A Complete Guide to Visiting Balandra Bay: Mexico’s Most Beautiful Beach

Discover how to visit Balandra Beach from La Paz, one of the best beaches in Mexico and an unmissable day trip in this honest review.

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Playa Balandra (Balandra Beach or Balandra Bay) is often called Mexico’s most beautiful beach and ranks among the best beaches in the world. Known for its pristine white sand beaches surrounded by rocky mountains and crystal blue waters, which are totally unspoiled, it’s touted as a total paradise – and it sure does look like one, too. Visiting Balandra Bay is possible on any budget and is a must-do for all Baja California Sur travellers.

But with very specific entry times, strict regulations, a new digital bracelet system, and limited up-to-date information online, figuring out how to visit Balandra Beach can be tricky. Spending time relaxing on the bay’s idyllic shores was one of our favourite things to do in La Paz, and it’s totally worth the visit once you know how to visit. Discover how to get here, from the best times to visit to how to pay entry, plus tips for enjoying Balandra Beach responsibly, in this complete travel guide.

What is Balandra Bay?

Balandra Bay is a protected area north of La Paz, Mexico. It was declared a Natural Protected Area (Area Natural Protegida) in 2008 after campaigning by a local group known as ‘Colectivo Balandra’, which worked to promote environmental awareness in the La Paz municipality.

Balandra Bay is actually made up of seven beaches and is known for having super shallow tides. Even at high tide, the water doesn’t reach more than chest height, making it possible to walk around the headlands and explore each beach in turn.

At low tide, large white sandbanks are exposed, and you can walk super far out to the sandbar without the water coming above your ankles. Be careful to walk by shuffling your feet, as stingrays can be found in the sand and can react to being stepped on by stinging you.

The bay is protected from the Sea of Cortez by dusty-pink, Cardon cacti-covered mountains, making Balandra Beach the perfect destination for a dreamy beach day out.

Balandra Beach refers to the most popular of the seven beaches, which is a public beach. Most visitors to Balandra Bay will visit the main beach (Balandra Beach on Google Maps), but some tours can take you to lesser-visited beaches in the bay, too.

Honestly, once we set eyes on the beach, we could see why it’s so hyped up. There are very few places in the world with such white sand and gorgeously clear water. We’re going to give you all the information you need to know before you go to Balandra Beach in this post.

Balandra Beach Update & Restrictions

Restrictions were originally put in place at Balandra Bay as part of the COVID-19 response. These restrictions included a limit on the number of visitors arriving by road per day (this was a maximum of 400 people per day, but changed regularly) and specific time slots, which were assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Following the 2022 yacht fire, restrictions were again tightened in 2023. These restrictions go a long way to conserving the bay, protecting it from overtourism.

Today, Balandra Beach is open to the public, and there are now two time slots where you can enter Playa Balandra, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Capacity has been capped at 450 people. To ensure you get in, it’s recommended to arrive as early as possible, but we’ve detailed everything you need to know about times and tickets below.

There are a few other rules to follow to protect the environment for future travellers to enjoy, including no smoking, taking all your trash with you, not climbing on the dunes or Mushroom Rock, and not flying drones.

The first Sunday of every month is for locals only. Only residents of La Paz are allowed onto Balandra Beach, and if you are a tourist, you will not be allowed in.

There are no facilities at Balandra Beach. There used to be a few vendors selling drinks, ice creams and snacks, but this is now also being tightened within the new regulations. There should be no food stalls at Balandra Beach at all, so be sure to pack plenty of food and drink before you go.

Balandra Beach Hours

Balandra Beach is open every day of the week, from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. During Easter, summer, and December, the schedule is extended to 7:00 PM.

Balandra Beach Time Slots

Now that Balandra Beach has reopened, there are two shifts in which you can visit.

The first slot is from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, with people being asked to leave around 11:30 AM. The second slot is from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM, with people needing to leave the beach by 4:45 PM. Staff enter the beach to clear visitors from the first session, and again at the end of the second session.

It is possible to visit Balandra Beach during both time slots, which can give you up to 8 hours to explore the area, rather than the allocated 4. To do this, you can just re-enter the beach during the second time slot.

