Are you planning a trip to La Paz, Mexico?
This blog post will discuss everything you need to know about the best time to visit La Paz, Mexico. We’ll give you an overview of the average temperature and climate by month and helpful advice for flights and accommodations.
Plus, we’ll tell you which months are busiest and least crowded. Finally, we’ll let you know about the safety in La Paz and when is the worst time to visit.
Keep reading to discover the beautiful city of La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico!
Explore the City of La Paz
If you’re looking for a beautiful city to explore, then you are reading the right article. This picturesque city is known for its charming layout and peaceful ambiance.
Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming with whale sharks or simply strolling at the iconic Malecon and soaking up the atmosphere.
La Paz is also a great place to enjoy delicious Mexican food, so be sure to try some local specialties during your visit!
No matter what time of year you visit La Paz, there’s always something to see and do. Whether you’re interested in activities like sportfishing or scuba diving or want to enjoy some beautiful scenery, La Paz is definitely worth a visit.
Where is La Paz Located?
La Paz is located in the state of Baja California Sur, situated on a long-shaped peninsula that juts out into the Gulf of California, which is gifted with many different landscapes.
The city is surrounded by natural beauty, from the Malecon ocean views to beautiful cactus forests, majestic mountains, and rock formations.
How to Get to La Paz
The best way to get to La Paz is by flying into Manuel Márquez de León International Airport (LAP). The airport is located about 12 kilometers (km) from the city center.
There are few direct flights to La Paz from major cities in Mexico, but if you are coming from the US, the only direct flight is from Phoenix (PHX).
If you don’t want to pay a lot of money and put up with flight connections, getting a direct flight to Los Cabos and then a 2-hour shuttle to La Paz is much easier— this is my preferred alternative, and to be honest, it’s very comfortable!
Once you’ve arrived in the city, moving around with a rental car will be easier as the public transport isn’t great. If you are not moving too much, then Uber is a cheap alternative— a few months ago, I paid less than $ 2 bucks for a ride!
In my own experience, the best rentals I had were with Hertz La Paz, with reasonable prices and no hustle. Just remember to be open to your circumstances; in the end, you might have different experiences than me.
How’s the Weather at La Paz?
The weather in La Paz is perfect for those who love the sun and warmth.
The average temperature is around 28ºC (82ºF), with minimal variation between seasons— except for the summer peak in July and August, where the temperatures rise to 38ºC (100.4ºF)!
Unlike other places in Mexico where the weather is tropical and humid, La Paz can be dry and even chilly at night; humidity levels are pretty low, so it’s generally comfortable.
However, if you’re not a fan of heat, you may prefer to visit during the cooler months (December to February), when temperatures drop to a more manageable 20ºC to 25ºC (68ºF – 77ºF).
During winter, this is the kind of location where you can enjoy a lovely evening with a light jumper on and flip-flops while you sip a glass of wine after a summery and busy day swimming and strolling around.
Monthly Weather
Here is a yearly journey of what to expect from La Paz, Mexico, weather— hence, provided by a local with over 30 years of experience!
From January to February
This is the best time to be here. The weather is fresh in the mornings, with a little breeze, and sometimes windy in the evenings.
During the afternoon you can enjoy a clear sky with the perfect temperature for sunbathing and swimming, it’s simply the best! Unbeatable season I should say.
From March to June
Heat starts to creep in, and if you go outside during the day, you can start feeling the sun hitting harder; it is recommendable to stay in the shade and avoid prolonged sun exposure from 12:00 to 16:00; always use high-quality sunscreen.
It is still fresh during the night, though not as cold as the previous period. You can enjoy outdoor activities during the early hours in the morning or evening alike.
This can be the perfect season for outdoor-night adventures like stargazing and camping, as the wind is not as rough as winter.
July to August
This is as hot as you can get; the sun hits hard during the afternoon, and you can get sunburn just by standing in the Malecon for 10 minutes (without shade).
