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La Paz real estate background
Los Cabos isn't the only place stirring a buzz in the Baja anymore. La Paz, Mexico has been around since the mid 16th century, but it has remained a quiet secret amongst people "in the know". The word is trickling out little by little as people keep falling in love with the city's white sandy beaches and relaxing atmosphere. The coastal city, tucked in a protected nook on a bay in the Sea of Cortez, is buzzing with activity.
At over 470 years old and with a population topping 250,000 people, the city has quite a history in Baja. But don't think La Paz is still stuck in the 1600´s. La Paz offers all the services and amenities of a modern city, from an international airport to movie theaters; minus all the headaches of a big city. The flashy lights and endless bars of Los Cabos have seemed to drown out La Paz’s grandeur. But not anymore. People are flocking to the city in droves in search of a quieter pace of life in a tropical paradise.
Considered one of Mexico’s best eco-tourist destinations, La Paz has an abundant variety of knowledgeable tours and guides to show you all the wonders of Baja California. La Paz is also a sport fishing hotspot where you can find everything from marlin to sailfish and is considered one of the best venues in the world.
La Paz has played an important role in the development of Southern Baja, Mexico. It is the main port to where all goods come into the peninsula. It was also where the Los Cabos residents had to travel to only 15 years ago to get their weekly food rations. La Paz is the second fastest growing city in Mexico behind Tijuana, and through its tremendous growth it has managed to maintain its colloquial charm. People are leaving the noise and confusion of Los Cabos behind to move to the quiet city on the sea, La Paz Real Estate
Imagine having had the opportunity to buy beachfront property in southern California only a few decades ago. Now imagine you can. La Paz is one of the few areas left in the southern Baja that has beachfront properties at somewhat affordable prices. Prices for ½ acre beachfront lots in the Los Cabos areas have been going for as much as three to four million! And sadly, they are almost completely gone. They've been swallowed up by the multitude of developers that have swarmed the area. Luckily enough, multiple acre sites can still be found in La Paz, but they are becoming fewer and farther between. Developers who have been running out of inventory have turned to the relaxing ambiance of La Paz for their newest projects. The time is now, don't miss this opportunity!
A variety of parjects are currently underway. Paraiso del Mar, on the Magote, The Gran Baja renovation, Costa Baja Resort & Marina and La Concha Pearl are but some of the luxury projects in the works right now. This by summer, two golf courses will be under construction adding to the attraction of La Paz. Residential developments are also booming in La Paz. In the Chametla and Centenario areas there are several companies offering lots with unique characteristics and on the north side of town is a bold new project, Maravilla, which will develop into a self-contained golf community about 14 miles north of La Paz, overlooking the San Lorenzo Channel and Isla Espritu Santo.
The Baja Gold Coast will be the next region to develop explosively. Stretching the northern fringes of the La Paz market area, down the Sea of Cortez to the Los Barriles region. Nearly every piece of coastal land in that zone has changed hands in the last two years and development is immanent. The rentals market in the Baja is also booming. Tourists, especially those traveling with their families, have been realizing the benefits of renting a home instead of paying the sometimes astronomical prices of hotels and resorts. The privacy of a rental home, such as those in the gated communities throughout the southern tip of Baja, can offer a secure retreat to those looking for a vacation and not a circus. Why share a pool with strangers when you can dip into your own private one for the same cost? And if the convenience of maid services and restaurant facilities is the deterrent to renting, remember that most rental companies offer these services for nominal fees. A myriad of quality property management companies are also available to take care of properties and to help renters with anything they might need.
All the commotion and hoopla in Los Cabos has kept the developers busy and concentrated on only the southern most tip of the Baja. Now, the savvy have realized that the virtually untapped market of La Paz is ripe for the picking and are coming in with multi-million dollar developments to cater to the recent influx of La Paz lovers. Three new developments are in the works, each of which will be situated in proximity to downtown La Paz and the waterfront. These will include twon homes, cluster homes and penthouse condos with spectacular views of the Bay of La Paz.
The Pedregal de La Paz is moving forward with it's development of the coastal bluff just north of La Paz. These luxury lots will offer unequaled views of La Paz as well as a striking location in the entrance to the Ensenada de La Paz. In the success Diaz Rivera family, the Pedregal development in Cabo San Lucas, which was started nearly 30 years ago, they have decided to bring their real estate knowledge and expertise to La Paz. Pedregal is an upscale gated community with individuality and charm.
Perched upon a mountain side and with immediate views of La Paz and the Sea of Cortez is the site for the future of Pedregal. Cobblestone roads have been carved out and utilities have been established for future residents and lots are being are now in the infant stages of being sold. A private marina, dining program, and a concierge service are also being planned to better meet the need of residents.
A short distance north of Pedregal de La Paz is Costa Baja Resort & Marina. The development is now in phase 2, with the Pueblo Marinero restaurants, marina, hotel and Beach Club now online. The Vista Mar homes of phase 2 are now under construction as well as the golf course homes of the Las Colinas phase are to begin shortly.
Across the water from the La Paz malecon, or boardwalk, is the site of Paraiso del Mar, a golf course community with condos and homes for sale. Visitors arrive by water taxi from the mainland to find this nature-conscious community on the water. Paraiso del Mar offers five miles of beach and an Arthur Hill golf course along with homes, condos, hotels and other facilities.
