The Best Beaches of La Paz & Todos Santos — Ranked by Vibe, Scenery & Actual Experience

I spent five days exploring La Paz and the surrounding Baja beaches — both on the Sea of Cortez side (calm, turquoise, magical) and the Pacific side (wild waves, surf towns, and golden-hour drama).

Here’s my full, honest ranking of every beach I visited, what makes each one special, and the little details you won’t find on TripAdvisor. Think of this as a mix of storytelling and the notes I wish someone had given me.

The coolest beach I've ever been to.

1. Playa El Carrizalito (tied for first — raw, untouched, and absolutely unreal)

Side of Baja: Sea of Cortez  Distance from La Paz: ~30 minutes + long private dirt road  Best for: Snorkeling, solitude, beauty that feels prehistoric

If you’ve ever wondered what Baja looks like before the world touches it, go to Carrizalito.

To get here, you drive ~30 minutes out of La Paz, then take a long private dirt road that feels like stepping into California in the 1970s — cactus blooming across rolling hills, quiet views, and zero signs of commercial life. You eventually park on a dusty hill, And then you see it.

A cliffside cove with turquoise water, dramatic rock formations, coral pieces scattered across the sand, and only one other group of people on the entire beach. Because it’s so untouched, the coral and shells here stay exactly where they belong — in nature, not someone’s suitcase.From there, you climb down a palm-tree staircase carved into the cliff.

I snorkeled here and saw schools of tropical fish, shimmering coral, and ecosystems that felt alive and thriving. The water is swimmable, but the hike down is steep, so it's not great for families with young kids. There are also tiny jellyfish that you can’t see– but you can feel. It’s not bad enough to stop you from swimming though. 

Bring: all water, food, shade, and anything else you need. There’s zero service and zero amenities — which is exactly why it’s magical.

Delicious beach tacos. The shrimp were the best.

2. Los Cerritos Beach (tied for first — the fun, social, surf-town favorite)

Side of Baja: Pacific Ocean 

Distance from Todos Santos: 10–15 minutes 

Best for: Surfing, eating on the sand, upbeat energy

If Carrizalito is tranquility, Los Cerritos is the beach you go to when you want a lively vibe.

You’ll drive down the highway, turn onto a sandy road sprinkled with new beachfront construction, and end at a big sand parking lot. Bring cash for the main lot, but if you stay farther back, there is free parking. Phone service is limited, but there are spots to charge your phone at the beachfront restaurants.

Once you step onto the sand, the energy shifts — people learning to surf, kids running around, horses trotting down the beach, music drifting from open-air bars. It’s lively but not chaotic.

We ate at a beachfront restaurant where the menus were made from vinyl records, drinks were served in coconuts, and I had quite literally the best shrimp taco of my life with my feet in the sand. That alone was worth the drive.

If you like a beach that feels like a full experience rather than a quiet retreat, put this at the top of your list.

There were dozens, if not hundreds-- but these were the best models.

3. Playa El Saltito

Side of Baja: Sea of Cortez 

Distance from La Paz: ~30 minutes + dirt road 

Best for: Secluded nature, calm swimming, private-beach energy

Saltito is the serene older sister of La Paz beaches — untouched, gorgeous, and rarely crowded.

The drive is scenic and covered in cactus fields, and when you turn onto the dirt road, the whole world slows down. When we arrived, there were only two people on the entire beach.

The water is clear and gentle, perfect for swimming and relaxing. The shore is a mix of sand and rocky areas where small fish and crabs hide.

Bring everything you need — food, water, sunscreen. There’s no cell service and no stores, which makes it perfect for a real reset.

One side of the famous Balandra-- the mushroom rock is in the cove to the right of the frame

4. Balandra Beach

Side of Baja: Sea of Cortez 

Distance from La Paz: 35–40 minutes 

Best for: Kids, shallow warm water, iconic Baja views

Balandra is the famous one — the one you see on postcards, screensavers, and Instagram. And yeah, it’s worth visiting.

The water is so shallow you can walk almost all the way across the bay — perfect for families and anyone who prefers floating over swimming. It’s clear, turquoise, and dreamy.

Important: Parking operates on timed entry waves (typically morning + the afternoon). If the lot is full, you cannot enter, so plan ahead. 

Don’t miss the short hike up to the overlook — the views are stunning.

Bring: sunscreen, umbrellas, food & water; they sell minimal snacks and drinks at the entrance.

La Paz Google Maps List

5. Playa El Sargento

Side of Baja: Sea of Cortez 

Distance from La Paz: ~45 minutes 

Best for: Kite surfers, long coastal views, local neighborhood vibes

Sargento feels like a quiet coastal community — clear water, nearby homes, little restaurants, and a coastline full of wildlife. On windy days, the sky fills with colorful kites as surfers ride the gusts.

Great for swimming, good for possible snorkeling, and perfect if you want something calm but not deserted.

The drive is beautiful — rolling hills lined with cactus, dramatic desert meeting the sea.

San Pedrito Beach

6. San Pedrito Beach

Side of Baja: Pacific Ocean 

Distance from Todos Santos: ~30 minutes 

Best for: Watching waves, surfing, peaceful long beaches

San Pedrito is not really a swimming beach — the waves are powerful and better suited for surfers. (Although there weren’t any while we were there, we were told it’s a favorite spot for that,) but it’s beautiful. The wide sand, big rocks, and empty shoreline make it peaceful to walk and explore. 

There are a few homes nearby, but no restaurants, so bring everything you need.

It’s the kind of beach that feels like a scene from a surf documentary — moody, raw, cinematic.

7. Tecolote Beach

Side of Baja: Sea of Cortez Distance from La Paz: ~45–50 minutes Best for: Quick stop, pretty views, low-key beachgoers

Tecolote is pretty but not remarkable enough to return to. The water is nice, the sand is dotted with big shells, and the crowds are minimal.

Swimming and snorkeling aren’t the draw here. If you’re already at Balandra, it’s worth the extra 10-minute drive just to see it — but it won’t be the highlight of your trip.

8. Malecón Beach Strip

Side of Baja: Sea of Cortez 

Distance from La Paz: walkable in town 

Best for: Sunset walks, people-watching, aesthetic photos

This isn’t a swimming beach — it’s a waterfront promenade lined with sculptures, pelicans, boats, and newly added rolling plant installations. It’s beautiful to walk at sunset, especially when the sky turns cotton-candy pink.

Think: vibes, not swimming.

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Final Thoughts

Every beach on this list has its own personality — the raw beauty of Carrizalito, the social energy of Cerritos, the dreamy calm of Saltito, the family-friendly shallows of Balandra.

La Paz and Todos Santos give you both worlds: the peaceful Sea of Cortez and the wild Pacific.

If you plan your days right, you can experience both sides of Baja — and trust me, you’ll fall in love with all the contrasts.

ALSO I wanted to share that you don’t need 4-wheel drive for any of these beaches– we made it in our tiny rental car. So no need to worry!

Exploring Playa El Carrizalito. (The structure in the background is where you climb down from.)

If you have any questions or would like to work on an itinerary with me, feel free to reach out! You can find me anywhere @planetjadie