Similar to the March and June period, this is when you’d instead prefer to have night adventures. Anything from going out for late dinner on a lovely fresh terrace near the Malecon or just going for a camping session, you can enjoy La Paz as much as you want.
It is not convenient for anybody to go out and perform any outdoor high-intensity activity like cycling, hiking, or running during afternoon hours as you can suffer a heat shock.
September
Officially the hurricane season, September can be a hot month but with a humid sensation, which makes it a little bit more tolerable.
Honestly, it is unlikely to have dangerous hurricanes, but there is always a risk; you can definitely experience cloudy days and short rain showers here and there, refreshing the temperature and providing some relief from the hot summer.
Sometimes you can have small cyclones (not more than once per season, really), most of them hit during the night, and generally, they don’t last much.
November to December
Cooling season, this is a transition to winter bliss. You can still feel a bit hot afternoon, but this sensation starts to fade over the weeks. By the first week of December, you can enjoy beautiful weather again.
Temperatures by month
| Month | Temperature (°C) | Temperature (°F) | Rain |
| January | 13° – 26° | 55.4° – 78.8° | 0 days |
| February | 13° – 27° | 55.4° – 80.6° | 0 days |
| March | 14° – 29° | 57.2° – 84.2° | 0 days |
| April | 15° – 32° | 59° – 89.6° | 0 days |
| May | 17° – 35° | 62.6° – 95° | 0 days |
| June | 19° – 37° | 66.2° – 98.6° | 0 days |
| July | 24° – 38° | 75.2° – 100.4° | 1 day |
| August | 25° – 38° | 77° – 100.4° | 3 days |
| September | 24° – 36° | 75.2° – 96.8° | 2 days |
| October | 21° – 34° | 69.8° – 93.2° | 1 day |
| November | 17° – 30° | 62.6° – 86° | 0 days |
| December | 14° – 26° | 57.2° – 78.8° | 0 days |
Tours and Activities All Year-Round
Take a look at this table where you can picture all the activities you can do in La Paz and its surroundings, and start planning a fantastic trip full of fun!
| Activity or Tour | Season |
| Paddleboard in La Paz Bay | October to May |
| Anthropology Museum | All year round |
| Scuba dive in the Sea of Cortez | All year round |
| Hike El Cerro de la Calavera | October to May |
| Sandboarding at El Mogote | October to May |
| Hike in the Sierra de la laguna mountains | October to May |
| Day trip to Todos Santos | All year round |
| GastroVino Baja Food and Wine Festival | April or November |
| Kitesurf at La Ventana | November to March |
| Swim with the sea lions in Isla Espiritu Santo | September to May |
| Swim with whale sharks | October to May |
| Dive in Cabo Pulmo | May to November |
| Whale-watching in Magdalena Bay | February and March |
Best Time to Visit La Paz Mexico
Many visitors agree that the best time to visit is from December to February. Here are the main reasons why:
- The hot weather is manageable and delightful, especially during the evening.
- Whale watching season is at its top— you have to book a tour in Los Cabos or Bahía Magdalena for this.
- Whale Shark season is also at its best; you can jump in a sailboat near the Malecon and swim with these fantastic creatures anytime.
- Enjoying all outdoor adventures without the excessive heat during the afternoon is easy.
- Even tho there was more international tourism during this period, La Paz is not a big travel destination, so the crowds are not that bad.
- During winter, most locals travel elsewhere, which gives the impression of less crowded beaches (it’s funny, but for some locals like me, the beach can be too cold in the winter!)
- And last but not least: no bugs, no flies!— trust me, this sounds silly, but it can be a deal-breaker!
There you go, if you’re looking for a relaxed and enjoyable experience, plan your trip for these months, and you won’t regret it.
Best Months for Flights and Accommodations
September
You’ll find the cheapest rates because of the hurricane season. With a bit of research, you might find this is more like an educated risk rather than a potential disaster.
