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At the Costa Baja in La Paz, Mexico

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to travel to La Paz, Mexico with some sweet friends and fellow bloggers for a relaxing weekend getaway courtesy of the Mexico Tourism Board.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

Located near the tip of the Baja Peninsula, the peaceful coastal town of La Paz is tucked away on the gorgeous, clear waters of the Sea of Cortez. We went snorkeling. We swam with sea lions. We dined on a private island. We walked along the beach as the sun set over the ocean.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

I never dreamed that my blog — my home on the web where I’ve shared photos since high school — the one about my husband, my dogs, my love for photography and also traveling would send me to places like Los Angeles, New York, and certainly not Mexico!

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, MexicoWith Lori @ RecipeGirl, Jenny @ Picky Palate, and Katie @ Good Life Eats

Is it safe to travel to Mexico? That is what I kept asking myself every day last week! Should I take my camera? My laptop? Ipad? Will they be safe in the room? What about my passport? Will I feel safe in the airport? Am I going to get sick from the water??

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

In the end, I decided to take a chance. I packed it all. Everything I’d normally take with me in the states, I brought to Mexico. Laptop. IPad. Canon 7D. My favorite lens. My wide angle lens. All into the backpack it went.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

And I’m so glad I did. I would’ve been heartbroken to be in this beautiful city without my camera. I felt 100% completely safe the entire time I was in Mexico. The airports were safe, easy to navigate, and they even had free Wifi. (Just buy something at Starbucks in the airport and the username and password is on the receipt — the same login worked for all three airports we traveled through, coming and going.) Most travelers had iPads and iPhones themselves.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

The resort, Costa Baja, had a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The in-room safe was large enough for my laptop, iPad, passport, and even my big camera with the even bigger lens. Plus the wide angle lens. Although most days I left my iPad and laptop charging out in the room, without worry.

And everyone, everyone spoke English.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

The open-air lobby at the Costa Baja Resort had an unlimited supply of chilled bottled water for the taking, along with in-room mini fridges to keep them icy cold. We were assured that all the water at the resort was purified, and after the first day of skepticism and strictly adhering to bottled-water only, the second day of La Paz’s warm temperatures persuaded me to give the ice a chance. I lived! Although I still insisted on brushing my teeth with bottled water.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

Here was my room at the Costa Baja.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

My view from the balcony.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

And check out the large, crystal clear glass shower…

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

Oh my!

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

This is where I wanted to live.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

Here’s a photo I snapped with my phone from one of the leaf-shaped loungers. They would get all nice and toasty and perfectly warm from the sun. I would dip my toes in the pool and take in the view. They were completely enveloping.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

This is the view I’m talking about.

The Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Mexico

I’m still in a totally mellow and completely dreamy state from our short stay here. I’ll be back next week with some photos of our trip to Isla Espiritu Santo, snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez, sunset at the Malecón, and even lunch at the famed Hotel California. Have a beautiful Friday!

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68 Responses
  1. Julia Kruz

    I enjoyed your trip, amazing pictures. Kevin and Amanda you are a very beautiful pair by the way. I would like to visit these places. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Claudia

    Beautiful pictures as always. I’m a follower of yours, though I’ve been away from blogland for a while (personal issues…still dealing with them!), still, it was a delight to go through your website and see oh so many wonderful places and pictures. Your trip to Mexico was no exception. Oh the colors!!! Mexico, and I dare say all of the Latin American region, is filled with strong and powerful colors.
    I’m glad you enjoyed your trip, and everything fulfilled your expectations. I have to confess, though, that it’s rather…how should I say it…sad? annoying? that everyone thinks Mexico or other Latin American countries are not up to American or European standards. I am from and live in Guatemala, and while we have our issues (every-single-country-in-the-world does!!, including the USA) there is plenty wonderful around. Specially so the touristic sites and destinations. I’m glad Mexico proved it!, and you were able to share it with others around :o) Have a lovely day!!!

  3. anickh

    wow im so jealous. i wish i could go there right now. so beautiful, and the water at Isla Espiritu Santo looks so clear. bet the trip was amazing!

  4. Karen Melbourne

    I am literally blow away by your photography, blog etc, thank you for sharing it with me and others, looking forward to your new stuff :)

  5. Natalee

    Amanda, there is just one thing missing….. your husband. I just couldn’t have left mine behind. That`s a paradise for a couple! If its your job to promote this location, you did a great job!

  6. Urban Wife

    What gorgeous pictures of a place that looks like a slice of heaven! You are blessed to have such awesome traveling experiences. Thanks for sharing them with us!

  7. Julie {Angry Julie Monday}

    Your photographs are beautiful and breathtaking….they make me feel like I was there with you. Thank you so much for sharing!

  8. Elizabeth

    Your blog is an inspiration to a lot of people… dog people (the way I originaly found you a while back ago), food people, photography people… seriously how do you do it?

  9. Teaque

    Amazing photos Amanda! (as usual!) I was wondering if sometime you could talk about coloring in your photos. I seem to struggle with getting such great color in my photos like yours. Is this a camera setting issue or a photo processing issue?? Thanks for any tips or insight you might have!

  10. Stacey

    Beautiful pictures! The hubs and I honeymooned in Cabo. We took a day trip up to Todos Santos to check out The Hotel California…. such a cute little place. Did you sample their Tequila? It makes the perfect margarita and the bottle is awesome looking (yes, we still have it).
    I really enjoy your blog…. keep up the good work!
    Cheers!
    Stacey

  11. Francisco Gonzalez

    Hi Amanda, I’m a law student from La Paz. I would like to thank you for sharing your positive La Paz experience to the world via your blog.

