The Sea of Cortez is the richest in biodiversity in the entire planet. Centuries ago whales migrating from Alaska discovered the Sea of Cortez and turned it into their favorite site to spend winter and give birth to children. Many years passed until the natives discovered the richness of this ocean, but the real discoveries of its incredible marine life had to wait until the middle of the 50s, when Jacques Cousteau developed the diving suit. It was Cousteau himself to start the explorations of the Sea of Cortez (between Baja California ans the Mexican mainland) naming it "the world's aquarium". It's one of the most unique marine ecosystems in the world, considered by many the most rich in biodiversity of the whole world. Over 850 marine species live in its temperate waters, making it every scuba divers' dream, who'll find it perfect during any season of the year. In fact the Sea of Cortez is the best fishing spot in the whole western hemisphere. Its natural ambient attracts divers, ecotourism lovers, naturalists and whale watchers, coming here from every corner of the world. It's common to see giant stingrays, whale sharks, sea lion colonies, humpback whale groups, blue whales, sperm whales, grey whales, that migrate to this area during the winter. Around the various island in La Paz bay there are over 25 spots perfect for scuba diving. For the first time at El Bajo, a sumbarine mountain that reaches 18 meters over sea level, schools of hammerhead sharks were spotted. El Bajo offers perfect opportunities for diving to professional divers all around the year. Los Islotes is very well protected against strong winds; in 1976 a ferry boat hit some rocks and sank there, its wreck is now aground a bank of sand and created an artificial coral riff, extremely rich in sea life. The two small islands La Reina and La Reinita, just in front of Isla Cerralvo, sport high concentrations of tropical fishes. Meeting whales in the channel is also very common while going on boat excursions from La Paz. About diving, the typical season goes from june to october. Various charter operators will offeryou fishing excursions, and diving equipment shops will offer half-day or full-day diving excursions, or even diving lessons that will allow you to get the PADI certification. Tourists favoring land experiences will maybe prefer mountain biking in El Triunfo, an old mining town just 40 minutes from La Paz. Pedaling along the hills of this old residential area will give you your needed adrenaline rush.
Although La Paz is known as a location for enjoying nature, it also has some interesting cultural aspects. If you wish to know more about La Paz history, you absolutely cannot miss the Museo Regional de Antropologa e Historia de Baja California Sur, right in the middle of town. Located inside a modern building, with its collection divided in four exhibition rooms, this museum exhibits paleonthological and archeological remains that have been found in the region during the years. Among the displayed finds, a fossil collection dating back to 60 millions years ago, but also cave arts showing the first peninsular inhabitants daily lives. A good book selection tells the fascinating tales of the first mission managed by the region. Before leaving, don't forget to visit the botanical garden. The Museo de Historia Natural, which you will find inside the Universidad Autnoma de Baja California Sur campus, displays a fossil collection of marine mammals, birds and reptiles dating back to 3.5 millions years ago. The Centro Cultural Profesor Jess Castro Agndez was built to host various art forms and exhibits the Galera de Arte Carlos Olachea Boucsieguez, the Teatro de la Ciudad and the Museo de la Ballena Gris. Inside the building visitors can appreciate contemporary art examples or a permanent exhibition dedicated to the huge grey whale. The visit ends with a photo exposition depicting the extraordinary phenomenon of this sea giants migrations towards the coasts of Baja California.
Benito Pablo Jurez Garca - the heroic reformist president
Benito Juarez was President of Mexico from march 1861 to april 1864 and from june 1867 to july 1872, the first indian in the history of the entire continent to reach such office, and he's considered a national hero in Mexico. He was born in San Pablo Guelatao on march 21, 1806, child of farmer Zapoteco Indians. He received a law degree and started working as lawyer, then becoming civil court judge, then was elected governor of the State of Oaxaca. He was exiled by the hand of president Santa Anna, but he returned and joined the coup to recapture the capital, and from then he obtained many achievements which led him to be elected President of Mexico. Juarez always fought for the weak until his death, happened in Mexico City because of an heart attack, on july 18, 1872.
Just outside La Paz there are enchanting beaches with white sand and crystal clear water, being in front of the Sea of Cortez rather than the ocean. The nearest beach "El Coromuel" is just at the end of the boardwalk, which is called Malecon, following are El Tesoro, Pichilingue, Balandra e Tecolote which are all marvellous beaches where you can find pelapes to protect yourself from the sun, and in some of them, small restaurants to enjoy local delicacies.
La Paz offers various activities for those who don't want to just relax under a palapa in one of the wonderful beaches. Along the boardwalk you can find diving centers for scuba diving and snorkeling, fishing tours, horseriding, explorations of deserts, oasis and mountains of Sierra della Laguna; boat trip agencies that offer outer sea experiences like swimming along whalesharks, sea lions and dolphins. The most exciting excursion has to be whale sightseeing, which come here from december to march and often stay until april. They come here from the Artic for mating and giving birth to puppies. In the country of Baja California Sur there are four main zones for whale watching: the Ojo de Liebre lagoon, Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio lagoon, and Magdalena bay. These excursions give you the opportunity not only to see whales but also to play with them, touch them and experience their curiosity and pranks. Also whales approach people bringing their puppies with them, like for exhibiting them to humans. This is rendered possible for the fact that in Baja California Sur whales have not been hunted for over 60 years, and as the title of a Pino Cacucci book says, "The whales know".
La Paz is a relaxed town in front of the Sea of Cortez, that offers restaurants and bars where visitors can enjoy the sunset while sipping beer or the famous Margarita, and places where you can meet other tourists and local residents to exchange impressions and experiences you made during the day. From La Paz, renting a car, you can start a complete tour of Baja California Sur passing through La Ventana, where you can practice kite surf, continuing to San Jos del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas for more mundane life. While driving back to La Paz you can pass through Todos Santos and see the Hotel California, the one from the famous Eagles song, is going strong since 1950. Continuing north from La Paz you can reach Ciudad Constitucion which is very near the ocean shore, where whale-seeing boat tours sail. Towards the Sea of Cortez are Loreto, Muleg and Santa Rosalia, then towards the Pacific ocean is Guerrero Negro. These are just some location you can discover in this calm corner of Mexico.
Mexican cuisine is an extraordinary example of culture contamination, born from the union of food cultures of precolombian populations and spanish conquistadores. The former ate mostly corn, beans, vegetables, tortillas - Mayan and Aztech "bread" - and a lot of of chili pepper; the latter introduced meat (beef, pork and chicken), rice, garlic and onions. In La Paz you can find restaurants that are inspired by the classic mexican cuisine with tacos, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, or restaurants that offer a more polished cuisine but still reflecting the local flavors with excellent meat and fish dishes. Even pizza, always sought by tourists from everywhere, is offered in many restaurants.
