Playa Balandra La Paz

Playa Balandra Baja California – How To Visit in 2024

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One of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, Balandra Beach (Playa Balandra) is located along the crescent-shaped beach sheltered from the waves with tranquil waters that are perfect for snorkeling and kayaking.

Years ago, there was a plan to build a hotel in the area, but a group of locals fought hard to stop it. Balandra has been designated a protected area and all developed is now banned.

The red-hued desert hills surrounding the beach are dotted with tall cacti and make for incredible landscape photos coupled with the aquamarine waters of the bay.

I’ve visited Playa Balandra before it became one of the most popular beaches in Baja California and in this guide, I can give you my first-hand experience on this place.

What makes Balandra Beach so special?

Balandra boasts shallow clear waters surrounded by the dark desert hills which create a stunning contrast of colors.

Although there are many incredible beaches all around Baja California, there’s a reason why Balandra takes the prize as one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

Where is Balandra Beach?

Balandra beach is located in Baja California just outside of La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur State.

Playa Balandra Baja California Map

How far is Balandra Beach from La Paz?

It takes about 30 minutes to get from La Paz to Balandra Beach by car.

How much does it cost to go to Balandra beach?

The entrance to Playa Balandra costs 50 Pesos for international and domestic tourists and is free for locals.

You can visit Balandra Beach from La Paz by car or by public transportation.

How to get from La Paz to Playa Balandra?

You can get to Playa Balandra from La Paz by car, public transportation or guided tour. Renting a car is the best option because it will allow you to have the most freedom and visit other beaches in the area like Playa Tecolote.

By car

The fastest and most convenient way is by car rental. Since Balandra is open during limited hours, visiting it by car rental allows you to maximize your time and arrive early. It takes about 30 minutes to get from La Paz to Balandra by car.

I recommend DiscoverCars for your trips around Baja California. It’s a great car rental website where you can find dozens of vehicles at great rates. I have personally used DiscoverCars several times and always had a good experience with them. 😊

Renting a car in Cabo San Lucas is your best bet. Cabo is the largest city in the region that has many car rental offices and a good selection of vehicles.

Check my complete guide to renting a car in Mexico to avoid mistakes and have a safe trip

By guided tour 

A guided tour of Playa Balandra is an excellent option if you don’t have a rental car and don’t want to use public transportation. It’s also a great option because you are guaranteed an entrance to the beach, since there’s only a limited number of people allowed here per day.

You can take a guided tour of Balandra Beach from La Paz or from Cabo San Lucas, and have a professional guide accompany you and provide an overview of the area.

Best guided tours of Balandra Beach

✅ This private guided tour is a perfect way to explore Playa Balandra! Book it here.

By bus

The cheapest way to get from La Paz to Balandra is by taking public transportation. The bus to Balandra Beach stops at La Paz Malecón and other beaches near Balandra. Keep in mind that this is the slowest way to get to Balandra Beach, and most likely will take a while.

The ticket costs 60 Pesos one way. 

By taxi

If you don’t have a car rental, you can take Uber or taxi from La Paz. Uber is a safer and more affordable option, and you will probably pay between 150-200 Pesos one way depending on the time of your trip.

Going back to La Paz by taxi can be a bit tricky, as you are not likely to find Uber or taxi readily available near the beach. If you take a taxi, be prepared to take a bus later and have enough cash on you, because there are no taxis in Balandra.

What time does Playa Balandra open?

Playa Balandra is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and allows only 450 visitors per day.

It’s one of the few beaches around Baja that has staff and also keeps tabs on how many people enter the place. Local authorities implemented opening hours to protect this beach from overcrowding and keep it clean, l If you come outside of this time, you will be turned around by one of the staff members at the entrance to the beach. 

Tecolote Beach to Balandra Beach

You can also take a boat tour from the neighboring Tecolote Beach (Playa Tecolote) to Balandra.

The boat tour from Playa Tecolote costs about 300 Pesos per person and stops at el Hongo, not the Balandra beach itself. This is a great alternative if you are visiting outside of opening hours.

The area has no ATM’s and vendors here accept only cash, so you will need to bring some Pesos. Learn more of my Mexico travel tips to avoid the most common tourist mistakes.

Playa Balandra Baja California Things To Do

Balandra Beach La Paz is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico located in Baja California

✅ Hike to the overlook

If you want to enjoy the best view, hike to the overlook on top of the hill near Balandra Beach. The trail is located on the side of the road leading to the main parking lot, and you can walk there after parking your car. 

It’s a gorgeous view, and I suggest doing it early morning, as it’s not too hot and you can enjoy the view of the various shades of water and dozens of boats moored in the bay. This is one of the most spectacular views in Baja California and if you can, you should make your way up here.

➡️ THESE LIGHTWEIGHT SHOES ARE PERFECT TO HIKE

When you get to the top, you will see that there are several trails here. Continue toward the main overlook where you can get a panoramic view of the bay and get a glimpse of the neighboring beach.

This is somewhat a steep hike with a lot of loose gravel, so wear good hiking shoes, and not sandals or flip-flops.

Put on sunscreen and wear a hat, because the sun can be very strong here. 

✅ Rent a kayak

Kayaking around this beach is so much fun! Several vendors around on this beach can rent you a kayak so you could explore this gorgeous bay. 

The mushroom rock is one of the top tourist attractions near Balandra Beach La Paz

✅ Take photos with the mushroom of Balandra 

I was surprised that many people come here to take photos with El Hongo De Balandra – a rock formation that resembles a mushroom and is located near the neighboring beach.

Many boat tours also stop near El Hongo, but it’s also possible to visit it by wading through the shallow water from the neighboring beach.

Do NOT climb this rock! Some years ago it had collapsed because too many people were getting on top of it to take photos and has since been rebuilt to its original shape. 

