Balandra is the beach most travellers have in mind when they picture Baja California: a shallow turquoise lagoon where you can walk a long way out and the water barely reaches your waist, with a small rock formation known as El Hongo (the mushroom) standing at the shoreline. It is protected as a natural area, and the way you visit has changed as a result. This page covers entry, timing and what to bring, and sits alongside the wider La Paz guide and best beaches in Mexico.
Entry: bracelets, fees and caps
Balandra is a protected flora-and-fauna area managed by the national protected-areas commission (CONANP). Entry is by a digital bracelet bought on site. Recent reports put the fee at approximately MXN $120 for foreign visitors and MXN $60 for Mexican nationals, paid in cash (as of 2026), and say entry is capped at roughly 450 people per session across two daily windows, around 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm. Because rules have changed more than once, confirm current fees, hours and any local-only days with CONANP or the La Paz tourism office before you go. Only buy bracelets at the official entrance.
Getting there
Balandra is about 25 to 30 minutes north of La Paz by car or taxi, on the road toward Pichilingue and Tecolote. Taxis are straightforward but arrange a return pick-up time, because signal is weak. A rental car gives flexibility; see La Paz airport transfers and our La Paz things to do guide. The car park fills early in high season.
What it is like
The lagoon’s shallow, sandy bottom warms in the sun, and the water is usually calm. The best light is in the morning. El Hongo is photogenic, but the rock is a protected feature, so do not climb on it. Children enjoy the shallow wading, and snorkelling is limited compared with the islands.
What to bring
- Water, snacks and rubbish bag (there are no vendors)
- Sun hat, shirt and shade, since the shade is limited
- Cash for entry
- Reef-safe sunscreen if you use any, and follow current rules at the gate
- Water shoes for rocky patches
Kayak and boat options
A guided kayak or paddle tour from La Paz can pair Balandra with other bays, and see our La Paz tours guide for operators. Espiritu Santo Island trips with sea lions and snorkelling depart from the La Paz Malecon and Pichilingue; browse La Paz tours for options.
A realistic plan for the day
Take an early taxi from La Paz so you are at the gate when the first session opens, buy your bracelet, and spend the first hour wading out toward the far side of the lagoon while the light is soft and the sand is empty. By late morning the shallows fill with families and the sun is strong, so most visitors leave by noon. If you hold the afternoon slot instead, expect more people and harsher light but warmer water. After Balandra, continue to Playa Tecolote for a seafood lunch, then return to La Paz for sunset on the Malecon. This works well as a half day, which leaves room for an Espiritu Santo boat trip the next morning. Keep expectations realistic: Balandra is a calm-water wading beach rather than a snorkelling or surf destination, and in windy weather the lagoon can ripple and cloud, so check the forecast the evening before.
Nearby: Playa Tecolote and Pichilingue
Tecolote is a longer, open beach with simple seafood restaurants and views toward Espiritu Santo Island. Winds can be strong, and kitesurfers use it. Pichilingue has a calm bay and ferry traffic. Both are good alternatives when Balandra is full.
When to go
October to May is more comfortable. Summer is very hot, and the area can be affected by tropical storms, particularly in September and October. See our hurricane season guide. Winter northerly winds can bring rougher water, so check forecasts.
Where to stay
La Paz has a relaxed waterfront and a good restaurant scene. See La Paz where to stay, La Paz hotels on Booking.com and hostels on Hostelworld.
Plan your trip: La Paz tours · La Paz hotels · travel insurance.