Whale Shark Research Project Blog: Balandra Beach

The main area of La Paz has the Malecon (a boardwalk along the tourist area) with some small beaches, but the major beaches to spend a day at are a bit further north. You can easily venture to the beaches with a bus (or consider a cab to save money if you have enough people). There are a number of beaches to visit, but we’ve been to Balandra Beach twice in the past few weeks. Balandra is known as the most beautiful beach in La Paz with shallow waters, protection from the wind and gorgeous white sand. The water is always shallow in the cove area and if you walk around to the second beach, you will see the mushroom rock that has become iconic of La Paz.

My selfie with the mushroom rock!

How to get there? Venture to the main bus terminal on the Malecon and check out Eco-Baja Tours. The schedule is set and the earliest bus each day leaves at 10am. It’s 83 pesos each way to take the bus and the trip takes about 35 minutes. You will also pass all of the other beaches (the closer ones are a bit cheaper but you take the same bus). Since Maria and Robin arrived the other day, we were able to take a taxi for the four of us for 250 pesos each direction.

What to bring? Everything you need for the day!! There is a small cart at the beach selling water (but bring your own to avoid plastic bottles) and some basic snacks but they don’t have much in the way of food. They also rent kayaks, stand up paddle boards, umbrellas and lounge chairs. If you get there early enough (the 10am bus has worked for us) there are free Palapas (umbrellas) that you can hang out under and leave your stuff. The blue umbrellas are the ones that you need to pay to rent. -

Hope you get to enjoy the beach!
Nicole