Pros and Cons of La Paz Mexico

What are the pros and cons of La Paz Mexico in our opinion? In this video, we tell you all the reasons we fell in love with La Paz Mexico BCS and we outline a couple of the things we weren't that crazy about. All from the perspective of a couple of American travelers looking for a place to potentially settle into and purchase a vacation home.
Overall, we HIGHLY recommend a trip to La Paz Mexico, or considering this town if you're looking for a vacation home in the area or thinking about becoming an ex-pat and moving here full time.
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[@EmptyNesterLife]

Yes we know…WHALE sharks not Tiger. Got it stuck in my head and there ya have it 🤦‍♀️😂 At least you know we’re not people who take ourselves too seriously! Ha!

[@lisawoods588]

Good, you know the difference 😂. Swiming with Tiger sharks would not be fun. 😂

[@ronnie_5150]

Glad for the clarification. First thing I thought was, "Yeah, you don't want to swim with Tiger sharks." 😂

[@EmptyNesterLife]

@@ronnie_5150 😂Right? 🦈

[@joespurgeon7250]

We have spent a few months in La Paz each year for a few years and really love the local people. We have rented in different locations each time and have made many close friends in each. We shop locally, eat at the markets and taco stands throughout the city. We take Spanish classes twice a week to add to our vocabulary and look forward to moving down in a couple of years. We think La Paz is a perfect city to continue our retirement in. This last winter we had the bike races affiliated with the Tour d France, Carnival, Iron Man and the World Beach Volleyball Challenge and Tripple A baseball. Who could ask for more incredible venues to enjoy.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

That's amazing! What wonderful experiences!!

[@MrDarilon23]

Carnaval in La Paz is such a great time! Not just the parade, but all of the music on the many stages set up along the Malecon were incredible. Don't forget about this year being the starting location for the Baja 1000. There's also a Liga de Expansion soccer team (right next to the baseball stadium and 5 blocks from our home)

[@richardmorgan9627]

I've been there numerous times since 1988. I love the old buildings that are still standing after so many years. Beaches are very beautiful. Yes summers are very hot and humid. I've never been there in the other months of the year.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

La Paz is one of the most beautiful places!

[@LeeYvesMexico]

Yup ! Totally agree it's gorgeous beaches, stunning scenery and people are really great. I love living here 😊 shop at their shops they appreciate it! For the heat, yup it true, for a change up head down the road to the Pacific ocean. Todo Santos it's much cooler 😎

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Hi BajaRVLiving...thanks for your comments. Love that you are living there and enjoying it! We did a road trip to Todos Santos after leaving La Paz...great suggestion to get out of the heat in the summertime.

[@JonathanRodriguez-jd7oh]

Greetings to all brothers in the world Mexico it's a beautiful country and cheap to visit..🙌👍☺️🇲🇽

[@EmptyNesterLife]

It is very beautiful indeed!!

[@FernandoSoto-fo2ev]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6WvY2SOpsR4d68si=EQHwHCqnwQiW3kch

[@LicensedBajaRealtor]

I’m shocked you got a non friendly vibe from locals... we have found the locals to be some of the friendliest in Mexico. There is a large expat group here and they are definitely used to seeing us gringoes... especially at Walmart

[@EmptyNesterLife]

We were surprised, too. But hey, that's ok. Most of our trip we met lovely people. But it was a really strange vibe a few times...not just Walmart, but that was for sure the strangest!

[@FernandoSoto-fo2ev]

Gringos ruin everything…

[@rosewildbill6368]

​@@FernandoSoto-fo2ev😢😢😢 😅😅😅

[@jayblack8869]

@@EmptyNesterLife We are here now - we just arrived - and 100% felt the same! We have spent lots of time in PDC and Cabo - never got that feeling. My wife mentioned it first and I had already noticed. I honestly can't blame them - we are causing prices to increase in their town and buying up many of the prime locations. Very strange feeling indeed!

[@jeffsanford8628]

And they wonder why they are not welcome. Cannot even pronounce Malecon correctly.

