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La Paz Basics

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La Paz is the principal commercial center and the capital of the Mexican State of Baja California Sur, which comprises the southern half of the Baja Peninsula. With a population of 250,000 residents, La Paz is a midsize port city. When contrasted to the Los Cabos area, La Paz is a much more laid back city with a more traditional Mexican atmosphere.

The economy of La Paz is based on tourism, fishing, commerce and government activities. Eco-tourists have flocked to the La Paz area to dive, snorkel or sail in its beautiful waters. La Paz rivals Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada for its fishing. There's a Mexican military school in town.

La Paz has a hot, arid climate in the summer, with daily highs in the 90s. The winter and spring can be quite pleasant, with daily average temperatures in the low-80s and refreshing sea breezes cool down the night. The sun shines 340 days a year in La Paz.

First Impressions

Your ship doesn't actually dock in La Paz, but instead at the port of Pichilingue, about 10 miles north of town. If you're going on an excursion to a point north of Pichilingue, you may never see the city, which would be a pity, because La Paz is a very interesting, very Mexican city.

Taxi fare to town is about $10, while fares within the city average around $5. Taxis are not hard to find, especially around Paseo Alvaro Obregon and the Malecon, La Paz's shore side boardwalk.

La Paz is located inside a beautiful natural bay with excellent protection for its numerous marinas. The tourist zone is located around the Malecon, La Paz's sea walk. Aside from finding some interesting things to buy, aficionados like La Paz for its seafood restaurants and outdoor cafes along the Malecon, and enjoying drinks while watching the golden sunsets.

Another great place to just sit and watch the world go by is at the Plaza Constitucion (known locally as Jardin Velazco). The Plaza is located downtown only four blocks from the Malecon. The town's cathedral, built in the 1860's, is on one end of the main square.

© istockphoto.com/sartriano

Time Zone

La Paz is on Mountain Time, seven hours later than Greenwich Mean Time during standard time, or six hours during daylight savings time. Daylight savings time begins on the first Sunday of April, and ends on the last Sunday of October.

Language

Spanish is universally spoken in La Paz; all of the shopkeepers catering to tourists also speak English.

Currency

The Peso is Mexico's official currency, and uses the "$" sign to denote the peso amount. The exchange rate is currently around 12.75 Pesos per US dollar. Just be aware: larger notes (e.g., $500 Peso notes) are often difficult to change.

Banks and ATMs:

ATM machines are concentrated in the downtown area. Here are a few locations:

Citibank: there are 16 ATM locations in La Paz; Citibank account holders are not charged an ATM transaction fee.
BBVA Bancomer: 16 De Septiembre and Guerrero, at the Malecon.
HSBC Mexico: Ave. 5 De Mayo and Revolucion, near the Plaza Constitucion.
Banco Internacional: Ave. 5 de Mayo and Madero, near the Plaza Constitucion.

Using US Dollars in La Paz

As US dollars are widely accepted in La Paz, you don't have to change your dollars into pesos. If you're using dollars alone, make sure to bring smaller denominations to pay for incidentals and taxi rides.

© istockphoto.com/Tyrannosaur

Weather

Just north of the tropics and with a desert's low humidity, La Paz has a climate similar to that of Tempe, Arizona. La Paz enjoys 340 days of sun during the year.

During the comfortable winter and spring months, the average daily temperatures range from the mid-60s to the mid-70s F (18-25° C). Summer and fall daily averages rise to the 80s. It can be hot in the summer months, with 100+ degree days not uncommon.

Relative humidities range from the low- to high-60% from December through June, and then rise to the low 70s from July through November. La Paz gets an average annual rainfall of only 7 inches per year.

Water temperatures in the Sea of Cortez La Paz in the winter months are in the mid-60s F. During the summer months, the temperatures climb into the mid-80s F.

La Paz Average Temperatures
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High - F	73	76	79	85	88	93	96	96	94	90	83	76
Avg High - C	23	24	26	29	31	34	36	36	34	32	28	24
Avg Low - F	55	55	56	59	65	66	74	75	74	69	62	57
Avg Low - C	13	13	13	15	18	18	23	23	23	21	17	14

La Paz Weather Forecast, Mexico

© istockphoto.com/Elizabeth2010

Keeping In Touch

Internet Cafes

There are several internet cafes on Paseo Alvaro Obregon, which is adjacent to the Malecon. Hourly rates are reasonable. In addition, you'll get internet access at the following locations:

Bajanet, Madero 430, between Hidalgo and Constitucion.
Omni Services, on the Malecon near Immigration and close to Marina de La Paz and Burger King.

Finding US Newspapers

The closest thing you'll find is a copy of the local English language paper, the Gringo Gazette. Libros Books, on Avenida Constitucion a block northeast of Plaza Constitucion has a good selection of English-language publications.

Local Holidays & Festivals

The following local festivals, holidays and events are scheduled to take place in La Paz in 2010:

Ano Nuevo (New Year's Day), January 1. National holiday celebrated with dances and fiestas.
Dia de los Santos Reyes (Day of the Three Kings), January 6. A national holiday when children receive their Christmas gifts as well as shoes full of candy.
Todos Santos Art Festival, January 30 to February 6. Todo Santos hosts a week-long art festival, including art shows, concerts, handicraft demonstrations and workshops.
Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day), February 1. Public holiday commemorating the signing of the Mexican Constitution of 1917. The day is usually marked by festivals and street celebrations.
Carnaval (Mardis Gras), February 11 to 16. Pre-Lenten festival that's big in Mexico.
Birthday of Benito Juarez, March 15. A public holiday celebrating the birthday of Benito Juarez, who rose from humble origins to occupy the Presidency of the Republic in the second half of the 19th century.
Primero de Mayo (Labor Day), May 1. A national holiday.
La Paz Foundation Fair and Festival, May 3. Festivities to commemorate the Foundation of the city. Features diverse artistic and cultural events.
Cinco de Mayo, May 5. A national Mexican holiday commemorating the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when the Mexican army defeated a French force twice its size just south of Mexico City.
Mexican Independence Day, September 15-16. A celebration of Mexico's War of Independence against Spain. Look for the delivery of the "El Grito de Dolores," the offical grunt that marks the day.
Todos Santos Fiesta, October 9 to 10. Todos Santos, the nearby artisan village, holds its annual fiesta.
Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day), October 12. Dia de la Raza is how Mexico celebrates Columbus Day.
Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), November 1-2. Celebrants build private altars to honor the deceased, using sugar skulls, flowers and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.
Revolution Day, November 22. A national holiday celebrating the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
Fiesta de la Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), December 8. Marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration season.
Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe), December 12. Commemorates the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint.
Navidad (Christmas Day), December 25. A public and religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ.