After years of visiting La Paz, the 471-year-old capital city of southern Baja, it's clear that the Mexico city is finally attracting the attention of numerous developers.
The fishing remains some of the best in the world, the weather in April was nearly perfect -- 90s in the day, cooler evenings and although the flight down is packed with American tourists, almost all are heading to the resorts of Cabo San Lucas. Few still take the drive up the East Cape and over the mountains to La Paz, a city of about 250,000 and a center of commerce for the Baja.
While a few condo projects such as La Concha Pearl have been marketed for several years, La Paz has escaped the onslaught of large hotel, condo and golf course projects. As a result, the city has been much more affordable, attracting more Mexican visitors than gringos.
But big changes are in the wind.
A new project, Playa del La Paz, is planned as a high-end luxury development, with 60 condos being offered, starting at about $700,000. Even more amazing, we discovered numerous "private property" signs poking out of the desert on the drive out to Tecolote Beach, where you can depart for panga rides or kayak trips out to the environmental sensitive Espiritu Santo Island. A new project, Maravia Country Club Estates, including an 18-hole golf course, is being advertised there.
Espiritu Santo is a biological wonderland, where new species are still being discovered. Fortunately, after years of debate, the island has been protected by the Mexican government. But the prospect of new development and a golf course just across the narrow strait between the island and the peninsula is worrisome.
The 23,383-acre island in the Sea of Cortez is one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world and holds both tropical forests and coral reefs, the two richest ecosystems and the two most threatened by climate change, according to IPS News.
The waters around the island also are home to resident colonies of sea lion -- where visitors are allowed to snorkle right in their midst -- and 500 species of fish. Work to continue to protect the island is under way by the Nature Conservancy.
I'll be getting back to the Baja as soon as I can, since I discover something new every time I visit. Despite much hotter days, the fishing only gets better through the summer months. On this trip we even let the guides know we did not want to catch any more of the large striped marlin, all caught and released, choosing instead to fish for more Dorado, and bringing in nice filets each night to eat fresh at different restaurants.
I've written about my Baja trips in the past, but now it looks like the secret of the appeal of La Paz is really starting to get out.
Comments