[@bajaborracho9139]

Your video is great. Just returned from LaPaz. The most beautiful magical place i have ever visited. Cannot wait to go back.👍🙏🏖

[@EmptyNesterLife]

It really is magical!

[@ufosrus]

The point of learning Spanish is not about the locals nor speaking English. It's about connecting with the locals, understanding their culture, and making an effort to integrate.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

I think that's true for sure if you're moving to a foreign country - learning the language and making an effort to integrate is important! But as visitors, I think it would be a shame if people decided not to visit so many of the beautiful countries in the world just because they don't speak the language 🥰

[@Bicklehoff794]

Sea Lion trip was great, Whale shark not as much. Best to see the Lions and then chill on the island for the rest of the day. Locals were great, we even went to Walmart, didn’t notice anything. La Paz felt very homey and familiar, felt welcome the whole time. Nice folks.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience...love hearing it 🌟

[@alma4237]

Just subscribed! I’m 997. Hoping you get to 1K soon! Binge watching your La Paz vids. I’m going this summer. First time! 95 degree heat here I come!!!

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Welcome aboard Alma! We just hit 1002…thank you so much for subscribing and watching our videos on La Paz 🥰 You’ll love it there…just spend lots of time in the water to beat the heat 🏖️😎☀️

[@gruvhard]

there are many other videos that are much better with real information, most of this video is so far off the mark...

[@bgochicoa]

Don't knock the sea lions. I grew up swimming with sea lions (Seal Beach, CA) and they're like puppy dogs. Very graceful, very curious and friendly. Literally man's best friend in the ocean. And yeah - you don't want to go swimming with tiger sharks, hammerheads, great whites, or any other shark with a big mouth full of very sharp teeth. It's the whale sharks not the tiger sharks.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thanks…we’re seeing a lot of people making similar remarks about the sea lions. Maybe we’ll have to try after all! (And yeah, I had tiger sharks stuck in my head 🤦‍♀️)

[@aimeepaterson4423]

Thank You For This Video. Very Helpful.🌺 xox

[@EmptyNesterLife]

You bet! Thanks for watching and saying hi Aimee! ☀️🏖️

[@raidermike3244]

Great show, Thanks for info. We get a great vibe just south of La Paz in Los barilles

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Nice! We will check it out next time we’re in the area!

[@asoto2482]

My aunt lives here & they don’t want it to be a tourist attraction. Every damn place in Mexico is being flooded by Americans. They want to make sure it stays how it is.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

That's exactly what we perceived...and can't blame the residents a bit! It's so beautiful!

[@bigpapa870]

Im from here and I can tell you that I prefer a thousand times "gringos", than most of the people coming from the south of Mexico looking for job or increasing the insecurity

[@gabrielavega91]

I don’t think everyone understands why they may not like tourists because it was tourists who ruined the beach in august 2022 when a tourist boat spilled oil everywhere. The beach was closed for a very long time and the locals are the ones who cleaned it all up.They said the beach would never be the same. Ecosystem was killed so completely understand why they don’t want us there. Respect the beaches ❤

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thanks for that insight!

[@FernandoSoto-fo2ev]

Exactly gringos ruin everything and they dont care they think they’re in USA

[@lisawoods588]

The oil spill was not caused by tourists. The yacht that caught on fire in Balandra and caused the oil spill was the Fortius. Owed by a Mexican company from Jalisco.

[@joespurgeon7250]

FYI. Swimming with Tiger sharks was a pretty funny mistake but the bigger mistake was a post stating that there are no Tiger sharks in Mexico or BAJA. There absolutely are Tiger sharks in all of the Oceans & Seas of Mexico. The Sea of Cortez not only has Tiger Sharks, but Bull, Hammerheads,White, Galapagos, Mako, to name a few of the larger ones and a few hundred other species. Yes, Local fishermen have done a job on the shark population ,as well as the forign Long Line boats, when allowed in the Golfo but rest assured, there are still plenty of sharks that spend different times of the year in feeding and giving birth to young. I suggest a dive around Cabo Pulmo to see some Sharks in their wild environment.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thanks for the tips!

