Panama

Sri Lanka

Gatlinburg, Tennesee

Belize

Nevis

Riviera Maya

Western Montana

With almost everyone watching Yellowstone, Western Montana easily makes the list. Montana is just as beautiful as the show depicts it to be. Even more so in person. While here you have to stay at a ranch and get your cowboy on. There are many to choose from and I’ve stayed at two I can recommend: High Tail Ranch and Alpine Falls Ranch. The High Tail Ranch even has a few days a year that you can pay to help herd Bison! Also while here you have to go fly fishing (often included in your ranch stay), go hiking, and visit a hot spring.

La Paz, Mexico

Germany’s Romantic Road

Turkey

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I recently experienced a new to me destination, La Paz, Mexico. It’s still fairly unknown for many. La Paz just a two-hour drive from Los Cabos is located facing the Sea of Cortez in the heart of the Baja Peninsula. It is a tourist destination that is quickly becoming a popular place to go in Mexico. With over one-fifth of the Mexican coasts, Baja California Sur owns one of the most unique and beautiful beaches in Mexico, Balandra Beach, only 17 miles away from downtown where most of its accommodations are found including some VRBOs. What you won’t currently find are all-inclusive hotels. At this time there are none, but there are new properties being built as I type this. 

Best Places to Stay in La Paz

Whether you are for traveling with family or traveling solo on a getaway La Paz has a top-notch option for everyone. All of the hotels included here offer free wifi and free parking.

Baja Club

This is a newer property in La Paz, located in the heart of the Malecon (coastline promenade, bring your roller blades) this property belongs to Habita Hotels Group with several properties around Mexico in the most exclusive destinations. Its terrace is famous among locals and travelers, as this is one of the best places to be delighted by one of its colorful sunsets.

This property is mostly oriented for couples. It boosts a bohemian atmosphere with subtle details such as its patios or its outdoor pool (take advantage of the pool earlier in the day before it’s in the shade), their spa is the cherry on the top of the cake. Their rates start at $280 + tax. Which includes a fabulous breakfast with fresh fruit at their on-site restaurant. You can also have room service for breakfast if you choose. In the evenings their restaurant serves Greek food. 

Costabaja by Indigo an IHG Hotel

This property is conveniently located five minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown La Paz. Perfect for families or couples. This property belongs to Puerta Cortes Resort, which offers seven different restaurants, a Marina, a marine village, condos, villas, and a Gary Player-designed golf course with 14 out of the 18 holes with oceanview. The rooms are lovely and the outdoor pool is a great place to spend a hot day. There’s a swim-up bar in the pool and they have a fitness center.

Its restaurant Steibeck’s honors the famous American author John Steinbeck who wrote a book about Baja called La Perla. There you will find a breakfast buffet each morning. Their other restaurant is one of the best in town, Cardon Restaurant. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset while enjoying an impeccable meal. 

Its marina makes things so much simpler when it comes to planning an excursion, as all tour operators can pick up clients from there, with no need for transfers making it perfect when traveling with kids, but also convenient when going out on a fishing tour. Rates start at $250 + tax.

Casa al Mar

Casa al Mar is a historic hotel in a great location right in the heart of La Paz along el malecon. You will fall in love with its stylish rooms with the South Californian touch and warmth that will make you feel at home. Staying here includes breakfast at the hotel restaurant and it’s fabulous. We stayed here the last time we were in La Paz. We had a two-bedroom with a living room ,and a small kitchen. It was great to spread out and have a hang-out space. The only downside was that there was only one bathroom. Check current rates at Casa al Mar. (The featured photo for this post is also at Casa al Mar. That’s me at the check-in desk.)

