🇲🇽 La Paz, Mexico — Cruise Port Guide
The capital of Baja California Sur — a long malecón on the Sea of Cortez, sea lion colonies an hour offshore, and Balandra, regularly voted Mexico's most beautiful beach.
Updated September 2026
Quick facts
Getting ashore
When to visit La Paz
Best November-May for warm, dry weather in the 70s-80s°F, with whale sharks in the bay roughly October-April; summers are very hot and the Pacific hurricane season runs June-November.
Getting back to the ship on time
Balandra and Tecolote are 20-30 minutes each way from Pichilingue with patchy phone signal, so agree a firm pickup time with your driver and start back at least 90 minutes before all-aboard.
All-aboard is ship's time — check it in the daily programme, and set your watch to it.
Things to do in La Paz
Balandra Beach
Shallow turquoise flats and the famous mushroom rock; entry is capped, so go early.
Espíritu Santo sea lions
Boat out to the island reserve to snorkel with a sea lion colony.
Malecón stroll
Three miles of waterfront promenade lined with bronze sculptures.
Playa Tecolote
Wide sandy bay with palapa restaurants looking across to Espíritu Santo.
Swim with whale sharks
Licensed boats run into the bay in season, roughly October to April.
Museo de la Ballena
Whale museum on the malecón with full skeletons of Sea of Cortez species.
What to eat
- Almejas chocolatas (chocolate clams)
- Tacos de pescado
- Ceviche de sierra
- Machaca de pescado
- Damiana liqueur
Weather by month
Best time to visit: Nov-May (dry, mild)
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 74° | 54° | 0.3" |
| Feb | 77° | 54° | 0.1" |
| Mar | 81° | 57° | 0" |
| Apr | 85° | 59° | 0" |
| May | 89° | 63° | 0" |
| Jun | 92° | 70° | 0" |
| Jul | 95° | 76° | 0.6" |
| Aug | 95° | 77° | 1.4" |
| Sep | 93° | 75° | 1.6" |
| Oct | 89° | 69° | 0.6" |
| Nov | 82° | 61° | 0.3" |
| Dec | 76° | 56° | 0.5" |
Local phrases
A little history
La Paz means "peace" — Spanish explorers named the bay in 1596.
Whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea, gather in the bay from roughly October to April.
Espíritu Santo island, an hour offshore, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a resident sea lion colony.
John Steinbeck set The Pearl here, drawing on La Paz's long history of pearl diving.