BajaNomad

going to La Paz for the first time

westcoasterboater - 3-6-2013 at 10:14 PM

Looking forward to our trip to La paz. I am not seeing much about the waters in front of the Malecon, how is the swimming ect. clean or no?

mirko - 3-6-2013 at 10:36 PM

No swimming in front of the malecon. Too rocky and probably dirty. Swimming north of the city about 5-10 miles. There is a very nice water park as well but also 5 miles away or so. The malecon is all about strolling. You'll love La Paz!

How are you getting there?

Mirko

micah202 - 3-6-2013 at 11:03 PM

.....with a 'boater' name,,,you might enjoy a side-trip to Ventana Beach,,about anhour drive south,,,,a kite-board mecca!

La Paz for the first time

westcoasterboater - 3-6-2013 at 11:50 PM

Thankyou Nomads for your quick replies. We have heard about Balandra and Telecote for swimming and maybe kayaking. Since we are flying from the westcoast of Canada and traveling by bus to La Paz, might not have a car to see the sights too far away. Any thoughts about a fishing charter with Tailhunter?

paranewbi - 3-7-2013 at 05:30 AM

Take a cab out to Balandra, worth the small cost. you can stroll up around the 3 bays or rent a kayak to kayak around there. You can find a palapa or two on bays with few people on them. Get yourself a bottle of rum and a coke or two, bring a couple of empty water bottles to mix your own while under the palapa. Not much food at Balandra although there is a guy with a small food truck there usually with some good basic mex food. You might have to pay a small fee since the area is protected now. Great place to swim, stroll, laze around. No place like it in town. Tell the Cabby what time you want to go back so you don't have to wait for one to come around.

Cabs are a real cheap way to get around La Paz also. Tailhunter for fishing? Don't know...but the restaurant on the malecon makes a good margarita and has a great view on the 2nd deck to people watch (& wifi).

If you need an awesome place to stay check out Casabuena at 3065 Belizario Dominguez. Milton and Susu have an awesome, quiet place, with a full kitchen available and coffee and pastries everymorning...a real oasis in the big city. www.cblapaz.com

David K - 3-7-2013 at 09:35 AM

See my July trip report, link in my signature below. Photos taken at the Malecon, Balandra and Tecolote. There are other beaches closer to town, as you drive north towards Tecolote.

Lee - 3-7-2013 at 10:17 AM

Over the years, there's been discussion on city streets after midnight. I advise against it -- and include the LP malecon in that advisement. Bad things can happen to tourists, and even locals.

If driving, obey traffic laws fully. That said, cops might try to scam you anyway.

LP is a great town.

micah202 - 3-7-2013 at 10:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lee
Over the years, there's been discussion on city streets after midnight. I advise against it -- and include the LP malecon in that advisement. Bad things can happen to tourists, and even locals.

If driving, obey traffic laws fully. That said, cops might try to scam you anyway.

LP is a great town.


..LaPaz IS a great town,,,
,,,,I spent enough time around there 2 winters ago,,that if there was 'trouble' to be found,,I would have found it!!

..........sure,,wrong place,,wrong time -anywhere-,,
,,,but certainly better than most bigger towns north or south of the line!

MitchMan - 3-7-2013 at 11:32 AM

paranewbi's got it right.
Casabuena is a GREAT place. I stayed there before getting my own house. Milton and Suze are the absolute greatest. The ambiance of that bed and breakfast is the best, their big community cabana is fantastic, and, the best laundramat service in La Paz is across the street.

Just a comment on ground transportation and Tailhunter. If you can afford a day of fishing with Tailhunter, you can afford to rent a car at least for one day to drive to Tecolote, La Ventana, and Bolandra. If you check around and are willing to do the least amount of bargaining, you can rent a vehicle for $40 a day. I can't imagine a taxi being less than $40 to go to those places and back.

I have heard great things about Tailhunter and I have met the owner and his wife several times. They are great people and run a very professional service and with them, you pay for what you get. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. It is great that service is available to you. For me it was always a bit pricey...mostly because I am a cheap Ba$tard and will always grovel around for something much lower costing. But if you are going fishing for just one or two days with several people to split the cost, it can certainly be the way to go, all things wisely considered.

In my head I replace "L. A." with "La Paz" in Randy Newman's song, "I love LA".