Hotel Catedral

Located next to the Cathedral, this boutique hotel with 53 rooms offers a minimalist design with perfect details such as a rooftop bar with a small pool exclusively for guests from where you can experience those famous La Paz sunsets. I personally believe there is no better way to start a fresh morning in Mexico than with Chilaquiles, a typical Mexican dish with corn chips and chicken and this hotel chilaquiles might be easily ranked in the top ten. The best part? Due to its location right downtown, you can easily reach bars, restaurants, ice-cream shops, the Malecon, and nightlife within just a few blocks. Plus, it’s affordable. Rates start at $90 for a single or dob including breakfast. Check current rates at Hotel Catedral 

Rancho Cacachilas

GLAMPING! Truthfully, that one word doesn’t really do justice to all Rancho Cacahilas has to offer. It’s an all-inclusive adventure camp experience, surrounded by endemic nature, adventure activities, and the best private trails in Mexico. They have more than 60 kilometers of private routes through beautiful landscapes. Here you also have the chance to learn about their sustainable honey production and the circular economy of their cheese making. It is an extremely educational experience. On top of that, you also get to enjoy delicious organic food from the ranch to your table created by Chef Ivan Pimienta.

You can stay in a canvas tent or a bunk room in a cabin if that’s more your speed. The tents are well equipped with solar power, vanity, hammock, patio table and chairs, and more. The bathrooms are communal and you will be taking a bucket shower. All of this makes for an immersive experience, to say the least. 

But La Paz is more than a city, it’s a whole area that includes one of the 132 Magic Towns of Mexico. Todos Santos is located within La Paz County on the Pacific side, it was selected to be one of the Magic Towns of Mexico in 2006 because of its deep Mexican heritage. There’s no better way to understand what this means than walking along its several art galleries where local artists create exquisite unique pieces of work. Or be part of one of its multiple celebrations as the Mango Festival in July or the Film Festival in March.

Where to Stay in Nearby Todos Santos

Todos Santos has a sense of relaxation and disconnection in the air and these two properties totally reflect that vibe.

Guaycura Hotel

Hotels in Todos Santos are the best part because the historic buildings have been converted into boutique hotels with rooftop bars, hidden gardens, and unparalleled rooms, such is the case of Guaycura Hotel, originally a prison, then the post service, and finally a hotel, this 12-room boutique hotel owns three restaurants, El Faro which is also the Beach Club, El Mirador, located on a cliff with astonishing views to the Pacific Ocean and a rooftop bar next to a lap pool.

Los Colibris Casitas

A super unique place to stay in Todos Santos is Los Colibris Casitas. With a more holistic ambiance Los Colibris Casitas is an accommodation near a spring that pours into the ocean, here you can be part of Chef Iker Cooking Class or take a horseback riding along the beach while watching the sunset or be part of a very special nature event and even release a sea turtle from August to October.

Staying here feels incredibly secluded and private. They have various types of rooms including the one shown here. It’s the room we stayed in. It had four twin beds which were perfect for us. Our stay included breakfast and they had a hot tub and a pool. Rates vary quite a bit, so you will just have to check out the current rates. 

Paradero

Located in the center of agriculture fields Paradero offers a brutalist design easily reflected in its architecture and luxury suites. This is an adults-only hotel that includes different experiences and allows pets. Activities include taco tours, hiking, yoga lessons, surf lessons, and beach sunsets. The whole atmosphere of this property tends to disconnect us from the rest of the world and that’s the main idea.

For those that are kosher they have brand-new kosher equipment and can provide a kosher menu. They have three menus to choose from: one dairy, one meat, and one vegetarian.  (available with a minimum two-night stay) Their rates start at $400 + tax.

El Perdido

As its name “Lost” this property can be found in the middle of Pescadero, with only 8 juncales (villas) you really can get lost easily within this property, surfboards and an ATV vehicle are included when staying in El Perdido in case you feel like surfing or getting lost in the dessert. Your stay includes an English breakfast and they have a large outdoor swimming pool. Check current rates. 

There are new properties coming such as Chablé, Fairmont, and Hotel Perla by Hamak Hotels.

La Paz is a beautiful city with plenty of hotels to choose from. Travelers should consider their budget and desired amenities when choosing where to stay in La Paz. From luxury resorts to cozy hostels, there is a perfect accommodation for everyone in this vibrant Mexican city. What’s your favorite place to stay in La Paz?

Read Next:

Best Beaches in La Paz

La Paz Travel Guide for Families

The post Best Places to Stay in La Paz, Mexico appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Why Families Will Love La Paz

La Paz is a small, colonial city with breathtaking white sand beaches and the tranquil, marine-rich waters of the Gulf of California. The La Paz region also includes the areas of Todos Santos, Espíritu Santo Island, and the Sea of Cortez known to many as “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau because of its pristine nature. La Paz offers an array of gastronomic attractions ranging from rustic ranch to table to fashionable Instagram-worthy spots. 

