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La Paz to Playa Tecolote, Bahía de La Paz, Baja California Sur
Photo: Sam Beebe/Ecotrust · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

Drives Baja California Sur, Mexico La Paz, Los Cabos and the East Cape

La Paz to Playa Tecolote

MEX 11 · La Paz → Playa Tecolote

Sweeping15 mi45 min1,100 ft climbHigh point ≈ 200 ftOne way
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The drive

This is the bay road north out of La Paz. It starts on the Malecón, the waterfront promenade, and runs 24.1 km (15 mi) to Playa Tecolote in about 45 minutes, passing the Pichilingue ferry terminal and the turnoff for Playa Balandra on the way. The first stretch is city driving. After that the road follows the shoreline in gentle curves, with one twistier stretch.

Pichilingue is the port where ferries leave for Mazatlán and Topolobampo on the mainland. The road ends at Tecolote, so the return is the same way.

It stays low, with a high point near 200 feet.

Along the way

  1. La Paz (Malecón)
  2. Playa Tecolote
Elevation
1,100 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 200 ft
La PazPlaya Tecolote
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
La PazPlaya Tecolote
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Balandra has its own access rules: a daily visitor cap with timed entry by bracelet, as reported in 2023. Check current rules before you go.
  • The road dead-ends at Tecolote, and the drive stops short of the beach parking.
  • Expect city traffic on the Malecón at the start.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check SICT (Mexico's federal roads agency).

Questions about this drive

How long is the drive from La Paz to Playa Tecolote?

The drive from the La Paz Malecón to Playa Tecolote is 24.1 km (15 mi) and takes about 45 minutes.

Does Playa Balandra have limits on visitors?

Yes. Balandra has a daily visitor cap with timed entry slots and bracelets. The rules were reported in 2023, so check the current ones before you go.

What is at Pichilingue near La Paz?

Pichilingue is the port north of La Paz with ferry service to Mazatlán and Topolobampo on the mainland. The road to Playa Tecolote passes it.

Is the La Paz to Tecolote road a dead end?

Yes. The road ends at Playa Tecolote, so you return to La Paz the same way.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

All 7 drives in Baja California Sur, Mexico ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of La Paz to Playa Tecolote, from La Paz to Playa Tecolote