Worth a Journey

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The World’s 100 Best Beaches

Playa Balandra

La Paz, Mexico

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST BEACHES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 79 2026
Playa Balandra

A semi-enclosed bay of fine white sand and several small beaches, with shallow, calm, clear water and reddish hills with desert vegetation behind. Visitors drive about 30 minutes from La Paz, or take a bus, Uber or tour, and enter in timed shifts with a wristband.

Highlights

  • Fine white sand
  • Shallow, calm turquoise water
  • El Hongo rock and viewpoint

Good to know

  • Buy wristband online; no cell signal
  • Two shifts daily; arrive early to queue
  • No food sold; few palapas

Also in Mexico

  1. Playa Norte N° 18 Playa Norte Isla Mujeres Resort beach
  2. Playa Ensenada Grande N° 66 Playa Ensenada Grande Isla Partida Island beach