Nothing beats a tranquil sunny day at the beach with white sand, turquoise water, and your loved ones. Known as one of the best beaches in Mexico, Playa Balandra is a stunning beach in the state of Baja California Sur that sits at the edge of a bay in a natural protected area.

With the bay’s protection, the water is shallow and has no waves, making it an ideal spot for families with young kids, and non-swimmers.

The vibe at this beach matches the name of the town – La Paz, which is peace in Spanish. The water is peaceful, the people are relaxed, and the beach goers are generally quiet and just having a good time.

Due to the protected status of Playa Balandra, the number of visitors per day is limited. There are two time slots, the morning slot (8am to 12pm) and the afternoon slot (1pm to 5pm), both 4 hours long. You can now get your tickets online in advance!

I recommend aiming for the afternoon slot, so that you have a relaxed morning to drive to La Paz, have an early lunch and a stroll along the Malecon. Aim to be at the beach entrance about an hour before the opening time as there is often a queue of cars to get in, especially over the weekend. I promise you it is worth it.

There are no food or drink vendors at Playa Balandra, so I recommend packing some sandwiches, snacks and water to take on this day trip. Stop at an Oxxo, Soriana, Walmart or Costco and pick up supplies before you head out.

There are a few palapas (shade structures) at Playa Balandra, but these fill up fast. The beach is otherwise not shady. I recommend adding a cheap beach umbrella to your Walmart trip so that you’re not straight up roasting in direct sun if you don’t get a palapa. (This is how we did a few beach afternoons on our vacation time in Cabo, and it was cheaper than renting an umbrella at each beach. So if you have other beach stops planned, this is the way to go!)

Make sure to have some Mexican pesos on you for this trip. There is now an entrance fee of $120MXN per person. (It used to be free.). You will also have an opportunity to spend some pesos while waiting in line to get into the beach as there are usually food and drink and souvenir vendors going up and down the line.

A little bit of preparation makes everything run smoother. These items will help maximize your beach day, and keep it relaxing.

A day trip to Playa Balandra and La Paz from Cabo San Lucas requires some advance planning as they are a 2.5 hour drive apart.

There are tours from Cabo to visit La Paz and Playa Balandra. This is a convenient and stress-free option. Check out Viator for the latest offerings.

On the other hand, renting a car allows flexibility in your schedule. This is our recommended way to go. Aim to get up early, have breakfast and leave Cabo San Lucas by 7am. This allows time for a quick mid morning stop or drive through visit of Todos Santos, a “Pueblo Magico” or Magical Town as designated by the Mexican Government. It has an authentic historical and cultural charm, a breath of fresh air from the busy and ever active Cabo San Lucas.

The Malecon area of La Paz is a beautiful seaside boardwalk. The street is lined with little cafes, restaurants, and ice cream shops. There are a few good photo stops along the Malecon, sculptures depicting the rich history of La Paz, and the iconic “Letras”. A quick stroll will also get your very first contact with the Sea of Cortez!

From here, the drive up to Playa Balandra takes you along the coastline and then into the desert as you head to the bay.

If you don’t have an umbrella with you, you may want to rush to try and grab a palapa (palm leaf thatched shade) when the gates open for the afternoon visitors. Especially during the summer.

Hopefully you already have your swimsuit on underneath your clothes and can very quickly get into the water! La Paz can be very hot during the summer, and the water feels refreshing after a long drive.

The water is so shallow at Balandra beach that you can walk out for a long distance and have it barely go past your knees! If you really go far, maybe it will get to your hips! You can also easily see little fish swimming around in there.

An inflatable tube and a portable air pump are great additions for this beach trip since the water in the bay is shallow and calm and will not (easily) sweep you out into the open ocean. So you can just 🏖 relax and float around for the better part of the afternoon. The *actual* best way to do beach relaxation.

Tip: Carry and use a wide foldable sun hat, a rash guard and/or reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin while you enjoy the sun. You can burn to a crisp very quickly in the summer sun at the beach.

If you’d like a bit of an active visit, there is a nearby hiking trail that leads to amazing views of the bay and beaches.

This beach is also a great spot for snorkelling, paddle boarding, and kayaking.

El hongo (the mushroom) is a naturally formed rock formation that is an icon of Balandra Beach. It is a short walk / wade / swim to get to (depending on tide levels) and a fun photo opp.

There are not many amenities at the beach, but there are a couple of dry toilets. These are free to use, but a tip is always welcome.

In order to protect this gem of a beach, there are a few regulations in place at playa Balandra.

• Do not leave any garbage.
• Do not climb on the mushroom
• Stick to the authorized trails.
• Dogs have to be on leash at the main beach
• Use the toilets for your needs, don’t “go” not anywhere else…

When closing time eventually sneaks up on you after a good few hours of relaxation on this stunning beach, it’s time to pack up and head out for a nice evening along the Malecon in La Paz.

Tip: If you arrive at Balandra too late to get in, fear not, your whole trip does not have to be a waste. The nearby Tecolote beach, just a few more minutes further up the road, also has clear and calm waters as well. This beach has a few more amenities (restaurants and equipment rentals), but is also busier and livelier, a tad less tranquil.

There’s nothing like a sweet cold ice cream after an afternoon in the sun! La Fuente ice cream shop is a popular choice featuring a long list of regular and exotic flavors. Every ice cream we had here was delicious, and we have had quite a few over multiple visits to the area. They also serve smoothies, frappes, and aguas frescas, among other things. A little something sweet for everybody.

For dinner, I recommend Sushito on the Malecon, where you will have your pick of different sushi options, as well as a cold drink. You can enjoy your dinner and drinks with a view of the sunset on the Sea of Cortez, and then take a short stroll along the Malecon in the evening, when lots of families do as well.

One day is not enough to fully enjoy La Paz, but what better way to end a nice beach trip. I hope you enjoy Balandra Beach and La Paz as much as we did. 💛