" alt="Baja Life Realty" />The city known as “The Peace” is appreciated now more than ever for its welcoming, peaceful vibe.
With so much turmoil going on in the world, those of us who live either seasonally or full time in La Paz, Baja California Sur, have come to appreciate what a peaceful, welcoming place this Mexican city is that we call home. In fact, the English translation of the city’s name is literally “The Peace”. At the entrance to the city, a giant sculpture of 2 doves, carved to look like a whale’s tail in honor of our oceanic residents, welcomes visitors to the city. The sunsets are legendary, the climate is temperate most of the year, the beaches are gorgeous and the people are friendly. If that sounds like a little piece of paradise, we certainly think so. Read on to learn why La Paz is the place so many local residents and seasonal visitors love to call home.
If the more well-known destination of Cabo San Lucas to our south represents excitement, nightlife, all-inclusive vacations and tourism, La Paz is the more introverted sibling that prefers a quiet corner of a remote beach with an umbrella, a cooler full of snacks, and a book to read.
That’s not to say La Paz isn’t fun! The outdoor adventure opportunities here are endless, and the cultural scene vibrant. With a population of over 250,000 residents, La Paz is the largest city in the state of Baja California Sur, and yet it still retains a small town feel with a distinct personality and vibe. US visitors often liken it to cities like Austin, TX or Tucson, AZ. In fact, La Paz’s desert climate is very similar to that of southwest Arizona, except of course we have the Sea of Cortez as our playground.
As the state capital of Baja California Sur, La Paz is a real working Mexican city with a diverse population and culture that makes it feel more like a home than a tourist destination. There are several universities located here, as well as hospitals, museums, and the state government. It is also the home of the three leading marine biology institutes in Latin America (UABCS, CIBNOR & CICIMAR), and to several pro sports teams including soccer and baseball teams.
When we first moved to La Paz, our friends and family in the U.S. all asked us if we weren’t afraid that it was too dangerous, living in Mexico. Having lived here for over 8 years now, we laugh at the question and tell our families we feel safer here in La Paz than anywhere we’ve lived in the U.S. For those of you who grew up in the 1960s and 70s, the vibe will feel familiar. People wave hello as they pass in cars on neighborhood streets, and stop to chat when out walking their dogs. Neighbors tend to know each other, and everyone pitches in to help when someone needs a hand. We rescue street dogs, attend local charity events, and come together whenever the call goes out to support local families in need of help.
La Paz also has a surprisingly vibrant and diverse LBGTQ+ community. Many of our neighbors and friends came here looking for a place that wouldn’t just tolerate them, but that would welcome them. And they have found that here in La Paz. Our community in El Centenario includes married and single men and women, gay couples and transgender individuals. We have friends who moved here from Canada, the US, Europe, South Africa, and Southeast Asia. We bond over shared interests like pickleball, live music, game nights and restaurant outings. We struggle to learn Spanish, joke with our Mexican friends about our lack of fluency, and ask them to teach us the local slang and culture. The locals are always happy to help, and they genuinely appreciate the effort.
One of the reasons so many people who choose to live here love our city is because of this laidback, welcoming vibe. If you ask a resident what they love most about this city, again and again you will hear this answer: the people! They are so friendly! Local residents don’t really care who you love, how or if you worship, what kind of car you drive or where you come from. As long as you respect the local culture and try your best to acclimate and adjust to the pace of life and embrace the lifestyle here, you will thrive.
Visit the La Paz malecon (a 3 mile long waterfront boardwalk) on any given night, especially on weekends, and you will see expats and local families alike strolling, biking, eating ice cream, and enjoying the spectacular view. And if you happen to have car trouble on your way home, a local resident is sure to stop to help you, refuse a tip, and when he’s done, invite you to dinner with his family. In neighborhoods with new construction going up, you will hear the Mexican workers laughing and singing. At night, especially on weekends, you will hear music going into the early morning hours.
It’s easy to make friends here. Of course, learning Spanish helps a lot, but even if you haven’t learned yet, you will still feel welcomed and accepted if you open your heart and your mind and drop your guard. If you are looking for friends and community, you are likely to find it. In addition to the local popular tours, there are art classes, museums, Spanish and bilingual practice groups, open mike nights, karaoke, card games, yoga classes, gardening groups, ladies luncheons, mens luncheons, newcomer meetups, and more.
So if the world you live in seems divided and angry, we welcome you to leave the angst behind for a few days and visit La Paz. Come and enjoy a walk on the La Paz malecon, take in one of our spectacular sunsets, and watch the moon rise over the mountains behind the city. Talk to the locals, eat fresh, local seafood, and visit one of our many deserted beaches for a Zenlike stroll. We promise you’ll leave feeling refreshed and a little bit calmer. And who knows, like many of us, you may just decide to make La Paz, the place called The Peace, your home.