[@zowiewowie4458]

I spearfished in Los Barriles for 10 days didn't see a single shark species...plenty of good fish tho...only place I have ever dived and not seen a shark

[@valeriaespinoza821]

Hi guys I am from la Paz but living on the Bay Area for long time,I feel same way u felt at Walmart, being an immigrant it’s not easy, and if we want to live this amazing nation we have to learn English because Americans speak English right, so if you go to Mexico thinking in moving in u have to learn Spanish, thank you for visiting my beautiful town

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thank you for that wonderful insight Valeria! It's so true, it's hard to be the outsider. We love La Paz and did consider buying a home there. But we are going to keep just visiting :). I agree, when you move somewhere, it's important to learn to speak the primary language. But I also think that a person should never let a language barrier keep them from visiting new destinations! Wishing you all the best and thanks again for commenting! 🏖 ☀

[@yolandaingram7378]

The cons would be pros for me. I definitely want to learn Spanish and not be bothered with tourists. Also, I love heat!🎉

[@EmptyNesterLife]

I’m still working on my Spanish…hoping to have a good handle on it before we go back to the area!

[@dennis78382]

Good morning friends. What a beautiful area. Great tips about avoiding the heat and courtesy to the locals. I'm really surprised they had a Walmart there. Who knew?

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Hi friend! It really is so gorgeous! Yes, it’s always great to find the Wally Worlds in Mexico. There is one in Cabo, too.

[@melissac2884]

Whale Sharks. And rethink sea lions -the sea lion pups are so much fun!

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Yes, whale sharks :) And I never really thought about the pups...that would be cool!

[@ShihanTomCallahan]

SOUNDS AMAZING

[@EmptyNesterLife]

It’s a beautiful place!!

[@mex5341]

discover more about lack of water in summer and drought

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thanks for the recommendation Mex

[@mariadsg1185]

So nice to see this videos of my birth country thank you guys! And hello from the states. New subscriber here!😊

[@EmptyNesterLife]

HiMaria! Thank you for being here. We are excited to get to know you as part of this community! What state do you live in currently?

[@mariadsg1185]

@@EmptyNesterLife florida😊

[@miguelrodriguez-ht3ct]

pretty fair description

[@davidd5636]

I think you got strange looks because of wallmart, they prefer you shop local because then the money goes directly to Mexican families. I never heard of bad vibes before in that region.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

That’s a great perspective! Didn’t think of it that way before.

[@chriswood7165]

I love Mexican people. And a great country

[@EmptyNesterLife]

We do too!

[@annlarson5663]

We have been in La Paz a number of times and we were greeted warmly by nearly everyone. Translator apps and sigh languages work really well most of the time. In one small store I wanted sour cream and the guy who worked there didn’t know snd eventually a number of shoppers came to help and we got some cream. Lively people even in Walmart.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thanks Ann…great tips!

[@MrDarilon23]

Playa El Tecolote on a calm day? But as to cost, La Paz is an expensive town by Mexican standards. Just about everything costs more than mainland Mexico. Appliances and furniture are more expensive than the US or Canada. Restaurants and most groceries are less expensive than the US or Canada. Great food and restaurants are very good. I've never felt anything but welcome - even at WalMart. I do speak intermediate Spanish, though, which helps a lot. Our neighbors are all either local pasenos or chilangos from Mexico City. They are some of the nicest, most welcoming people in the world and we really miss them when we're not there. The weather is pretty good in the late fall, winter and early spring months. August and September can be brutal. You don't swim with tiger sharks, but you can swim with whale sharks.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

This is great information...thank you so much. We are loving the comments with other peoples' experiences in La Paz. 🦈I had "tiger sharks" in my head for some reason, and we didn't even think twice about it until after the first person commented. I couldn't believe I did that! But, we left the video up because we were already home and couldn't go back to reshoot it 😩 Ah well....we'll do an update when we go back 🥰

[@stevefritz5182]

It’s about 60/40 on welcoming Gringos. The older folks will let you know and give you the look. For the most part it is a working class middle income city where people are just working to get by and don’t really care about tourists and immigrants. Most tourists are in fact Mexican.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thanks, that sounds about right.

