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The best time to visit La Paz depends on what you want: warm dry days, swimming with whale sharks, or lower hotel rates. The city is a year-round destination thanks to a hot desert climate, but October to November and March to May deliver the most comfortable weather with the fewest trade-offs. This La Paz travel guide summary walks through each season by the numbers.
Best Time to Visit La Paz for Good Weather
For pleasant daytime temperatures and almost no rain, target March to May and October to November. March averages 28.4C (83F), April 31C (88F) and May 33.7C (93F), with 0mm of rain in all three months and low humidity. October (33C, 91F) and November (29C, 84F) are slightly cooler after the summer heat and see only 10mm and 5mm of rain. July and August are the hottest months at 36.7C (98F), and September is the wettest at 60mm (2.4in), which is why the shoulder seasons win. For the full monthly breakdown, see our La Paz weather by month guide.
Best Time to Visit La Paz for Whale Sharks and Whales
Swimming with whale sharks in the Bay of La Paz runs from October through April, with the most reliable sightings from November to March. Grey whales arrive in Magdalena Bay, about 3.5 hours away by car, from mid-January to late March. If marine life is your priority, book a February or March trip to overlap both species. Operators for whale shark and sea lion tours are detailed in our things to do in La Paz guide, and the grey whale season anchors the local La Paz events and festivals calendar.
Best Time to Visit La Paz for Low Prices and Fewer Crowds
Hotel rates in La Paz peak from December through March and again around Easter, when North American visitors arrive for the whales and the mild winter weather. The cheapest periods are July through September, but you trade savings for 98F heat, high humidity and hurricane risk. The best value sits in October and November and again in May and early June, when prices drop 20 to 30 percent from winter highs while conditions stay dry. Compare areas and typical price bands in our where to stay in La Paz guide.
Best Time to Visit La Paz: Months to Avoid
September is the month to avoid if you can: it averages 60mm (2.4in) of rain over 4 days, sits at the peak of the June-to-November hurricane season and stays hot at 34.8C (95F). August is the second-worst choice, combining 36.4C (98F) heat with 35mm (1.4in) of rain and rising humidity. Hurricanes rarely make direct landfall in La Paz, but September storms such as Hurricane Odile in 2014 caused major flooding. If you are traveling in this window, read the storm and insurance advice in our La Paz travel tips and FAQ page.
Best Time to Visit La Paz: Season by Season
- December to February: peak season, highs of 24.5C to 25.9C (76F to 79F), grey whales and whale sharks, highest hotel rates.
- March to May: 28C to 34C (83F to 93F), zero rain, low humidity, whale sharks until April, good value in May.
- June to August: 35C to 37C (96F to 98F), humid, hurricane season begins, cheapest rates, warmest sea at 27C to 28.5C.
- September to November: rain and hurricane peak in September, then a sharp improvement, warm sea (26C to 29C) and lower crowds by November.
Once you settle on dates, choose a base using our neighborhoods in La Paz guide.
