Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez the 'Aquarium of the World' — La Paz is your front door to it. Swim with whale sharks, snorkel with sea lions, or simply stroll the sculpture-lined Malecón as the desert sun sets over the bay.
⚓ Pier (Pichilingue, ~18 km from town)🕒 Typical call: 7-10 hrs💵 Mexican Peso (USD widely accepted)🗣️ Spanish (English at tourist areas)
Docking
Pier at Puerto de Pichilingue, ~18 km (11 mi) north of downtown
Walk to center
Not walkable — taxi 20-25 min ($20-25 USD) or cruise shuttle
Ships dock at Pichilingue pier — a commercial port 18 km north of the city. Downtown La Paz is not walkable; you'll need transport.
Getting from Pichilingue to La Paz
1
Cruise shuttleMost lines offer a roundtrip shuttle to the Malecón boardwalk for $10–$20 USD. Convenient but check return schedules carefully.
2
TaxiTaxis wait at the pier exit. Negotiate a flat rate — roughly $20–$25 USD one-way (20-25 min). Agree on a pickup time or keep the driver's number for the return.
3
Colectivo busA local bus runs from Pichilingue to the downtown Terminal Turística for a couple of dollars, but schedules are inconsistent. Not recommended with limited ship time.
💡 Pro move: For beach-only days (Tecolote or Balandra), taxis go directly from the pier — the beaches are actually closer to Pichilingue than downtown is.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
All cruise ships dock at Puerto de Pichilingue, La Paz's commercial and ferry port on the north side of the bay.
La Paz excels at marine eco-tourism — from swimming with whale sharks to snorkeling a wild sea lion colony on a UNESCO-protected island.
Wildlife
Swim with Whale Sharks
One of the world's best whale shark encounters, right in La Paz Bay. Permitted season runs October through April. Snorkel alongside these gentle 30-foot giants in warm, clear water. Permits are strictly limited — book in advance.
This UNESCO biosphere island hosts a colony of playful California sea lions. Boat tours motor through stunning turquoise coves where you snorkel with the sea lions in crystal-clear water. One of Mexico's top wildlife encounters.
Mexico's most photographed beach: a sheltered, waist-deep cove of turquoise water framed by the iconic mushroom rock. Entry is controlled by timed shifts (8am–noon / 1–5pm). Bring your own food — no restaurants here.
The 5 km waterfront boardwalk is lined with bronze sculptures (including a giant pearl and a Jacques Cousteau tribute), palm trees, and stunning bay views. Walk to Jardín Velasco, the 19th-century cathedral, and colorful street-art murals a few blocks inland.
Guided kayak and snorkel tours combine paddling the sheltered bays near Pichilingue with snorkeling over reefs rich with tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles. A great option for active cruisers with 4-5 hours.
The Malecón is La Paz's showcase walk — sculptures, bay views, and cafés along 5 km of flat, paved waterfront promenade.
Malecón Boardwalk to Cathedral
2-3 km | Easy | 45-75 min
Start at the shuttle drop-off near the Malecón's north end and walk south along the waterfront past bronze sculptures and bay panoramas. Turn inland at Avenida Independencia to reach the Jardín Velasco plaza and the Cathedral of Our Lady of La Paz. Browse the surrounding streets for tacos and local shops before returning along the Malecón.
Climate normals for La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
75°F / 24°C
60°F / 16°C
1
7:06 AM
5:55 PM
Feb
77°F / 25°C
60°F / 16°C
1
6:54 AM
6:16 PM
Mar
82°F / 28°C
61°F / 16°C
0
6:29 AM
6:30 PM
Apr
87°F / 31°C
63°F / 17°C
0
5:59 AM
6:43 PM
May
90°F / 32°C
65°F / 18°C
0
5:38 AM
6:57 PM
Jun
95°F / 35°C
71°F / 22°C
1
5:33 AM
7:10 PM
Jul
97°F / 36°C
77°F / 25°C
3
5:42 AM
7:11 PM
Aug
96°F / 36°C
79°F / 26°C
8
5:56 AM
6:54 PM
Sep
93°F / 34°C
78°F / 26°C
8
6:07 AM
6:24 PM
Oct
90°F / 32°C
73°F / 23°C
3
6:19 AM
5:54 PM
Nov
83°F / 28°C
68°F / 20°C
1
6:36 AM
5:34 PM
Dec
76°F / 24°C
62°F / 17°C
1
6:57 AM
5:36 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
⏰
Watch the clock: Pichilingue is 20-25 min from town and 10 min from the beaches. Long excursions (Espíritu Santo) should be booked through the ship — the operator won't let the ship leave without you.
🏖
Balandra timed entry: Entry is divided into two shifts (8am–noon and 1–5pm). Arrive at the start of a shift — the beach fills its capacity limit quickly on busy days.
💰
Pay in pesos when you can: USD is widely accepted but you'll lose 10-15% to unfavorable exchange. ATMs are available downtown; Playa Tecolote restaurants prefer cash.
🦈
Whale sharks are seasonal: October through April only. Outside that window, shift focus to sea lions and Balandra — both are year-round and just as impressive.
☀️
Sun is intense: Bring reef-safe sunscreen (required for whale shark permits), a hat, and a water bottle. Shade at Balandra is limited.
🐟
Eat on the Malecón: Bismark-cito is the classic open-air fish taco spot. Try chocolata clams — local, sweet, served raw with lime and hot sauce — a La Paz specialty.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ✅ Uber, DiDiBoth Uber and DiDi operate in La Paz city. However, the cruise port (Puerto Pichilingue) is ~22 km from downtown — confirm driver willingness to come to the port before relying on rideshare.🚍 Hop-on hop-off: ❌ No HOHO bus
🚌 Cruise Shuttle Bus
$10–12/person roundtrip
Port-operated shuttle runs from Puerto Pichilingue to downtown La Paz (Malecón area), roughly 30–45 minutes each way. Most economical option; confirm schedule with your cruise line as times vary.
🚕 Taxi
$40 one-way (up to 4 passengers)
Taxis wait at the terminal and offer a direct ride to downtown or the marina. Negotiate and confirm the fare before departing; a $5 surcharge per extra passenger may apply.
📱 Uber / DiDi
Varies (app-metered)
Uber and DiDi both operate in La Paz city and offer more predictable pricing than street taxis. The port is remote, so confirm driver acceptance before booking.
🚶 Walking (Downtown)
Free
Once in central La Paz, the Malecón waterfront and main attractions are very walkable. The city is flat, pleasant, and compact for pedestrians.
🚲 Rental Bike / Scooter
Varies by vendor
Bike and scooter rentals are available in downtown La Paz, making it easy to cruise the Malecón and nearby neighborhoods independently.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
No upcoming cruises in our current list — check the full list for the latest itineraries.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