[@elisabettagiraldo5444]

Hi! My boyfriend and I from Italy are planning to go to Baja next August (first 2 weeks). What do you think about it, since of the hot temperatures? Thank you

[@EmptyNesterLife]

It will be hot and humid, but it is so beautiful. You will love the beaches!

[@elisabettagiraldo5444]

@@EmptyNesterLife Thank you!

[@denisev2110]

LaPaz is my husbands hometown!

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Could you be underestimating the heat and humidity? If it's that uncomfortable from May to October, who from the US or Canada could live there unless they're from Arizona, Louisiana and Florida?! Wouldn't they be happier in Guadalajara and Queretaro?

[@official.distortedme]

Hi Dovy, we use to live down in the Phoenix area, you deal with it, like all the folks who live there. The morning's and evenings were great! Mark & Jacki

[@EmptyNesterLife]

The heat and humidity are pretty intense in the summer months. When we were there, it was the tail end of the hot season and we felt it for sure. There is a large community of ExPats that we connected into, and I think a lot of times they head on their own vacations away from La Paz in the summer months from what we could tell. The beauty of La Paz makes it worth it I think!

[@AnnetteShuler-qy2zb]

I live full-time in a town near La Paz & this is my 5th summer down here. They are not underestimating the heat and humidity. Part of the reason is that there is no "central air", so you are sequestered to a single room (maybe two) in your house, very few restaurants with AC, and not as many tall, shady trees to give relief. BUT, it's still worth it! I can't explain it, but IYKYK

[@lindaponzetto8096]

Some people love the heat like myself! The hotter and sunnier the better. If ya don’t like heat then don’t go. Don’t rain on others parade!

[@stevefritz5182]

They leave in the summer just like much of Mexico. Hardy ones do stay but most Gringos leave.

[@michelewalter1939]

Is the summer heat a desert dry heat or is it humid as well? I am asking because I live in Campeche where it is otherworldly humid and I cannot not tolerate it AT ALL. I would love to go to La Paz, but if the humidity is similar, I'm out.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

It's humid for sure, but I wouldn't say it's excessive.

[@stevefritz5182]

Actually a dry heat but still oppressive. Humidity is higher in the winter, which is a nice flip for us. I’ve been to Puerta Vallarta in the summer. That is deadly humid. It definitely isn’t that in La Paz. I have a dozen other negatives I’d throw out if I was doing my own video. But I also wouldn’t mind discouraging the Gringos from moving here.

[@MrDarilon23]

It's nowhere near as humid as Campeche. The Summer temperatures are about the same. Today Campeche city is a little hotter with 54% humidity and La Paz is 20%

[@BoxerDogs]

Suppose an expat moves to La Paz and decides to buy a car in Mexico. Can you do a video about buying a car in Mexico?

[@EmptyNesterLife]

That would make a great video! Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe next time we’re in Mexico we will do that!

[@alvaros.7721]

Any hotel you can recommend that is close to a nice beach ?

[@EmptyNesterLife]

We stay at Hotel Catradral. It isn’t right on the beach, but it is only a short walk. We usually prefer staying in town where we can walk to restaurants and things like that. But if you want to stay right on the beach, La Pasada is highly recommended

[@alvaros.7721]

@@EmptyNesterLife thanks

[@LeeVerrill-ym2pt]

What is cost of an average condo or house and where do you stay at and price please

[@EmptyNesterLife]

We stayed at the Hotel Catradral. I can’t remember what we paid but I do remember that it seemed reasonable!

[@seanpetersen9326]

Do they spray out there? It’s thick in Texas and messes with our sinuses.

[@stevefritz5182]

Spray? You mean for bugs? No bugs.

