Discover Playa El Caimancito: La Paz's Serene Beach for Relaxation & Family Fun - La Paz Purple Travel Guide

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Located about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of the La Paz sign, Playa El Caimancito is a favorite among local residents and travelers looking for a quiet, more relaxing coastal experience. This beach is often used for weddings and photo sessions.
The beach has a large guarded parking lot – parking is free and beach access is free.
The beach and parking lot are open from 8am until 7pm.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we typically promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the Viator tours below.

Playa El Caimancito: A Quiet Gem with a Playful Name

Playa El Caimancito translates to ‘Little Caiman Beach’, a name it reportedly earned from the rock formations found along its shoreline that, with a bit of imagination, resemble alligators or caimans. Unlike some of the more dramatic geological features of other Baja beaches, El Caimancito's charm lies in its gentle, understated beauty and its calm demeanor. It is a natural formation, sculpted by the same forces of wind and water that shaped the entire coastline over millennia.

Playa El Caimancito: Ideal for Relaxation and Gentle Watersports

The defining characteristic of El Caimancito is its calm, clear, and shallow waters. Sheltered within a protected cove, the waves here are typically very gentle, making it an ideal spot for:

• Swimming: Perfect for all ages, especially families with young children, who can wade safely and enjoy the inviting turquoise sea.

• Snorkeling: There is some snorkeling. See below for more details about snorkeling at Playa El Caimancito.

• Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding: Equipment rentals are available through nearby resorts and independent vendors.

• Sunbathing and Relaxation: The soft, white sand is perfect for laying out a towel and soaking up the Baja sun. The overall ambiance is peaceful, making it a great spot to unwind with a book or simply enjoy the tranquil sounds of the ocean.
  There are several large palapas, but no other shade.

Snorkeling at Playa El Caimancito

There is snorkeling at the southern wall of the pier and south of the wall at the northern end of the beach.

The visibility at the wall on the southern end of the beach is near zero, and thus not suitable for snorkeling. But if you follow the southern wall to the end, you will see some mostly submerged rocks a few feet into the deeper water. There is a natural and artificial reef with fairly good snorkeling.

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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