13 Things to do in La Paz

La Paz features miles of white sand beaches and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure including paddle boarding, kite surfing, kayaking, SCUBA diving, whale watching, swimming with whale sharks, sportfishing, hiking, mountain biking, and much more. If you want your kids off their devices and outside doing stuff you will love it here.

Swim with Whale Sharks

It’s not really a whale it’s a shark, regardless the whale shark is the largest fish in the sea. Despite their massive length of up to 33 feet, they are fairly gentle giants, so you can swim near them. Swimming with them is truly a bucket list adventure. Baja Adventure Company can take you out for an epic day. That’s who I went out with and not only did we swim with whale sharks but sea lions as well. Then we went out to a beautiful private beach where we enjoyed lunch. Then on the way back, we saw a mom and baby whale. Whale shark season is from October to March.

Go Whale Watching

During their annual migration, gray whales come to give birth in the small warm bays along the coast. Various outfits like MAAR Experiences can take you out where you can get up close in small pangas but protection is key to La Paz. Keep in mind that there is no touching these friendly creatures who come right up to the boat. The whale watching season is from November to April. A local told me the water is much clearer in October and November, so that’s definitely worth factoring in. 

Hang Out at a Beach

There are many incredible beaches in La Paz and one of them happens to be one of the top in the world. That’s the one we will start with. 

Balandra Bay: Often voted the most beautiful beach in Mexico, Balandra is right outside the city 17 miles north and is breathtakingly beautiful. To get here you can drive over and park in the free parking lot. You can also take a 40-minute bus ride from the terminal turística (the tourist terminal). I had no idea when I was headed here that they have a beach that is of this quality. It is somewhat dependent on when you visit, but at the right times, this looks a whole lot like Whitehaven Beach in Australia which we considered one of the most amazing places we’ve ever seen. There are just not that many places where you can see so many hues of blue in one spot. This is one of them and well worth the visit.

El Tecolote Beach: Found in an isolated beach community located 15.5 miles from the city of La Paz, past Puerto Balandra, on State Highway 11. It is one of the most extensive beaches in the area with white soft sand, gentle waves, and little undertow. You can find water skiing and jet skiing are here as well as a boat that goes to Isla Espíritu Santo, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

El Coromuel: We drove past this area a few times and when I saw some waterslides I had to find out what beach this was. Turns out this beach is great. There’s free parking which allows easy access. Also here are restrooms, a bar, beach chairs, umbrellas, and a pier. There are two water slides that go into the ocean here, but I couldn’t determine if they were free.

Pichilingue Beach: A family-friendly beach, 12 miles north of La Paz’s ferry terminal. This sheltered bay has no shade, but with fewer waves, white sand, and turquoise water it’s an ideal place to swim and kayak. 

Tesoro Beach: This beach is a good alternative if there are too many people at Balandra beach.

El Caimancito: This beach is only 2 miles from La Paz and a popular spot for locals. With white sand, lots of parking, and no vendors it’s a peaceful spot. 

Take a Walking Tour

La Paz is a vibrant city with colorful murals around almost every corner. One of the best ways to see the city and learn its rich history is going on a walking tour. We went on tour with RED Travel. Saed was our tour guide and it was quite educational. 

Spend the day at a Beach Club

El Faro Beach Club: Over in Todos Santos is an incredibly chill beach club. It’s a unique place to relax along a pristine beach located just 2 miles from the historic center of Todos Santos and a short walk from the Tropic of Cancer. The beach club features an infinity pool, a poolside seafood grill & bar, spa treatments. It’s an ideal place to spend a relaxing day in the sun. The club is open Wednesday – Monday, from 11:00 AM -7 PM. Located at Camino al Faro 1 Carretera Todos Santos.

 

Isla Los Islotes

Isla Los Islotes is a UNESCO World  Heritage Site island. There are tons of sea lions that live here and you can swim with them if you like. If you go out to swim with whale sharks it is likely that they will take you by here as well. Personally, I wouldn’t go out here unless it’s included with something else you are doing or you have an overwhelming desire to swim with sea lions. Sea lions smell horrible. 