[@urielsilva8102]

My recomended is buy one house by retirate don't rent forever

[@RobertIsaacson-hi9sz]

Hot hot Hot. Humidity is a killer. And very expensive. Like big time. But I do like to visit.

[@jvahl8747]

How do you travel to PV from La Paz? Fly? I've wondered if a ferry would be possible...

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Yes we flew. It was a short easy flight

[@MrDarilon23]

You would drive or take the bus to Mazatlan and then take a ferry from there (or from further up the coast in Topolobampo). You could also fly but your most economical flight would connect through either Guadalajara or Mexico City.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

@@MrDarilon23 There is a ferry between Mazatlan and La Paz...have you taken that in the past? I bet it's a beautiful trip! Do you know if there's a ferry between La Paz and PV? We flew, but didn't see if a ferry was an option.

[@justinajodida]

What beach are you standing in front of?!? So gorgeous

[@jowea13]

I think ti is Playa El Tecolote

[@EmptyNesterLife]

@@jowea13 Yes that's correct 🏖

[@johnmorelli3775]

Is the water at LaPaz warm and comfortable to swim in, or is it cool/cold at some times of the year? Thank You! LaPaz looks beautiful.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

It's warm and perfect! We hope to go back in November, FOR the water. Thanks for watching!

[@MrDarilon23]

It depends on what you consider to be cool/cold. In January and February the water is at its coolest (66-68 degrees Fahrenheit), but I still swim there and go surfing over in Todos Santos without a wet suit. About 20 degrees warmer in September, so kind of soup like.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

@@MrDarilon23 Thank you! We're going back in November...looking forward to being there when it's not as hot as it was in September!

[@MrDarilon23]

@@EmptyNesterLife November is pretty nice. We like to do October - April

[@FernandoSoto-fo2ev]

You should ALWAYS try to learn the language … Americans think everything should be catered to them

[@EmptyNesterLife]

That’s why I started trying to learn. 🥰🥰 Although I think that no matter where you’re from or where you’re going, if you’re only visiting for a few days it’s probably not necessary to learn the local language. I would recommend experiencing all the places and cultures you can! Not practical to learn the language of every place you’ll visit if you’re just spending a few days 😊☀️❤️

[@lih-fk8by]

They are tourists, besides do you know how many Mexicans spend a lifetime in the US and never learn english it is to ones own benefit to learn another language but not required especially just to visit

[@lylerobinson3515]

What airport do you fly into to visit?

[@EmptyNesterLife]

We flew into La Paz International Airport. We actually show that in our next video that we'll post next week, but we flew into Puerto Vallarta and then took a connecting flight to La Paz. We actually took advantage of the layover and decided to stay in PV for a night and fly out to La Paz the next day. You can also fly into Los Cabos Airport (SJD), where you can take a short connecting flight or just rent a car. La Paz is a 2 hour drive from SJD.

[@davidmalone9022]

If you're flying in from the States or Canada, you will want to fly into Cabo. You then have the option of renting a car or taking a shuttle. We've done both and the shuttle was a great option - very comfortable and efficient. Most of the flights in and out of La Paz are inside the country. Even locals make the trip to Cabo when flying north.

[@lylerobinson3515]

@@davidmalone9022 recommendations on where to stay?

[@davidmalone9022]

@@lylerobinson3515 Yes, strong recommendation for the Hotel Catedral (we've stayed there twice and it's terrific. Also, ask for a room on the fourth floor - where the pool and the pool side bar are. 😄 ) Breakfast is included and is very good. Also, if you do end up renting a car, they have free underground parking. The hotel is a short walk to the Malecon and just about everything else you want access to.

[@Aiday2008]

I read that the water has the contamination of rain water 😮

[@EmptyNesterLife]

We hadn’t heard that!

[@svbarr]

The most "Spanish" Colonial large city in Baja.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Super cool place

[@murraylaureen]

Whale Shark not Tiger shark. Whale sharks have no teeth like sharks and are GENTLE GIANTS. LOVE SWIMMING WITH THEM!