    I enjoyed reading how at first you were skeptical about the security aspect of visiting Mexico, but after arriving to La Paz you didn’t feel that and instead fell-in-love with the reality–the beauty and tranquility.

  12. Cathy E

    Amazing photos!!! I want to be there now. We have enjoyed Rocky Point, Mexico with family twice now – I think we need to go back! TFS

  13. sinika

    That’s it- I want to go there!! And I think the hotel should use your photos for their brochures because they’re amazing!!

    My blog has some iphone pics from our Eiffel Tower visit up right now… Isn’t traveling the best?

  14. Sara

    I would love, love, love to take a trip here. We were in Mexico about and hour and a half south of Cancun, last November and did not feel unsafe at all. My kids loved it!

  15. Angie

    I think I could live there … seriously beautiful! Glad you had such a great time in Mexico. It’s my husband and I’s favorite place to vacation and people are always asking us if we feel safe traveling there and I always tell them YES YES YES!!! We’ll definitely need to add Costa Baja in La Paz to the list for future travels as we haven’t been there yet.

    Thanks for the shot looking out to the water beyond your toes … made me feel like I was there ;)

  16. Ashlee

    Amanda,
    I’m a fellow photographer, and I’m always impressed by your angles, composition, and bright lighting. I have to know however, how do you get to take all these trips? LOL. I’d kill to for the opportunity to shoot some of the things you have. No seriously, how’d you get into it? ; )

  17. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    What an adventure and so beautiful clicks Amanda! That resort is so scenic and breath-taking. I want to go there. Now. Pronto. :D

  18. Synz

    You really take beautiful photos. I hope you could post some photography tips so we can take photos like yours. :) Your blog has been my no.1 since I saw it. It has always been my inspiration to continue blogging. :D Looking forward on your next post! ^_^

  19. amy s (OH)

    What a beautiful place! Glad you had a nice time.
    Don’t your husbands miss you ladies when you are gone traveling so much? ; )
    I love your blog!

  20. Jen @ The Decor Scene

    Gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing Amanda!!! I never wanted to go to Mexico either, but this place has me thinking I want to go now. GORGEOUS!!!

  21. Debi Boz

    What beautiful pictures… I have only driven thru La Paz, We always vacation in Cabo San Lucas… Yes Mexico in the Baja is very safe…

  22. Sues

    Your photos look like they came straight from the tourism website! The colors are absolutely gorgeous! Sounds like you had an wonderful trip :) And now I need to get myself a wide angle lens! :)

  23. Heather G.

    WOW, Beautiful pictures! My husband and I will be traveling to Mexico, Belize, and Honduras in December on a cruise for mission work! I can’t wait to take beautiful pictures too!

  24. Anne

    WOW! Costa Baja is gorgeous! I need to put this resort on my list of places I’d like to visit. Looks so inviting and relaxing. Can’t wait to see the rest of your pics.

  25. Alice Hanson

    Amanda,
    You hit a home x3! The pictures are fabulous. Thank goodness you took all the equipment. I love following you and all your adventures.
    Smiles, Alice

  26. The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh

    That looks wonderful! I have to admit I have the same concerns you had so I don’t know if we’d make the trip over our usual Hawaii but it looks beautiful. Did the bedroom shut off from the shower? That kind of weirded me out! LOL

    Glad you had a great time. Those little relaxation chairs in the pool look really awesome!

    1. Amanda

      Hi Mickey! You can click on any photo to see the camera, lens, and settings I used. Most of these were taken with my wide angle. :)

  27. Donna

    Oh, what a gorgeous place to take a few days of rest and relaxation! Have a great time for all of us! Your photos of this area, the hotel and the grounds should bring them many future guests! Waiting to see more …

    Blessings,
    Donna
    grandma4five

  28. Grammy@gram-cracker.com/blog

    I’m pretty sure I would have fit in your suitcase (you packed a steamer trunk, right??)….please remember that if you ever go back there!!

    p.s…I would of course, pay the “checked bag” fee…:)

  29. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga

    Your photography is beyond splendid, Amanda! WOW!!!!!!!!!

    I was just in Mexico City with Penny D. on a photography workshop and I brought my Canon 5D. And my 24-70mm lens. And trust me, where I was, was NOTHING LIKE where you were. Where you were was probably safer and more beautiful than about 90% of America! Where I was…well…let’s just say I saw some of the most eye opening things in my life, but still glad I bought my camera and never felt unsafe.

    The only time I’ve really felt unsafe traveling was when I was alone in the Amazon (Costa Rica) and on the border of Nicaragua. It was a little dicey there, but I lived. Actually, living in certain parts of Chicago in my early 20s was probably the diciest.

    But I digress. You have done the Board of Tourism proud!!!

    I followed all of your updates on twitter and instagram and am thrilled to see this post! Thank you for sharing it!!! :)

  30. Wendy McAlister

    Hi Amanda! I’m a new follower since Monday. I’m taking portrait photography classes and my freind and teacher brought up your site in class. :) WE ARE ALL VERY IMPRESSED!! These photos are beautiful! I only wish I had my canon 60D when I was in Mexico last year. Anyways, I have your blog at the top of my favorites!! I’ll be looking at daily from now on! Thank you for all that you give!

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Meet Kevin & Amanda

Kevin and Amanda

We love to travel and to eat! Here we share our favorite quick and easy recipes, plus travel tips and guides for our favorite places around the world. If you have any questions about what camera I use or how I edit my photos, check out my photography tutorials.

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