Take Advantage of the Malecon

One of the most iconic parts of La Paz is the Malecon. This walking trail runs 3 miles along the beach and includes a bike path. Along the way, there are statues, a BMX bicycle park, a skate park, playgrounds, beach volleyball courts, and more. I regretted not bringing my rollerblades. La Paz is an ideal city for rollerblading. 

Kiteboarding

The wind is insane a little less than an hour south of La Paz over in La Ventana. The higher the wind gets the more people you will see out on the water kiteboarding. I recommend taking a class at ChiloChill Glamping Resort if you are new to the sport. They offer multiple-day lessons like a 7-hour course spread out over 3 days (3 hours the first day, 2 hours the second day, and 2 hours the third day). The instructor I had was incredibly patient with me because, to put it mildly, I’m not that good at this particular activity!

Off-Road

Go off-roading for hours with Baja Desconocida at sunset. You will off-road through the desert, along the beach, and through sand dunes. When you get to the sand dunes you will sandboard. After sandboarding, you will stop and enjoy the sunset before heading back. We’ve done a lot of off-roading and we were all super impressed with this experience. 

Sandboarding

On Board Baja can teach you to sandboard. They will take you out to a sandhill and provide all the equipment and instruction needed. I cannot snowboard so I always ski, so I was unsure if I could do this. Turns out sandboarding (at least on the smaller hills) is a lot slower than on a ski mountain. And when you do fall the sand doesn’t hurt. If I can do it, you can definitely do it too.

Hiking

One of the things I hadn’t expected was such great hiking. I love to hike, so this was a welcomed surprise. We hiked up to an overlook where we could see Balandra Bay. Here are some trails worth checking out:

• Cerro de La Calavera
• Punta Gorda
• Arroyo Santa María
• Cerro Atravesado

For more ideas check out All-Trails. 

Go Fishing

This area boasts some of the top sports fishing. When you visit will determine what you are allowed to catch so be sure to factor that in if you are wanting to fish for a specific type of fish. Although you can fish year-round, the fish you can catch are seasonal. Some of the potential fish you could catch include marlin, tuna, cabrilla, wahoo, and dorado.

Surf

Go surfing in Todos Santos. If you do not know how to surf sign up for lessons at one of the surf schools. All four of us were able to get up during our first lesson with Mario’s Surf School. I will admit it was a lot of work. I am surprised I got up. 

Hotels in La Paz

There are many places to stay in La Paz. It’s full of adorable boutique hotels, glamping, and VRBOs. 

Baja Club Hotel

Staying at Baja Club Hotel in La Paz was so lovely. It’s a boutique hotel right along the Malecon with sweeping views of the city and water. The hotel is a restored colonial-style villa, dating from the early 20th century combined with a newly built four-story extension, containing 32 guest rooms, a spa, and a rooftop sunset bar with a wonderful view of the bay. For families that need two beds be sure and book a balcony double room.

I had a very peaceful stay here. With a popular bar next door, I thought I might hear it at night but it turned out to be a silly concern. The rooms are very quiet. I appreciated having a Bluetooth speaker so I could play my white noise app and I was happy to have drinkable water placed in my room. The bathroom layout is a little odd but I could see the benefit if there were two people traveling together. The bed was comfy, and their restaurant had pretty good Greek food. Breakfast was slow, so be sure to get there at least 30 minutes earlier than you originally planned for. 

Check current rates at Baja Club Hotel.

Casa al Mar

Casa al Mar is a historic hotel located in the heart of La Paz. You will fall in love with its fresh and modern design with the South Californian touch and warmth that will make you feel at home. Staying here includes breakfast at Cafe al Mar and it’s fabulous. We stayed in a two-bedroom with a living room, and a small kitchen. It was great to spread out and have hang-out space. The only downside was that there was only one bathroom.

Check current rates at Casa al Mar.

Rancho Cacachilas

One word: GLAMPING! Truthfully, that one word doesn’t really do justice to all Rancho Cacahilas has to offer. It’s an all-inclusive adventure camp experience, surrounded by endemic nature, adventure activities, and the best private trails in Mexico. They have more than 60 kilometers of private routes through beautiful landscapes. Here you also have the chance to learn about their sustainable honey production and the circular economy of their cheese making. It is an extremely educational experience. On top of that, you also get to enjoy delicious organic food from the ranch to your table created by Chef Ivan Pimienta.

