Balandra, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México.

Balandra Balandra, is considered one of the most beautiful beaches; not only in Mexico but within the entire world. Easy to reach, Balandra is only half a hour away by car from La Paz, The Capital City `of Baja California Sur. The beach is also famous for the mushroom-shaped rock that defines the unique and wonderful landscape of this spectacular and majestic beach.

This peculiar rock has been shaped by the hands of time and each year receives thousands of domestic and foreign tourists arriving to snap the traditional souvenir photo. Because of Balandra’s white sand and calm and crystalline waters, this gorgeous and tranquil beach is considered by many to be a natural pool surrounded by hills of reddish mountainous colors.

The area of ​​more than 2,500 hectares (6, 177 acres) surrounding the beach was decreed by the environmental authorities as a Natural Protected Area and recently received the Ramsar badge awarded by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) to those wetlands of international importance in terms of its conservation.

“This beach has six of the nine criteria that UNESCO demands be considered a site of international relevance; Its mangrove is one of the northernmost and best preserved. It is also the birthplace of countless birds, fish and crustaceans, “said Francisco Álvarez, director of Flora and Fauna Protection of the Balandra Protected Area.

“The scenic beauty is spectacular; It combines the mountain range with the marine part. It is a very special place and a beach for all the public, “said Álvarez. This beach hosts a rich flora and fauna, especially fish and birds associated with the mangrove, which brings a unique biological importance to the place, added the environmental director. The tranquility of its waters is one of the attributes that tourists most appreciate in Balandra Beach, where people can go into the water along dozens of meters without it surpassing the meter of depth.

Carla Gutiérrez, a tourist from the state of Guanajuato, said that this beach is different from all the ones she had known before: “The water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the sea. Without a doubt, the little children are the ones who best enjoy it without the danger of waves and great depths.” Gabriela Gómez, another swimmer, arrived in Balandra by car from the municipality of Los Cabos, touring the south-eastern beaches of Baja California Sur, and this was her favorite. “I have visited all the beaches and they are excellent, especially this one. It is very clean, the people are very friendly, the water is warm and the sunset was highly recommended,” she said.

According to a classification made by USA Today newspaper, based on the opinions of its readers, Balandra was chosen as the best in Mexico, ahead of 20 well-known beaches located in the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as other beaches located in California. In addition, the fun water activities available at Balandra include kayaking, and snorkeling.

Written by Fernando Rodriguez