Nestled along the coast of the Sea of Cortez, La Paz, Mexico boasts a wide variety of biodiversity, with one-third of Earth’s marine mammals and over 900 birds and fish migrating through the region yearly. Famously known as “The World’s Aquarium,” a title unofficially awarded by oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, this coastal oasis is also a sanctuary to an array of terrestrial flora and fauna. Below, I’ve compiled an overview of some of the stunning habitats and abundant birdlife travelers find.
For birding enthusiasts, La Paz has unique visitors each season:
- Springtime migratory bonanza and nesting season: Travelers can witness the surge of northbound migrants, including Hooded warblers, the Painted redstarts, and Western tanbers. Resident birds like the Curve-billed thrashers and Cactus wrens also begin their nesting season.
- Summer’s breeding colors and seabirds: Resident birds transform to their most vibrant breeding plumage with standouts, including the Rufous-crowned sparrow with its fiery cap, the Gray hawk with its piercing yellow eyes, and the Common raven with its sleek black feathers. Seabirds like the famous Blue-footed booby, Brown pelican and Magnificent frigatebird dive into the Sea of Cortez for fishy meals.
- Springtime migration: Flocks of migratory birds head south for the winter, including flocks of Cedar waxwing, American avocet, and Sandhill crane. The resident Xantus’s hummingbirds also bring their iridescent feathers and emerald black and white bellies to display as flowers bloom.
- Winter arrivals: Winter brings some avian visitors from the north, including the Golden-crowned kinglet, American pipit and the elusive Northern flicker. La Paz also turns into a waterfowl wonderland with Snow geese, Cinnamon teals and Canadian geese honking through the season.
Notably, La Paz also boasts a fascinating tapestry of flora travelers can add to their botanical bucket list:
- Boojum Tree: This Dr. Seuss-esque wonder is an icon of the Baja California deserts. They can reach up to 20 meters; its vibrant yellow flowers contrast the rugged landscape.
- Elephant Tree: Endemic to Baja California, these giants can reach 30 feet, casting shade for weary travelers. Their small leaves unfurl during spring, while autumn brings clusters of pink flowers.
- La Paz Cacti: Baja California presents the perfect atmosphere for towering cacti like the Cardón Cactus, which can be over 65 feet, and the Organ Pipe Cactus, which grows in clusters and provides night-blooming white flowers for moths and bats to have their meals. Travelers can expect seasonal cacti blooms with fiery orange flowers in spring, creamy white blossoms in summer, and bright yellow blooms in late summer.
- Baja Fairy Duster: Exclusively in Baja California, these delicate shrubs explode in a cloud of fluffy pink flowers that add a touch of color to the desert landscapes in Spring and Summer.
