La Paz quick tips & info:
- The cost for a taxi within the city centre is between $5 to $10 dollars depending where you are going, and about $12 dollars/cab for the airport.
- Many of the shops in the city centre are closed from 1-3pm.
- One of the most complete supermarket is the CCC (Centro Comercial Californiano) and is open everyday from 7am to 11pm.
- Most places accept US dollars and/or credit cards and give a reasonable exchange rate.
- To change your currency or travelers cheques, there are banks in the city centre (street Esquerro or 16 de Septiembre).
- Most hotels will give you an exchange rate close to the bank rate.
- On the Malecon (in front of the restaurant Kiwi) you will find the bus station (Coach Terminal Aguila) where you can catch a bus and go to one of the nice beaches just outside of La Paz.

Things to do in La Paz:
In town:   The boardwalk that runs along the waterfront is known as the "Malecon". Recently renovated and embellished with beautiful statues, it is an ideal location to watch the sunsets that cast incredible colors in the skies over La Paz. It is also where you will find most of the curio shops, restaurants and cafes. One of the most complete arts and craft shops is called “La Casa del Artesano Sud-Californiano” and is located just opposite the cabanas section of Los Arcos.

The gardens of Velasco in the historical centre, with its cathedral “Nuestra Senora de La Paz” are worth the visit, and sometimes you will find people gathered in the gardens to play the famous game of the “loteria”.

The Anthropology Museum of Baja California (corner of 5 de Mayo and Altamirano streets), has a wide display of old maps, mission articrafts, dress and tools of Baja’s vaqueros, cork, leather and palm-fiber crafts. Open everyday from 9 am to 6 pm.

Nearby Attractions:   The cacti sanctuary is approximately a 30 minute drive from the La Paz city centre. Here you have the opportunity to walk in a natural cactus reserve (about a one hour tour). If you find the doors closed, you can usually still go in, the one and only guide working here is not always on site. Please leave the place as you found it, don’t leave anything behind.

To get to the sanctuary, take the road Mex1 towards Los Cabos and Todos Santos. At the fork in the road follow Mex1 towards San Jose, Los Cabos. You will find the sign indicating the “sanctuario de los cactus”, and from here you will have about 20 minutes of easy dirt road to drive.

Beaches close to La Paz:
Balandra is probably one of the most beautiful beaches of those surrounding La Paz, with turquoise water and pure white sand. You won’t find any services here but there are a few palapas to protect you from the sun. This beach is about 14 miles from the centre.

La Concha is actually a hotel right on the beach. A nice spot to have a sundowner drink, admiring the sunset. You can have the use of the nice swimming pool as well.

El Tesoro is the next beach on the road to Tecolote, where you will have the opportunity to “rent” a palapa for the day, with table and chairs. The bar will prepare you some nice Margaritas or Pina Coladas, with tasty “ceviche” or guacamole.

El Tecolote is just past Balandra and offers you different services such as restaurants and bars.

Loreto City quick tips & info: 
-The airport is located along the Loreto/Nopolo Tran peninsula highway at kilometer marker 3, approximately 15 minutes from town. The cost for a taxi to get there is approximately $15 dollars.
-Loreto is a small town, so everything is easily reachable by foot. The city centre is very pleasant with lots of arts and craft shops and paved pedestrian streets.
-There is only one bank in Loreto; it is best to have some cash with you. US dollars are accepted in most places. If you want to get some local currency you can exchange your dollars at Bancomer, situated in the centre.
-There is also a Malecon in Loreto where you will find different bars and restaurants as well as tourist services.

Things to do in Loreto: