Getting To La Paz

La Paz City Info

Baja Map

Getting To La Paz

There is only one airline flying directly into La Paz (LAP): Aero California, and only from Los Angeles. Currently there are only two flights a day: one at 7:45 am and one at 1:05pm, but they change constantly so check online or with a travel agent. Prices range from $280 - $500 round trip, depending on dates and advance bookings. If you fly into La Paz it is a short taxi ride ($10) from the airport to the Marina Palmira.

I have also heard that it is cheap and relatively easy to fly to La Paz from Tijuana, but I don’t have any current info.

Alternately, you can fly into San Jose del Cabo (SJD) from several cities on Alaska Airlines, United/Mexicana, American and many other carriers. As a rough idea, with 3-week advance purchase, the fare is $380 round-trip from Portland (PDX). Most flights go through Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, San Diego, or Phoenix, but there are also direct flights.

I have seen prices as low as $250 and as high as $700. Or you can use your airline miles (30,000 – 35,000) but because it is an international flight they can get sticky about changing your return flight once travel has begun. When I miss my return flight I just show up at the airport, smile, shrug and ask nicely if they can get me home (since the reason I missed my flight is that I was in an important meeting with the President of Mexico who is a CLOSE personal friend of mine—I carry a “signed” photo of him, along with one of Jesus, in my wallet just for this purpose). I’ve never had a problem getting home (occasional $50 change fee).

From the airport in Cabo there are several options for getting to La Paz:

1) Taxi. If you have 4 or more people this is a reasonable option. It will cost around US$220 for a van which will hold up to 6 persons + gear. They leave right from the airport. The taxi stand is inside the airport just outside baggage claim. You might be able to snag a couple other people at the airport who are heading that way and want to share a taxi with you; don’t be shy—ask around or just hang there for a bit and see if you can put a group together (even if they’re only going to Los Barrilles or Buena Vista).

2) Rental Car. Most of the national companies (Avis, Thrifty, Alamo, National) have airport kiosks but some will not let you drop the car in La Paz (one way rental). It’s best to make a reservation from the U.S. Rates run around US$30/day plus 30¢ per kilometer. Since it is about 170 km (3-4 hours drive time) from the Cabo airport to La Paz, figure about US$80 total cost (including gas) for the trip. And it can be handy to have a car in La Paz for a day.

3) Bus. A pretty easy and inexpensive option. From the airport you can take a shuttle bus (US$11, 15-minute ride) straight to the bus station in San Jose del Cabo. From there, buses to La Paz run every 2-3 hours (US$12, 3-4 hour ride), with the last bus leaving around 7pm. The buses are safe and clean. From the bus station in La Paz it is a US$10 taxi ride to Marina Palmira where JANGADA is. Total cost: US$28.

From the west coast (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, etc.) you should figure on a full day to arrive. [If you fly Aero California from LA you arrive in La Paz at 10:45am.] When I fly out of Portland I leave at 10am and arrive (by bus) in La Paz around 10pm. It is not a particularly rough day of travel but it still takes all day.

One advantage to taking the bus or taxi: have the driver stop for beer; I don’t know if it’s legal but it sure is common. Oh, and make sure the beer is for you, NOT the driver.

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

This is relatively painless (unless you are bringing in an apple tree, cow or $10 million in cash). Be sure to have your forms (which they give you on the plane) COMPLETELY filled out and signed or they will send you to the back of the line to start over.

Remember: you are a TOURIST (not business). Although a driver’s license and birth certificate will work, it is much better to have a passport (be sure it is current!).

When you go through customs you will push a button on a light pole; if the green light goes on you whisk right through. If the red light goes on (legalized gambling?) they search your bags. No worries, it just takes a few minutes.

The rental car kiosks are right in baggage claim so if you’re getting a car, check in there (there’s a shuttle bus outside to take you to the main office and your car).

Then you’re out in the main lobby where there are lots of people wanting to take you to hotels, tours, and other great adventures. Most speak English and are friendly and helpful. So depending on your choice, either take a shuttle to the bus station or car rental office, or hop in a taxi. There’s not much bargaining for taxi prices these days but you can always try. Again, see if there are other people going your way and offer to splt the cost with them.

LANGUAGE, SAFETY & MONEY

Baja is relatively clean and safe (and fun!) but you still have to watch your luggage and money because no matter what, you are MUCH wealthier than almost anyone you will encounter. Keep your wallet, camera, passport and other valuables with you and out of sight. I always have a ‘spare’ wallet stashed in my luggage with a credit card, $100 in cash, and a color copy of my passport…. just in case.

U.S. dollars are king, and are taken everywhere. The currency exchange rate is around 11 pesos to the dollar (the Mexican sign for the Peso is also “$”, so be sure to ask whether the price is in dollars or pesos, especially if the posted price for a bottle of water is $10….

Speaking of which, although the water in Baja comes from a very clean sand aquifer, the delivery system can be marginally sanitary: drink bottled water.

The more Spanish you speak the easier it will be, but this is by no means a prerequisite. A large percentage of Baja residents speak at least a little English and sign language, along with a big smile and a few ‘por favor’ and ‘gracias’ goes a long way to solving any problems. Which you won’t have because you’re ON VACATION!!!

There are several internet cafes in La Paz ($1/hour!) and good phone access too. Hurricane Marty pounded the city in October 2003 (over 100 boats sunk, destroyed or badly damaged when 2 of the 3 marinas tore apart!) but things are pretty much back to normal (mañana) and Saturday night along the Malecon (waterfront walkway) is a great place for people watching.

One last note about driving in Baja: there are three main hazards: cows, cops and potholes. Drive slow, carefully and if at all possible, during the daylight hours, and you’ll have no problems. At night many Mexican cars have marginal (or no) headlights and the cows are all over the road (they have right of way!). If you get stopped by the police be courteous, adamantly declare your innocence, tell them your brother-in-law is Jeb Bush, and offer a $5 bribe. And only speak in loud, fast English. Ha ha, only kidding: speak French.