november2011

La Paz

Named one of the safest cities in Mexico by

its recently formed tourism board, La Paz is

bursting with new resorts and restaurants. And

yet, the UNESCO-protected Espiritu Santo island just off the

coast remains rustic and peacefully undeveloped, and the

town’s main drag still maintains a subdued, peaceful bustle

of fi sherman, locals, and tourists. Considering there are direct

fl ights from San Diego and Tijuana on Volaris airline, the time

is right for a trip to La Paz.

STAY Costa Baja is the last resort at the end of the peninsu-

la at the Bay of La Paz, giving it a truly private feeling, despite

the vastness of the property, which includes a luxury hotel, two

condominium developments and golf course, a marina, and

private beach club. A multimillion-dollar renovation of the hotel

was completed earlier this year, but The Beach Club’s private

cabaῆas, infi nity pool, and palapa bar and restaurant are where

you’ll spend most of your time.

STAY LONGER Like the lifestyle? One phase of the two-

and three-bedroom condos are for sale, as well as all of the

luxury condo units, which have their own pool, fi tness center,

golf club, and other amenities. Rates start at $209 per night.

GOLF Costa Baja’s Gary Player-designed course is pristine.

With ocean views from 14 of the 18 holes, plus an award-win-

ning restaurant and clubhouse with amenities galore, plenty of

golfers make the trek up from Cabo to play the course. Across

the bay, Paraiso del Mar also off ers world class golf with

an Arthur Hills-designed 18-hole course, roughly a 10-minute

water taxi ride across the bay from La Paz or a 30-minute drive

out onto the resort’s isolated peninsula.

IN TOWN Take a tour or hire a guide from the hotel. While

the main drag along the water has been beautifully constructed

as a wide promenade lined with safe, predictable bars, margar-

ita drinkers, and palapas; the town square, cathedral, and shop-

ping areas are tougher to fi gure out. A courtyard restaurant

called Corazones stands out among local eateries. The history

museum off ers a pleasantly brisk tour (you’re in and out in less

than an hour) through the region’s history and anthropology.

OUT OF TOWN A boat excursion out to Espiritu Santo

is a must. The island is completely undeveloped (strikingly

coppery against the turquoise blue water) and protected by a

UNESCO act. Watch for huge pods of dolphins and mating gray

whales. Costa Baja will arrange private or small-group tours

on either sailing yachts or larger motor vessels with show-

ers, snorkeling gear, and deck-top bars. The famous “sea lion

island” is home to dozens of sea lions that have become toler-

ant to up-close snorkelers, but it’s the myriad private inlets and

secret bays (local guides each have their favorites) that off er

the true experience. Drop anchor, swim to shore, fi re up the

grill, and squeeze a lime in your Tecate.

GETTING THERE Flights from LAX, San Diego, or Tijuana

start around $200, direct into La Paz airport, which is just a

short taxi or coach ride to the coastal resorts.

November2011SanDiegoMagazine.com 97

Kayaking in the

Sea of Cortez

Costa Baja Resort recently reopened

a er a $10 million renovation

✱

The Gary Player-designed

golf course has ocean views

from 14 of the 18 holes

FUN FACTS
La Paz is the capital city of Baja California Sur with a population of roughly 200,000.
The La Paz Tourism Board anticipates over $1 billion in new development
activity will take place in the region over the next fi ve years.
La Paz is known as the gateway to the Sea of Cortez, which contains
roughly 900 diff erent islands.