La Paz, the capital city of Mexico’s Baja California Sur, has further advanced its phased opening strategy. In accordance with the state’s color-coded safety classification system, the small coastal city is now orange, level four, and city officials in conjunction with the designated health committee will now allow beaches and boardwalks to open with limited capacity. Additionally, formerly closed businesses including theaters and gyms will open with reduced occupancy. Social distancing, masks and strict, heightened safety and hygiene protocols remain in place.
Re-opened beaches include Caimancito, La Concha, Coromuel, Balandra, El Tecolote, Pichilingue, El Comitan, La Ventana, Sargento, Los Barriles, and Cerritos. Sports and training activities are permitted at the boardwalk and El Caimancito, La Concha and El Coromuel beaches from 6 AM to 10 AM and 5 AM to 8 PM. Recreational use only is permitted at Balandra, Tecolote, Pichilingue and El Comitán beaches from 10 AM to 8 PM. Espiritu Santo Island is open for swimming with sea lions (with certified tour operators) and disembarking is also possible on a limited capacity of 40% of the island’s capacity.
Regulations include 30% capacity with one person allowed for every 11 square feet of space. If conditions continue to improve, capacity will be increased to 40% in two weeks. Additional regulations include a maximum of five people per vehicle and mandatory masks. There will be checkpoints to monitor and the entrances and exits.
The Malecon (boardwalk) will allow 30% capacity mask-wearing pedestrian, skate and bicycle traffic during the hours of 6am to 10am an 5pm to 10pm. Restaurants will continue to serve guests with 30% limited occupancy with primarily outdoor, terrace dining.
“It is with great pleasure that we advance to the next phase in our opening process,” said Fatima Aviles, General Director of the La Paz Tourism Board. “We have taken the health and wellness of our citizens and visitors very seriously and have implemented all recommended precautions to ensure safety. Our guests and community have been supportive of all efforts and continue to engage in the process. As we move forward today, we invite visitors to safely return to La Paz, enjoy our pristine nature and wide-open spaces and enjoy the respite we all truly need right now.”
La Paz is located about two hours north of Los Cabos on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula. Situated on the Bay of La Paz in the tranquil Sea of Cortez, La Paz is renowned for its friendly local community, world class sportfishing, diving and an array of aquatic adventures as well as land-based excursions in the surrounding mountains and desert terrain. La Paz can be reached by flying into the Los Cabos International Airport and driving north or from Southern California, direct flights are available via the Cross Border Express which connects travelers to the Tijuana International Airport where direct flights are available into La Paz.
The state of Baja California Sur is a proud recipient of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) global safety stamp of approval in recognition of its safe travel protocols: “Safe Travels”. The stamp allows international travelers to understand which destinations around the world have adopted global standardized health and hygiene protocols.
