Pichilingue and La Paz: Nature’s Paradise Beyond the Sands
The port of Pichilingue is only 18 km from La Paz Baja California Sur, along the Gulf of California, with beautiful beaches and ocean views that have made it an important tourist and commercial destination in the region.
In addition to receiving the cargo of products that supply the state of Baja California Sur, Pichilingue is home to commercial ferries that connect passengers on the La Paz-Mazatlan and La Paz-Topolobampo routes.
Rates may vary depending on the season and whether you bring your vehicle.
This ferry trip through the Gulf of California takes approximately ten hours.
The transfer takes place at night, and the cost per person is around 1,300 pesos (70 USD). Learn more at Baja Ferries.
This route has been operating for centuries, so it is exciting to make the trip.
It was inaugurated at the time of the missions that were established throughout BCS.
How to get to Pichilingue
Getting to Pichilingue takes about 20 minutes by private car or taxi/uber service.
Also, from the bus station on the boardwalk, you can find a route to this beach that you should visit when touring La Paz, BCS.
Pichilingue Beach
Pichilingue Beach is a favorite of the local community of La Paz, Baja California Sur.
It is a place for families to visit during the weekends, who organize to prepare a delicious aguachile accompanied by a few beers.
Tourists can also find restaurant services. Water activities such as jet ski rentals are available.
This is a wonderful experience as you can access semi-deserted beaches within walking distance.
Conservation and environmental care are significant issues in this state. It is a task we are all part of, and it is necessary to practice responsible tourism.
La Paz Baja California Sur: Best things to do and see
Whale watching in Magdalena Bay
You will see whales between 12 and 16 meters long peeking over the surface of the sea in Magdalena Bay, 270 kilometers from the city.
This activity is only possible between December and March (the whale-watching season).
Visit Espiritu Santo Island
At Espiritu Santo Island, 33 km from La Paz, you can see one of the Mexican coast’s most beautiful and protected reefs. You can also snorkel with sea lions.
Get a quick tour of Todos Santos
Get to know and enjoy the classic architecture of Todos Santos town.
Fall in love with the beautiful colors of its houses and the rich gastronomy that represents the flavors of Mexico.
Explore El Triunfo, BCS
El Triunfo is a small mining town that was the main economic activity of La Paz for the exploitation of gold and silver during the 19th century before ecology and tourism took over that role in the city.
You may want to read: La Ventana & El Sargento, Mexico: A Small Paradise in Baja Sur
English, Chinese, and Americans influenced the town at the beginning of the 20th century, people who found work and the warmth of Latin Americans in these lands.
Visit the Regional Museum of Anthropology and History of Baja California Sur
At the Regional Museum of Anthropology and History of Baja California Sur, you will learn about the life and culture of La Paz, including the evolution of nature and art.
In its four exhibition rooms, you will see pieces of local crafts, stones with rudimentary paintings, weapons from ancient times, a preserved collection of fossils, and a botanical garden.
Stroll along the Malecon
The Malecon of La Paz is a fantastic spot to walk along the sea and feel its rich breeze. It is considered one of the most beautiful in Mexico.
You can see the ten bronze sculptures allegorical to navigation. It is gorgeous.
Visit the Cathedral of La Paz
The Cathedral of La Paz was built neoclassical in the 19th century. It remains one of the few works of the Jesuit missionaries that are still preserved.
Inside the cathedral, you will see paintings from the 17th century left as evidence of their worldwide missions.
Visit it any day of the week to enjoy its religious services or appreciate its beauty and historical content.
Swim with whale sharks
One of La Paz’s biggest attractions is swimming with giant and non-dangerous whale sharks from October to March.
You must be in good physical condition and swimming training to keep up with them.
Practice or learn sport fishing
Practice sport fishing in the unique reserves of La Paz. Also, learn about Catch and Release, a form of fishing where you release the fish after it takes the bait.
Enjoy a memorable ocean-view dinner
La Paz’s gastronomic offerings feature the most native Mexican flavors that you will taste in its restaurants overlooking the sea.
