Highlights of La Paz

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Enjoy the ever-changing panorama as you drive through the desert landscape from the port of Pichilingue into the colorful waterfront promenade of La Paz. Once you arrive in this charming 500-year-old city, you'll visit some of the most popular attractions so don't forget to wear comfortable shoes and bring along a camera to capture all the sights.

Embark on your four and a half hour air-conditioned transportation tour at the pier and explore the "City of Peace" with your knowledgeable English-speaking guide. As you make your way south, you'll see out your window the blue waters of the Sea of Cortez on one side and the stark desert, full of spiny cactus and inhabited by hawks, foxes, deer, pumas and roadrunners, on the other side. Just 25 minutes later, you'll reach La Paz and continue into the historical heart of the city to the zocalo, the main square, for shopping at the different artisan stores and craft vendors along the Malecon.

Enjoy approximately 30 minutes of free time in down town area before heading off to your next location. Did you know that La Paz was once the pearl diving capital of Baja? Since 1533, the waters off La Paz produced some of the world's finest pearls. The demand was so high that the pearl beds were eventually depleted and in 1939 a permanent fishing ban went into effect to save the few remaining pearl oyster populations. Exhibits at the Regional Anthropology and History Museum showcase the colors and characteristics of these "Queen of Gems" as well as an in-depth look at the geological and anthropological history of Baja.

Nearby is the lovely Cathedral de Nuestra Señora de la Paz or Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. Built in 1861 atop the ruins of a 140-year-old Jesuit mission, the Cathedral's stone exterior features two bell towers and a small angel carved in stone above the front entrance. Inside, you'll find a number of beautiful stained glass windows and a colorful sculpture of the Virgin Mary with infant.

After your tour, you'll climb back aboard your transportation and travel out of the city past quaint pastel colonial homes, trendy boutique shops and restaurants, and then head back towards Pichilingue. When you arrive, you'll disembark and find local vendors and maybe purchase a refreshing drink from a food cart or snap photos of the beautiful views.

Special Notes:

There are two flights of stairs at the museum and no elevator is available. Please wear comfortable walking shoes as they are some uneven surfaces and bring a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, camera and cash for any purchases. Please be aware that the air conditioning standard in Mexico is not the same as North America or of that onboard. It may seem warmer than to what you are normally accustomed. Wildlife sightings, while common, are not guaranteed. Should a mass or a celebration be taking place at the cathedral, the entrance may be restricted. Order of stops may vary