Natural wonders to love La Paz, Baja California Sur

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Here you shed the shackles of everyday life. Let the contained yearning for freedom flow and let yourself be sucked into the adventurous atmosphere of Peace, capital of Baja California Sur, the starting point to reconnect with nature after so many months of confinement.

In this little Paradise, whose shores bathe the sea ​​of ​​cortez, “The aquarium of the world”, happens what few of us have within our reach: the privilege of swimming with sea lions and hundreds of fish in the Isla Espiritu Santo National Park; paddleboarding at night with the sky uncovered; and conquer the dunes of El Mogote aboard 4×4 vehicles, as well as many other experiences between the sea and the desert.

Photo: Courtesy FituPaz

Peace It is perfect for this “ménage a trois”: reconnecting with nature, receiving a “rush” of adrenaline and savoring exquisite dishes.

When planning your trip to Peace, we recommend checking the services available during your stay in times of pandemic.

Things to do in Isla Espiritu Santo

A breath of air after a deep dive, get out of the ocean, contemplate the beauty of a secluded beach with turquoise waters and, a few steps away, enjoy the stillness of a desert landscape in the middle of sea ​​of ​​cortez.

Read also: La Paz, Balandra, Los Cabos; a 6 day road adventure

Travel to Holy Spirit island it’s a little odyssey. We embarked on the bay of Peace to start a tour of about an hour and a half. Fortune accompanies us and we are escorted by playful dolphins, as we pass the Gaviota and Ballena islands.

Photo: Courtesy José Luis Candia

Upon reaching Espiritu Santo, we contemplate a small cave called Dos Ventanas. On one side you can see the northern tip of the island and, on the other, you can see the Pailebote crag, named in reference to an old sailing ship.

Land at Bonanza beach is living the new luxury: being in a unique natural sanctuary, almost unknown. The sand is talcum of corals and shells, a caress when in contact with the feet. The water, of a crystalline lapis lazuli, creates a perfect picture with the celestial sky. This lonely place is the ideal place to “slice” in the company of the captain of the ship and the guide who accompany us.

The wind picks up. It’s time to lift the “minicamp” and head to the pinnacle moment: snorkeling with sea lions.

The guide gives us the basic recommendations to avoid disturbing the natural habitat of these beautiful mammals, before jumping into the water.

Photo: Courtesy FituPaz

The sea ​​of ​​cortez is benevolent; its waters are completely transparent. Sea lion pups are the most curious. They “jump and fly”, they approach almost until they touch us (an action that we are prohibited from: we cannot even caress them) and, sometimes, they bite the fins. Time is gone in the blink of an eye. It is time to return to La Paz.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Espiritu Santo Island was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2005 and was named a National Park since 2007.

The island has an area of ​​80,763 km² and at the moment only 40% of the capacity of the boats is allowed.

Rowing at night, on a mirror of water

Our signal is the sunset. A small bay surrounded by dwarf mangroves on El Tesoro beach is the destination. In this place our paddleboard instructor is already waiting for us, an activity in which we paddle on a kind of surfboard.

The sun is sinking. We climbed onto the stiff carbon fiber boards. Once standing, the rest is to row and maintain balance… The light disappears, only the dull glow of the moon reflects silhouettes, so we can have a silent dialogue with the stars.

Photo: Courtesy On Board Baja

We press a button and, suddenly, that mirror of water in which we float, like a dance floor, is painted in neon colors. LED flashes in red, blue, green, purple and white allow you to see the bottom, where different varieties of fish – needle, trumpet and puffer, mostly – feed. In our case we even spotted a small hawksbill turtle.

Read also: Cabo Pulmo, the paradise of virgin beaches in Mexico

Time dissolves between contemplations. We go back to the beach. To prolong the delight, an appetizing dinner awaits us on the beach as a picnic: tuna sashimi toasts, ham and cheese ciabatta and a refreshing hibiscus water.

Speed ​​over the dunes of El Mogote

“Let’s not waste any of our time; maybe there were better ones, but this is ours “. – Jean paul Sartre

The helmet, goggles and the car are thoroughly disinfected. A brief introduction to all-terrain vehicle (ATV) controls is sufficient. We fasten our seat belts, start the engine and are ready for adventure.

30 minutes from downtown Peace is El Mogote beach, whose dunes rise 30 meters.

