This isn't a list of what to see — that's the 2-to-7-day itinerary. It isn't a reference guide either — that's the La Paz visitor guide, with the full detail on money, weather, and getting around. This is the piece in between: what to actually book, in what order, so nothing gets missed or booked too late.
3+ Months Out: Lock In the Big Two
FLIGHTS
Direct from LAX (~2h 40m on Alaska) or Phoenix, or fly into Los Cabos and drive up — see our Cabo to La Paz guide if that's your route.
YOUR TOUR
Peak Whale Shark weeks — December through February, and Mexican holidays — fill 4 to 8 weeks out. If your dates fall in that window, this is the one item on this whole list worth doing first, before the flight even. Book direct →
1 Month Out: Everything Else on the Calendar
Confirm & Reserve
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Accommodation confirmedMalecón-area stays keep everything else on this list walkable — see a few real picks in the itinerary guide.
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Balandra reserved, if going independentlyBalandra requires an advance CONANP reservation and early arrival for limited parking if you're not going by boat tour.
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Passport valid at least 6 months past your travel datesStandard for international travel — worth a calendar check now rather than at the airport.
1 Week Out: Get Ready to Land
Pack & Prep
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Reef-safe sunscreenNot optional in CONANP-protected waters like the Whale Shark zone and Los Islotes, where chemical sunscreen is banned. Bring it or buy it locally — either works.
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Pack for the season you're landing inNov–Apr is dry and mild (23–28°C). Jun–Sep runs over 38°C at midday — plan around it, mornings and evenings are far more pleasant.
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Download DiDiThe most reliable rideshare in La Paz — most drivers have switched over from Uber. Worth having installed before you land, not after.
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Skip the currency exchange counterCards are widely accepted; withdraw pesos from an ATM at a bank branch once you're here instead — cheaper and safer than a standalone machine.
The One ATM Mistake to Avoid
When the ATM screen asks "Continue with conversion?" — decline it, and choose to be charged in MXN instead. The bank's own conversion rate can run 10% or more worse than your card's real exchange rate. A small habit, real savings over a week-long trip.
The Day Of
Most boat tours, ours included, check in along the Malecón — La Paz's five-kilometer waterfront boardwalk, and the center of gravity for the whole city. Bring small pesos for tips: guides and crew appreciate them and they're customary, not built into the tour price. Beyond that, there's nothing left to plan — the timeline's done its job.
Common Questions
How far in advance should I book a La Paz trip?+
Book flights and your marine tour as soon as your dates are set. Peak Whale Shark weeks — December through February, and Mexican holidays — fill 4 to 8 weeks out, and that's the piece most worth locking in first.
Do I need pesos before I arrive in La Paz?+
No — cards are widely accepted at tourist-facing businesses. Withdraw pesos from an ATM at a bank branch once you land rather than exchanging currency beforehand; decline the ATM's own conversion offer and choose to be charged in MXN.
What should I pack for La Paz that I might not think of?+
Reef-safe sunscreen — it's not optional in CONANP-protected waters like the Whale Shark zone and Los Islotes, where chemical sunscreen is banned. Bring it from home or buy it locally; either works.