La Paz, which means "The Peace" in Spanish, is truly the jewel of Baja California. Rich in history and heritage, the city is over 450 years old, and, just a few miles outside of La Paz, is cave-painting evidence of the Neolithic hunter-gatherers who roamed the area 10,000 years ago. Modern La Paz is a very friendly city of about 200,000 people, but has the feel of a quaint and amiable small town, where home based pottery and weaving stores still dot the "city"-scape between the modern hospitals and shopping malls also found here.

Click here for sights you may see while strolling down the malecon of La Paz!

La Paz is the state capital and center of commerce, as well as the home of the three leading marine biology institutes in Latin America, primarily because La Paz is situated on the Gulf of California which is the most bio-diverse body of water in the world. There are over 900 islands around La Paz, 244 of which are protected as World Heritage Bio-Reserves. Of these, the Espiritu Santos Islands are considered the crown jewels of the Gulf and are the primary tourist destination. The diving, snorkeling and kayaking here are considered second to none.

Perhaps the main hub of activity in La Paz is its malecon, a beautiful three mile walkway overlooking the bay where locals and tourists alike exercise at sunrise and stroll together to admire the spectacular golden sunsets. Many evenings, especially Fridays and Saturdays, the malecon invites the passerby, with its family friendly ambiance, to partake of free concerts and cultural demonstrations, and enjoy one of the many variety of restaurants, ice cream and coffee shops. You can also shop for beautiful Mexican art or spend a romantic evening with your loved one.

La Paz has been receiving much attention and praise in the last 5 years. Travel magazine named one of La Paz's beaches among the twelve most beautiful in the world. Both Money and Forbes magazines listed La Paz in the top five places for Americans to retire as La Paz is safe, secure, has mild weather, little pollution and exudes a warm Mexican charm. We at Hacienda Paraiso want you to experience this for yourself!