Photo: Courtesy FituPaz

Behind the wheel the emotion is undeniable, and the wind in the face a stimulus, when crossing ponds on one side of the sea. Driving between the mounds of sand gets your pulse racing fast.

If someone still wants more action, once at the top of the sandy mountains, a board can be waxed. sandboard and embark on the adventure of descending the slopes.

If you are new to these types of activities, it will not be easy at first, but a couple of tries will help to keep vertical. Thus, the moment becomes special.

Where to eat? Culinary corners in La Paz

The gastronomic spectrum what do you find in Peace it is wide and varied. You can opt for the traditional flavors of Baja, like the ones you find in Los Claros. A restaurant specialized in fish and seafood tacos, which you can accompany with various sauces and salads to taste.

Photo: Marco Sotelo

If you are looking for signature cuisine, Some (‘give life’, in Nahuatl) is the right place. The chef Alejandro Villagómez successfully fused the typical food of his native Oaxaca with elements of the contemporary gastronomy of Baja.

Here you can taste from an octopus tlayuda with grasshopper, chicatana and white beans, to a delicious sealed king kampachi fillet with pineapple puree and chintexcle (ground chili paste originally from Oaxaca).

Its avant-garde dishes, as well as the local cocktails, in which mezcal stands out as its main distillate, have made Nemi one of the best options in the city.

Read also: The cleanest beaches in Mexico are in Baja California Sur

Another proposal is the one offered by the chef Paco Martínez in Fish hook, cuisine of the sea in which the styles of the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico are combined. The result is a successful ensemble and a proposal of original recipes with a touch of “mischief”.

Argento clams (shaved in the shell, prepared with aguachile, black sauce or natural) are classic. As a main dish, an aguachile from Baja (shrimp, octopus and callus tanned in lemon and serrano pepper, instead of habanero) is the suggestion. You can complete your order with a Taco 8 (of octopus al pastor with roasted pineapple, nixtamal tortilla and green sauce).

Photo: Marco Sotelo

TRAVEL GUIDE

Travel safe
As of press time, Baja California Sur is on an epidemiological orange traffic light. The capacity allowed in restaurants, hotels, beaches and outdoor activities is 40%.
Has the Safe Travels seal
It is awarded to destinations that comply with the regulations established for the well-being of tourists, stipulated by the World Travel and Tourism Council, and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WTTC for its acronym in English).

Who takes you
On Board Baja: paddleboarding at night with LED light. Duration: 3 hours. Includes snacks, water, soft drinks and photos. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on this tour. Tel. 612 125 3972. onboardbaja.com

Red Travel México: Espiritu Santo island and swim with sea lions. Duration: 7 hours. Drop off at your hotel early to board a speedboat later. The guide and the captain give you information about the ecosystem and the rules that you must follow. Includes lunch prepared by a local family and takes place on a lonely beach. Tel. 612 122 6057.

Read also: What to do and see in the Magic Town of Loreto

Magic Mexico DMC: ATV in El Mogote beach. Duration: 3 hours. They lend you 4×4 vehicles RZR 900 and RZR 1000 models. Package includes: fuel, safety equipment, beverages (non-alcoholic), snacks and certified guide. You must have your valid driver’s license. Tel. 612 146 5817. magicmexicodmc.com

When to go
Low season is at the end of September and all of October, so they are good dates to go to La Paz because there are better prices and fewer tourists.
La Paz has activities all year round. The climate is warm, however, it is preferable to avoid the hurricane season in the Pacific (June to November). From December to February there is the sighting of three species of whales: gray, blue and humpback.

Photo: Courtesy José Luis Candia

OTHER INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT LA PAZ
Its original inhabitants. During the pre-Hispanic period, the Baja California peninsula was inhabited by three mainly nomadic tribes: Pericú, Guaycura and Cochimie.

The first European in La Paz. The Spanish navigator Fortún Jiménez, in command of the Concepción ship, after mutinying and killing Captain Diego de Becerra, was the first European to arrive in the territory that is now known as La Paz in 1534.

Late independence. Although the independence of Mexico took place on September 27, 1821, due to its remoteness from the rest of the country, the California peninsula continued under the administration of the Spanish crown until 1822.

Appointment as a capital city. La Paz was named the capital of Baja California in 1830 due to the fact that Loreto was destroyed by great storms, for this reason San Antonio was named as the temporary capital and ended in La Paz.

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