The best time to visit La Paz, month by month

The right question is not when, it is what

La Paz has good weather almost all year, so the date of your trip should be decided by the wildlife, not the thermometer. Each species has its window and some do not overlap.

October to April — whale sharks

Whale sharks come into the bay to feed in shallow water. It is the only window of the year and the activity is regulated: there is a maximum number of boats and of swimmers in the water at any one time. Book ahead in December and January.

January to March — gray whales

Gray whales arrive from the Arctic to the Pacific lagoons to calve. They are seen at Puerto Chale, two hours from La Paz by road. February usually has the most mothers with calves.

Year-round — Espíritu Santo Island

The island has no season: you can visit all twelve months. What does change is the sea lion swim, which authorities may close during breeding season between late May and August. In those months the tour still runs with snorkeling at other spots.

Summer — the warmest water

From July to September the water reaches pool temperatures and visibility is the best of the year. In exchange it is very hot on land and it is hurricane season, so keep your dates flexible.

How we would plan it

If you come between January and March you can do all three tours on one trip: whale sharks one morning, the island another full day, and gray whales on a third. It is the only time of year when that works.