The 10 miles from Caleta Lobos into Marina CostaBaja in La Paz was a hazy but uneventful little pre-Christmas jaunt on December 22, 2016.
The Fox has always been partial to Marina CostaBaja because of its super-handy fuel dock (horizontal black line in the upper left corner of CostaBaja's map on the right), its docks that are super-sheltered from wind and surge, and the super-convenience of being at the far north end of La Paz's bay which makes for a quick entrance and getaway at a moment's notice. Not like we're ever impelled to flee a jurisdiction or anything.
Other cruisers prefer other marinas that are closer to the downtown action of La Paz, and they often claim that they avoid CostaBaja due to its higher moorage cost. However, we've found that the moorage expenses among all La Paz's marinas are less variable than they may first appear. For example, one marina may charge an apparently cheaper monthly rate for moorage than CostaBaja, but then add a second monthly rate for liveaboards; a third monthly rate for shore power; a fourth monthly rate for water; etc. In contrast, at CostaBaja a cruiser pays one monthly rate that includes all of the above. Added conveniences include the fuel dock that is right there; easy arrangements to get one's propane tanks filled; restaurants, a laundry, a gym, and ATMs available within the marina complex. Plus free daily shuttles into downtown La Paz. Plus a very nice seashell and boat-model museum. Yes; we have stayed at Marina de la Paz and anchored out in El Mogote, but we tend to return again and again to CostaBaja. It's what floats our boat.
We fueled up at CostaBaja's easy-access fuel dock, then moored at our assigned Dock H-20 (3d set of docks as you enter the inner harbor) without incident. The marina was clearly more developed and busier than it had been the last time we were in the area…in 2009. The marina staff were as professional & pleasantly helpful as always, and some of them we recognized from 7 years before. We took advantage of the marina's selection of restaurants – all excellent. We luxuriated in having our laundry done for us instead of ol' MS washing by hand in 5-gallon buckets. We shuttle-bussed into town for some pre-Christmas grocery provisioning and enjoyed an evening's Christmas concert hosted by Marina CostaBaja.
Big fun in the Big City!
m [La Paz photo via.]
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