[@EmptyNesterLife]

I just got "Tiger Sharks" in my head and didn't even catch the error until after we posted the video. At least now everyone knows we're not marine biologists! 😂😂😂 That said, I'd LOVE to swim with whale sharks...you are so lucky that you have done that!!

[@jowea13]

I am sorry for the people that dont like tourists. Its a shame as Mexican.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thank you...please know that most of the people we met were so lovely!!

[@williamhayes7502]

Swim with tiger sharks lol....

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Lol I know…meant whale sharks but got tiger sharks stuck in my head. 🤦‍♀️

[@LicensedBajaRealtor]

Swimming with sea lions is amazing... and I think you ,ran swimming with whale sharks, not tiger sharks?

[@EmptyNesterLife]

You are correct Lyanne...meant whale sharks! Doh!

[@XE1GXG]

It's malecón, NOT málecon.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thanks

[@veronicagrijalva-palmisano7465]

I think you might have meant: "Whale Sharks".

[@EmptyNesterLife]

I did!

[@lisawoods588]

95' or 96' or 105'

[@randygreenfield4312]

DON’T GO !!! Stay where you’re at and ruin that . We don’t need anyone else moving here .

[@EmptyNesterLife]

We get it!

[@geraldallen6602]

were you wearing that hat :~) when you got the strange looks.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

HAHAHAAHA!!!! You win for best comment! I give him a hard time about that hat all the time ~ Jacki

[@silvachifla]

interesting, what happened at walmart? = O

[@LicensedBajaRealtor]

I know, right? The most gringo place in la paz

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Ha...nothing really. Was just an odd vibe. We chalked it up to the fact that we were tourists but 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@NBTalo66]

No tiger sharks in Mexico or Baja. Whale sharks. Sea of Cortez not California. Overall an ok video but I would do more research and be a little better prepared before presenting on La Paz

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Yep...got tiger sharks stuck in my head for some reason! It's why he was looking at me funny. We're just a couple of tourists...not experts on La Paz by any means 😊 Just sharing our experience as un-expert tourists who visited for the first time. We loved it for sure! This video is very "us" though...thanks for the feedback!

[@Jose-ut5zu]

La Paz México is correct form

[@zandrarichardson5084]

Are you sure you don’t mean whale sharks…

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Yes, that's what I meant :)

[@ahlivetuhsidamaro150]

Personally, I want to know what your wife’s secret is so looking so young! Did you actually find the fountain of youth like some explorers were looking for? On the low end, how much is a condo in La Paz?

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Thank you! She does look young and compared to me, she is! As far as prices, depending on location, of course, from the 200s to well over 600k. There are real nice housing choices in the 300 to 400k usd. Let us know if you need an agent in the area. Mark.

[@davidtyburski3558]

Guy's please do your homework. Swim with Tiger sharks in La Paz??

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Hey David, good job! I kept saying tiger sharks, but meant whale sharks 😂 You're one of the first to comment on that!

[@Jose-ut5zu]

Too many gringos in la Paz 😑

[@84corpsvet60]

Expats? The correct term is immigrants...

[@JourneysTravels]

Why does the man monopolize the conversation and the woman is barely allowed to speak? Very annoying.

[@EmptyNesterLife]

😂 This comment is great....no worries, Journey. That's more about editing than it is about conversation. Sometimes it be like that! Check out this video, where it basically looks like Mark does the intro, and then barely gets a word in edgewise. I am sure people thought it was annoying that I did all the talking! 🤦‍♀️ 😂 ~ The Woman (Jacki) 🥰 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHPZq4xjm62rfM0

[@paulsolon6229]

Learn Spanish Ugh

[@EmptyNesterLife]

Working on it :) But wouldn't it be sad if you had to be fluent in the native language of a country before you visited it? How would you discover so many amazing cultures and countries?

[@paulsolon6229]

@@EmptyNesterLife straw man argument. No one said anything about fluency. Why not be respectful and learn some Spanish?

[@paulsolon6229]

@@EmptyNesterLife non sequiter