La Paz solo journey: what might go incorrect in case you journey to La Paz alone? Or possibly what occurs in case you strive? Right here’s my private expertise about solo journey to La Paz, Mexico!
📮 Trisha, I’m glad you made it to Baja California! Woohoo!!! I dwell in San Diego and I’m a fan of your work. I at all times beloved seeing your Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita posts. Since I’ve a 9-5, these locations are a bit sophisticated for me. I at all times simply have 4 days of journey so Baja California is at all times best for me! Glad you might be right here! How is La Paz proper now? Is it protected to go to La Paz? How’s your present expertise there? I hope you possibly can share some insights! I supported your espresso fund as a result of I actually need to thanks for all of the trustworthy posts! Gracias!
Helen Jolly, USA
Hello Helen!
Thanks for the espresso! I actually respect it! I simply moved right here two weeks in the past with my canine and we’re having a blast! I’ve been to La Paz many instances for brief visits however that is the one time that I made a decision to base myself right here.
I’ll be staying right here for just a few extra weeks however I’ll share with you my preliminary expertise with La Paz solo journey security. When you have any questions that weren’t answered on this submit, please get in contact with me, and I’ll replace this text. Good luck, and I hope to fulfill you in case you go to La Paz!
Xx,
Trisha
Embrace Your Journey of Self-Discovery!
Journey Solo, Dwell Freely: Find out about vital pondering, enhance your situtational consciousness, and uncover your energy to journey the world alone in your individual phrases.
I respect your privateness—no spam, ever. Take a look at my privateness coverage right here.
La Paz solo journey: is it protected?
La Paz is protected to go to, and I really feel very snug right here. I can stroll in all places, even in the course of the night time. After all, as a feminine traveler, I nonetheless get consideration, however please notice that I’m an individual of colour and fluent in Spanish – our experiences is likely to be totally different in the case of getting consideration.
A good friend of mine who additionally lives in La Paz is American and once we are out, she will get numerous consideration from being blonde. Once more, the eye I’m speaking about will not be to a degree the place she will get attacked – they don’t even communicate to her! She will get the look, which generally makes her very uncomfortable.
Numbers on-line say La Paz will not be a really protected metropolis and is at medium danger. Nevertheless, as at all times, all my solo journey security ideas are primarily based on my private experiences. The purpose of this weblog is at all times to share real experiences so what’s written on this article could be very private.
Like in lots of locations in Mexico and everywhere in the globe, there are petty crimes in La Paz like pickpocketing and bag snatching – however in a really delicate approach.
It’s actually unusual what number of articles I learn on-line painted an image of La Paz as a notoriously harmful metropolis however once I got here right here, I didn’t really feel that approach.
La Paz solo journey expertise
As I stated, this isn’t my first time visiting La Paz. I’ve been right here a few instances as a result of I personally suppose that Baja California is such a terrific place to dwell in! I rented an house in La Paz for $650 USD. Today, I’ve to lease a home as a result of I’m consistently transferring with two massive canine.
My Asian ethnicity will not be normally tremendous seen to most Mexicans (like the place I lived in Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, Mexico Metropolis, and Guadalajara), however right here in La Paz, everybody is aware of I’m Asian at one look! It’s actually very shocking for me as a result of I by no means get this remark particularly I communicate Spanish fluently.
Folks on the streets can be like: “Thailand, Korea, Japan…???” and so forth. After I say, “Philippines,” they are saying, “ahhh, Manny Pacquiao!!!” Since Mexico is a boxing nation just like the Philippines, Manny is a really well-known icon in Mexico. Some even talked to me about Imelda Marcos!
The individuals of La Paz are very heat and pleasant. I’ve noticed that not everyone seems to be as chatty until you begin the dialog. It’s most likely as a result of I at all times stroll round with my canine. In Mexico, individuals are afraid of canine so they have a tendency to shrink back from individuals accompanied by canine. To not point out my canine will not be small!