About the city of La Paz
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. It is the political heart and most important regional commercial center. Agriculture, fishing and silver mining being the main industries. The city has a population exceeding 250,000, and the municipality of La Paz is the fourth largest municipality in Mexico in geographical size, with close to 300,000 persons living on a land area of 20,275 km² (7,828.2 sq mi).
La Paz's population has greatly increased since year 2000. This growth is partly because the city enjoys one of the highest standards of living and quality of life in Mexico, with average wages in the range of $27 USD per day, whereas minimum wages in the country overall stands at closer to $4.25 USD per day. Many of the poorer southern Mexican States' workers often have to work for half of that.
Even though it is a city of a quarter of a million, La Paz still has that small town feel. Traffic is a breeze, there is little worry of crime, the streets are clean, and the people are exceptionally friendly and accommodating.
While so many of Mexico's coastal resort towns have relinquished their charm, La Paz has retained its authentic, "Old Baja," small-town appeal and the popularity of it’s real estate has not changed the over all feeling of the town.
La Paz offers a spectacular five kilometer beachfront boardwalk, The Malecon which locals and visitors use to stroll, jog or just enjoy the fabulous bay views. It is famous for its colorful sunsets over the bay. The city has an abundance of colorful shops and markets, department stores, museums, galleries and theaters. There is a new Wal-Mart, and Sam's Club, with Costco and Home Depot coming soon.
Within a 10 to 45 minute drive from La Paz lie some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. Many rival those of the Caribbean with their clear, turquoise water.
Situated at the gateway to the Sea of Cortez, which Jacques Cousteau aptly called, "The world's aquarium." Eco-tourism is by far the major source of tourism income in La Paz as people come to enjoy its marine wonders, as well as its diverse and often unique terrestrial species endemic to the region. There are some 900 islands and inlets in the Gulf of California with 244 now under UNESCO protection as World Heritage Bio-Reserves and the Espiritu Santo Islands group, which borders the south eastern portion of the Bay of La Paz and are considered the crown jewels of the islands of the Gulf (also referred to as the Sea of Cortez/Mar de Cortes), the primary tourist destination of the area. Its diving, snorkeling, and kayaking are considered second to none.
La Paz is also favored by water enthusiasts for its marinas and real estate (Paraiso del Mar, Costa Baja Marina, Marina de La Paz, Palmira Marina, and Marina Sur, as well as its four boatyards, marine supply stores and cruiser club activities. The surrounding waters are full of adventure for experienced captains. Novice captains enjoy its nearby island coves for day or overnight trips along with a wealth of experienced sailors and boaters willing to share their expertise.
La Paz has recently become an ideal place for retirement. Money Magazine, CNN and the New York Times rated La Paz one of the best places in the world to retire outside the USA. Partly due to its relative closeness to the USA, a short two hour flight from Los Angeles serviced by Alaskan Airlines and Aeroméxico. The Márquez de León International Airport offers flights to the most important cities of Mexico: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, with Aeroméxico, Interjet, Aeroméxico Connect, Volaris and Viva Aerobus. Two ferry services operate from the port of Pichilingue outside the city, connecting the Baja California peninsula to the mainland at Mazatlan and Topolobampo, near Los Mochis.
The climate of La Paz is typically dry, warm and sunny with a year around average of between 23°C - 25°C (75°F - 77°F). Summer months (July-September) are often in the 30's C (90's F) and can be humid. The winter months (December-February) are the coldest with temperatures dropping below 15°C (60°F), but mostly in the low 20’s C (68's F). Breezes from the Bahia de La Paz keep the temperature mild. The bay also acts as a barrier against seasonal storms in the Sea of Cortez. Rainfall is minimal, although infrequent downpours can bring heavy rains. La Paz usually averages in with over 300 days of sunshine annually.
During the summer the cooling Coromuel winds, a weather phenomenon unique to the La Paz area, blow during the night from the Pacific over the Peninsula and into the Bay of La Paz.
La Paz is served mainly by two highways, the highway 1 that links the south of the state from Cabo San Lucas to the north of the peninsula until Tijuana, and the highway 19, that connects La Paz with the population of the south pacific towns like Todo Santos and El Pescadero.
Also is served by two secondary roads, the Los Planes highway that connects La Paz with places like La Ventana, Ensenada de Muertos and Los Planes, the other is Pichilingue highway which links La Paz with it's maritime port.
La Paz is the home to the three leading marine biology institutes in Latin America (UABCS, CIBNOR & CICIMAR), largely because it sits on the Gulf of California which is the most bio-diverse body of water in the world. It also supports four other university level institutes of learning.
Many of our clients coming to see the La Paz Real Estate opportunities, fly in via Los Cabos and we arrange transportation for them up to La Paz.
What's Next?
La Paz real estate market is taking off, quite litereally. One of the newest projects to come off the development board is the aero-resort (An airstrip will be part of the community core) is being developed in San Juan de la Costa. Business and developments are in beginning phases all over the city and from the looks of it isn't slowing down. Too many people have become smitten with La Paz's way of life. The old saying of "buy now" is really the only way to describe the current state of the La Paz real estate market. The prices aren't going down, the inventory is not sticking around, and the money is being made by people other than yourself. People who have once discovered La Paz have been uncovered, their secret has been unveiled, and if history serves itself, the city will remain peaceful and charming well into the future.
