Grocery Shopping in La Paz: Which Store for What (and No, There's No Costco)
La Paz has the big Mexican supermarket chains: Walmart, Sam's Club, City Club, Soriana and Chedraui. It also has a municipal market from 1964 for fresh fish and produce, and an organic market two mornings a week near the Malecón. What it doesn't have is a Costco: the nearest is in Cabo San Lucas, about two hours south. Here's which store to use for what. Every store with a page in our grocery directory is linked, with addresses, maps and every branch.
The Short Answer: Which Store for What
Most households here use two or three of these: one big store for the weekly shop, Sam's for bulk, and the mercado for fish and produce.
| You want… | Go to |
|---|---|
| One big stop: food, pharmacy, household, electronics | Walmart La PazThe largest single store in the city, on Av. Agustín Olachea; open daily 7 AM–11 PM |
| Bulk buys, boat provisioning, imported brands in volume | Sam's Club La PazMembership warehouse club on the same road as Walmart; daily 7 AM–10 PM |
| Bulk buys on the south and center side of town | City Club La PazSoriana's membership warehouse club in Plaza Forjadores; from 7 or 8 AM, closes 10 PM (9 PM Sunday) |
| Fresh produce, deli, bakery and tortillería | SorianaFour La Paz stores: three Soriana Híper and the smaller Súper El Mezquitito |
| Imported and specialty foods, wine | Chedraui (Selecto)The Selecto format carries more imported goods; four stores including two downtown |
| A downtown supermarket near the Malecón | Chedraui Centro (formerly Aramburo)The former Aramburo stores on Isabel la Católica and Madero, now Chedraui |
| Fresh fish, meat and produce at local prices | Mercado Municipal Nicolás BravoThe city's municipal market since 1964; daily 6 AM–4 PM, cash in pesos |
| Organic produce and local food makers | Mercado Orgánico y Artesanal (MOA)Tuesday and Saturday mornings on Antonio Rosales, a block off the Malecón |
| Late-night basics | OXXO and corner mini-supersOn almost every block, many open late or 24 hours |
| Pet food and supplies | Petco Galerías La PazInside Galerías La Paz, the main mall on Olachea |
| Water jugs, coolers, storm and home supplies | The Home Depot La PazOn Olachea in El Zacatal; open daily 8 AM–10 PM |
Is There a Costco in La Paz?
No. The only Costco in Baja California Sur is Costco Los Cabos, in Cabo San Lucas, about 159 km (roughly 2 hours) south of La Paz by road. Rumors of a La Paz store come up every year or so, but Costco has not announced one.
What people here do instead: buy in bulk at Sam's Club or City Club, and save the Costco run for a trip south. If you're weighing the two cities, La Paz vs. Los Cabos compares them, and Day Trips from La Paz has the drive times.
The Big Stores, Compared
The big chains take cards, keep long hours seven days a week, and have parking. Hours change on major holidays (Día de Reyes, Semana Santa, December 24 and 31), so check the store's page before you go.
Walmart La Paz
Walmart La Paz, on Avenida Agustín Olachea in Cola de Ballena, is the largest single store in the city and the first stop for most people setting up a home. It is a full Walmart México hypermarket: produce, meat, bakery and deli, packaged food, household goods, electronics, clothing, auto supplies and a pharmacy. It's open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM, and prices on produce, snacks and drinks are generally lower than at a US Walmart.
Tip: Sam's Club is on the same road, so one trip covers both.
Sam's Club La Paz
Sam's Club La Paz, on Olachea at Libramiento Sur, is the city's big warehouse club for bulk buying: household staples, cleaning supplies, paper goods, cooking oil, drinks, wine and spirits, and a strong imported-food section. You need a membership to shop. Sam's Club México sells several tiers (Clásica, Benefits and Plus) at the store and on sams.com.mx, and runs frequent promotions, so check the current price there. It's open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, an hour earlier than Walmart.
Tip: The first stop for provisioning a boat or stocking a vacation rental.
City Club La Paz
City Club La Paz is Soriana's warehouse club, in Plaza Forjadores on Boulevard Forjadores, close to Soriana Híper Forjadores. Like Sam's, it sells groceries and household goods in bulk, plus electronics, appliances and furniture, and has a tire center. You need a City Club membership to shop; memberships are sold at the club and on cityclub.com.mx. It's open Tuesday to Saturday from 7 AM to 10 PM, Monday from 8 AM to 10 PM and Sunday from 8 AM to 9 PM, and takes all major cards, including American Express.
Tip: The closer warehouse club if you live on the south or center side of town; Sam's is on Olachea.
Soriana
Soriana has four La Paz stores. The main one, Soriana Híper Forjadores on Boulevard Forjadores at Colosio, is open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM. Soriana Híper Punto La Paz in Mi Plaza is the former MEGA Comercial, Soriana Híper Cola de Ballena is on Libramiento Sur by Plaza Paseo La Paz, and the smaller Soriana Súper El Mezquitito is on Highway 1. Soriana is known for its fresh produce, deli, bakery (pan dulce and bolillos daily) and tortillería.
Tip: The Club Soriana loyalty card needs only a Mexican phone number.
Chedraui and Chedraui Selecto
Chedraui has three full-size stores in La Paz (Pueblo Nuevo, Centro and Santa Fe) plus the small Chedraui Supercito Selecto on Madero. The Selecto format carries more imported goods, specialty foods and wine than a standard Mexican supermarket, which makes it the first place to look for US and European brands. Chedraui bought La Paz's own Aramburo chain in early 2025, so both downtown stores, Chedraui Centro across from the Palacio de Gobierno and the Madero Supercito, are former Aramburo supermarkets.