✅ Catch some sun 

One of the best things to do at this beach is to enjoy the sun! And the best time to do it is early morning before it gets too hot. There are also many palapas around the beach, and if arrive in the morning, you will be able to get one of them.

✅ Take a refreshing swim 

The waters surrounding thee beach are very shallow, so you can tread them for a while before it gets deep or even begins to get above your hips. Taking a swim here is incredibly refreshing, especially on a hot sunny day.

➡️ CHECK OUT THIS COMFY RASH GUARD ATHELETIC SWIMSUIT

Playa Balandra Baja California Hotels

There are a couple of hotels in the area where you can spend the night if you want to be in the area. This is a great option if you have a car, and don’t have to rely on taxis or public transportation, as you will be away from downtown La Paz.

  • Hotel Catedral – One of the most popular hotels in La Paz with contemporary designs, Hotel Catedral is super popular with travelers. This hotel is located close to some of the best things to do in La Paz and offers breakfast, a nice pool, and great views. 
  • Costa Baja Resort and Spa – One of the best luxury hotels in the area, Costa Baja boasts incredible views of the Sea of Cortez, as well as a spa, outside pools, and several restaurants. This is the best stay if you want to spoil yourself! 

Playa Balandra Baja California Restaurants

Balandra has no restaurants or concessions stores, so bring some snacks. The closest restaurants you will find are located at the nearby Tecolote beach which is just under 10 minutes away by car. 

Playa Tecolote also has restrooms, rental gear, and boat tours of the area, so you can come here after the beach closes.

Things to know before visiting Balandra Beach 

Playa Balandra is one of the most popular places in Baja California. It’s a wonderful, white-sand beach with shallow waters that is unlike anything you have ever seen. Since it has become popular, local authorities put a limit on how many visitors can visit Balandra each day, so plan your trip accordingly.

Best time to visit Balandra Beach

The best time to visit this beach is early morning, before 9 a.m. The area is still relatively uncrowded during this time and you will be in for a great treat when you come here. 

By 11 a.m. and noon, the area becomes busy and it can also get pretty hot, especially in summer. You will have a much better experience if you come here early. 

Tips for visiting Balandra Beach La Paz

Located just outside of La Paz, Balandra beach is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Baja California.

1. Arrive early 

I can’t tell you enough how much of a difference this will have on your experience! If you visit early morning, you will be able to enjoy incredible crystalline waters and uncrowded beaches, before most people begin to get here.

Trust me, getting up early is worth it!

2. Bring water and snacks 

The beach has a protected status and you will not find any restaurants, concession stores, or food vendors here. Bring water and snacks, as you will get thirsty and probably a bit hungry. Nearby Playa Tecolote has restaurants, and you can stop there on your way back.

THIS HIKING DAY PACK WILL HOLD YOUR WATER AND SNACKS

3. Put on plenty of sunscreen

The sun can be brutal in Baja California and Balandra is no exception. Put on sunscreen when you come here to avoid sunburn. Remember to use biodegradable, reef-friendly sunscreen that will not hurt local ecosystems.

GET REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN FOR YOUR TRIP

4. Wear a hat 

The last thing you want to get is a sunstroke, and speaking from personal experience, it can be super unpleasant. The shade is very limited on this beach! While there are few palapas but they fill up very quickly, so you will need to bring your umbrella or a good hat.

GET A HAT TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HARMFUL UV RAYS

5. Take time to enjoy Balandra

Arrive early and spend a couple of hours exploring and enjoy activities like hiking, kayaking, or paddle boarding. When crowds begin to arrive at 11 a.m., make your way out. 

6. Leave no trace 

Take all your trash with you. It’s very frustrating to see people leave their garbage in places like Balandra, and although this beach has a designated staff, do everyone a favor and keep this place as pristine as you found it. 

7. Watch out for sting rays

Sting rays are beautoufl marine animals that grace the Balandra Bay and can often be seen swimming near the bottom. When enjoying your time at Balandra Beach, watch out for sting rays, who sometimes also bury themselves in the sand below the crystal clear waters of this shallow bay.

Playa Balandra Baja California: FAQ’s

Located just outside of La Paz, Balandra Beach is a must stop on your Baja California itinerary. This beach boasts crystal clear shallow waters that are perfect for swimming and kayaking on a hot summer day.

How far is Playa Balandra from Los Cabos?

Cabo is about 188 kilometers (117 miles) from Playa Balandra. You can get to Balandra from Cabo San Lucas by renting a car or joining a guided tour.

If you are going to visit this beach from Cabo San Lucas, plan about 2,5 hours for driving each way plus 1,5-2 hours at the beach. 

While you can make it a day trip from Cabo San Lucas, it’s better to spend a couple of nights in La Paz to enjoy some of the best activities in the area. 

Don’t forget to stop at Todos Santos, a charming town with rich history, great restaurants, and some of the best beaches in Baja California. 

Is Balandra Beach safe?

Yes, Balandra is safe to visit. The bay surrounding the beach is shallow and has no currents, and you have to wade through the water for a while before it gets deep. It also has staff and is open only during certain hours.

How much time do I need for Balandra Beach?

You will need 2-3 hours for your trip, including travel time. Although some travelers come here just to take a few photos and leave, you should spend more time here enjoying this incredible place. 

Can you swim at Balandra Beach?

Yes! Balandra has nice shallow waters that are perfect for swimming. It’s also a popular area for kayaking and paddleboarding, and you can wade through the water for a while before it gets deep enough.

Playa Balandra Baja California: Final word

Balandra is one of the most spectacular beaches in Mexico. It boasts postcard scenery, tranquil shallow waters, and some great activities like hiking and kayaking. Don’t forget to include it in your Baja California itinerary.