La Paz Weather & Climate
La Paz has a hot, arid desert climate with about 170mm (6.7 inches) of rain per year — true desert levels. Winters are dry and mild, making it one of Mexico's top winter-sun destinations. Summers are hot and humid with a real hurricane season. Knowing when to come makes all the difference.
Coldest month
January
18°C avg / 65°F
Hottest month
August
31°C avg / 88°F
Driest months
Mar – Jun
0mm rainfall
Wettest month
September
~60mm
At a Glance — All 12 Months
Jan
18°C
excellent
Feb
19°C
excellent
Mar
21°C
excellent
Apr
23°C
very good
May
26°C
good
Jun
28°C
challenging
Jul
30°C
challenging
Aug
31°C
avoid
Sep
30°C
avoid
Oct
27°C
good
Nov
23°C
very good
Dec
20°C
excellent
| Month | Avg | High / Low | Rain | Sea | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C / 65°F | 25°C / 76°F 12°C / 54°F | 15mm | 21°C / 70°F | Peak season. Dry, warm, ideal for all activities. Gray whale watching begins. Light jacket for evenings. |
| Feb | 19°C / 67°F | 26°C / 79°F 12°C / 54°F | ~10mm | 21°C / 69°F | Slightly fewer crowds than January. Coolest sea water of the year. Gray whale season continues. Still excellent. |
| Mar | 21°C / 69°F | 27°C / 81°F 14°C / 57°F | 0–5mm | 21°C / 69°F | One of the driest months. Perfect balance of warmth and low crowds. Whale shark season winds down end of April. Gray whales end mid-March. |
| Apr | 23°C / 73°F | 30°C / 85°F 16°C / 61°F | 0mm | 22°C / 72°F | Driest month of the year. Sea warming to comfortable levels. Whale shark season continues through April. Before peak summer heat. |
| May | 26°C / 78°F | 32°C / 90°F 19°C / 66°F | 0mm | 24°C / 75°F | Warm to hot. Last month of whale shark season (ends May 31). Sea at comfortable swimming temperature. Hurricane season begins May 15 — actual risk still very low. |
| Jun | 28°C / 83°F | 34°C / 93°F 23°C / 73°F | 0mm | 26°C / 79°F | Very hot and dry. Sea lion swimming FORBIDDEN (Jun 1–Aug 31). Plan morning activities. Hurricane risk still low. Lower tourist season. |
| Jul | 30°C / 86°F | 35°C / 95°F 25°C / 76°F | 20mm | 28°C / 82°F | Hot and increasingly humid. First meaningful rainfall. Hurricane season active — monitor forecasts. Coromuel winds provide nighttime relief. |
| Aug | 31°C / 88°F | 36°C / 97°F 26°C / 78°F | 50mm | 29°C / 84°F | Hottest month. Peak heat + humidity. Highest hurricane risk window begins. Sea lions still closed. Least comfortable for most visitors. |
| Sep | 30°C / 86°F | 35°C / 95°F 25°C / 77°F | 60mm | 29°C / 84°F | Wettest month. Peak hurricane/tropical storm threat. Sea lions reopen Sep 1 — some redemption for adventurous travelers. Lowest tourist season. |
| Oct | 27°C / 81°F | 33°C / 91°F 21°C / 70°F | 20mm | 27°C / 81°F | Conditions improving through the month. Hurricane risk declining. Whale shark season reopens October 1. Sea lions accessible. Good for deal-seekers. |
| Nov | 23°C / 73°F | 29°C / 84°F 17°C / 63°F | 10mm | 25°C / 77°F | One of the best months. Warm water, comfortable air, low humidity. Hurricane season ends Nov 30. Whale sharks and sea lions both accessible. Shoulder pricing. |
| Dec | 20°C / 67°F | 26°C / 79°F 13°C / 55°F | 15mm | 23°C / 73°F | Peak season begins. Mild and dry. Excellent for outdoor activities. Whale sharks and sea lions both accessible. Higher prices and more visitors. |
Temperature data based on 1991–2020 climate normals. Sea temperatures approximate.
Best Time to Visit
Best Overall
November – AprilMost comfortable temperatures, minimal rainfall, low humidity. Access to whale sharks (Oct–May) and sea lions (Sep–May). Peak pricing applies December–March.
Sweet Spot (Value + Weather)
November or March – AprilNovember: warm water, comfortable air, hurricane season just ended, shoulder pricing. March–April: dry, warm, whale sharks still running, before extreme summer heat.