Tip: Chedraui Centro is the closest full supermarket to the Malecón.
You'll also see Casa Ley supermarkets around town. City Club is in Plaza Forjadores, a shopping center with Sears and Coppel. And if an old map shows a MEGA Comercial, it is now Soriana Híper Punto La Paz.
Fresh Markets: Fish, Produce and the Organic Market
Mercado Municipal Nicolás Bravo, the Mercado Bravo to most locals, is the city's municipal market on Calle Nicolás Bravo in the Centro. It opened in 1964 and has about fifty stalls: fruit and vegetables (look for pitaya and guava in season), butchers, fishmongers, and food stalls with fish tacos at the back. It's open daily from 6 AM to 4 PM, most stalls take cash only, and the food stalls close first, so go in the morning.
Mercado Orgánico y Artesanal (MOA) is La Paz's farmers market: local growers and makers set up on Tuesday and Saturday mornings on Antonio Rosales, a block off the Malecón, with organic fruit and vegetables, homemade dairy and sausages, breads, salsas and crafts. Go early for the best produce.
Finding American and Imported Products
Most everyday US brands are sold in Mexico, often under a Spanish name or in different packaging, so look for the product type as well as the brand. The best places to look, in order:
- Chedraui Selecto: the widest imported and specialty range, and a good wine section.
- Sam's Club: imported brands in bulk.
- Walmart: the broadest general selection under one roof.
- Amazon México (amazon.com.mx): ships to La Paz, for things the stores don't carry.
Some specific items (a favorite detergent, a peanut butter brand, baking specialties) come and go. Long-term residents keep a short list and stock up on trips north or to Cabo.
Grocery Delivery in La Paz
The big delivery apps, Rappi, Uber Eats and DiDi Food, all work in La Paz and deliver from most supermarkets, including Chedraui, Soriana, Casa Ley and City Club, plus OXXO and pharmacies. Which stores each app carries, and how fast it delivers, changes and depends on your address, so check the apps before you count on one.
Tips for Shopping Like a Local
- Bring your own bags. Baja California Sur restricted single-use plastic bags in 2019, so keep reusable bags in the car.
- Pay by card or in pesos. The chains take cards; dollars, where accepted, get a poor rate. Bring pesos for the markets. Our currency exchange guide covers ATMs and banks.
- Tip the baggers. The older adults bagging groceries at the big chains are volunteers through INAPAM, Mexico's institute for older adults, and work for tips. A few pesos is customary.
- Use the in-store pharmacies. Walmart and Soriana have pharmacy counters, and many common medicines are sold over the counter in Mexico. For doctors and hospitals, see Healthcare in La Paz.
- Shop early in summer. Do the big shop in the morning before the heat, and bring a cooler bag for the drive home.
Provisioning a Boat in La Paz
Cruisers usually split the shop three ways: bulk and paper goods at Sam's Club, imported food and wine at Chedraui Selecto, and fresh fish and produce at the Mercado Bravo on the last day. The two downtown Chedrauis are the closest supermarkets to the Malecón marinas; Walmart and Sam's on Olachea are a short drive or taxi ride.
For current tips (which store has what this week, where to fill water jugs), listen to the morning cruisers' net on VHF 22 run by Club Cruceros de La Paz, and see our marinas directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Costco in La Paz, Mexico?
No. The nearest Costco is Costco Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas, about 159 km (roughly 2 hours) south of La Paz. Costco has not announced a La Paz store. For bulk buying in La Paz, the warehouse clubs are Sam's Club on Avenida Agustín Olachea and City Club on Boulevard Forjadores.
What is the biggest grocery store in La Paz?
Walmart La Paz on Avenida Agustín Olachea, a full Walmart México hypermarket with groceries, a pharmacy, electronics and household goods. It is open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM.
Do I need a membership to shop at Sam's Club La Paz?
Yes. Sam's Club México sells memberships at the store and on sams.com.mx, in several tiers with frequent promotions, so check the current price before you go.
Where can I buy American products in La Paz?
Start with Chedraui Selecto, which carries the widest range of imported goods, then Sam's Club for imported brands in bulk and Walmart for the broadest general selection. Many US brands are sold in Mexico under Spanish names or different packaging, so look by product type as well as brand. Amazon México also ships to La Paz.
Is there a farmers market in La Paz?
Yes. The Mercado Orgánico y Artesanal (MOA) sets up on Tuesday and Saturday mornings on Antonio Rosales, a block off the Malecón, with organic produce, dairy, breads and local products. The Mercado Municipal Nicolás Bravo in the Centro is open daily from 6 AM to 4 PM for fish, meat and produce.
Can I get groceries delivered in La Paz?
Yes. Rappi, Uber Eats and DiDi Food all deliver in La Paz, from most supermarkets including Chedraui, Soriana, Casa Ley and City Club. Stores and delivery times change, so check the apps for your address.
Can I pay in US dollars at La Paz supermarkets?
Sometimes, at a poor exchange rate. The big chains all take credit and debit cards, so pay by card or in pesos. Bring pesos in cash for the markets.
¿Hay Costco en La Paz, BCS?
No. El Costco más cercano es Costco Los Cabos, en Cabo San Lucas, a unos 159 km de La Paz. En La Paz, la opción de mayoreo es Sam's Club, sobre la Av. Agustín Olachea.
¿A qué hora abre Walmart La Paz?
Walmart La Paz, en la Av. Agustín Olachea, abre todos los días de 7:00 a 23:00. Los horarios pueden cambiar en días festivos.
Setting up a home here? Moving to La Paz covers residency and budgets, and Living in La Paz covers daily life. Every store above, with maps and every branch, is in the grocery directory.