We’ve only been in La Paz for a couple weeks, so this is hardly a definitive review of the town. Just some first impressions.
Working outward from the boat, we’re staying in Marina Cortez, one of the two main in-town marinas.
There’s a lot of wildlife in the water in the marina, far more than any other marina we’ve stayed in. The ones that caught us most by surprise (except for the pistol shrimp) were the flying fish, that occasional leap out of the water right next to our boat. The record so far was one that leaped about three feet vertically and about six feet horizontally.
La Paz has an extremely active cruiser community, centered in the next marina over. They hold daily radio nets (where everyone listens in and people announcement when they’re arriving and departing, things for trade, events, etc., etc.). The day after we arrived, they had a Thanksgiving dinner, which drew upwards of a hundred people — they cooked twenty five turkeys, and the guests brought side dishes, and the restaurant where it took place sold drinks. All for 200 pesos (about $10).
Right next to the marina is the Malecon, the main pedestrian water-front strolling area of the city. It includes beaches, statues, shops, restaurants, music, events, etc., etc.
Heading inland from the Malecon, there are the usual small city stores. Plus the occasional park.
The palm trees and cacti remind you that you’re in Mexico, or at least in an arid climate.
We’ve discovered one farmer’s market that happens every Tuesday and Saturday. Not nearly so large or complete as back home, but enough to get Suzana her fix of cucumbers and tomatoes. Oh, and also flourless chocolate brownies…
The town is largely Mexican, with a sizable tourist/ex-pat component (as opposed to the other way around). So the norm is for people not to speak English, though there’s usually someone nearby who can translate if you’re linguistically challenged like I am. The upside of that is the new and interesting cultural and culinary possibilities.
Back at the marina at the end of the day, the sunsets here always seem to be spectacular. Something in the air. The one below is decidedly sub-standard. We’ve seen far better.
So, overall, what do we think of La Paz? It’s as several people told us before we arrived: Mexican, laid back, friendly, cultural, interesting. I see why several people we’ve met here were just passing through fifteen or twenty years ago and never left. We’ll try not follow their example. Though, sitting here on the boat with the warm evening breezes and the sunset, I’m not totally sure why not…
