4 La Paz Malecon Hotels for Seaside Fun

Dec 21, 2015

The malecon outside Las Gaviotas Resort offers many shops, restaurants and accommodations. // © 2015 iStock 2

La Paz, a coastal city on the Sea of Cortez, has won acclaim for its high-end resorts — such as CostaBaja Resort & Spa — and for its nature tourism, which is centered on Isla Espiritu Santo, a UNESCO Biosphere & World Heritage Site. What is sometimes overlooked is the cosmopolitan charm of La Paz, a colonial city dating back to the 16th century. La Paz’s centerpiece is a 3-mile-long "malecon," or seaside boardwalk, which hums with activity throughout the day and into the evening.

The malecon is lined with hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops, and it’s a magnet for families out for a casual stroll, groups of flirting teenagers and joggers running the length of the promenade. The malecon is the beating heart of La Paz and a place where locals and visitors come together — especially in the evening to enjoy the sunset.

Although luxury resorts located outside the city have much to offer, they won’t provide your clients the experience of walking outside their hotel grounds to seamlessly explore the city on foot.

Clients choosing a hotel located on or near the malecon will have the best of both beach and city life, with beautiful ocean views, scores of restaurants to choose from, accessible shopping and the buzz of a provincial Mexican town just outside their doorstep. They can also easily explore local sites, such as Nuestra Senora del Pilar Cathedral, which was built in 1835.

These are a few of the accommodations near the La Paz malecon that make it easy for clients to get to know the seaside destination.

Hotel Perla has been receiving guests since 1940. It’s located in the middle of the malecon, near the city’s historic district. The 109-room hotel has a swimming pool, two Jacuzzis, a sundeck, a restaurant and a nightclub. Guestrooms are outfitted with plasma televisions and Wi-Fi access. Meeting facilities include a ballroom that can accommodate up to 250 people.

Posada de las Flores La Paz is located just a short walk from the malecon. No two rooms are alike in this rose-pink boutique hotel, which has five standard rooms and three junior suites furnished with Mexican pottery and antique furnishings. A modern touch is complimentary Wi-Fi access. The property also features a compact meeting room, a small swimming pool and complimentary tea service each afternoon.

Seven Crown La Paz Malecon is a good choice for those looking for modern comfort and amenities rather than authentic Mexican charm. The five-story hotel has a corner location on the malecon and is conveniently located near many stores and restaurants. Seven Crown La Paz Malecon has 55 rooms, including nine junior suites with sea views. El Aura, the hotel’s restaurant, is airy and light-filled, with large windows looking out on the bay. This spot can also suit business travelers, as it has a small conference room, Wi-Fi access and a business center and is located near La Paz’s commercial district.

Las Gaviotas Resort is one block from the malecon, and the hotel’s 16 two-bedroom suites have terraces with ocean views and fully equipped kitchens. The property also claims to have the only heated pool in La Paz.

Las Gaviotas is owned by husband-and-wife team Linda and Gonzalo Theurel. Linda is full of insider information for guests; she’ll happily point visitors to the best stores and street-food vendors and advise them to join one of the casual rounds of "loteria" (a card game similar to bingo) played in the "zocalo" (town square) on weekend afternoons.