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Planning a visit to the stunning Balandra Beach in Baja California Sur, but not sure where to begin? Here is everything you need to know before visiting one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches!
Known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a visit to Balandra Beach is a mandatory addition to any Baja California Sur itinerary, whether you are visiting La Paz or holidaying in one of Los Cabos; Cabo San Lucas, or San Jose del Cabo.
This iconic Mexican beach has been on my radar and bucket list for a long time!
Even though I’m originally from the neighboring Baja California Norte, of course, it took me to move out of my home country and travel all around the world to get sentimental about home and the unmatched landscapes that Baja California offers.
So on my most recent trip back home, I was determined to fit a visit to the gorgeous Balandra Beach into our Baja California itinerary. And I am so happy we finally did!
So, if like me, you have been wanting to check out this distinctively beautiful Mexican beach, this guide will provide you with all you need to know before visiting Balandra Beach in La Paz, Baja California Sur.
Here you will find everything from opening hours, entrance fees, packing tips, things I wish I would have known before going, and more.
So pack your sunscreen and let’s get started!
All You Need To Know Before Visiting Balandra Beach In Baja California Sur
Where is Balandra Beach?
First things first, where is the famous Balandra Beach? Balandra Beach is located in the Mexican Baja California Sur peninsula, around 25km, or 15 mi, Northeast of La Paz.
This popular beach is nestled inside Balandra Bay, a natural protected area since 2008, comprised of seven beaches, mangroves, and dunes.
Balandra Beach is the most famous one in the group as it is the only one open to the public—with strict visiting rules in place.
What is Balandra Beach famous for?
Balandra Beach is renowned for its stunning, crystal-clear waters and incredible shallow bay, where you can walk for a while with the water barely reaching hip level.
Due to its protected status, Balandra Beach is also home to a diverse sea life, with small schools of fish swimming close to shore, completely unbothered by the presence of humans.
Another element that gives Balandra Beach its undisputable title of one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico has to be the mesmerizing blend of desert landscapes contrasting with the Caribbean-looking ocean.
Seeing rocky hills with cacti growing on them just a few steps away from the vibrantly turquoise ocean is a unique view you won’t get anywhere else!
How to get to Balandra Beach
La Paz to Balandra Beach
If you are looking for how to get to Balandra Beach from La Paz, fear not, it is really simple, and there are plenty of options.
From La Paz to Balandra Beach by car:
- Renting a car and driving to Balandra Beach is one of the most convenient ways of reaching this stunning beach. The drive from La Paz city center to Balandra Beach is an easy 30-35 min drive (24km / 14 mi). The access to the beach area is restricted, so you know the parking lot is secure.
From La Paz to Balandra Beach by bus:
- To catch a bus to Balandra Beach from La Paz you need to head to La Paz Malecon Bus Station. Here you will want to get a round-trip ticket for the “PlayaBus”, the bus that drives around La Paz beaches. The round trip should cost around 130 MXN (6 USD).
From La Paz to Balandra Beach by taxi:
- If you don’t want to rely on bus schedules you can always book a taxi in advance to drop you off at Balandra Beach AND pick you up at the end of your beach time slot. You can find taxis in front of La Paz Malecon. The round trip to Balandra Beach will cost around 500 MXN (25 USD).
From La Paz to Balandra Beach with a tour:
- If you want to leave the planning to someone else, you can book a tour from La Paz to Balandra Beach. This way you also get to do some unique activities like kayaking and snorkeling, without worrying about the logistics.
⭐️TIP: You can order an Uber to get from La Paz to Balandra Beach, however, the signal is terrible to non-existent in Balandra. So it is safer to assume you won’t be able to order an Uber back to the city, so make sure to plan ahead. Be on time to take your bus back to La Paz, or schedule a taxi pick-up in advance.
Cabo to Balandra Beach
If you are planning to stay in Los Cabos and are looking for unique things to do in Cabo San Lucas, then a day trip to La Paz and Balandra Beach should be on your list!
From Cabo to Balandra Beach by car:
- The drive from Cabo to Balandra Beach is around 188 km (116 mi) and takes around 2 hours and a half to complete. Take advantage of the freedom of having your own vehicle to explore the state capital and check out some of the best things to do in La Paz. Make sure to have local currency as you will need it for toll roads.
From Cabo to Balandra Beach by bus:
- To visit Balandra Beach from Cabo by bus you would need to take a bus from Cabo to La Paz, and then do one of the options listed above. If I’m being honest, this would take too much time and become a bit too tedious, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this option. Unless you are planning to stay a few days in La Paz and make the commute worth it.
From Cabo to Balandra Beach with a tour:
- Besides driving yourself to La Paz, one of the best and most convenient options is to visit Balandra Beach from Cabo with a tour. That way you don’t need to plan all the logistics and just show up for the fun!
Balandra Beach hours
Because of its protected area status, access to Balandra Beach is limited and controlled, with two different time slots offered for visitors every day.
- ⏰ Morning time slot from 8:00-12:00
- ⏰ Afternoon time slot from 13:00-16:00
Each time slot allows 450 people inside the beach, so make sure to arrive early to guarantee entrance to the beach—and to be able to get a shaded palapa.
I really wanted to get a shaded palapa so we arrived 45 minutes early and we managed to get one of the last five available on the beach. And we were visiting during the low season, so be prepared if you’re visiting during the high season, and show up early.
Entrance fee to Balandra Beach
According to the Mexican government’s official website for Natural Protected Areas, Balandra Beach has an entrance fee of 60 pesos (3 USD).
Which doesn’t seem to be strictly enforced, as I wasn’t charged during my visit just a couple of months ago.
