La Paz Guide & Directory
Fondo Mixto de Promoción Turísta
de la Ciudad de La Paz
Introduction to La Paz: The History
La Paz, capital,of the state of Southern Baja California,
is located on the great Bay of La Paz. There, semi-hidden by that small
peninsula of capricious shape called El Mogote, La Paz reflects its image
on a silken ocean which seems to be on fire every late afternoon due to
its incomparable sunsets.
La Paz (the Peace) received its name in the 16th century for its peaceful
inhabitants. It was the town which most resisted the conquerors.
It is said it was established at least five times. The first expedition
for such purpose was headed by Hernan Cortes. On May 
3, 1535,
he arrived at a bay he named Santa Cruz (Holy Cross). The Spanish conqueror
intended to establish a colony, but had to withdraw after a year of failures
and misfortune.
The expedition of the famous navigator Sebastian Vizcaino, who abandoned his endeavors after two months because of a tremendous scarcity of food, arrived in 1596. He supposedly called the settlement La Paz.
In April, 1683, Admiral Isidro de Antondo
y Antillon made a new attempt at colonizing it. This was one of the most
serious attempts of the Spanish crown at conquering California. With a
well equipped expedition and with the help of Jesuits Eusebio Francisco
Kino, a royal cosmographer, and Matias Goñi, they attempted to establish
themselves in La Paz. Drought, the hostility and vengeance of the natives
that had been massacred by the Admiral, turned this expedition into a total
failure. Six months thereafter, the Spaniards had to leave in search of
a more appropriate place in which to establish a colony. They settled San
Bruno, where they 
stayed until May 1685.
On November 4, 1720, Jesuits Juan de Ugarte and Jaime Bravo arrived on their way from Loreto which had been established in 1697. These two priests established the Nuestra Señora del Pilar de la Paz Mission. This mission was not definitive and in 1749 they had to close it because of its lack of inhabitants.
In 1811, soldier Jose Espinoza who
had come from the San Antonio mine came to establish himself in
La Paz, since thanks to his services, he had been granted
the land where the city is located. Finally, a permanent settlement had
been established. Until a hurricane devastated Loreto in 1829, it had been
the capital of Baja California. The capital was moved to San Antonio, and
finally, in 1830, to La Paz.
The protection of its bay allowed La Paz to achieve a rapid development for cargo and supplies, especially during the second half of the 19th century, at the beginning of the exploitation of the Triunfo and San Antonio mines.
La Paz Today
Presently, La Paz is one of the most beautiful cities of Mexico's northwestern
region. The city has traditionally been acknowledged as a favorite for
tourist beach destinations, for its excellent possibilities for sports
fishing, for its magnificent natural beauty, and for its geographic location.
La Paz is a privileged place for all 
those
who love nature. Many call it the "world's capital of ecotourism."
La Paz is the center of ecotourism, since its location insures rapid and
easy access to any other part of the state. Besides, La Paz has highly
specialized ecotourist guides, there being tours to the Laguna and San
Francisco mountain ranges, to sites of rupestrian paintings, missions,
the whale sanctuary at Magdalena Bay, to desert areas, places where wild
animals and plants can be studied, etc..., all along the State of Southern
Baja California.
Nevertheless, La Paz is much more than just a natural beauty. It is
also a modern city and as such, it has all the necessary services. It has
a variety of first class tourist services as well as excellent hotels,
restaurants, bars, night clubs, R.V. parks, marinas, travel agencies, car
rental offices, scuba diving and sports fishing, an international airport,
a wharf for ocean liners, a ferry terminal, passenger bus terminals, 
movie theaters, to name just a few. Many stores, boutiques,
and bazaars where all types of national and imported goods can be acquired
are located in the "golden zone." A busy day, full of fun in
La Paz may include: Ocean and sun in the morning, a walk down the malecon
(boardwalk) and shopping in the afternoon, and 
a sunset
dinner in one of the fine restaurants in La Paz. You can end the day relaxing
in some of its romantic bars with live music or perhaps in a disco.
La Paz is a city which traditionally has distinguished itself for its cultural vocation. This is attested by the existence of sound higher education institutions such as the Autonomous University of Southern Baja California, the Regional Technological Institute, the Pedagogic University, the State School of Music, and several high level scientific research institutions.
Therefore, frequently, conventions and congresses are held in La Paz. The city's best hotels have modern facilities to serve such purpose.
Fondo Mixto de Promoción Turística de la Ciudad de La Paz Tels. 91 (112) 4.01.00 / 4.01.03 / 4.01.99 Fax 4.07.22 Kilometer 5.5 Carretera al Norte Edificio Fidepaz C.P. 23090 La Paz, B.C.S.