Few things are more pleasurable than a dinner with the sound of the waves and the rich sea breeze.
Go ecotourism
In addition to being one of Mexico’s most committed to preserving its natural resources, La Paz is a fantastic city for ecotourism.
Tour its beaches and wooded areas alone or accompanied by a guide who will introduce you to the diversity of species and vegetation, including a walk through La Sierra de la Laguna, a jealously preserved biosphere reserve.
Visit the Whale and Marine Sciences Museum
At the Whale Museum and Marine Sciences, you will learn about the marine species that live or touch the coasts of La Paz.
It is an educational, scientific, and cultural institution that uses its funds to research and preserve the Gray Whale.
The museum’s objective is to divulge the most valuable aspects of the biology of these marine animals with museological and museographic exhibitions of scientific collections.
Visit the Serpentario de La Paz
Educational and conservation place where you will find the most important species of the fauna of Baja California Sur, a diversity of birds, fish, turtles, and reptiles.
You can touch snakes and feed an alligator.
The Ensenada Grande Cove
The white sand and crystal clear waters have turned Ensenada Grande beach into a pool of nature rich in marine life.
You’ll get there on the tour to Espiritu Santo Island.
Balandra Beach in La Paz: One of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico
Near Pichilingue is Balandra Beach, where you’ll discover one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico and the world, a unique natural spectacle that everyone will fall in love with.
This is one of the most stunning beaches in Mexico.
It is a coastal bay formed in a spectacular mangrove forest and beautiful sandy beaches, located within one of the main hydrological basins of La Paz, 30 kilometers away.
Balandra Beach has unreal landscapes and calm, crystalline, and shallow water, ideal for swimming and enjoying the sea.
What activities can you do at Balandra Beach?
Whether you walk along the trails surrounded by mangroves or enjoy sunrises and sunsets on the beach or in the desert, everything will be an out-of-this-world experience.
Camping
In addition to enjoying a starry night on the shore of the beach, you can organize a picnic or a bonfire night with your friends or family, and even with your furry friend, the beach is pet-friendly.
Admire the Balandra Valley
Sunrise and sunset are the most magical moments of the day; here, you can enjoy them from one of the trails in the Balandra Valley.
It is characterized by dunes, semi-desert landscapes, and sighting areas, where you can contact endemic species such as the peninsular pronghorn. Of course, safely and respectfully.
The phenomenon of luminescence in El Saltito
Another alternative to having fun in Balandra is visiting El Saltito, a paradisiacal beach that allows you to witness an incredible bioluminescence show.
Tour San Rafaelito Lighthouse Islet
In addition to snorkeling and diving, you will have the opportunity to meet the sea lions that perform their breeding ritual on this islet.
You can also swim and explore the area around a beautiful coral reef.
Remember that it is essential to respect the environment and follow the rules of the place.
How to get to Balandra Beach
To get to Balandra, you must first arrive in La Paz, Baja California, and take a bus or cab that will take you to the beach; it is only a few minutes away.
Other beaches nearby:
The beaches of La Paz are among the most beautiful in all of Mexico. The most famous are Coromuel and Balandra, where you can practice sea sports.
Playa Tecolote is a natural spectacle in front of Espiritu Santo Island, and El Tesoro, named after the treasure found during the highway construction, is equally beautiful.
La Paz and Pichilingue, Baja Sur: Conclusion
In conclusion, while the beaches of Pichilingue and the vibrant city of La Paz are undeniably alluring, their true treasures lie in the ecological wonders that surround them.
From the diverse marine life thriving in the Sea of Cortez to the breathtaking landscapes of the Baja California Peninsula, this region offers a rich tapestry of natural beauty and biodiversity waiting to be explored.
By venturing beyond the beaches and embracing the wilderness, you can immerse yourself in unforgettable experiences and gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of ecosystems that make this corner of the world truly exceptional.
So, whether you’re an avid adventurer or simply seeking solace in nature’s embrace, Pichilingue and La Paz beckon with endless possibilities for discovery and wonder.
