Manuel Márquez de León International Airport: where to stay, areas…

La Paz airport is about 11 km south-west of the malecón, the seafront promenade that remains the real centre of the city: no trains and no direct city buses, only taxis, private transfers or rental cars. Those staying more than one night almost always find it convenient to sleep on the malecón or a few steps from it, with restaurants, the sunset over the Gulf of California and the boat departures for Isla Espíritu Santo within walking distance. Those looking for a resort with a marina and golf course can head out to Costa Baja, about twenty minutes from the airport on the opposite side of the bay.

The Malecón

Neighbourhood · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.

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Paseo Álvaro Obregón and the convention area

Neighbourhood · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.

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Costa Baja and the Puerta Cortés marina

Nearby town · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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

Recommended hotels in this area

Courtyard by Marriott La Paz, Baja California Sur: In the Costa Baja marina, facing the Puerta Cortés golf course, a few minutes from Balandra beach; 151 rooms with views of the Sea of Cortez.

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