BajaNomad - Honeymoon in La Paz: ideas please.

Honeymoon in La Paz: ideas please.

David K - 2-21-2018 at 10:24 AM

My son Christopher (29) is engaged to a wonderful young lady who was born in Mexicali (Spanish is her first language). They are getting married this summer and Chris wants to honeymoon in Baja (good kid).

Driving was an idea but maybe flying into La Paz from Mexicali or Tijuana will give them more fun days? On a pretty tight budget, so I offered to collect data on places to stay. I searched the most recent Nomad posts on La Paz accommodations and found these named by you all...

*Casa Kootenay: https://www.casakootenay.com/
*Hotel Mediterrane: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=84418#pid1054...
*A short term apartment rental: http://apartment.lapazweb.com/
*Hacienda Paraiso de La Paz: http://www.bandbhaciendaparaisodelapaz.com/

What is the latest opinion from you Nomads in La Paz or have stayed at any of these places?
How about other recommendations (under US$100/night)?

Chris knows Baja as far south as Lopez Mateos/ Magdalena Bay where he worked one summer for a sportfishing outfitter. So this (La Paz-Cabo area) is new for him.

Any other thoughts of places to see (besides the more obvious ones dad told him about) or places to stay...?
Thank you!

27867934_1723375264383741_4004978956986925695_n.jpg - 94kB

Lyzbeth and Christopher in February 2018

TMW - 2-21-2018 at 10:43 AM

What do they like to do. Do they like being around the water and water type sports and/or fishing. Are they OK with the heat in the summer if not the Pacific side might be better. Being honeymooners lock in an A/C hotel room might not be bad.

Congratulation to them and you and Baja Angel.

[Edited on 2-21-2018 by TMW]

David K - 2-21-2018 at 11:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

What do they like to do. Do they like being around the water and water type sports and/or fishing. Are they OK with the heat in the summer if not the Pacific side might be better. Being honeymooners lock in an A/C hotel room might not be bad.

Congratulation to them and you and Baja Angel.

[Edited on 2-21-2018 by TMW]

Thank you, yes we are very happy for them both.

While Chris does not like the heat as I do, he does like the idea of warm water to swim in. An AC at night in La Paz is major, I agree.
No fishing, this is a honeymoon so swimming in clear water, hanging on the beach sipping mango margaritas, perhaps a few sites. They will probably fly into La Paz and thus save 4 days of driving. They just will take a week off work. His first plan was to stay at Alfonsina's, L.A.Bay, Mulegé. The driving kills trying to see so much in just a week.

He has my 2012 trip web page when Baja Angel and I stayed 5 days of the 15 in La Paz and BajaTripper and Zully showed us such a great time: http://vivabaja.com/712/

BajaTed - 2-21-2018 at 11:05 AM

David, just a wedding suggestion:
They do reasonable cost weddings at the Bajamar clubhouse for all sizes of groups. If it is a small wedding you can rent my house or others on the ocean bluff and get it catered by the hotel or hire a private GOOD local chef. Our walled patio seats 100+.
Other homes have bigger spaces if needed. Limo with private security available to the TJ airport for those concerned.

David K - 2-21-2018 at 11:15 AM

Thank you Ted, they have the wedding location already... in the San Diego area. Too many wedding guests are not able or likely to travel into Mexico. I appreciate the idea, however!

BigBearRider - 2-21-2018 at 11:28 AM

I liked Hotel Catedral in La Paz. Brand new, stylish, and clean. About $100 a night. Rooftop pool and bar. Cool vibe. A couple of blocks from the Malecón. The Malecón may still be under construction. Something to consider.

mtgoat666 - 2-21-2018 at 11:51 AM

I think summer is a bad time to visit La Paz. it is way too hot and muggy!
For same flight cost they could go to other places with better summertime climate...

ncampion - 2-21-2018 at 11:58 AM

Check Hotel La Concha. It's older but nice, also a little out of town toward the ferry. Old World charm with great grounds, restaurant, bar, pool and beach. I would even call it romantic. Very reasonable prices.

https://www.laconcha.com/en

Fernweh - 2-21-2018 at 12:28 PM

You could find something like this with A/C and a courtesy car....

David K - 2-21-2018 at 12:31 PM

Wonderful ideas... and only in the first hours of my post. I can't wait to share these ideas with Chris after work, tonight. Many thanks!

Paco Facullo - 2-21-2018 at 12:40 PM

Just checked the La Concha site and found this,,,,

Special Offers
The best Mexico Beach Resort was never so affordable. La Concha Beach Resort puts within your reach the most incredible Hotel deals in La Paz along with exclusive packages you cannot miss. With a privileged location 10 minutes from downtown and right at the beach, La Concha Hotel offers you a long list of relaxing, exciting and fun activities. Take advantage of our Specials and Packages and make your reservation now to enjoy an unbeatable location, facilities and services among hotels in La Paz, Mexico.

