A Digital Nomad’s Guide to La Paz, Baja California Sur (Mexico)

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If you are wondering about what it’s like to be a digital nomad in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, then let me go ahead and tell you now: you are in for a treat!

While La Paz might be the capital city of Baja California Sur, it doesn’t feel like one — just one of the many reasons why we love being temporarily based here as slow travelers and digital nomads.

La Paz isn’t your average state capital, in other words, with high-rise buildings and crowded roads.

While it is big, and it does draw thousands of visitors in search of its sultry coastline, it’s not overwhelming.

Instead, La Paz oozes a calm, seaside town vibe but one that’s chock-full of surprises and sightseeing.

What’s more, the lifestyle you can have here as a digital nomad is next to unbeatable.

Not only is there an incredible mix of things to do in La Paz—ranging from outdoor adventures like sandboarding and scuba diving with sea lions to cultural activities such as festivals and museums—but the city also offers nomads decent Wi-Fi, great coffee shops, affordable monthly rentals, and perhaps most importantly, drool-worthy Baja fish tacos.

So yeah, in our opinion, La Paz is a fantastic place to live in Mexico for digital nomads.

Below, I detail everything you need to know about living in La Paz as a digital nomad so you can make an informed decision on whether or not it’s a right fit for you.

The Digital Nomad’s Guide to La Paz, Baja California Sur

Cost of Living in La Paz, Baja California Sur as a Digital Nomad

I originally thought Baja California Sur was going to be out of our price range because of everything I had heard about Los Cabos.

But La Paz is not like Los Cabos, in atmosphere, community, or budget.

La Paz remains quite an authentic Mexican city—with fairly standard prices.

That said, internationals do live here and there are certainly more high-end hotels in La Paz, restaurants, and activities.

For us, La Paz offers a balanced price range! We can eat locally and inexpensively, or splurge a bit on a gourmet meal.

Read here for my 18+ recommendations on where to eat in La Paz 🍴

Here’s the breakdown of our La Paz digital nomad living costs:

• Rent: $675 USD (for a one-bedroom apartment 7 blocks from the seaside promenade/malecón)
• Organic farmer’s market (Sat/Tues): $125/month
• Neighborhood supermarket (Aramburo): $150-200/month
• Cafes for work: $100-200/month
• Restaurants/Bars: $550/month
• Uber Rides & Eats: $50/month
• ATM fees: $10/month
• Activities/tours: Varies

Our estimated monthly cost as a digital nomad couple in La Paz, Mexico is $1800–$2000.

Keep in mind that Paul and I eat out at least 2-3x a week in various local/international eateries. Sometimes our lunch can cost us $10 total while dinner in an upscale restaurant might set us back $55.

We also have taken a few tours that I feel are unmissable activities to do while here/that make La Paz special:

• Scuba diving or snorkeling with sea lions at Los Isolotes — $200 (for us, Open Water + Advanced PADI course, $750/pp)
• Sandboarding in El Mogote — $80/pp
• Swimming with whale sharks in La Paz bay — $65/pp

Best Areas to Stay in La Paz for Nomads

La Paz is a huge city in truth, but it’s not built up; instead, it’s spread out.

So, really, the part of La Paz you’re going to truly stick around is close to the malecón and the historic center.

For trips to Walmart, the dunes, the airport, the movie theater, the Galerías shopping mall, etc., you will either have to drive or take an Uber which costs about $75-150 pesos each way depending on demand.

Our apartment is located about a 15-minute walk to the Kiosco del Malecón, or about 7 blocks back. We love the location and affordability.

However, if you try to find accommodation closer, you’ll no doubt pay more.

Likewise, more affordable accommodation can be found anywhere on the outskirts of downtown, off the quieter side streets.

What Is There to Do in La Paz as a Digital Nomad?

I already gave you a bit of a teaser of what to do in La Paz with the sea lions, sandboarding, and whale shark tours, but there is much more to do in La Paz!

Typically, we go for adventure activities like diving, hiking, etc., but La Paz has many spaces catering to diverse interests. Diving in the Sea of Cortez with all the marine life is a must, and so is hiking to Cerro de la Calavera!

There’s also the Teatro Juárez in the heart of La Paz’s historic center, for example, that offers cultural and musical shows and plays.

You also have a slew of rooftop bars and breweries serving craft beer, plus my favorite watering hole and La Paz’s only mezcaleria, La Miserable.

But there’s also kayaking/SUP, tours to see Espiritú Santo island, yoga and wellness, and nearby beaches like the famous Balandra Beach.