My landlord and his spouse are each Mexicans and are tremendous pleasant. They verify in on me on a regular basis. In addition they picked us up on the airport since I’ve two massive canine crates. In addition they helped me with vaccinations in La Paz. As a momentary resident in Mexico, I can get a vaccine throughout Mexico. They gave me all the data and I’m scheduled to have my vaccine subsequent week.
Actually dwelling subsequent to me is a French lady. Under my house is a lesbian couple. I used to be so shocked to be in a compound full of ladies and a few of them are foreigners! Once we transfer overseas, having neighbors like this normally provides us the arrogance to dwell in a sure nation.
This made me really feel snug dwelling in La Paz, Mexico. It’s not that necessary to many people however for me, I at all times have to know who my neighbors are.
Arrival in La Paz
I flew into La Paz Worldwide Airport, one of many least expensive airports to fly into Mexico. Many vacationers choose to fly in Cabo however even when Cabo is only a 2-hour drive, the flights are costlier as it’s a fashionable vacationer vacation spot.
I stayed in an house and the host was tremendous sort to choose me up. I had organized this after reserving the house as a result of I used to be touring with two canine. The host got here with a monster truck and helped me load the canine cages!
Many individuals would ask me why I might belief somebody I have no idea to choose me up on the airport. First, I communicate Spanish, and I can just about learn the vibe of the host. Second, I additionally requested round on Fb teams in regards to the host and so they know him! The group in La Paz is small and everybody is aware of one another!
In my earlier journeys to La Paz, I additionally rented a automobile from La Paz Worldwide Airport and paid round $14 per day. After all, that’s the flat price and doesn’t embrace gasoline, security deposit, and many others. General, I consider renting a automobile in La Paz is reasonable. Plus, it’s a automobile metropolis and public transport will not be very dependable.
Is La Paz protected at night time? Can I stroll alone?
Earlier than paying the downpayment for my house, I already know the world slightly however I nonetheless requested the owner about security. Mexicans are normally trustworthy about security so once I requested if it’s okay to stroll at night time (I don’t actually need to spend some huge cash on Uber as a lot as potential), he stated that it’s one of many most secure neighborhoods in La Paz.
And he’s proper! Even when I’m strolling round with out the canine, I really feel very protected. The streets are tremendous well-lit and there are at all times lots of people round. FYI, my walks from my dwelling to the Malecon of La Paz take half-hour. All through that stroll, I by no means really feel very paranoid even when it was nearly midnight.
In these walks, I additionally see numerous white individuals round. I’m in a complicated group although the home I rented will not be that massive. I used to be simply fortunate to have discovered this Airbnb which occurred to be in an upper-class neighborhood.
All streets of La Paz even have bike lanes. They love biking and exercising right here! Because it’s too scorching, you’ll at all times see individuals biking and jogging from 9:30 PM till midnight so there’s numerous motion at night time – you’ll by no means really feel alone and unsafe.
If the individuals round you might be discouraging you to journey alone, it is higher to speak to somebody who has the identical purpose or intention as you.
La Paz Mexico security ideas and recommendation
No stoplights in La Paz
… however I really feel safer with out the stoplights! Automobiles mechanically cease for you when you find yourself about to cross the streets. Everybody drives gradual as a result of not all the primary avenues have stoplights! The streets of La Paz prioritize bikers and pedestrians, it’s such a terrific metropolis to stroll in!
Males in vehicles will honk at you
That is tremendous annoying! I really feel very protected strolling round La Paz however males in vehicles at all times honk and whistle! This isn’t even a delicate automobile honk however a very annoying one. Typically, it freaks me out, particularly if I’m caught off-guard.
You then understand, they’re honking is their approach of expressing that you’re handsome and that you’re getting consideration. They don’t actually imply hurt. For those who get invited to leap in, say no until you realize the individual.
They are often actually pleasant however you continue to don’t know their humanity so don’t ever leap in vehicles with boys you don’t know! And significantly, I stated males as a result of girls don’t actually honk at males strolling on the streets.
