La Paz, Mexico
Exploring La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur. The first colony in La Paz was established by Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes in 1535. He named it Santa Cruz and spent several years there before abandoning the project because the ground didn’t seem rich enough to be cultivated. Sebastian Vizcaino, a Spanish explorer, came at the end of the sixteenth century and gave La Paz its current name, but it wasn’t permanently settled until almost 200 years later. Rock paintings discovered later in the area showed neolithic hunter-gatherers lived along the peninsula more than 10,000 years ago.
La Paz grew rapidly after its settlement due to the richness of the surrounding sea. One of the earliest and most profitable ventures was pearl fishing - in fact, the largest pearl in the world was found in the city. Queen Elizabeth of England became the owner. The city and its surrounding municipalities (about 20,000 kilometers worth of land) are now home to almost 220,000 people who now enjoy some of the highest quality of life and standard of living in Mexico.
Because of the popularity of the water in and around La Paz, tourists frequently enjoy diving with sharks and manta rays (two different companies are http://www.bajaex.com and http://www.bajaquest.com.mx), snorkeling off the coasts amongst sea lions, sport fishing for marlin or tuna or kayaking out to sea to enjoy a day with the dolphins and whales that frequent the coastal waters. There are many overnight tours and cruises to nearby coves for the curious traveler. If you prefer to stay off the water, there is an anthropology museum that contains ancient cave paintings collected from around the peninsula, mock Indian villages and copies of Cortes’ original reports about what he found here. Shop for authentic Mexican crafts like ceramics and weavings at the local shops, find souvenirs at the Artesanias la Antigua California or look around the authentic “China Town” area. The most popular festival in La Paz is Carnaval featuring parades, costumes, food and music.
While in Mexico, some of the best experiences are found over restaurant tables and on nightclub dance floors. For traditional Mexican food, Las Tres Virgenes next to Aramburo Market is considered some of the best. But there’s a large variety cuisine available in La Paz. La Patza, located in the Hotel Mediterrane (http://www.hotelmed.com/index.html) is considered some of the best Italian food in Baja California Sur. El Tecolote (http://www.hotelmiramar.com.mx) has seafood, but Tequilas Bar & Grill, a block off the Malecon, will cook up your fresh catch for your dinner. Sushi Zone (http://www.sushizone.com.mx) also has Thai food. If you’re looking for a drink or a party, Las Varitas Classic Bar offers specials and events.