Not to mention, there are lots and lots of events that take place in La Paz such as Carnival (plus others that have surprised us—like the Mexican segment of the Tour de France, a triathlon, the World Beach Pro Volleyball tournament, among others).

Even after being based here for going on 3-4 months, we are still finding out about more fun things to do in La Paz that we weren’t aware of before.

That said, there’s plenty to see and do as a digital nomad based in La Paz for a couple of weeks, or months. We haven’t had the chance to be bored, as there is always something new to discover.

Best Coffee Shops in La Paz (with Wi-Fi) for Remote Work

I say this all the time while walking around La Paz, but this city is so underrated AND has so much potential.

You’ll find a handful of coffee shops, but there is room for more.

Luckily for us, we aren’t fussy and so the 1-2 cafes we cycle through each week are enough for us.

That said, here are the best places to get some work done on your laptop in La Paz!

☕️ Doce Cuarenta

The go-to coffee shop in town for Wi-Fi is none other than Doce Cuarenta. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor/sidewalk seating, but we prefer the interior outdoor courtyard since it’s a bit quieter.

Go after peak lunch hours to grab a seat! Wi-Fi at Doce Cuarenta is pretty reliable, but sometimes we need to use our mobile data hotspots in case it gets too saturated.

The atmosphere at Doce is quintessentially digital nomad style with an upbeat community vibe, modern furnishings, Wi-Fi, and a great menu.

Their pastries are baked fresh and delicious! And in addition to coffee, they serve tea, beer, wine, and kombucha.)

Another reason Doce is the top cafe/coffee shop choice is that they are pretty much open from sunrise to past sunset. In other words, you can work late here and not bother anyone.

The service has always been fast and friendly, too.

Overall, just a great place to whip out your laptop while enjoying tasty pastries, drinks, and snacks.

🥖 La Mäsa Cafe & Panadería

Our personal favorite place to go is La Mäsa. It is quite the opposite of Doce Cuarenta which feels more like a coffee factory.

Masa is a cozy and airy panadería offering freshly made bread and pastries, plus a simple but delicious lunch menu.

It is owned by a lovely couple and the atmosphere here is quiet, relaxed, and the perfect place to work quietly on your laptop or read a book and enjoy the breeze of La Paz.

That said, please be conscious of your table/Wi-Fi usage. Make it worth their while if you are going to take up one of the available tables. We typically order breakfast (pastry + juice/coffee) and then lunch. (Get their Spanish tortilla—it is SO good.)

Unlike Doce, La Masa has limited hours (8:30AM to 1:30PM) and they are closed Sundays and Mondays.

🍑 The Peach Café

The Peach is a very aesthetic little cafe located near the heart of the historic center.

It is super cute and atmospheric, but it feels a little dark inside. The tables aren’t as comfortable for working on your laptop either.

But the fun vibe, great service, and decent Wi-Fi make up for it. It’s not also crazy busy like Doce Cuarenta, so it’s a good alternative if you’re looking for something quieter to go if Mäsa is closed.

The Peach is also open later and offers a dinner menu, but so far we haven’t had the chance to eat here.

🍫 Green & Rosse

Green and Rosse is a sweet little cafe serving healthy food and smoothies. Their location is what makes this a great spot to work from, though, as it’s perched along the northern end of the Malecón.

The view you have looks right over the vivid blue-green sea. It’s breezy, and even a little noisy with the road traffic, but a nice spot with lots of light.

They also have a more ample and diverse smoothie + food menu than Doce or the other cafes mentioned above.

There are a few other cafes and coffee shops in La Paz that are laptop-friendly — read my guide for more!

How to Find Apartment Rentals in La Paz as a Foreigner

I talk more in-depth about finding monthly rentals abroad, but for La Paz, you basically have two main options for housing:

• Airbnb
• Facebook Groups

If you go the Airbnb route, you will certainly pay more. That doesn’t mean you need to book for 30-day timeslots. Instead, try to contact the host privately and see if they are interested in letting the studio/apartment to you for a reduced long-term rate.

For short-term rentals, Airbnb will cost more but will be easier to find and manage.

Facebook is our favorite way to find monthly rentals.

Typically, Facebook destination groups will have rental pages for that destination. For La Paz, try searching for “Renta de Casas en La Paz BCS” — there are a couple.

While you may have to sift through a lot of trash posts to find the golden nuggets, know they are out there.

To find our one-bedroom apartment in La Paz, we posted a brief introduction asking for rentals. If you can, ask in Spanish so you’re not immediately seen as a high-paying tourist.