The Pros
If you are not bothered about the seasonal tours and are happy to explore the city, this is probably a good way of doing it. You can save a significant amount of money while you enjoy spending time at the beautiful beaches around and also eat tasty dishes at the best restaurants in town.
The Cons
- If a hurricane hits (which is not that frequent), you might have to postpone any tour you booked for a couple of days. Also, whale-watching tours are not occurring.
- The temperatures are starting to descend, but some people might find the heat not comfortable.
May and June – These months are also an excellent alternative to finding attractive deals for flights and accommodation, as international tourism is not extremely busy during this part of the year.
The Pros
The weather is not as hot as it can get yet, and most places can offer good value for money. You can enjoy outdoor activities during the early hours or evenings and relax with a cocktail on hand in a refreshing pool all day.
The Cons
Not many, perhaps the heat can be a little bit too harsh for some people, but as long as you can enjoy the day in a shaded area and taste a super cold beer, trust me, you’ll going to love the weather, it’s warm and windy, summer can’t get better!
Low Crowded Months
September
Most people avoid coming to Baja California Sur during September, so if you are “grinchy,” this is your perfect time. Sit down at Harker Board’s rooftop terrace and enjoy a cold drink admiring the Malecon view on a summer day.
July
This is a sweltering month with average temperatures of 38°C ( 100.4°F), but still good enough to enjoy shaded areas, evening activities, and tasty outdoor dinner nights.
On the good side, this is where you can enjoy a nice camping session without the wind crushing your tent every 10 minutes.
August
This is definitely the hottest month of the year, and people should be careful about overexposing themselves to the sun. During the hottest hours (12:00 – 16:00), staying away from the beach is convenient because even with good shade, the sun can still hurt your skin badly.
This is the perfect weather to perform scuba diving, evening camping (and leave during the early hours), stargazing, and enjoy indoor or evening events.
Is La Paz a Safe City in Mexico?
If you’re wondering whether La Paz is a safe city in Mexico, the answer is yes! La Paz is considered one of the safest cities in Mexico, and tourists are unlikely to experience any problems while visiting.
However, there are a few safety precautions that travelers should take note of. Here are some safety tips for traveling to La Paz, Mexico:
- Avoid walking alone at night (the city has poor lighting in general)
- Keep your belongings safe and secure
- Be cautious with strangers
- If you have the chance to travel with nationals (I mean, Mexicans), it would be even better for you and your group
- Never book a tour with unknown charters (use trusted online services instead)
- Avoid at all costs wandering around the back of the city as this is a less safe area
- Trust your gut instinct. If something feels off, it probably is.
Following these safety tips will help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip to La Paz.
The Worst Time to Visit La Paz
La Paz is a beautiful city, but there are certain times of the year when you can experience some surprises:
The Weather
The summer months are by far the most challenging to visit La Paz. It can get incredibly hot (sometimes humid), and generally, the city doesn’t have the infrastructure to deal with the heat.
To master the art of surviving La Paz summer, you must book a comfortable accommodation equipped with AC and fans and hydrate with electrolytes often; otherwise, you might regret it.
The Crowds
Many visitors agree that the best time to visit is from November to February and April (Easter). During this time, the weather is colder, but you’ll have to deal with the crowds.
Even though the crowds are not that bad compared to places like Cabo or Cancun, you might prefer enjoying the beaches with fewer people around.
The Bottom Line
La Paz is a great place to visit if you’re looking for stunning natural beauty, exciting marine life, and delicious food.
Located on the Sea of Cortez, La Paz offers visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, from hiking and biking to swimming and snorkeling with fantastic creatures.
So when is the best time to visit La Paz? While the weather is generally pleasant year-round, the best time to visit is from October to May.
During these months, the temperatures are less warm, and there is less rainfall. However, if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and pay less, you may want to take a chance and visit during summer.
When you visit La Paz, you will have a memorable experience. So pack your bags and head to this Mexican gem today!
3 Trackbacks / Pingbacks