How to Spend 4 Days in La Paz, Mexico

4 Days in La Paz

Mar Month Visited

🚗 Rental Car

SJD Fly Into

La Paz, Mexico is one of our favorite areas in Mexico. Imagine beautiful beaches, laid back Baja vibes, incredible wild life experiences, and fantastic food. If you are looking for a more authentic experience in Mexico outside of the greater Cabo area, we highly recommend making a trip to La Paz!

This is our complete day-by-day itinerary complete with whale sharks, sea lions, Espíritu Santo, Balandra Beach, and the best food we ate along the way.

If you’re still curious about why you should visit La Paz, check out our full blog post about 12 reasons you should visit.

Four days in La Paz felt like exactly the right amount of time, enough to hit every major experience without feeling rushed, while still leaving room for the kind of lazy afternoon wandering that makes a trip feel like a trip rather than a ticking items off of a bucket list. We flew into Los Cabos (SJD), picked up a rental car, and drove the three hours north to La Paz on arrival day. Alternatively, you can fly directly in to La Paz airport (although flights may be more limited or you may have to connect through other major cities).

Here's how we structured our time, what we loved, and the honest lessons from a few things that didn't go to plan. We've also included what we would do differently because that's usually more useful than a perfectly curated highlight reel.

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Before You Go — Quick Logistics

✈️ Fly into: Los Cabos (SJD): cheaper and more frequent flights, with a scenic 3-hour drive north to La Paz. Or fly direct into La Paz (LAP) if time is tight.	🚗 Rent a car: We highly recommend it. La Paz is easy to drive, and you need a car to reach the beaches and day trips independently, especially if you want to explore on your own.
🐋 Book whale sharks early: Tours fill up fast, especially November–February. Don't leave this to arrival day, book before you travel.	🏨 Where we stayed: Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortez: about 20 min from downtown, private marina setting, and an incredible pool.
🌡️ March water temps: Cold! Pack or rent a wetsuit for whale shark and sea lion snorkeling, you'll be glad you did.	🍽️ Reservations: Book popular restaurants in advance, especially on weekends — some of the best spots fill up fast.

La Paz Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive, Drive, and Get Your Bearings (Fly into Los Cabos (SJD) & Pick Up Your Rental Car)

Hotel Indigo La Paz Pool

AM

Fly into Los Cabos (SJD) & Pick Up Your Rental Car

We flew direct into Los Cabos because we found flights to be significantly cheaper and more frequent than La Paz's small domestic airport. Rental car pickup is straightforward at SJD — we rented through Cactus Rental Car, but all of the major rental car companies are there. Compare rental car rates here → Budget around 3 hours for the scenic drive north through the Baja desert to La Paz.

Note: If you plan on exploring the local area, having a car makes everything way easier. We originally planned on just taking a shuttle to our hotel, but ultimately opted to rent a car after doing some research. We wanted the freedom to travel to different beaches and explore the area without relying on taxis (which can be expensive) or tours (although we did take several amazing day tours).

We found the drive to be relaxing and easy. It's mainly a two-lane highway once you get out of the greater Los Cabos area. We highly recommend getting pesos out ahead of time — there are toll roads and you have to pay in cash. They do accept US Dollars, but you'll get a much better exchange rate using pesos. The drive is beautiful, scenic, and a great way to see southern Baja as you make your way north.

If driving isn't your jam, you have two other options:

• Book an individual or shared shuttle to La Paz (pre-booked is cheaper; expect $150–$200 each way)
• Take a taxi to La Paz

💡 Tip: The drive up the Baja Peninsula is beautiful — desert landscape, roadside cactus, and the Sea of Cortez appearing in the distance as you approach. Don't rush it, there are some great viewpoints along the way!

PM

Check In & Settle In

We stayed at the Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortez, about 20 minutes south of downtown in a private marina development. The pool area is stunning — we immediately changed and spent the first afternoon doing absolutely nothing. We wandered around the hotel grounds, got a massage on site (amazing, by the way!), and explored the property and the marina.

Optional: If you have energy after the drive, head into downtown for a first explore of the Malecón. Evening light over the bay from the waterfront is a great first impression of the city — plus it's a wonderful place for an evening stroll or to find a great outdoor restaurant for a celebratory margarita looking out over the bay.

EVE

Dinner — Downtown or at Your Hotel

If you want to stay close by rather than going into town, the port area around Marina La Paz has plenty of options within walking distance of each other. After a travel day, we opted to walk down to the marina restaurant area and ate dinner at Odayaka Sushi Bar — they have really great sushi and plenty of outdoor seating!

🍽️ Pro Tip: Make any restaurant reservations for later in the trip tonight while you have time to research. We found that popular restaurants can book up fast, especially during high season.