✨ Please remember that locals usually do not make the wages that foreign tourists do while working online, so always try to seek out affordable housing. Don’t overpay for accommodation as a nomad simply because you can as this is unfair and it results in sky-rocketed living costs for locals and the community.

FAQs: What to Know Before Moving to La Paz, Mexico as a Digital Nomad

Here are some frequently asked questions I get from readers and followers on my Instagram about digital nomad life in Baja, Mexico.

How is healthcare in La Paz, Mexico for tourists?

Fortunately, we have not had to visit a hospital while in La Paz.

However, with five hospitals, both private and public, medical care in La Paz seems to be quite good.

You can also find myriad medical practitioners here. Dental appointments are affordable ($900-1000 pesos per cleaning) as well, which is why many Americans come here for their dental care.

That said, I never stay abroad as a digital nomad without travel medical insurance.

As I mentioned earlier, I use SafetyWing (my review) because it is THE insurance for digital nomads living and traveling abroad.

It only costs $40 per 4 weeks and is super easy to sign up and cancel service at any time.

You can only sign up if you are abroad or you can schedule the start date. Either way, go ahead and click here to get insured now.

Do you need a car to get around La Paz as a temporary nomad?

Having a car in La Paz would be ideal for day trips and getting around, but you certainly don’t need one.

We get around just fine without a car as nomads in La Paz. That is mostly thanks to our apartment location being only 7 blocks away from the heart of La Paz.

We usually can reach the top sights of the city within 20-25 minutes on foot.

Bikes, skates, roller blades, etc., are also available for rent on the malecón for quicker seaside strolling.

In some cases, you may need to call upon a DiDi/Uber to get to/from the mall, movie theater, or supermarket (like Walmart or Chedraui), but it’s convenient and easy to do.

When is the best time of year to be in La Paz?

The spring and autumn months are the best time to be in La Paz. We arrived in early November, in time for Día de Muertos, and the weather was beautiful.

The time to visit also depends on your desired activities.

For example, if you come to La Paz for its rich scuba diving opportunities, then just after summer (October) is the best because that’s when the Sea of Cortez is at its warmest.

Due to time constraints, we ended up diving in the month of January and the sea was surprisingly cold (like 16C or around 60F). It definitely put a damper on an otherwise incredible diving experience.

The summers, we’ve heard, are insanely hot. Diving during this time is lovely, but the sea lion colony will be off-limits. However, there are other awesome dive sites to do.

In any case, I’d probably avoid La Paz in summer just because I don’t think I could stand being baked to a crisp while outside.

Do you need a digital nomad visa to move to Mexico / Baja Sur?

Mexico doesn’t have a digital nomad visa like some other countries do.

That said, while you used to be given somewhat “liberal passage” to enter Mexico on the 180-day tourist stamp, that’s not such a guarantee anymore.

When we arrived back in Mexico after the Christmas holidays, for example, I was given the full 180 days while Paul—who had arrived just the day before me—was given only 90 days to stay in-country.

The rules seem to change based on the agent you encounter at immigration. Keep that in mind if you have plans to enjoy an extended stay in Baja and beyond.

⚠️ If you are hoping to stay based in La Paz or Mexico beyond the 180 allotted days, then you can look into applying for Mexico’s Temporary Residency Visa. Just note you need to apply for this before you get to Mexico at your nearest Mexican Embassy/Consulate.

Is La Paz safe for digital nomads?

Years ago, La Paz didn’t seem like such a safe city in Mexico. We were told by a long-time resident here that, back then, even the malecón area was a bit sketchy.

But nowadays, that’s changing. La Paz is becoming a very safe city to live in for tourists and expats.

Personally, we have felt very safe walking to/from our apartment in La Paz at all hours of the day.

The city is lively with activity and both nationals and tourists, so as long as you practice your safety smarts then you should be okay.

Overall, Is La Paz, Mexico Good for Digital Nomads?

My ultimate consensus about La Paz as a digital nomad destination is that it is wildly underrated.

I think La Paz is wakening up to its potential and so are tourists. It offers so much natural beauty that just won’t go ignored for much longer.

While Los Cabos draws in the partiers and spring breakers, it’s Baja California Sur’s capital city of La Paz that makes you want to stay a while and soak up that sultry desert-sea vibe.

If you have any questions about digital nomad life in La Paz, Mexico that I didn’t touch upon in this post, please drop your thoughts/comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

Happy nomading! 💻