Males in vehicles will cease and discuss to you
However actually, don’t fear. They’re innocent. Simply don’t leap within the automobile with them. I’ve to be trustworthy with you although – I’ve joined some pleasure rides however provided that I felt good.
There may be at all times that feeling of chemistry (romantic or not) that may make you say, “positive, these individuals are innocent.” I simply don’t actually advocate it in case you don’t communicate Spanish. They could get the incorrect message.
Within the evenings, take money from supermarkets
Supermarkets in La Paz have ATM machines inside and so they shut at 11:00 PM. In any case that it is advisable take money within the night, you possibly can go to any Chedraui and Walmart to take cash out. It’s at all times the most secure choice! When you have a Mexican financial institution card, you can too take money from the counter however you must purchase one thing with the intention to withdraw cash.
Public transport in La Paz is protected
Typically, once I don’t need to stroll half-hour from my dwelling to the Malecon (or if I’m with out the canine), I take the bus. La Paz has a really environment friendly bus system that solely prices 10 pesos ($0.50 USD) per trip!
The buses are at all times filled with locals. I don’t suppose I’ve been on a bus the place I noticed foreigners. I chat with locals whereas on the bus, and so they at all times give me ideas! I discovered the bus routes due to chatting with random passengers.
Police are in all places in La Paz
A variety of law enforcement officials swarms La Paz. Even the Nationwide Guards are right here! There are additionally vacationer police which might be at all times round. These are those whom you must ask for assist in case of an emergency.
Get journey insurance coverage
I hate it when individuals journey with out insurance coverage! I solely pay $40 USD monthly for mine. At these very attempting instances, you shouldn’t go anyplace with out journey insurance coverage. We’re not invincible anymore. Ensure you do that earlier than leaving your nation – you don’t need to spend massive bucks on Mexico in case of an emergency.
Methods to meet individuals in La Paz Mexico
Listed here are a few of my native ideas for La Paz solo journey:
Go to La Depressing mezcaleria
La Depressing is an excellent cool haunt for younger individuals. It’s a really small place and the bartenders are very pleasant. You possibly can sit there by your self and simply chat with them whereas having drinks! There are additionally traveler musicians who play right here on the weekends. They’re very fascinating individuals to speak to and observe your Spanish with!
Bumble or Tinder in La Paz Mexico
Truthfully, everybody who seems on Bumble and Tinder in Mexico is in Los Cabos. It’s only a 2-hour drive away but it surely’s so shocking how most individuals on the radar are from there! Nicely, the general public on these relationship apps are in search of a romantic date however I generally find yourself with matches with who I get alongside and change into buddies!
Couchsurfing hangouts in La Paz Mexico
If you’re not snug with relationship apps, Couchsurfing could be very lively in La Paz. You possibly can solely entry the hangouts through a cellular app. Once in a while, individuals submit about having espresso, happening hikes, or day ingesting on hangouts.
You possibly can be part of these hangouts and even make one your self! You’d be shocked what number of solo vacationers like you might be additionally in La Paz. I really like this app so strive it and let me find out about your expertise!
Follow your Spanish with everybody
Be chatty. Whether or not you might be in a bar or a road meals joint, simply maintain speaking in Spanish. Mexicans like it when foreigners strive talking in Spanish. The dialog will go on and on in case you provoke the dialog in Spanish.
You’d even be very shocked how lots of people in La Paz can communicate respectable English, however not all. La Paz is a well-known vacation spot with Individuals so they’re very used to vacationers right here! The town’s revenue can also be depending on tourism in order that they do every thing for individuals to have a very good time right here.
I just lately turned buddies with the hotdog man on the nook of my home and we’ve chatted rather a lot about his household and the way he began his small meals truck. It does assist if you have already got prior data of Spanish. Simply don’t be afraid to interact as a result of Mexicans are pleasant!
✈️ Prepared to your journey to La Paz? This weblog thrives on reader questions, so be happy to ask questions on La Paz solo journey utilizing the remark field beneath. You may as well join 1-on-1 solo journey teaching with me in case you want extra assist!