You can stay in a canvas tent or a bunk room in a cabin if that’s more your speed. The tents are well equipped with solar power, vanity, hammock, patio table and chairs, and more. The bathrooms are communal and you will be taking a bucket shower. All of this makes for an immersive experience, to say the least. 

For those that do not want to commit to fancy camping, they have one-day experiences. You can choose between an assortment of activities. They have a mild mule ride through the mountains and streams (they might be empty) that will allow you to enjoy incredible landscapes many of which look out over the Sea of Cortez or navigate a mountain bike over the boulders and landscapes with those same great views. 

Best Restaurants in La Paz

I didn’t expect La Paz to be a foodie city but it is. Every single meal we had was excellent. 

La Pergola

Local ingredients, sustainable fishing, and leanings toward Greek cuisine have inspired the menu that changes often to reflect seasonal offerings. The Saganaki is a must, it’s fried graviera cheese with honey & lemon. Sit outside under the Pergola to enjoy a nice relaxing night. Located inside the Baja Club Hotel. 

Hambrusia

Hambrusia is a taco lover’s dream come true. (I have the authority to declare that since tacos are my favorite food.) Dining here you can expect great ingredients and innovative combinations. I don’t recall the names of anything I ate, but it included a lot of pork and it was so freaking good. Located at Belisario Domínguez 1245 23000 La Paz.. 

Central 1535

This breakfast joint is phenomenal. I ate here three times and it was so good I ended up ordering the same thing every time, one of the peanut butter morning energy bowls. It was one of the best parts of staying at Casa al Mar. 

Cardon Restaurant

A dazzling place to enjoy the sunset over the bay and enjoy a fine meal. Course after course, you will be impressed. 

Sorstis

Sorstis is a local favorite and it is easy to see why when you eat here. The ambiance is lovely, with live music and a firewood pizza stove.  The pizzas are of course excellent, but so was everything else we tried. We kicked it off with two appetizers, a salad and an eggplant dish which those two alone made it worth venturing over for. 

Claros Fish Jr.

Claros Fish Jr. serves authentic Mexican tacos at super affordable prices! They have an awesome salsa bar with tons of choices, ice-cold beers, and excellent margaritas! The atmosphere is great with a chill vibe and the service is rock solid. Menu highlights include the paceno taco made with shrimp, melted cheese wrapped with bacon, the cameron a la coco aka coconut shrimp,  and the pulpo quesadilla made with soft octopus pieces. Located at Nicolás Bravo 33 Col. Centro 23006 La Paz.

El Mirador by Hotel Guaycura

A beautiful meal in an even more beautiful setting. It’s really magical during sunset. I had some sort of beet salad that was delicious and a steak that was simply perfect. They also have an interesting signature drink that’s kind of like a margarita. There was a live band on hand that was so good I thought it was just a recording until I saw the clarinet player. 

If you happen to be flying in and out of Cabo this is a perfect stop along the way to grab some food. Located at Camino a El Mirador Restaurant, Rafael Pedrajo 1, 23300 Todos Santos. The road is a bit bumpy. 

How to Get to La Paz

American Airlines offers seasonal flights from Dallas Fort Worth directly to La Paz’s airport Manuel Márquez de León (LAP). They have flights that will run on Saturdays round trip from December to April and then again from June through September to La Paz. You could also fly into Loreto 4 hours away or Cabo San Lucas 2 hours away. American also has direct flights to La Paz from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Sadly, there were no flights on my dates, so we flew into Cabo and drove to La Paz. It takes about two hours. 

La Paz is the perfect destination for families wanting to visit a safe city in Mexico with all the expected perks. This is especially true for families traveling with tweens and teens since there is an abundance of fun outdoor activities that should keep them happy. 

Read Next:

Puerto Peñasco Mexico a Hidden Gem

6 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Puerto Vallarta

Special thanks to La Paz for hosting me on this trip and a special shoutout to our charming, good-looking, smart, well-informed, skilled driver, tour manager Ivan. 

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