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Los Cabos is one of the most searched international destinations among Americans, owing its success to a diverse offer that encompasses wellness, sites of outstanding natural beauty, and a lively social scene.
While the ‘Capes’ have led booking trends in the Mexican Pacific for years, however, other lesser-known spots in the area remained largely unexplored and even unacknowledged in tourism initiatives.
This is finally set to change, as one beach spot in particular has suddenly skyrocketed in popularity.
This year, sun-seekers are flocking into La Paz – as the name states, a more peaceful alternative to the bustling Cabo duo:
Los Cabos’ Quieter, Less Famous Sister City
Though it is not as popular as San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas, La Paz is in fact the capital of the Baja California Sur state, and despite its status as the seat of the local government, it is anything but a mere administrative center.
As it straddles a balneario, the appeal of La Paz is mostly centered on eco-tourism.
It offers guests easy access to the Gulf of California, where over 900 subtropical islands and islets are located, including 244 that are now listed as World Heritage Bio-Reserves by UNESCO.
La Paz is also a short driving distance from numerous swimming spots, such as Playa Balandra, known for its golden sands and serene waters, named the best beach in all of Mexico in 2016, El Tecolote, offering privileged views of the Gulf, and the Blue Flag-certified El Coromuel.
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El Tecolote is close to the popular Isla Espíritu Santo, a UNESCO-listed island and popular day trip for snorkeling and watersports enthusiasts, as well as a host of hiking spots and marine parks where wildlife can be spotted.
What Makes La Paz So Incredible?
The city of La Paz proper has a lot going for it, with its own Malecon, a modern seafront promenade lined by restaurants and bars rivaling Puerto Vallarta’s, and a growing foreign community.
As The Cabo Sun states, ‘more tourists than ever before are visiting La Paz‘, but why, and where are they coming from?
Unsurprisingly, a majority of them are U.S. nationals due to the proximity between Baja California Sur and Southwestern U.S. states and the existing connectivity between both regions.
According to the publication, the reason why so many American tourists love La Paz is its abundant nature.
While Los Cabos is a world-famous natural world destination, what with its famous Arch jutting out of the azure ocean, sandy dunes, and protected reserves, it can get a tad crowded, especially now that arrival figures are on the up and rooms are selling out irrespective of the season.
Cabo’s vibrant nightlife can serve as a deterrent for crowd-wary visitors, too.
La Paz Is Much More Peaceful
Los Cabos’ beach clubs and theme bars often attract young travelers and digital nomads looking to socialize, but the local scene may feel overwhelming for wellness seekers and families.
Basing themselves in La Paz instead, they get the same nature, equally-beautiful beaches, five-star service, and the coastal atmosphere without Cabo’s agitation.
Yes, it is a state capital home to over 200,000 residents, but it enjoys an even more relaxed, small-town feel.
Perfect For A Slow-Paced, Not-Too-Luxurious Getaway
If it’s Cabo’s extremely well-equipped, highly-developed resort scene and its all-inclusive offers you’re after, you may want to give it some thought, as accommodation in La Paz consists mainly of small boutique hotels.
There are many to pick from, but you definitely shouldn’t expect to find award-winning listings occupying vast swathes of land with swim-up suites or Cabo’s ultra-modern spas here.
They are not as luxurious, but they are cozy, authentic, and cheaper as La Paz is not as massively popular, with rates starting at about $60 for overnights in August on Booking.com.
In Los Cabos, hotel rates average $600 per night.
How To Get To La Paz From The U.S.
La Paz has its own airport, but at the moment, a majority of flights originate from within Mexico. Connectivity with the U.S. increases over the winter season, but it remains far behind Los Cabos’ impressive stats.
The absence of year-round U.S. flights is partly why it remains largely unknown to the general American public, but that’s not to say La Paz is inaccessible.
It can be easily reached from other major hubs in Mexico, such as Mazatlan and Mexico City, and of course, the neighboring Cabo.
Transportation from Los Cabos Airport, one of the busiest in Mexico boasting flight connections with over 20 U.S. cities, is available for around $70 each way for a pre-arranged shuttle. Shared rides, including buses, are even cheaper.
Alternatively, you can rent a car upon arriving at Baja California Sur, which will give you the freedom to explore the region at leisure, and travel freely between the Capes and La Paz.
This is surely the most convenient option, as sometimes public transportation in Mexico has been known to be less than stellar.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com