La Paz Attractions

How to get there

By air from Mexico City in about 1.5-2 hours, and from other Mexican and U.S. airports; by ferry from Los Mochis (Topolobampo) in 8 hours, from Mazatlán in 16 hours; by bus from Tijuana in about 22 hours.

La Paz, capital of the state of Baja California Sur, lies in the bay of the same name on the Mar de Cortés (Gulf of California). A few years ago just a quiet old-world fishing port known only to fishermen, it has now grown into a sizeable town, mainly owing to the construction of the new north-south route, the Carretera Transpeninsular (MEX 1). In spite of this hectic growth La Paz has managed to preserve something of the restful atmosphere of earlier days.

History

Before the Conquest the southern part of Baja California was inhabited by Indian tribes, including the Pericúe, Cochimí and Guaicura, who at first gave the Spaniards a friendly reception but later tried to prevent the first attempts at settlement. Hernán Cortés is said to have been the first Spaniard to set foot on the peninsula, near the site of present-day La Paz, in 1535. At the end of the 16th c. the region around La Paz became a refuge for pirates, including the legendary Sir Francis Drake. The Jesuit mission established here in 1720 had to be abandoned in 1745 because of shortage of water and illness, and a permanent settlement was not established until 1800.

In 1830 La Paz became capital of the southern territory of Baja California. In 1847-48, during the war with the United States, it was occupied by U.S. troops. In 1853 an American adventurer named William Walker seized the harbour in an unsuccessful bid to set up an independent state. La Paz was for a long time a centre of pearl-fishing (black and pink pearls) but this industry is of liitle importance today. The town's principal sources of revenue are tourism, fishing, commerce and a developing processing industry.

Sights

Being a comparatively young town it has few features of tourist interest, apart from the parish church (19th c.), the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno, 20th c.), the House of Folk Art, the Anthropological and Historical Museum, the shell market and the harbour promenade (Malecón). La Paz is however an excellent base for deep-sea fishing and diving expeditions and trips to the many beautiful beaches in the surrounding area. It has also acquired importance as a free port.