La Paz, Mexico: Vacations and travel info

Description

La Paz features an excellent location which is why it is an important departure point to a great variety of tours and excursions to beautiful sites that will place you in direct contact with true nature.

The city of La Paz was born as a result of the battles between the different invaders, explorers, colonists, evangelists and merchants. These historic facts, full of legends, incidents, traditions and challenges, create an enigmatic and magical ambiance expressed in La Paz' rich culture. The incomparable sunsets that you will be able to admire on La Paz vacations, drape over this gorgeous town every day of the year.

This charming place marks the entrance to the bay and all its tourist attractions. You can enjoy incredible beaches during your La Paz vacations, as well as the extraordinary islands (where you can also find the famous town of Todos Santos) full of natural diversity, impressive cave paintings, natural and artificial reefs for a more interesting diving experience and whale watching.

Ecotourism

The city of La Paz and its surrounding regions comprise the perfect setting for nature lovers; they form one of the most recognizable diving areas on an international level, containing diverse sites where beginners or avid divers can experience this thrilling activity. These spots are situated all along the bay, most notably around the islands of Espiritu Santo, San Jose and Cerralvo, all ideal locations for your vacation in La Paz.

Nature has blessed the Sea of Cortez with rich vegetation and wildlife, bringing in visitors from around the world. The entire coastline surrounding La Paz contains innumerable fascinating species that can be found just by using snorkel gear! Many diverse organizations dedicate themselves to the preservation of these natural wonders for future generations with programs designed to eliminate environmental damage.

Visitors can also experience ecological activities such as camping, hiking, and mountain biking in La Paz, where the region's geography is perfect for connecting with nature. In addition to incredible beaches, the area also has many fascinating wooded areas, such as Sierra de la Laguna. This stunning refuge houses a wide variety of plant and animal species and was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1994.

History

This magical bay is located in a key region of the Sea of Cortez. It was discovered and inhabited by colonists coming from Spain in the 1500s and by evangelists of the 18th century. It was Hernan Cortez who arrived first and tried to colonize these territories on May 13, 1535. He disembarked on this land, inspired by the stories telling of an enchanted place, inhabited by women and lots of precious stones. He named this region the Bay of Santa Cruz, even though the real colonization did not start until 1720, when the Jesuits built the mission of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de La Paz.

The Spanish merchant Sebastian Vizcaino was responsible for giving this town its current name. He traveled all the way along the Peninsula of Baja California, some time between June and November in 1596, and after exploring the coast of the Gulf of California, he founded this particular place in the bay called "Bahia de La Paz" (La Paz Bay).