La Paz Cruise Port
La Paz, Mexico · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Muelle de Pichilingue, La Paz.
Cruise ships dock at Pichilingue, ~17 km north of La Paz; a shuttle or taxi reaches the Malecon, and Balandra beach, Espiritu Santo sea-lion snorkelling and whale sharks (Nov-Apr) are the big draws.
At a glance
Port summary
Ships berth at the commercial and ferry port of Pichilingue, roughly 17 km (about 25 minutes) north of downtown La Paz - there is no walking into town, so plan a shuttle, taxi or organised tour. La Paz itself is a relaxed, genuinely Mexican city built around a 5 km seafront Malecon, with a cathedral, good museums and superb fish-taco stands. The headline experiences are natural: the protected cove of Playa Balandra (now with a paid CONANP reservation and timed entry), snorkelling with sea lions at Los Islotes off Espiritu Santo island, and swimming with whale sharks in the bay from roughly November to April. Todos Santos and the old mining town of El Triunfo make longer inland trips. Spanish is the language and the peso is the currency, though US dollars are widely accepted in tourist settings.
Cruise dock
Muelle de Pichilingue
Cruise ships berth at the deep-water commercial quay at Pichilingue, a working cargo and ferry port about 17 km north of downtown La Paz. There is no walk-off into town; shuttles, taxis and tour vans meet the ship on the dock.
Latitude: 24.276066, Longitude: -110.329907
See dock on port map →Getting to La Paz
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Carry pesos in small notes for taxis, beaches, the market and the Balandra reservation; keep a card for restaurants and shops in town. Dollars are accepted in tourist settings but you lose on the change.
Build your perfect day in La Paz
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Inside the Mexico & Central America collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your La Paz cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
4 comparedLa Paz city sights and Balandra Beach
≈ 5 h · sold by 5 cruise lines
Cruise line
€100$111
Do it yourself
€66$73
Save ≈ €34Save ≈ $38 (34% off)
From the Pichilingue dock, a shared taxi reaches Playa Balandra in about 15 min (roughly $20-25 per car, so ~EUR 10-12pp shared); Balandra now needs a paid, capped access bracelet (international ~$16 / ~EUR 15, morning 8-12 or afternoon 1-5 shift). A second taxi runs the ~20 km into the La Paz Malecon (~$25-30), where the cathedral, downtown and taco stands are all a flat walk, before a taxi back to Pichilingue.
See the DIY plan →
Todos Santos Pueblo Magico and Hotel California
≈ 7 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€120$134
Do it yourself
€71$79
Save ≈ €49Save ≈ $55 (41% off)
This is a long DIY on a remote port. Take a taxi from Pichilingue to the Aguila bus terminal in La Paz (~$25), then the Aguila coach to Todos Santos (about 1h15, ~$14 / EUR 13 each way); the town is small and walkable once there. Time it tightly - Aguila runs only every hour or two, so lock your return coach before you explore.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
9 plansThe Balandra & Malecón Classic
La Paz's turquoise postcard lagoon and its sunset promenade — the day everyone should do first.
Espíritu Santo & the Sea Lions
Panga out to a UNESCO island, snorkel with a playful sea-lion colony, lunch on a hidden beach.
The Whale Shark Encounter
Snorkel beside the world's largest fish in the Sea of Cortez — a bucket-list Baja morning, November to April only.
The Taco Trail & Malecón Stroll
Baja's best fish tacos, ceviche and chocolata clams — a grazing walk through the real La Paz.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in La Paz?
- Your ship docks directly at the La Paz cruise terminal in Mexico.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into La Paz?
- Walking into La Paz from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
- How do I get from the cruise port to La Paz centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, Taxi, Local bus, Ferry, Other transport. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in La Paz?
- Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see La Paz independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in La Paz and are cards accepted?
- La Paz uses the Mexican Peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the La Paz cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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