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La Paz City Overview
Attributes
Location: 24º14’N 110º32’W
Population: 220,000
Distance to United States: 975 miles
Founded: 1535 by Hernán Cortés
Capital: Baja California Sur, the largest
city in BCS, port facility for BCS
Industries: Agriculture, Fishing,
Tourism, Shipping, Mining,
Manufacturing
Enjoys the highest standard of living/
quality of life in the Mexican Republic.
Named “One of the Best Places Outside
the U.S. to Retire” in 2003 by CNN
Money Magazine, and The New York
Time.
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La Paz, meaning “City Of Peace,” is a magical place with a colorful history, where
missionaries, adventurers and pirates alike once passed through. With an “old Baja” feel,
La Paz takes pride in being an authentic Mexican small town and, at the same time, as the
capital of Baja California Sur, it is a vibrant city with many cultural advantages. Located as
the Gateway to the Sea of Cortez, which Jacques Cousteau aptly called, “The Aquarium of
the World,” La Paz offers an abundance of water sports and some of the best beaches and
adventure-tourism in Baja in addition to the spectacular sport fishing, diving and boating.
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Weather
La Paz enjoys 340-plus days of sunshine annually. Average daily
temperatures range from 75°F to 85°F (April to November), and
from 80°F to 95°F (May to October), with the annual average
air temperature being an idyllic 80°F. The average annual water
temperature is 72°F, and water visibility can reach to 100 feet, making
it ideal for diving and snorkeling. Yearly average winds range from
10-15 knots.
Beaches
White, soft sand beaches are one of the big attractions in La Paz.
These beaches are clean and swimmable (unlike many of the resorts
on the tip of the Baja peninsula). On-the-beach amenities include:
palapas (huts), restrooms, showers, restaurants, bars, and water
sports equipment rentals.
Golf
The first Gary Player Design Golf Course ever to be built in Mexico will
be located at the CostaBaja Resort and Marina. It is expected to open
in 2009, and will feature panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez and
an innovative design that complements the unique desert-by-the-sea
landscape. Several other golf courses are planned for La Paz.
Dining & Night Life
La Paz offers a wide variety of international fare from casual to fine
dining … classic Mexican cuisine is available, of course, as well as
Italian, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean and more. After hours there
are many different clubs, cafés, bars and night clubs that cater to a
wide range of musical tastes from Latin Rock to Jazz. You can also find
quiet, romantic respite on the Malécon.
Shopping
La Paz has a wide variety of consumer goods with competitive pricing.
There are a number of department stores, supermarkets and shopping
plazas, as well as shops that offer locally-produced Mexican crafts.
Cultural & Educational Activities
Anthropology and History Museum, Gray Whale Museum, Cathedral
Nuestra Señora de La Paz, City Theatre and Art Gallery, Theatre
Juárez, House for Culture, Movie Theaters, Aquarium, Serpentarium
Sampling of Excursions
Isla Espiritu Santo, El Triunfo, Todos Santos, Magdalena Bay, Cactus
Sanctuary, Cave Paintings
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Airport
The Manuel Marquez de Leon International Airport (LAP) is serviced
directly by Delta, Alaska Airlines and AeroMexico. The CostaBaja
Resort and Marina is 7 miles from the airport, and a taxi costs
approximately $25 USD, one-way. In some cases, it may take less
time and expense to fly to Los Cabos and then take a shuttle to La Paz.
Transportation
Most major car rental companies have rental locations in La Paz and
offer discounted weekly rates. As your U.S. auto insurance is not valid
in Mexico, purchasing Mexican insurance is recommended. Taxis are
readily available, and there is a complimentary shuttle service between
the CostaBaja Resort and La Paz that runs on a posted schedule.
Money
Pesos are the currency used in Mexico. You can exchange dollars for
pesos at CostaBaja’s Fiesta Inn reception desk and can pay your bill
with U.S. dollars. Most major Mexican banks have branches in La Paz,
and there are ATM machines that give you pesos. Dollars are also
accepted at par in most restaurants, bars and stores.
Drinking Water
The CostaBaja Resort and Marina is equipped with its own water
purification facility. You can safely drink the tap water in any of our
establishments, and this purified water system supplies the Fiesta Inn,
all Pueblo Marinero businesses, all CostaBaja’s homes and the boats at
Marina CostaBaja.
Language
Spanish is the main language of the region, but English is widely spoken
at the Resort and in La Paz. For those who are ambitious enough to
learn Spanish, there are several fine language schools in town.
Time Zone
Both La Paz and the CostaBaja Resort and Marina (all of Baja California
Sur) are on Mountain Standard Time (MST) during the winter, and
switch to Mountain Daylight Time (MDT, or Daylight Savings Time)
from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in October.
Medical Care
Modern health care is readily available. Known for having the best
health care services in Baja, La Paz has three major hospitals which
provide medical consultation, x-ray, laboratory, emergency and
surgical services, and have a modern pharmacy. AmeriMed, a U.S.-
based medical consultation service, is open in the Pueblo Marinero at
the CostaBaja Resort and Marina.
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