General Manuel Márquez de León International Airport serves La Paz, capital of the state of Baja California Sur, overlooking the Sea of Cortez, described by Jacques Cousteau as 'the world's aquarium'.
It is located approximately 11 km from the city center, an access point to tranquil beaches and sea lion snorkeling.
How to get to Manuel Márquez de León International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to LAP
Parking near Manuel Márquez de León International Airport
A parking area of limited size is located in front of the terminal building.
The cost is in line with what to expect in this area.
How to get to La Paz from LAP
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Manuel Márquez de León International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for exploring the peninsula.
Carrying a driver's license, passport, and credit card is standard; an IDP is usually requested in addition.
Hotels near Manuel Márquez de León International Airport
The Malecón
About 11-12 km from the airport, 20-25 minutes by taxi or private transfer; there are no direct buses from the airport.
Best for: Those who want the seafront, fish restaurants and the boat departures for the Gulf of California islands a few steps from the room.
- Paseo Álvaro Obregón and the sunset over the Gulf of California within walking distance
- Restaurants, bars and the boat departures for Isla Espíritu Santo and Espíritu Santo a few minutes away
- 20-25 minutes by taxi from the airport, with no rail alternative or direct bus
- Central tourist area: traffic and noisy venues in the evening on weekends
Recommended hotels
- Baja Club Hotel, La Paz, Baja California Sur, a Member of Design Hotels 1910 villa restored in hacienda style, right on the Paseo Álvaro Obregón a few metres from the malecón; rooftop bar with bay views, among the city's 32 most photographed boutique hotels. View availability
- Perla La Paz, Tapestry Collection By Hilton Historic Hotel Perla from 1940 on the malecón, reopened after a $10 million restoration that preserved the original Art Déco style; 90 rooms a few steps from the Kiosco on the malecón. View availability
Paseo Álvaro Obregón and the convention area
About 12-14 km from the airport, 20-25 minutes by taxi; the malecón is 5-10 minutes by car or 20 on foot from both hotels.
Best for: Business trips and conferences, with the malecón still reachable in a few minutes by car or with a longer walk.
- Cheaper hotels than on the malecón, with the seafront still a few minutes away by car
- Meeting rooms and a convention centre for those travelling on business
- You need a car or a taxi to reach the heart of the malecón, this is not a walkable area
- Further from the airport than the malecón average: 20-25 minutes by taxi
Recommended hotels
- City Express by Marriott La Paz On Paseo Álvaro Obregón Km 2.5, 3 minutes by car from the Kiosco on the malecón; breakfast included and rates among the most modest in the tourist area. View availability
- Araiza Palmira Hotel y Centro de Convenciones A convention centre with 119 rooms on Blvd Alberto Alvarado, about 1.7 km from the malecón; free shuttle to the bay's beach club. View availability
Costa Baja and the Puerta Cortés marina
About 17 km from the airport and 8 km from the centre of La Paz, 20-25 minutes by car; no direct public transport, only a car or the hotel's transfer.
Best for: Those looking for a resort with a marina, golf course and beaches like Balandra nearby, accepting a longer transfer to the centre.
- The Puerta Cortés marina and golf course a few steps away, with views of the Sea of Cortez from the rooms
- Balandra beach, among the most photographed in Baja California, a few minutes away by car
- The centre and the malecón are still about 10 minutes away by car: they cannot be reached on foot
- Isolated resort area, not well suited to those without a car or not using the hotel's transfers
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is appropriately sized for the city's tourism traffic, growing as a quieter alternative to Los Cabos.
The recommended safety margin for flights is 2.5 hours.
Map of Manuel Márquez de León International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is La Paz less touristy than Los Cabos?
Yes, it's generally quieter and more authentic, an excellent base for those looking for an experience different from Los Cabos' big resorts.
Q. What does "the world's aquarium" mean?
It's the name Jacques Cousteau gave to the Sea of Cortez, which borders La Paz, because of the extraordinary richness of its marine life.
Q. How much does a taxi from the airport to downtown La Paz cost?
Roughly 70-120 BOB (about 8-13 USD) for a 30-45 minute ride; there's no meter or published official fare, agree on the price at the authorized taxi desk at the airport.
Q. Can you see sea lions near La Paz?
Yes, boat trips to Isla Espíritu Santo allow you to snorkel with sea lion colonies, one of the most popular activities in the area.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
