La Paz Marina Guide

La Paz sits on a wide, well-protected bay on the eastern shore of Baja California Sur — the destination most Pacific Coast cruisers and yacht owners settle into for the winter season, and the gateway to the islands and channels of the southern Sea of Cortez that Jacques Cousteau once called "the aquarium of the world." The cruising season runs roughly October through May; June through November is hurricane season, and it shapes almost every marina decision made in this region.

La Paz is home to three full-service marinas, and unlike some other Baja destinations, all three are genuinely worth knowing. Here's how they stack up.

1. Marina CostaBaja

Location: Carretera a Pichilingue, Km 7.5, La Paz, B.C.S. — about a 15-minute drive from downtown, with a marina shuttle running into town.

Opened in 2005 as the marina anchor of the CostaBaja Resort & Spa, Marina CostaBaja was built from the outset as a first-class, full-service facility rather than a retrofit of an older harbor. It's our top overall pick for owners running larger or higher-value yachts, and it's widely considered the most storm-secure marina in La Paz — the inner harbor is tucked behind high hills that offer real shelter, a significant factor for owners deciding where to leave a yacht through the summer.

Specs: 250 slips across a protected, double-basin layout with concrete docks; accommodates vessels from 30 feet up to megayachts in the 200-foot-plus range.

Amenities: Fuel dock and pump-out, 24-hour security and gated access, high-speed WiFi (consistently rated among the fastest of any marina in the region), a full-service boatyard next door for haul-outs and repairs, and access to the resort's pool, golf course, spa, and multiple restaurants. Water is desalinated — worth checking total dissolved solids before filling tanks, as quality can vary.

Pricing: Positioned at the top of La Paz's pricing tier, quoted per foot per day with separate metering for electricity and water. Rates shift with season and exchange rate, so we'd recommend a live quote over a fixed number here.

Notable policies: Advance reservations are strongly recommended in peak season (November–April). The marina no longer runs a full on-site laundry — a pickup-and-delivery service exists but at a premium. The beach club is no longer bundled into marina access; the resort pool still is.

2. Marina de La Paz

Location: Calle Topete 3040, on the downtown malecón, La Paz, B.C.S.

Marina de La Paz is the social heart of La Paz's cruising community, and consistently the most sought-after berths in the Sea of Cortez during winter season. It's a family-owned, no-frills marina geared toward cruising sailboats and trawlers rather than megayachts, and it's built its reputation on community as much as facilities — Club Cruceros, the marina's long-running cruisers' social club, runs an active clubhouse and activity schedule right on site.

Specs: Roughly 100–120 slips (sources vary slightly), typically serving vessels in the 30–70 foot range, though larger boats can be accommodated.

Amenities: Launch ramp, dock carts, pump-out service, chandlery, laundry, a restaurant, and the Club Cruceros clubhouse. Close to chandleries, the Banjercito, and the Port Captain's office, which makes it a convenient base for anyone handling their own clearance paperwork.

Pricing: Generally the most affordable of La Paz's three marinas, though — as with the others — exact per-foot rates shift seasonally and are best confirmed directly.

Notable policies: Book well in advance for November through April; this is the marina most likely to be full during peak season. There's no dedicated haul-out facility on site — owners needing bottom work typically use the boatyards at Marina CostaBaja or Marina Palmira.

3. Marina Palmira

Location: Carretera a Pichilingue, Km 2.5, La Paz, B.C.S. — closer to downtown than CostaBaja, further than Marina de La Paz.

Marina Palmira sits comfortably between the other two in both size and price, and its standout feature is offering both wet slips and dry (on-land) storage in the same complex — a genuine advantage for owners who split time between seasons or want their vessel out of the water without relocating it elsewhere. It now shares amenities with The Marine Waterfront hotel next door.

Specs: Roughly 180–190 slips, accommodating vessels from about 25 feet up to the 145–160 foot range depending on berth.

Amenities: Fuel dock, 24-hour security, a boatyard with repair services, dry storage, and hotel pool access through the adjoining Marine Waterfront property.

Pricing: Mid-range within the La Paz market — above Marina de La Paz, generally below CostaBaja. Confirm current rates directly given seasonal movement.

Notable policies: The combination of wet and dry storage makes Palmira a practical choice for owners planning to haul out for hurricane season rather than leave a vessel in the water. Reservations are recommended for peak months.

Working With Us in La Paz

Whichever of these three fits your vessel and budget, the logistics are similar: securing a slip during peak season, coordinating haul-outs and bottom work, keeping an eye on your yacht when you're not aboard, and handling provisioning or detailing before a charter guest or owner arrives. 

Our team works across all three La Paz marinas and can help you choose the right one for your vessel, manage reservations, and set up an ongoing maintenance plan — whether you're berthed here year-round or laying up for hurricane season.

Reach out to our team to talk through slip options in La Paz or to set up a maintenance plan for your vessel.