La Paz

As the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja Caliornia Sur, La Paz is the perfect place to experience Baja history, contemporary Mexican culture, and the Sea of Cortez, all in one trip. This city of 226,000 holds the greatest concentration of people in Southern Baja—a marked contrast to the sparsely populated towns that dot the rest of the state. Here, you can shop for travel and home supplies; enjoy music concerts, festivals, haute cuisine, and fine art; study Spanish; explore hidden beaches and deserted islands; and dive some of the most exciting underwater terrain along the entire Baja Peninsula. Walk along the waterfront promenade, known as the malecón, at sunset to get a feel for the place. Then venture in a few blocks to find restaurants, shops, galleries, and clubs; or head north a few miles to the beaches along the Pichilingue Peninsula.