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The new and extravagant aquatic park has begun construction. API,
the port authority is paying for the construction of the project
which will include waters slides and enclosed swimming areas for the
little ones.
Pichilingue
Beach is actually located in Little or Viejo Pichilingue bahia. One
beach front palapa serves food and beverages and another restaurant
is located across the road with a find upstairs view. This is a small
beach compared to some just up the road. A palapa bar there is
pretty popular in the hot summer afternoons. I can't tell you why,
but it seems to be popular with folks driving up from East Cape.
Well, at least it was the couple of times I was there.
Balandra is a huge playa area but does not offer any
beachside amenities. Balandra is a less busy beach where young
people and families go to enjoy the day to themselves. Parking is
limited compared to the available sand space. The sandbar runs
completely across the bay allowing you to wade from one side to the
other, and half mile away through water usually no deeper the chest
high.
Balandra
is one of the truly remarkable beaches in the La Paz vicinity.
Sheltered from wave action from nearly every direction, the water
warms early and is very safe for swimmers. The only down side is the
occasional stingray and the 12 mile drive from downtown. The famous Diamond Rock
of La Paz is located in Balandra. The continued existence of
Balandra may be in question as developers threaten to change bay for
commercial development. It is a hotly debated issue in La Paz right
now, as to legislatively block the development of the bay.
Tecolote is the largest and most popular La Paz Beach by far. Two restaurant/bars
offer shade palapas and a large number of beach vendors offer refreshments.
RV camping is available along with a wide variety of water sports rentals.
You can even take a panaga ride to
Espiritu
Santo.

El Mogoté is the spit of land that separates the harbor of La Paz from
the Bahia of La Paz. This natural treasure use to be accessible only
with 4WD for the most part. Now driving out onto the peninsula is
restricted due to the construction projects that have begun. Large
areas of mangrove have been removed to make way for golf courses,
homes and hotels.
One of the most unique beach experiences in the La Paz area requires
a short panga ride to
Isla
Espiritu Santo.
Remember, The Sun Ain't Your Friend...
You
can only get to the island by boat, about 3 miles across the San Lorenzo
Channel's closest point. Your panga driver can take you to miles of
clean white sand playas frequented only by the limited
number of people ferried to the island and an occasional pelican. Panga
transportation is available from Tecolote Beach and from downtown La
Paz. You will find the best value by far to be from the beach, as it
will save you over 1 hr of boat time.
The Cortez Club in La Paz offers excursions from the major
hotels in the area to the islands or dive trips to Los Islotes at
the north end of the Partita/Espiritu Santos island group.
So
if you visit downtown La Paz we recommend you roll your towel, don't
forget the lotion, and explore some of the fine beaches just outside
of town.
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