If you’re looking for something to do in between, consider visiting El Tecolote Beach, which is great for water sports activities due to its rougher waters, or the beautiful Las Gaviotas Beach.

Balandra Beach Entrance Fee & Digital Bracelet

There is now an entrance fee that has been implemented and must be paid to enter Balandra Beach. This entrance fee is paid in exchange for a ‘digital bracelet’.

The digital bracelet must be bought in advance. You can do this on the official CONANP website (Mexico’s federal agency for the Commission of Protected Natural Areas) or in person at the La Paz CONANP office.

It’s easy to buy the bracelet online – you just need to make an account and add the date of your visit, how many people you’re paying for, and their names. Many travellers have reported not being asked for proof of purchase, but it’s probably best to buy it just in case and because it supports the conservation of the area.

How much does it cost to go to Balandra Beach?

The digital bracelet to prove entrance to Blaandra Beach costs 120 Mexican pesos (which is about $6 USD).

Children under 12 years old, seniors over 65 years old, and people with disabilities are free. Teachers, students, and national and foreign residents get 50% off.

It’s important to note that buying the bracelet online does not guarantee you a reservation into Balandra Beach. You still need to queue up for a time slot once you arrive.

Entry fees are not uncommon in Mexico and help the state to conserve protected areas. After the huge clean-up effort of the yacht incident, a small fee will go a long way to conserve the beach and its surrounding area.

When is the best time to go to Balandra Beach?

Playa Balandra is very popular with tourists and locals alike and, as such, becomes very crowded. Weekends and holidays are the busiest times to visit and can result in large queues to enter.

We’d recommend visiting mid-week, which tends to be quieter. Try to arrive early as the car park fills up quickly. With the new time slots, we’d recommend arriving at least half an hour before you’d like to enter, as admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

You’ll likely need to queue to enter the beach once you arrive, which can take anything from 30 minutes to an hour, so it’s wise to arrive 30-60 minutes before your time slot.

In the morning, people typically start arriving by car from around 6:30 AM, lining up for the gates to open at 8:00 AM. In the afternoon, it’s best to arrive around 12:00 PM for the 1:00 PM slot.

If you’re travelling by bus, it’s worth reading our section below, as the bus timetable doesn’t align with the new time slots and can make timings tricky.

If you’re unlucky at getting into Balandra Beach, there are plenty of other beautiful beaches near La Paz, including El Caimancito, El Tesoro, Pichilingue and El Coromuel.

Where is Balandra Beach?

Overlooking the Sea of Cortez, Balandra Bay is located on the east side of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. The bay sits 17 miles (27 km) north of downtown La Paz, the peninsula’s vibrant capital.

The sweeping Balandra Beach faces out into the Gulf of California, which is home to an abundance of underwater wildlife. It is part of a wider reserve called the Balandra Wildlife Protected Area.

Balandra Bay is only a 30-minute drive from La Paz and about 2.5 hours from Los Cabos by car.

Balandra Beach Map

Use this map to plan your trip to Balandra Beach. We’ve marked the beach with a yellow pin and the bus pick-up point and parking lot with navy pins.

How to get to Balandra Beach

To get to Balandra Beach, you first need to get to La Paz. The bay is only a 30-minute drive from Downtown La Paz. From Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo), the journey takes around 2.5 hours.

By car

The easiest way to get to Balandra is to rent a car and park in the car park marked on the map above. Having your own car can also allow you to explore some of the other beaches in the area. When you arrive, you’ll usually be met by a staff member, who will direct you.

The Balandra Beach parking lot is limited to 80 vehicles and can fill up quickly, so arrive early, especially if you book the second time slot.

How to get to Balandra Beach from La Paz

It’s also possible to get to Balandra Beach via public transport from La Paz, the closest city, which we’ve detailed below.

By Uber or taxi

If you’re not driving yourself, it is possible to get to Balandra Bay by Uber or DiDi. But there’s very limited phone signal at the bay, so it might be a struggle to order the return journey. You could always schedule your journey in advance if this is the option you’d rather go with.

It’s also possible to arrange a taxi to either drop you off, pick you up or take you both ways. Most taxi companies don’t speak English, so you’ll need to brush up on your Spanish or ask your hotel or the closest Tourist Information point to help you. Both Uber and taxi should cost about 150 pesos ($8 USD) each way.

