Balandra Bay: Mexico’s Most Beautiful Beach

Playa Balandra (also known as Balandra Beach or Balandra Bay), is frequently considered as Mexico’s most beautiful beach. You can visit Balandra Bay on any budget and is a must-do activity for all visitors to Baja California Sur. The sparkling blue waters and immaculate white sand beaches are flanked by rugged mountains.

What is Balandra Bay?

Balandra Bay has shallow tides and consists of seven beaches in total. Visitors can stroll around the headlands and explore each beach because the water is just chest high, even during high tide. Large sand banks are exposed during low tide, allowing you to walk a considerable distance without the water getting beyond your ankles. Balandra Beach is the perfect place to spend a daydreaming on the beach since the mountains covered in dust-pink Cardon cacti shield the bay from the Sea of Cortez.

What can you do at Balandra?

Balandra Beach does not have any amenities, therefore guests should pack lots of water and food. But there is still a ton of fun to have. There are chairs and umbrellas on the main beach, or you may pick a quiet area of sand to unwind on. There are many hikes in the region that provide breathtaking panoramic views of the beaches, including a short stroll to the major viewpoint. By strolling around the headlands or out far into the bay on the sand banks during low tide, you can also explore the other beaches. Keep a watch out for wildlife, such as pelicans and frigate birds in the air as well as fish, turtles, and stingrays in the shallow water.

If you are searching for a different method to explore the bay, stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) and kayaks can frequently be rented. Some tour companies provide guided Balandra tours that take you through the mangroves and along the stunning coastline. Visit the renowned Mushroom Rock as well, a sizable boulder that has had its base eroded by wind and waves into the shape of a mushroom.

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When to go to Balandra Bay

Both tourists and locals like visiting Balandra Beach, which may get very busy on the weekends. It is advised to go during the week, when it is usually quieter. As the parking lot fills up rapidly, try to arrive early, especially since there is a capacity limit and you can be granted an afternoon slot even if you arrive in the morning.

How to get to Balandra Bay

Balandra is only a 30-minute drive from La Paz and a 2 1/2 hour drive from Los Cabos. It can also be visited as a part of a tour. Many tour operators provide excursions to Balandra Bay from Los Cabos as a stand-alone trip or as a component of a land or marine tour.

Why take a tour to Balandra Bay?

Due to the COVID-19 response, there are still limits in place at Balandra Bay, and they do not seem to be going away anytime soon. These limitations include a daily cap on the number of road visitors (currently set at 400, but subject to change) and designated time slots that are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. Even if you get there early for the morning or afternoon slot, there is still a risk the beach may be crowded.

However, going on a tour by boat can get around these admission limitations since there is no restriction on how many people or how long they can travel by boat.