Playa Balandra is located along the Gulf of California, about 25 minutes north of the city of La Paz, Mexico in the state of Baja California Sur.
If you’re planning on coming here as part of a day trip from Cabo San Lucas, plan on about 2.5 hours each way.
Due to Covid-19 Pandemic, Balandra Beach has a Limited Entrance of 200 Persons Per Day.
The shores of Balandra Beach are pure and pristine because it was designated as a Natural Protected Area in 2008, so no construction is allowed.
Visit some one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Depart from the Port of La Paz for a 5 Hour Tour to the Iconic Beach of Balandra.
Charter a Private Vessel and enjoy Espiritu Santo Island, Balandra & Pichilingue Beach in Style with YachtsMX
Get there early to enjoy Balandra Beach without the crowds
It’s amazing to see Balandra Beach while the white sand beaches are still empty. It makes me happy to see a place this beautiful preserved from the commercialism that encroaches on so many other places that look like a natural paradise. Besides the dirt parking lot and a few palapas on the main beach, Balandra appears untouched. Get there early (before 9 am) to enjoy the beach and the views before the crowds. There are a few free palapas for shade on the beach, so you may be able to snag one of these too if you’re early enough.
Get a view from above
If you park in the small dirt lot in front of the main beach, there’s a small hill where you can get an amazing view over the whole bay. Follow the rocky trail to see Balandra Beach from above!
If you look out to the edge of the bay, you can see El Hongo, a mushroom-shaped rock that’s a popular image for tourism in La Paz. While photos might make it look large, it’s actually pretty small and not that impressive, but fun to see where it is in real life.
Bring your own water and food
There are no restaurants at Balandra Beach because of the Natural Protected Area designation, so make sure you have enough water and food for the day. We did see a small food truck in the parking lot while we were there, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Shuffle feet if you’re walking through the sand to avoid stingrays
Stingrays love the warm shallow waters of Playa Balandra; they rest on the bottom partially covered by sand. This is another reason why SUP boarding is a great option for exploring Balandra. If you are walking through the water, make sure to shuffle your feet so you don’t step on a stingray.