Winter Sun Seekers
December – February65–76°F / 18–24°C daytime. Virtually no rain. Gray whale watching January–March in Magdalena Bay. Peak crowds and prices, but the weather is genuinely excellent.
Budget / Off-Season
June – SeptemberLowest prices and fewest crowds — but also peak heat (35–36°C / 95–97°F), humidity, and hurricane risk. Sea lions closed June–August. Experienced travelers find it manageable; first-timers generally don't.
Best Times by Activity
| Activity | Season | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Whale Sharks | October – May | December – March |
| Sea Lions at Los Islotes Forbidden June 1 – August 31 | September – May | January – April |
| Gray Whales (Magdalena Bay) | January – March | February |
| Comfortable Beach Weather | November – April | December – March |
| Kiteboarding (La Ventana) | November – March | January – February |
| Warmest Ocean Water Worst weather otherwise | August – October | August – September |
| Budget / Fewest Crowds Challenging heat and storm risk | June – September | — |
Hurricane Season
La Paz sits in the Eastern North Pacific hurricane basin. The official season runs May 15 – November 30, but the practical risk is heavily concentrated in late summer.
Lower risk
May–Jun, Nov
Season open but storms rare
Moderate risk
July, October
Active season, decreasing by Oct
Highest risk
August – September
Peak overlap of heat + storm activity
Historical context
Hurricane Odile (September 2014) was one of the most powerful storms to strike the Baja Peninsula, causing significant damage across BCS. La Paz has since updated building codes and disaster preparedness. The sheltered bay provides some protection from Pacific swells, but direct landfalls remain a genuine risk during peak season.
What to do
If visiting June–November, monitor the NOAA National Hurricane Center (nhc.noaa.gov) for Eastern Pacific tropical weather. Most hotels and tour operators are experienced with seasonal weather and will suspend marine activities during warnings. Travel insurance is advisable for bookings in August–October.
Packing by Season
November – April (Peak Season)
- Light clothing for warm days
- Light jacket or sweater for evenings (temps drop to 12–17°C / 54–63°F at night)
- Layers — desert temperature swings are significant
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Wetsuit for whale shark / sea lion tours (operators provide these)
- Rain jacket not needed
May – October (Summer/Shoulder)
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- Strong sun protection (hat, rashguard, SPF 50+)
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Rain jacket or light packable shell (July–Sep)
- Hurricane season travel insurance (Aug–Oct)
- Hydration — heat + low humidity dehydrates quickly
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit La Paz?
November and March–April are the sweet spots. November has warm water, comfortable air temperatures, the end of hurricane season, and shoulder pricing. March–April is dry, warm, and still within whale shark season — without peak-season crowds or prices.
When is hurricane season in La Paz?
The official Eastern North Pacific hurricane season runs May 15 – November 30. La Paz's highest risk window is August–September. The city's sheltered bay provides some protection from Pacific swells, and infrastructure has improved significantly since Hurricane Odile (2014). Monitor NOAA's National Hurricane Center (nhc.noaa.gov) if visiting during this period.
Is La Paz good for a winter vacation?
Excellent. December through March offers comfortable temperatures (18–27°C / 65–80°F), virtually no rain, and access to whale shark tours and sea lion snorkeling. It's a top snowbird destination for US and Canadian visitors escaping cold winters.
How hot does La Paz get in summer?
Highs reach 35–36°C (95–97°F) in July–August, with added humidity making it feel hotter. Nights are more manageable thanks to the Coromuel winds — a unique Pacific breeze that cools the bay area on summer evenings. Most visitors find late summer uncomfortable.
Does La Paz get much rain?
La Paz is a true desert: annual rainfall is only about 170mm (6.7 inches). The year's rain is concentrated in July–September, with September being the wettest month at ~60mm. March, April, and May typically see zero rainfall at all.
What is the sea temperature in La Paz?
Sea temperature ranges from a cool 20–21°C (68–70°F) in January–March to a warm 29°C (84°F) in August–September. The most comfortable window for swimming is April–November (22–29°C). A wetsuit is recommended for whale shark and sea lion tours in winter months.
What are the Coromuel winds?
A unique weather phenomenon specific to La Paz. During summer, cooling breezes blow inland from the Pacific Ocean over the Baja Peninsula into La Paz Bay at night, providing natural air conditioning when the desert heat would otherwise make evenings uncomfortable.
Is October a good time to visit?
It depends on your tolerance for heat and some residual storm risk. Early October is still warm (33°C / 91°F highs) with declining hurricane risk. By mid-to-late October conditions improve noticeably. Whale shark season reopens October 1, sea lions are accessible, and prices are lower than peak season. Adventurous travelers find good value.