By Patti Morrow<\/p>\n
On the shores of the Mexico\u2019s southern Baja peninsula is La Paz, an authentic and colorful Mexican city whose name translates \u201cthe Peace.\u201d Boasting 340 days of sunshine a year, beaches as beautiful as the Caribbean and a dessert climate that keeps the days warm and dry and the nights cool, you are spoiled for choice of things to do in La Paz.<\/p>\n
1.<\/strong>Resting lazily on the brilliant blue-green waters of the Sea of Cortez, La Paz was deemed \u201cthe world\u2019s aquarium\u201d by Jacques Cousteau because of the abundance and variety of sea life cushioned within its depths. Take a short boat to the protected waters of Isla Epiritu Santo Island where you\u2019ll find a rocky outcrop hosting a colony of wild sea lions. Don your wet suit and snorkel gear and slip into the chilly water and you\u2019ll find yourself face-to-face with a baby sea lion, ready for play.<\/p>\n 2. Consume Chocolate Clams<\/strong><\/p>\n Clams dipped in chocolate? Hardly! These mollusks are so named for their brown outer shell. They are served open with fresh lime which you are instructed to squeeze onto the live meat and watch the clam move. Then\u2026 you eat it. Be sure to wash it down with a Michelada, a local cerveza of beer, lime juice and optional sauces served in a salt-rimmed glass.<\/p>\n 3. Stroll the Mal\u00e9con<\/strong><\/p>\n The boardwalk hugging the shoreline, called the mal\u00e9con, is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Mexico. People stroll along the mal\u00e9con safety any time of day or night, but especially to view the stunning sunsets. The mal\u00e9con bustles daily with both tourists and residents enjoying the variety of restaurants and small shops, viewing the sculptures along the way or simply enjoy an afternoon of rollerblading along the paved pathway.<\/p>\n 4. Visit Historic Downtown<\/strong><\/p>\n For an afternoon away from the beach, take a stroll throughout downtown, visiting La Paz\u2019s central plaza and garden, the historic Catedral de Neustra Senora de La Paz, the aquarium, and plenty of shops along the way. Stop and get a copy of the Baja Citizen, La Paz\u2019s English newspaper and Allende Bookstore<\/strong><\/a> which has a large supply of English books.<\/p>\n 5. Pamper Yourself at a Luxury Resort<\/strong><\/p>\n