Playa Balandra
La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Playa Balandra is a shallow turquoise bay about 25 km north of La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, protected as a natural area since 2008. The water stays so shallow that people wade across to the far side. A mushroom shaped rock called El Hongo stands at the water's edge and shows up in most photos.
Locals are proud of a bay this clear so close to town, though the visitor cap means planning ahead, and stingrays make shuffling your feet a good habit.
How we score beachesEntry is capped per time block and the cap fills on weekends. Buy the conservation pass ahead of time if you can, and aim for a weekday morning.
A lot with room for roughly 80 cars sits at the entrance and fills early on weekends. A shuttle from La Paz runs for anyone who would rather skip the scramble.
A short walk from the lot reaches the sand, and the bay floor is flat and shallow for wading. Facilities are basic (composting toilets, palapas, kayak rentals) with no restaurants, so bring food and water.
Summers are hot with warm water, and tropical storm season runs roughly June through November. November to April is milder, with a cooler bay and easier days for walking the shallows.
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