Balandra Beach in Baja California, Balandra Bay, or “Playa Balandra” is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, once you visit it you will be fascinated!
Of the many places that Mexico offers to know and enjoy, Baja California, both north and south, is undoubtedly one of the best positioned; beautiful landscapes, excellent cuisine, prestigious wines, delicious breads, beaches and mountains, are part of the experience…
Tecate, Los Cabos, El Valle de Guadalupe, Todos Santos, Ensenada, Loreto, La Paz, are wonderful places and one of them is who hides a jewel: the beautiful Balandra Beach.
Imagine a calm and transparent sea, next to a wide white sand beach at the foot of the mountain, a scenario that falls in love at first sight…
To get to know Balandra Beach in La Paz, you should know that the beauty of this iconic place is an attraction that makes it very appealing, and you will have to meet a challenge to be able to enjoy it.
Discover more details below…
Where is Playa Balandra located?
Balandra Beach is located in the state of Baja California Sur, is one of the beauties you find in the Municipality of La Paz.
The beach is part of a protected natural area and to access it you must travel from La Paz, either by car, taxi or bus, in a tour of 30 minutes, approximately.
If by chance you are vacationing in Los Cabos, it is also a good idea to take a tour to visit it; some boats make beautiful tours of Balandra, Isla Espiritu Santo and other beautiful places in Baja California Sur.
What to do in Balandra Beach?
Upon arriving in this paradise, you will be able to relax and make the most of your day at the beach, sunbathing on the seashore and cooling off with the calm waves is a must; you will find palapas that you can use at no cost.
If you like swimming, you are in the right place, you can also practice snorkeling and admire the variety of fish that the Sea of Cortez has, recognized as “the world’s aquarium”.
For the more restless, a kayak ride or paddle board are good options, every hour of the day has something special to admire, even more if it is a sunrise or sunset.
And if you are looking for more experiences in Playa Balandra Baja California Sur, you can do some hiking, you will find 6 trails that take you to the viewpoints from where to appreciate incredible scenarios that are worth portraying.
The trails you will find are: Sendero Merito Sur-Manglar-El Merito (2.9 km), Sendero Merito Norte- Punta Diablo (4.7 km), Sendero Manglar y Playas Sur de Balandra (2.7 km), Sendero Mirador Bahía de Balandra-El Merito (2.9 km), Sendero Valle de Balandra (5.4 km), Northern Balandra Trail (4.2 km) (Above) or 3 km (Below).
Finally, visit the Balandra Sloop Mushroom, a postcard to remember.
Keep in mind that Playa Balandra is located in an area considered Natural Heritage, that implies that you will not find shops or restaurants in the place; the alternatives to eat are to take your own food and drink or move to the beach El Tecolote, a few minutes away, where there are options.
The great challenge to enter Balandra Beach
In principle, in the wake of the pandemic, for some months now, the Government’s provisions set a maximum capacity of 120 people to enter Playa Balandra.
This detail indicates that to see the beach you must get up early; so your challenge will be to wake up very early and be in line at 5 am in the morning, the time when people are allowed to enter.
However, and although it sounds confusing, the La Paz government website clarifies that the entry time is from 11 in the morning to 8 at night, but the hours may vary due to weather or other types of situations… We suggest, for the moment, do not consider that time, better go at 5 am otherwise you will be left outside.
If getting up early is not your thing, perhaps you should consider hiking as an alternative, some recent visitors report that you can access this beautiful beach if you dare to take a walk along the mountain trails and then descend to the beach from there.
Another good idea is to go to El Tecolote beach, just 5 minutes away, there are boats that take you to Playa Balandra or you can access it by kayak.
Tips to go to Balandra Bay
1. Arrive at 5 in the morning to line up and be within the 120 people allowed by the capacity
2. Take food and drinks since there is nowhere to buy there
3. Take where to store garbage waste and then take it with you; please take care of this beautiful site so that many can continue to enjoy it
4. If you are travelling by bus, keep in mind the above tips and check the departure and return times
5. Wear comfortable footwear either to climb the mountain, or to walk around the areas of the sea where there are rocks and if you are friolenta/ or, also add a suitable swimsuit, the water can be just cold.
6. Don’t forget your snorkel equipment
7. Pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun’s rays
Whether you’re seeking a relaxing beach day, a chance to explore diverse ecosystems, or simply a picturesque setting for memorable moments, Balandra Beach promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you yearning to return. Make sure to add this hidden paradise to your travel itinerary and let the allure of Balandra Beach enchant you.