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Day 2: Whale Shark Morning + Beach Afternoon

Early AM

Tip: Grab Breakfast Near the Port

Whale Shark day! If you're in La Paz during whale shark season (typically October 1 through the middle or end of April), this is a must-do. Most whale shark tours depart from the marina or port area in La Paz. Grab breakfast at a local café nearby rather than driving back from your hotel after — this saves time and sets the tone with a proper local café experience.

Also, arrive early if you're driving, as parking can fill up quickly and you'll need to find street parking. If you're not an early riser or are worried about parking in town, we'd recommend taking a taxi.

AM

⭐ Must-Do

Whale Shark Snorkeling Tour

This is the centerpiece of any La Paz trip, and it will likely be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Book your whale shark tour here → Tours run approximately 3–4 hours total and are tightly regulated by Mexico's conservation authority, where only a limited number of boats and swimmers are allowed in the zone at any given time — the experience feels intimate and undisturbed.

You're required to be with a naturalist/guide the entire time and typically follow only one or two whale sharks, which means you aren't competing with other tour groups. We felt the tour was ethical and safe, and the tour operators do a great job of not stressing these incredible animals.

In the water: whale sharks are gentle filter-feeders up to 40 feet long. Your guide will help you pace alongside one. The silence underwater while something that large glides past you is extraordinary. Honestly, one of the coolest experiences!

💡 Tip: Wear a wetsuit — the water in March is cold. Most tour operators provide them. Snorkel fins are helpful. Follow guide instructions closely and give the sharks space. This is their space and we are just visiting. Embrace the experience.

Noon

Lunch at the Port

Post-tour you'll be back near the marina. Grab lunch at one of the port-side seafood spots while you reflect on your amazing morning. Alternatively, find a cool spot along the Malecón for incredible beach views and food. We highly recommend the fish tacos — they are exceptional.

PM

Beach Afternoon at El Tecolote

We drove out to El Tecolote, a wide open beach on the coast with spectacular views across the bay toward Espíritu Santo Island. There are beach bars with food and drink, chairs to rent, and gorgeous sweeping views of the gulf.

El Tecolote has a high-energy vibe on the weekends and a laid-back vibe during the week. The first time we visited was on a weekend, and the beach was packed with families cooking out and having a great time. If you want something a bit quieter, head down the beach away from the bars for a nice slice of relaxation. During the week the beach is quiet and relaxed — almost a total 180 from the weekend. We loved this beach and the vibe.

Alternatively, if golf is your thing, Hotel Indigo sits adjacent to a championship golf course with stunning desert-meets-sea views.

Eve

Dinner in Town

Head into downtown La Paz for your first proper evening in the city. Wander the Malecón at sunset, then find your dinner spot nearby. The streets around the central marina and Calle 16 de Septiembre have a great concentration of restaurants.

Day 3: Espíritu Santo Island + Downtown Wander

AM

Coffee & Breakfast at a Local Café

Pick up coffee and breakfast from one of La Paz's excellent local café spots before heading to the marina for your day-trip departure. The downtown café scene is great, so you won't need to settle for hotel breakfast today (unless you really want to).

All Day

⭐ Must-Do

🌿 Biosphere Reserve

Day Trip to Isla Espíritu Santo — Sea Lions & Snorkeling

Espíritu Santo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve about 40 minutes by boat from La Paz. It's one of the most biodiverse places in the entire Sea of Cortez. Book your Espíritu Santo day trip here → Your tour will typically include time at the sea lion colony, where a boisterous group of California sea lions essentially invites you to swim with them, followed by snorkeling along the reef, with a beach lunch stop included.

The island's landscape above water is equally stunning: dramatic rust-colored volcanic cliffs drop into impossibly clear turquoise water. Keep your eyes on the sky for frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. The whole day feels like a nature documentary you walked into. We loved the rugged, natural feel of this undeveloped island — it really gave us Galápagos vibes with the diverse marine life and rugged terrain.

💡 Tip: Bring sun protection, a hat, and a dry bag for your valuables. The day is long and beautiful, so pack accordingly.

Eve

Wander Downtown La Paz

After returning from the island you'll be back in the port area. We recommend bringing a change of clothes if you aren't staying in downtown La Paz. Use the remaining evening to explore downtown properly. Look for street murals, browse the local shops, find a shaded plaza, and end with dinner at one of the downtown restaurants.

This is La Paz at its most authentic — locals going about their evening, street food vendors, a relaxed pace that's infectious. The town feels really safe and is a great place to explore.

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Day 4: Balandra Beach + Leisure Day

Very Early AM

⭐ Plan Ahead

Get to Balandra Beach Early — Before 8am

Balandra is a protected natural area with a capacity limit due to limited parking, and it fills up fast. If you plan to drive, I'll repeat: get there EARLY, before 8am — but honestly, earlier is better. We arrived around 9:30am and were turned away. Don't make our mistake.

