is great for anything from long weekends to longer stays.

Diving Details:
Swimming, scuba diving, surfing, snorkeling, sea kayaking, sport and deep sea fishing, wind surfing, whale watching, island camping, jet skis, and many other water sports can be enjoyed in La Paz. Dive Los Islotes’ sea lion rookery, the El Bajo Sea Mount, and the wreck of the car ferry “Salvatierra”. Dive with the hammerhead sharks, sea lions, whale sharks, dolphins, manta rays, and gamefish of the Sea of Cortez.

Insider Information:
La Paz is a great town for handicraft and artwork purchases without the touristy feel of Cabo San Lucas. Some of the best scuba diving and fishing is yours to experience just hours from Los Angeles. The island of Espiritu Santo offers the perfect getaway from civilization…kayak, sail, or camp on and around the island. An abundant selection of restaurants will satisfy most preferences and price ranges.

Dive Operators

Dive Sites

Hotels

image Villa Carey
image Club Cantamar
image Costa Baja Resort

Maps

imageMexico

Restaurants

Non-Diving Activities

  • Take a whale-watching tour. Observe gray whales that have made the long journey from the Behring Sea to these warm, protected waters in order to mate and give birth. (January-March)
  • Take a half or full day sea kayaking tour to explore off-shore islands
  • Go sport-fishing
  • Snorkel with sea lions
  • Take a hiking tour of prehistoric cave paintings in the beautiful desert surrounding La Paz. Desert Bighorn and the great roadrunner are common sightings in this area.
  • Hike the Sierra de la Laguna, a mountainous mass that was declared a biosphere reserve in 1994. Observe the dramatic change in vegetation as elevation increases.
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Frequently Asked Questions

La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur which lies in northwest Mexico. It is one of the main cities of the southeastern Baja California Peninsula region and is located north of Los Cabos and south of Tijuana.

Alaska Airlines offers nonstop flights from LAX to La Paz with a short flight duration of 2 hrs, 20 min. From New York, flying time is 7 hrs, 30 min or 10 hrs, 30 min with a stopover.

They use the Mexican peso. For almost all purchases, the US$ is accepted with change in pesos. Bringing smaller denominations of the US$ is suggested, as sometimes it is difficult to break a $100 bill.

Spanish is the official language. English is spoken in the main tourist areas.

U.S. citizens are advised to have a valid passport. Upon entry into Mexico you will be given a blue tourist card which will serve as your tourist visa. These are usually good for 90-180 days.

For legal reasons, we cannot make official recommendations regarding shots or immunizations. Please consult with your physician or visit www.cdc.gov for more information.

They use 120 volts just like the US. However, some newer hotels/resorts are now using the more common 3 hole plug. If you need a converter or adaptor, it is advised that you carry your own.

Please consult with your airlines regarding luggage requirements and restrictions.

AeroMexico, Mexicana, Alaska Airlines

It depends on the hotel/resort that you choose to stay at. However, when it comes to your diving transfers, the dive centers usually provide roundtrip hotel/dive center transfers. Please check with the dive shop that will be handling your tours.

Diving in La Paz takes place in the Sea of Cortez, dubbed “The World’s Aquarium” by Captain Jacques Cousteau. It is a must for all diving enthusiasts. Possible encounters include playful sea lions, schooling hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, blue, gray and orca whales, dolphins and giant Pacific Manta Rays, to name a few. Wreck dives, schooling amber jacks and tuna, and dive-through caves, one of which you can surface inside of, will keep you happily entertained.

Departures begin at 8:30am. You will be back at the resort by 5:00pm.

We recommend wearing a 3mm wetsuit. While the water can get warm enough to go without, we recommend wearing one for protection.

Airport fees, rental equipment

E-tickets and vouchers are sent approximately 3 weeks prior to your departure.