By tour

You can also visit Balandra as part of a Balandra Bay tour. Lots of tour companies offer trips to Balandra Bay from La Paz as either part of a land or sea tour, or as a stand-alone trip. This is our favourite option, and you can find out more about available tours in the section below.

By bus

If you’re on a budget, taking the bus to Balandra Beach is a great option – we’ve covered everything you need to know about the bus in the next section below.

How to get to Balandra Beach by bus from La Paz

You can get the Playa Bus (Beach Bus) from the La Paz Malecón Bus Terminal (which is also the Aguila Eco Baja Tours Bus Terminal).

The route is run by EcoBajaTours and stops at the major beaches in the region, including Balandra, Corumel, Tesoro, Pichilingue, and Tecolote. Buses run from La Paz roughly every hour at:

The bus usually drops you at the Balandra Beach car park, but this is not the same spot where you’ll catch the return.

The bus costs 70 pesos per person, each way and is paid in cash only.

The return bus goes from the main road. You have to walk out along the side of the road that leads to Balandra, which takes about 10 minutes. There’s no pavement along this road, so we’ve marked the pickup point on the map above.

The bus is supposed to run every two hours, but it often will just arrive when it arrives. The bus from Balandra Beach to La Paz should pick up at:

It can get very busy, so there’s no guarantee you’ll get a seat. Check the last bus of the day, as the 4:45 PM bus may be the last bus back to La Paz in the off-season.

As you can see from these bus timings, they don’t align with the new entrance time slots. If you take the first bus of the day, you’ll arrive over an hour and a half after the morning time slot starts at 8:00 AM. If you want to enter in the morning slot, we’d recommend taking a taxi out to the beach and arriving before it opens at 8:00 AM.

If you’re taking the bus both ways, we’d recommend catching the 12:00 PM bus for the afternoon time slot at 1:00 PM. You can then either take the 4:45 bus back or hang around for a later bus if there are any running, but you won’t be able to stay on the beach after 5:00 PM.

The best Balandra Beach tours

Taking a Balandra Beach tour by boat allows you to avoid all the complicated entry restrictions altogether.

There has previously been no limit on how many people can arrive by water, or how long you can stay in Balandra Bay. It also allows you to stop on any of the beaches, so despite Balandra Beach’s public beach by the car park being super touristy, you can end up with a private part of Balandra all to yourself.

Here are the best tours directly to Balandra Beach:

Combination tours

Combination tours are a great way to see more of the beautiful Baja California peninsula, taking in the highlights around La Paz in one day. Some of the other attractions combined tours usually include are:

Combining a visit to Balandra Beach with swimming with La Paz’s whale sharks is a popular way to make the most out of your day. Swimming with La Paz’s sea lions at the colony at San Rafaelito, which lies off the coast near Balandra, is another popular tour combination.

If you’re up for a longer day, taking the trip out to Isla Espíritu Santo and swimming with the sea lions at Los Islotes before landing on Balandra Beach is another great option.

Here are the best combination tours that include Balandra Beach:

We really enjoyed visiting Balandra Bay as part of La Paz VIP Tours‘ Sea of Cortez Wonders Tour. We arrived at Balandra Bay before any other tour, so we had several empty stretches of sand to choose from and ended up with lunch on a private beach, which we had all to ourselves! This tour also included swimming with whale sharks and snorkelling with the sea lions at San Rafaelito.

What is there to do at Balandra Beach?

Balandra Beach might seem like paradise, and that’s because it’s a well-protected area. Subsequently, there are no facilities at Balandra Beach, so you need to bring food and plenty of water with you, but there’s still plenty to do.

The main beach has chairs and umbrellas available to rent, or you can choose a spot of empty sand to relax on and sunbathe.

Taking a picnic can be a great way to spend the day with friends or family. If you walk all the way down the beach, you can get away from most people, who tend to congregate in the area with the palapas.

And photographers should charge up their batteries because Balandra Beach is paradise, and you’re going to want to take some snaps. Here are the best things to do at Balandra Beach.