The reward for arriving early is extraordinary: a calm, shallow bay with some of the most luminous turquoise water you've ever seen, surrounded by mangroves and desert hills, with almost no infrastructure in sight. You can wade out for what feels like forever in water that barely reaches your waist.

Another alternative is to book a taxi (although it can be a little pricey from downtown La Paz), or you can book a Balandra Beach tour here — which really just means guaranteed transportation and admission.

💡 Tip: Alternatively, arrive after 3pm as capacity thins out, or hop on the Playa Bus from downtown La Paz, which will take you to Balandra Beach (however you still need an admission wristband).

Mid-AM

El Tecolote Beach as Backup (or Addition)

We ended up spending more time at El Tecolote than planned on this day and honestly had a wonderful time. We decided to take a late morning hike at the end of El Tecolote beach with views overlooking (parts of) Balandra Beach. This is a great alternative if you end up getting a late start.

The views toward Espíritu Santo, cold drinks at the beach bar, and a long slow morning in the sun were a perfect way to wind down the trip.

🌊 Beach

PM

Decompress Your Way

This is intentionally a flexible afternoon. We went back to the Hotel Indigo, ordered drinks poolside, and called it perfect. You might choose differently based on what you haven't done yet.

Options

• Sandboarding on the dunes outside the city
• Catamaran sunset cruise from the marina
• Bike the Malecón — rent bikes and cruise the full waterfront
• Spa day at Hotel Indigo
• Todos Santos day trip if you're driving back south the next day (add an hour stopover in this charming art town)

Eve

Final Dinner in La Paz

Make this one count. Book ahead, order the freshest seafood on the menu (or grab some incredible tacos), and raise a glass to one of the most surprising destinations we've ever visited. La Paz has a way of inspiring you with its laid-back atmosphere, natural beauty, and stunning wildlife. By the last evening, you'll almost certainly be thinking about coming back.

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Day 5: Departure — Drive Back to Cabo

AM

Breakfast & Drive to SJD Airport

Budget 3–3.5 hours for the return drive to Los Cabos, plus airport time. If you have flexibility in your departure time, consider a quick stop in Todos Santos — a small artsy town about midway along the route that's worth at least an hour of wandering and a coffee.

💡 Tip: Fill your gas tank before leaving La Paz — stations along the highway can be sparse, and unfortunately, yes, you will probably need to fill up again whenever you get close to the Cabo airport.

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Honest Trip Reflections

The highlights we'd repeat immediately — and the things we'd do differently next time.

🔄 What We'd Do Differently ⏰ Balandra timing: Arrive before 8am, or even earlier. We got there at 9:30 and were turned away — biggest logistical miss of the trip. ✈️ Fly direct into La Paz: The Cabo drive was fine, but if you're short on time, flying direct into La Paz's airport saves 6+ hours of driving over the trip. 🍽️ Make restaurant reservations: Popular spots fill fast on weekends. We had a couple of long waits that could have been avoided. 🛑 Stop in Todos Santos: It's right on the Cabo drive and we ran out of time. An hour or two in this art town would have been a great addition. 🚲 Bike the Malecón: We never made time for this and genuinely regret it. A morning bike ride along the waterfront is supposedly beautiful.

✅ Glad We Did 🐋 Whale sharks on Day 2: Doing it early in the trip was the right call — it set the tone and gave us something to reflect on for the rest of the trip. 🦭 Full day at Espíritu Santo: Don't try to rush this. A full-day island tour with the sea lions and snorkeling is the right format. 🚗 Renting a car: Complete freedom. La Paz is easy to drive, parking is manageable, and the independence to go to beaches on your own schedule is invaluable. 🏨 Hotel Indigo: Having that peaceful retreat to come back to each evening made the whole trip feel more restorative. Worth the splurge. 🌊 El Tecolote backup: Even as our Plan B for the Balandra miss, El Tecolote delivered. Great beach, great views, no regrets.

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Final Thoughts

We absolutely loved our time in La Paz because it felt more local and personally gave us those laid back Galapagos Island vibes. We especialy loved the food, people, and incredible natural beauty. If you are looking for a trip that is perfect for couples, families, or exploring solo, La Paz does an amazing job of showcasing this incredible side of Mexico. It has an upscale feel at an affordable price and feels more untouched than the busy beaches and night clubs of Cabo. Plus, with so many bucketlist worthy experiences, from snorkeling with Whale Sharks and Sea Lions, to sand boarding, or just relaxing by the beach with a cool beverage, La Paz will surprise you in the best ways. So, whether you are spending a day, a few days (like we did), or a week, we hope you enjoy your time in La Paz as much as we did!

More from Our La Paz Trip

Read our full guide to why La Paz deserves a spot on your list, or see our honest review of Hotel Indigo.

12 Reasons to Visit La Paz →

Hotel Indigo Review →

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