Romance Package
From $2,863.50 MXN

King Size bed with ocean view

Welcome set on the room (petals, cheese and fruit plate and two little wine bottles)

Romantic dinner for two with romantic stile: a glass of wine, salad and a sharing dessert, 3 different main dishes to choose.

Taxes included and special rate for an additional night.

https://www.laconcha.com/en/la-paz-hotel-deals

JZ - 2-21-2018 at 12:57 PM

Coasta Baja is the best hotel by far.

Tell them to get one of the big corner rooms on the 4th floor. Very big balcony overlooking the ocean, marina. Service is top notch. Beach access, big pool. Steinbecks restaruant/bar.

Trust me on this one, for a Honeymoon you wouldn't want to go anywhere else in La Paz.

http://www.costabajaresort.com/

[Edited on 2-21-2018 by JZ]

willardguy - 2-21-2018 at 12:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

I think summer is a bad time to visit La Paz. it is way too hot and muggy!
For same flight cost they could go to other places with better summertime climate...

goat is unhappy.....they might want to reconsider their plans :rolleyes:

4x4abc - 2-21-2018 at 02:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider

I liked Hotel Catedral in La Paz. Brand new, stylish, and clean. About $100 a night. Rooftop pool and bar. Cool vibe. A couple of blocks from the Malecón. The Malecón may still be under construction. Something to consider.

Malecon is almost finished - drove it today

I would recommend Hotel Catedral as well
very fresh, very young
and all the cool hangout places are in walking distance

not many tourists during the summer - so you could have your own private beach for the day over at Espiritu Santo

David K - 2-21-2018 at 03:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Coasta Baja is the best hotel by far.

Tell them to get one of the big corner rooms on the 4th floor. Very big balcony overlooking the ocean, marina. Service is top notch. Beach access, big pool. Steinbecks restaruant/bar.

Trust me on this one, for a Honeymoon you wouldn't want to go anywhere else in La Paz.

http://www.costabajaresort.com/

[Edited on 2-21-2018 by JZ]

Looks great, almost hard to believe that is under $100!

Hi Harald, I found their website: http://hotelcatedral.mx/ but the English page doesn't work (for my son to read).

Thanks, Paco... that price is way over budget, but I will send Chris the link.

[Edited on 2-21-2018 by David K]

DanO - 2-21-2018 at 03:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Try opening it in Chrome and using Google Translate.

4x4abc - 2-21-2018 at 03:28 PM

Mexican websites rarely work - what do you expect?

TLBaja79 - 2-21-2018 at 03:56 PM

I know its not in La Paz but its close...
We loved it here, unreal beaches, great hotel....decent restaurant (only drawback)...not too many people, 30min drive to Barriles

Punta Pescadero Paradise
https://www.puntapescaderoparadise.com/

chippy - 2-21-2018 at 04:31 PM

I would go with Club el Morro its 3.5 k from centro along the malecon. Nice big rooms and some with kithenettes. Decent pool also. Looks to be around 900 pesos summer rate. https://www.clubelmoro.com.mx/

If they want to be in right in the middle of things its hard to beat the old La Perla for around 1000 pesos.http://www.hotelperlabaja.com/s.

I checked Booking.com with a random mid July date and got those prices. I stayed at bothe places in Nov. 2017.

[Edited on 2-21-2018 by chippy]

David K - 2-21-2018 at 06:29 PM

Thank you all, I have sent the links you guys gave on to Chris and Lyz. Keep the ideas coming.

He knows about the boat ride to Los Islotes, Tecolote, etc. but any other sightseeing trips they may like, please suggest. They are both into hiking as well as swimming. I know July is not top hiking time in La Paz, but even old dad and stepmom did some hiking on our July trip there. mangos are great in San Bartolo, too!

Lengua - 2-21-2018 at 07:57 PM

David , the Hyatt Place at Cost Baja is great and they have a great breakfast that they include. Its Hyatt and it lives up to the Hyatt name . The pool is nice and the restaurants at Costa Baja are nearby. It sits adjacent to the marina and the views of the Sea of Cortez are awesome. A/C guaranteed to work and the accommodations are wonderful -Not far from Balandra or Tecolte

BajaBlanca - 2-21-2018 at 08:01 PM

Congratulations! All of the above suggestions are great!

The malecon looks great...so beautiful now with the lane for bicycles.

For day trips - Todos Santos, Los Barriles, Santiago waterfall, and El Triunfo (which sometimes has a Sunday piano concert for a donation of 200 pesos.)