So have the cash just in case, but you might also not be charged—yay!
Things to do at Balandra Beach in La Paz
Visiting Balandra Beach in Baja California Sur is all about admiring its striking beauty and picture-perfect landscapes.
There might not be a ton of activities at Balandra Beach, but that’s what keeps it so pristine and lets its ecosystems thrive—making it a perfect spot to enjoy unspoiled natural beauty like nowhere else.
Some fun things to do at Balandra Beach include:
Sunbathe and take in the views
The best thing to do at Balandra Beach is simply to lay at the beach and take in the incredible views of the crystal-clear waters and the golden rocky hills that surround it.
This unique combination of desert landscape next to the expanding sea of turquoise is something I still cannot get over, it’s just so stunning!
Hike to the viewpoint
One of the best things to do in Balandra Beach is to hike the one hill that is currently open to the public, to get a breathtaking view over the bay.
From here you can see the main Balandra Beach, the mangroves, the dunes, and even El Hongo, the famous mushroom-shaped rock.
Enjoy the shallow waters
The main element that makes Balandra Beach stand out against all beaches in Baja California Sur, is its incredibly calm and shallow waters, provided by its location within Balandra Bay.
Here you can walk far into the sea and still have the water barely reach hip level.
This makes it so enjoyable to simply be in the water, without being dragged by waves.
The waters’ stillness also means that you can see the fish swimming nearby as if looking through an aquarium glass.
Visit the historic “El Hongo”
One of the iconic things to see at Balandra Beach in La Paz, is “El Hongo”, a mushroom-shaped rock that has been eroded by the sea levels changing over millions of years.
It sadly collapsed in 1989 after a group of tourists tried to climb it, but has since been put back together.
While its standing is nowadays artificial, it is still a crazy example of the geological changes in the area that have happened over millions of years.
Snorkel at Playa Balandra
With its crystal clear water Balandra beach is known as a great snorkeling spot.
If I’m being honest, the water is so clear that you can probably see almost the same without having to put your head in the water.
However, if you want to snorkel make sure to bring your own gear, or buy some at the entrance of the beach.
In the middle of Balandra Beach, you should be able to find a small coral section to explore.
🚫 Paddleboard and Kayak: While you can find some tours that take you kayaking in Balandra Bay, as of September 2024 there are no more kayaks or paddleboard rentals allowed in Balandra Beach. So don’t count on this as an activity to do inside Balandra Beach.
Visit Playa el Tecolote
If you have time to kill after a visit to Balandra Beach or arrive early to your afternoon shift, the locally loved Tecolote beach is just a few minutes away.
This public beach offers a variety of restaurants, a few small markets, bathrooms, and everything else you won’t find in the protected Balandra.
So it’s the perfect pit stop for lunch or a drink with a view after a visit to Balandra Beach.
Tips for visiting Balandra Beach in Baja California Sur
What to bring to Balandra Beach
One thing you can be sure of is that there is nothing inside Balandra Beach; no restaurants, shops, or even street vendors.
You’ll find a few vendors along the road leading to the beach, but once you’re inside, no commerce is allowed since this is a federally protected area.
Because of this, make sure to pack everything you will need for the day:
- Enough water and snacks
- An umbrella in case you don’t get a shaded palapa
- Eco-friendly and biodegradable sunscreen
- Snorkeling gear, if you wish to snorkel
- A bag to take your trash with you
- Water shoes are recommended, especially if going around the beach to visit El Hongo, as there are some rocky parts along the way
If you forget something there are a few vendors before the beach gates, selling burritos, fruit cups, water bottles, and snorkeling gear. As well as renting out umbrellas and beach chairs.
Safety tips for visiting Balandra Beach
❗️Stingrays: Stingrays love the calm warm waters of Balandra Beach, that’s why it is advised to drag your feet when walking in the ocean, instead of stepping.
By dragging your feet the stingrays will feel the vibration in the sand and swim away, however, if you were to step on them, then they would feel attacked and attack back. And nobody wants that.
So drag, don’t stomp around in the water!
❗️Jellyfish: The warm waters of the Sea of Cortez are also the perfect environment for jellyfish, especially during the summer months.
Something I wish I would have known in advance, but didn’t see mentioned elsewhere.
It was my first time getting stung, luckily it was only a tiny stringy one, and I’m not gonna lie, it is painful, but temporary.
It mostly burns, but after 15-20 minutes the burning sensation fades away. However, if you feel like you are having a big reaction of course seek medical attention.
🆘 Balandra Beach volunteers are walking around the area and are happy to help with providing any information you may need. I saw them explain to a few people about the jellyfish as well as assisting a woman who fell and cut her knee open on the rocks.
Final thoughts on Balandra Beach in Baja California Sur
While the stingray warning and jellyfish stinging me were a little bit off-putting, I think the main thing is that I didn’t know about them in advance so I just wasn’t mentally prepared for it.
However, I don’t think they are reason enough to stop anyone from visiting, as Balandra is still one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is its calm waters that people fly all over the world to experience that also allow the wildlife to thrive.
So it’s all about sharing the ocean and being respectful of each other.
And whatever you do, drag your feet, don’t stomp!
And you should be set to have an incredible holiday at Mexico’s most beautiful beach.
With its crystal clear waters, striking landscapes, and unspoiled natural beauty, Balandra Beach in La Paz is a destination not to be missed when visiting Baja California Sur.
I hope this guide to visiting Balandra Beach provides all the answers to the questions you might have about planning a trip to one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches.
Is there anything else you would like to know about his incredible destination that I might have skipped? Make sure to let us know in the comments.