Centro, Pueblo Nuevo, El Centenario, Fidepaz, and Pedregal are the most popular La Paz neighborhoods for expats. Rents range from $500 to $2,000 USD per month depending on location and lifestyle.
Why La Paz?
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur and the quieter alternative to Los Cabos. The city sits on the Sea of Cortez, has a population around 300,000, and moves at a pace that rewards walking over driving. The Malecon stretches five kilometers along the waterfront. Most expats who choose La Paz over Cabo cite the same reasons: lower costs, fewer tourists, and a city that still feels Mexican.
The expat community here is smaller than Cabo’s but tightly connected. Facebook groups like “Expats in La Paz” are where most housing leads, restaurant tips, and local knowledge circulate. Making friends is easy. Finding your neighborhood takes a bit more thought.
Centro and the Malecon
Downtown La Paz is where most new arrivals land first. The Centro Historico surrounds the cathedral and Plaza Constitucion. Streets are walkable. Coffee shops, seafood restaurants, pharmacies, and banks cluster within a few blocks. The Malecon is a 10-minute walk from almost anywhere in Centro.
Rent for a furnished one-bedroom apartment near the Malecon runs $600 to $800 USD per month. Two-bedroom condos with ocean views start around $1,000 to $1,600 USD. Unfurnished units cost less, but most expats on their first lease go furnished.
The upside is walkability. You can live without a car here. Grocery runs, doctor visits, and dinner are all on foot. The bike lane runs the full length of the Malecon. Uber and Didi operate in La Paz, though coverage is thinner than in larger cities. Most rides cost $3 to $6 USD.
The downside is noise. Centro gets loud on weekends, especially near the Malecon. Street dogs, fireworks, and music are part of the package. If you need silence, look further out.
Pueblo Nuevo
Pueblo Nuevo sits just south of Centro, close enough to walk downtown but far enough to feel like its own neighborhood. This is where budget-conscious expats and digital nomads tend to cluster.
A two-bedroom house or apartment here rents for $500 to $700 USD per month. Some units sit two blocks from the beach. The neighborhood has its own cafes, at least six with reliable wifi, plus small grocery stores and taquerias.
Pueblo Nuevo is not polished. Streets are rougher than Centro. The housing stock is older. But the price-to-location ratio is hard to beat. You get proximity to the water and downtown without paying Malecon premiums.
El Centenario
El Centenario is a growing community about 20 minutes north of downtown La Paz on Highway 1. It is technically a separate town, but most people treat it as a La Paz suburb. This is where expat families and retirees looking for space end up.
The appeal is room. Houses here have yards, garages, and views. El Centenario sits above the coastline near Playa El Comitan and the Mogote. The community is quiet and safe. Several gated developments have gone up in recent years, including Real Centenario and Villas del Centenario.
Buying is more common than renting here. Home prices range from $200,000 to $500,000 USD for newer construction. Rentals are harder to find but run $800 to $1,500 USD per month for a furnished two- or three-bedroom house.
The trade-off is isolation. You need a car. There is no Uber coverage this far out. Grocery shopping means driving into La Paz or to the Soriana on the highway. The nearest hospital is 20 minutes away. If walkability matters, El Centenario is not your neighborhood.
Fidepaz
Fidepaz is a consolidated residential colonia about 10 minutes south of the Malecon. It is one of La Paz’s most established middle-class neighborhoods and a solid choice for expats who want modern infrastructure without resort pricing.
Hospital Fidepaz anchors the area. The hospital serves both Mexican nationals and foreigners, with English-speaking doctors on staff. It accepts over 35 international insurance providers. Having a hospital this close is a deciding factor for many retirees.
Rents in Fidepaz run $500 to $900 USD per month for a one- to two-bedroom apartment. Three-bedroom houses go for $900 to $1,200 USD. The neighborhood has wide streets, newer construction, and proximity to shopping plazas, schools, and main roads.
Chedraui and Soriana are both within a short drive. The colonia connects easily to the Transpeninsular Highway for trips to the airport or Todos Santos. Fidepaz lacks the charm of Centro and the ocean views of the Malecon, but it delivers on practicality.
Pedregal de La Paz
Pedregal is La Paz’s upscale gated community. It sits on elevated ground south of the city center with panoramic views of the bay. Homes here are large, modern, and protected by 24-hour security.
This is where wealthier Mexican families and expats with higher budgets live. The neighborhood is quiet and orderly. Streets are paved and maintained. Properties include single-family homes with pools, gardens, and multiple bedrooms.
Rents start around $1,200 USD per month for a two-bedroom and climb to $2,000 or more for larger homes. Purchase prices range from $300,000 to $800,000 USD. HOA fees cover security, street maintenance, and common areas.
The trade-off is the same as any gated community: you are removed from the city. Walking to the Malecon is not realistic. Restaurants and shops require a car. You gain security and comfort but lose the street-level energy that makes La Paz feel like La Paz.
The Resort Communities: Costa Baja, Puerta Cortes, and Paraiso del Mar
La Paz has three major resort-style developments that cater to buyers seeking full-service living. These are not neighborhoods in the traditional sense. They are gated compounds with their own marinas, golf courses, restaurants, and property management.
Costa Baja sits north of downtown near the Marina CostaBaja. It offers luxury condos, a Gary Player golf course, and fine dining on-site. Puerta Cortes covers 543 acres on the Sea of Cortez with an 18-hole golf course, yacht club, and Hotel Indigo. Paraiso del Mar occupies its own peninsula on the Mogote, accessible by a 10-minute shuttle boat from downtown.
Rents in these communities start at $1,500 USD per month and easily exceed $3,000 for larger units. Purchase prices range from $250,000 to over $1 million USD. HOA fees cover concierge, maintenance, pools, and shared amenities.
These communities appeal to snowbirds and part-time residents who want turnkey living. Full-time expats sometimes find them isolating. You are inside a compound, not inside La Paz. If you want to live in Mexico rather than next to it, the resort communities may feel too insulated.
How Do You Choose?
Start with your priorities. If walkability and street life matter, Centro or Pueblo Nuevo. If you have a family and want space, El Centenario. If healthcare access and modern housing drive the decision, Fidepaz. If security and views are the priority, Pedregal. If full-service resort living is what you want, Costa Baja or Puerta Cortes.
Most expats find their long-term neighborhood after living in Centro for three to six months. Short-term furnished rentals downtown give you time to explore. Do not sign a year-long lease on your first week.
Finding a Rental
Inmuebles24 lists properties, but the best long-term rentals in La Paz circulate on Facebook. The “Expats in La Paz” group and “La Paz Rentals” group are where owners post directly. Negotiating in person beats online inquiries. Landlords who list on Facebook rather than Airbnb typically offer lower monthly rates and skip the platform fees.
Expect to pay one month’s rent as a deposit plus the first month upfront. Most leases are month-to-month or six months. Utilities (electricity, water, internet) usually run $100 to $200 USD per month on top of rent. CFE electricity bills spike in summer when air conditioning runs constantly.
Regulations and government processes change. This article reflects information current as of March 2026. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant or contact the relevant government office directly.