Be sure to tell them to go to El Zarape, head up the stairs at the right hand corner and go to the balcony to people watch and catch the sunset. Inexpensive and really fun. Order the nachos for two.

gnukid - 2-21-2018 at 09:26 PM

Visiting playa Tesoro, Pichilingue, Balandra, Tecolote and the area is a blast all day and if you have the energy La Paz at night is awesome, so hotels like La Concha and Costa Baja are excellent choices and being close to the water with coromuel breeze all night they stay cool all summer in the evening.

There is also the thermo electric freeway bypass to go on adventures south easily from there to Bahia de los Muertos and further south.

Low Tide Balandra

Spooky Desierto Tecolote

[Edited on 2-22-2018 by gnukid]

ehall - 2-22-2018 at 04:57 AM

Lots of nightlife in Cabo if they are into that sort of thing. Can't help with LA paz. Never been there. Congrats to all you guys.

JZ - 2-22-2018 at 09:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Lengua

David , the Hyatt Place at Cost Baja is great and they have a great breakfast that they include. Its Hyatt and it lives up to the Hyatt name . The pool is nice and the restaurants at Costa Baja are nearby. It sits adjacent to the marina and the views of the Sea of Cortez are awesome. A/C guaranteed to work and the accommodations are wonderful -Not far from Balandra or Tecolte

I've stayed there many times. It's nice, but it's not honeymoon nice.

It's a Hyatt Place, i.e. their business hotel line.

wilderone - 2-22-2018 at 09:30 AM

Warm water? Cheap flights? A special honeymoon? Try flying into Cancun, staying in Pamul - day trips from there.

David K - 2-22-2018 at 09:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

Warm water? Cheap flights? A special honeymoon? Try flying into Cancun, staying in Pamul - day trips from there.

Baja is in his blood (like his dad) and his fiancé was born in the capital of Baja California! As I said, he was going to drive and was asking for motel ideas rather than camping this trip. Baja Angel said, why don't they fly to La Paz and that way enjoy more relaxing days. That was a great idea so I came here to pick your brains on places named the past couple of years on Nomad.

Please continue with ideas for where to eat and to go, as I think you guys have come up with all the motel/hotel/rental/BnB links. Thank you!

Alan - 2-22-2018 at 12:13 PM

I highly recommend http://www.bandbhaciendaparaisodelapaz.com/

The kids obviously aren't rookies to Baja so they know La Paz will be hot, but with that said Hacienda Paraiso is a beautiful facility and they are likely to have the entire courtyard to themselves at that time of year to just lounge in the pool together.

It is just 1 mile from the malecon so they are away from the noise and congestion but easy access to everything.

del mar - 2-22-2018 at 12:16 PM

posada de la mision, the room with the balcony overhanging the malecon!

David K - 2-22-2018 at 06:50 PM

Thank for the continued flow of ideas. I have been sending them to Chris and Lyz.

dravnx - 2-23-2018 at 09:47 AM

We stayed at Costa Baja a few years ago. It's pretty nice but kinda far from town. We found ourselves driving into La Paz multiple times per day. I suppose if you're honeymooning and don't want to leave your room except to come up for air once in a while, it would be OK.

Alan - 2-23-2018 at 10:50 AM

You mention your son knows Baja down to Mag Bay. Does that apply to his bride as well? Remember for them, the trip could be the honeymoon and not just the destination.

Driving could only add 1 additional travel day on each end to their itinerary but it ensures transportation for wherever they stay so they can get out and see the area. Airfare and car rental = a few nights in a hotel.

If they are in a hurry to get south but still drive I would suggest to cross the border at dawn and spend the first night in GN, then on to La Paz the next day. It they want a more leisurely pace spend first night in Catavina, second night at Hotel La Serenidad in Mulege and then on into La Paz.

Now they have a car to get out and explore if they want and even run over to the Pacific side at Todos Santos for a break from the heat.

Things to do in and around La Paz:
Espiritu Santos boat tour. Drive out to Tecolote and arrange for an island tour and snorkel with sea lions at Los Isolotes.

Arrange to snorkel with Whale Sharks through the Cortez Club at the La Concha Hotel (closest to whale shark area)

Day at the beach - I rarely go on weekends as the beaches around La Paz are packed as everyone tries to escape the heat. Week days you can have the whole beach to yourself. There is often a breeze out at Tecolote so it can be a little cooler. Muertos is nice once the fishing boats are out. Start with lunch at 1534 and then snorkeling the reef on the left side of the launch ramp. Or they could do lunch at the Las Suenos development. One of my favorite beaches is out at Las Arenas with its white sand.

Good Eats! Tres Virgennes on Madero. Azul Marina out at Costa Baja, Sorstis on Revolucion. Any of these will provide a memorable meal at a reasonable $15-20 a plate