1. Walk to a panoramic viewpoint

Balareaa Bay has several hikes which can offer stunning views. The main trail from Balandra Beach to the most popular viewpoint, Mirador Balandra, doesn’t take very long to walk, and we’d recommend this one to anyone (even if you aren’t a hiking fan). Simply follow the track from the car park up the hill on the right of Balandra Beach (as you look at the sea).

2. Balandra Beach Hikes

There are several other hikes in the Balandra area which offer stunning panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. These trails range from 1-6 hours and go as far as Tecolote Beach around the headland from Balandra. Here are some of the most popular Balandra Beach hikes:

Playa Balandra Norte

Balandra to El Hongo

Balandra to Mirador Tilimbrijie

Mirador Balandra (on the opposite headland to Balandra Beach)

Be sure to wear proper walking shoes to do any of the hikes, though, as trying to hike in flip-flops or sandals can leave you prone to injury. If you’re not a confident hiker or simply wish to learn more about the area, consider joining a specialised hiking tour.

3. Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking at Balandra Beach

If you’re looking for a unique way to explore the bay, there are usually some vendors selling stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) and kayaks available to rent at Balandra Beach. It’s a bit pricey by Mexico standards – kayaks are 350 pesos per hour or 200 pesos for 30 minutes, and SUPs are 300 pesos an hour – but it’s a fun way to explore the bay’s surrounding areas.

Some tour operators also offer specialised Balandra Beach SUP Tours where a guide will take you through the mangroves as well as around the beautiful coastline.

4. Explore the mangroves

Some of the beaches at Balandra Bay are surrounded by a network of mangroves, which act as hurricane barriers. There are three species of mangrove at Balandra Bay, red, white and black, and they provide pivotal shelter for certain species of fish. You can explore these delicate ecosystems by stand-up paddleboard or kayak.

5. See Mushroom Rock

You can also visit the famous Mushroom Rock. Known locally as El Hongo, Mushroom Rock is a large boulder shaped like a mushroom due to wind and wave erosion at its base.

Mushroom Rock actually had to be restored in the 90s after a tourist stepped on it and snapped the top off. It can be a pretty popular attraction at Balandra, and tourists queue to get a picture with it (as you can see in the little Instagram vs reality below).

6. Walk out to the sandbar

The main reason Balandra Beach is famous is that its super shallow waters reveal large expanses of white sandbanks at low tide. This allows you to walk far out into the bay and also walk around the headlands to explore the other beaches.

Animals like fish and turtles can be seen in the shallows, while frigate birds and pelicans can be spotted above water. Be sure to shuffle your feet so as not to step on an unsuspecting stingray.

Balandra Beach Facilities

There are very limited facilities at Balandra Beach.

As we mentioned earlier, there is a free, paved car park with about 80 spaces. If you arrive later in the day and it’s full, you can park along the main road.

There are no official bathrooms, but a couple of portaloos can be found at the entrance and used for a small donation.

There used to be a few vendors selling drinks, ice creams and snacks, but this is now also being tightened within the new regulations. There should be no food stalls at Balandra Beach at all, so be sure to pack plenty of food and drink before you go. You might find a couple of vendors in the parking lot or selling things along the line to enter, though.

You’ll often see a few stalls in the parking lot, with locals selling souvenirs and items like bathing suits.

There are several types of amenities you can rent at Balandra Beach to make your experience more comfortable:

Things to know before visiting Balandra Beach

What to pack to visit Balandra Beach

To ensure a smooth and comfortable experience at Balandra Beach, don’t forget to pack your:

Where to stay to visit Balandra Beach

If you’re planning a trip to Balandra Beach, the best place to stay is La Paz, the closest city. There’s not really any accommodation along the coastline near the beach, which keeps the area pristine. Alternatively, you could stay in the smaller town of La Ventana, further down the coast.

Is Balandra Beach worth visiting?

Absolutely, Balandra Beach is so worth a visit! With stunning stretches of powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters, Balandra Beach is one of the most stunning places in La Paz. Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive to visit and can be combined with a variety of amazing attractions in the local area, from hiking and kayaking to swimming with whale sharks and sea lions.

