A list for our favorites in La Paz, Mexico.
Where to Stay
We prefer a walkable area, and love the El Centro/Esterito area of town. Hotel Catedral for a short stay, or either AirBnB or La Paz Bay Rentals for something longer.
Eating Out
Taco Fish: Fish and Seafood Tacos
La Mentita: Breakfast, Lunch, Juices and Coffee
La Catolica: Chilaquiles and other delicious breakfasts
Las Tres Virgenes: A nice dinner out, with a steak focus, in a outdoor garden setting
Carnitas Don Abraham: Standing on the street at a cart shoveling down pork tacos
Mc-Fisher: Probably the most well know seafood tacos, and for good reason.
Marinera Poke & Seafood: Beautifully displayed dishes with fresh fish for poke
Vrentino: Known for their breakfast and pastries, but also good burgers and smoked meats for lunch and dinner
Doce Cuarenta: Coffee and small food options.
Sweet & Fit: Juice, smoothies and desserts with an perfect view of the Malecon
Claro Fish Jr: Can you have too many fish and seafood options in Baja?
Oaxacan Tamale Lady: Find her Tuesday and Saturday mornings at the Organic Farmers Market (on Antonio Rosales between Madero & the Malecon). Her green pork Oaxacan tamales are the stuff of dreams. Buy one and then eat it 1/2 a block away on a bench at the Malecon.
Groceries
Aramburo in El Centro (also know as the Vaca Store, due to the large cow statue on the roof): Basic furnishings for a quick stay. A well stocked grocery story for its central location. Special bonus is that on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays if you buy meat from the store there is a man out front who will grill it for you at no charge.
Chedraui on Colima: Better furnishings for a longer stay. We found this to be the best stocked with a large variety of Mexican and gringo options.
Shopping for specialty items: Sticking around for a long time, or looking to make your shopping more advanced? Here are some favorite stores to supplement your Chedraui shopping
Nomada Organics: Homemade Yogurt, Granola, Honey
Doce Cuarenta: Buy a bag of coffee and have them grind it for you.
Tienda del Jardin: A bulk style store. Tea, rice, beans, olive oil, honey, seasonings etc in bulk plus a small assortment of veggies, eggs and cheese.
Sirena Pescadora: A local woman who sells fish she caught spearfishing? Doesn’t get much fresher than that. Check with her to see what she has available.
Martin at Organic Farmers Market: In addition to being a nice guy who speaks English and can tell you all about his vegetables, Martin sells great quality vegetables. Tuesdays and Saturdays on Antonio Rosales at the Malecon.
Soul Rebel Bakery: The best bread in La Paz, delivered to your door! Not sure how long this place will be around, as its some folks who have been displaced into La Paz due to COVID.
Tortilleria Tortimas: While (like all towns) there are a ton of tortilla places, this one is a fave because they are always pumping out fresh ones throughout the day and they sell both corn and flour.
Corn Tamale Lady: Enormous pork, beef, chicken or pepper & cheese tamales wrapped in corn masa. She falls into the grocery category for me because we (and most people we saw) bought them buy the dozen and bring them home to eat them over time. She’s on the corner in front of Aramburo every night starting at 6:30.
Tours
Snorkel with Whale Sharks: (seasonal) One of the coolest experiences we’ve had. It’s swimming with fast moving, semi-blind, baby whale sharks the size of a school bus. Really amazing. Depending on how many they find from the boat, it’s a pretty athletic experience. While a lot of operators offer this tour, we loved MeXplore because our guide was getting her PhD in Marine Biology specializing in whale sharks. Does not get more knowledgeable than that for a tour guide!
Sea Kayak to Sea Lion Colony: While most tours go by power boat, an early morning sea kayak, snorkeling with juvenile sea lions, and a quick exploration of a secluded beach was way more our style. It’s a 1/2 day tour that leaves from Playa Pichilingue, using nice sea kayaks.
Gray Whales: We haven’t done this yet, but we will next time we go back. The whales and babies visit the areas near Mulege, Puerto Chale, and Guerrero Negro before continuing north. This area is known for having whales come close enough to the boat that you can touch them!
Day Trips
La Ventana: Go during the winter months and marvel at the kiteboarders from the main beach. Only about 40 minutes from La Paz.
Todos Santos: Upscale art galleries, beaches with huge Pacific waves, gringos chasing the surf, a wide variety of great food, and a dash of day-trippers from Cabo. Stop in to experience the vibe that is making this town such a popular destination.
Centro de Trenes: Hard to find dirt roads, secluded bay, pool and good food? What’s not to love?