Having said that, organising your visit is a bit of a faff. With strict visitor numbers, entry times, and often long queues to enter, the trip can feel overrated. The main public beach is especially busy, with crowds and few amenities. The shallow water is beautiful, but not the best conditions for swimming (and with no reef, it doesn’t have good snorkelling). But you can still get away from people at the ends of the main beach by taking a tour to the quieter beaches in the bay, or by hiking along the headland and admiring the views. Overall, we’d totally recommend visiting Balandra Beach, but you need to know what to expect to not be disappointed. If you think it’s too much effort, there are plenty of other, nearly as beautiful beaches in the vicinity that don’t require an entrance fee or queuing.

Is Balandra Beach safe?

Balandra Beach is completely safe. As a Natural Protected Area, the beach is well-conserved, and government officials often patrol the area. With the new entry time slots, there are more officials around and a police presence to ensure the restrictions are adhered to.

Some of the paths can be rocky, so it’s advisable to wear sturdy walking shoes if you plan to do any hiking. And stingrays can be found in the bay, so it’s important to shuffle your feet when walking in the ocean, as a stepped-on stingray can sting in response.

Balandra Beach FAQs

We’ve answered these frequently asked questions to help you plan your visit to Balandra Beach.

Why is Balandra Beach famous?

Balandra Beach is known for its stunningly clear waters, pristine white sands, and exposed sandbank at low tide. Although the public beach is the most famous and popular day trip from La Paz, the bay is actually home to seven secluded beaches that you can wade to at low tide. Balandra Beach is also home to the iconic Mushroom Rock, known locally as ‘El Hongo’.

How early should I get to Balandra Beach?

Generally, we’d recommend arriving around an hour before the time slot you wish to enter Balandra Beach. This means you can guarantee your entry to the beach as the morning and afternoon slots are limited to only 450 people each slot a day.

Why is Balandra Beach closed?

Balandra Beach was closed in October 2022, following an incident that involved a yacht catching fire and sinking. The resulting spillage of oil and ash from the boat accident was an ecological disaster for the area and polluted the water and surrounding beaches. The bay was closed as a huge clean-up operation was underway. In March 2023, Balandra Beach was reopened with a limit on capacity and quite a few restrictions, which have been changing regularly since. Today, Balandra Beach is open as normal. We keep this article as up-to-date as possible with all the information about entry slots and fees, so you know exactly what’s going on.

Is Balandra Beach open?

Yes, Balandra Beach is open as usual. There are time slots for entry and a capacity limit, but it is once again possible to visit.

Is Balandra Beach free?

A 120 peso entrance fee for Balandra Beach was introduced in 2025, which can be bought online in the form of a digital bracelet.

Can you swim on Balandra Beach?

Yes, you can swim in Balandra Bay. It can be very shallow, especially during low tide, so it might require you to walk farther out into the bay to be able to swim. The water is super clear, but there isn’t much coral to see. Remember to look out for stingrays and not to touch marine flora and fauna.

Can you swim at beaches in La Paz?

Yes, La Paz has some of the best swimming beaches in Mexico. It’s probably not advisable to swim on the beaches off the La Paz Malecón, but further north, you’ll find some beautiful white-sand beaches with crystal clear waters.

Does La Paz, Mexico, have good beaches?

Yes, La Paz’s beaches are some of the best in the world. Check out El Caimancito, El Tesoro, Pichilingue, Las Gaviotas and El Coromuel, which all have beautifully clear waters. El Tecolote Beach is also a great beach near La Paz for water sports activities, due to its rougher waters.

How far is Balandra Beach from La Paz?

Balandra Beach is a 30-minute drive from downtown La Paz. It is located in the outer municipality of La Paz city and is easily accessible by car. There is also a regular public bus service from La Paz to Balandra Beach.

How far is Balandra Beach from Los Cabos?

Balandra Beach is a 2-and-a-half-hour drive by car from Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo). Autobuses Águila operates a bus from Los Cabos to La Paz, where you can change to get to Balandra Beach. Alternatively, you can book onto a La Paz tour from Los Cabos that includes Balandra Beach.

Read next:

28 Best Things to Do in La Paz

Where to Stay in La Paz: Best Areas + Top Hotels

How to Get to La Paz + Getting Around

How to Visit Isla Espíritu Santo from La Paz

The 16 Best Restaurants in La Paz

How to Ethically Swim with Whale Sharks in La Paz

How to Snorkel or Dive with Sea Lions in La Paz

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