La Paz recorded 88% hotel occupancy and nearly 190 million pesos (approximately $10.3 million USD) in economic activity during Semana Santa 2026, according to figures announced Monday by Mayor Milena Quiroga Romero. The results mark a record for the Baja California Sur capital, though the rate of growth slowed compared to prior years.
Occupancy has climbed steadily from 70% in 2023 to 75% in 2024, 85% in 2025, and now 88% in 2026. Economic spending rose from 156 million pesos during Holy Week 2025 to nearly 190 million pesos this year, a jump of roughly 23%.
Growth Rate Slows by 7%
Despite the record raw numbers, the pace of year-over-year growth fell about 7% compared to the gains seen between 2024 and 2025. Agustín Olachea Nogueda, president of the Asociación de Empresas Hoteleras y Turísticas (Emprhotur), a local hotel and tourism trade group, acknowledged the deceleration. He noted, however, that La Paz still outperformed major national competitors.
Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, and neighboring Los Cabos all posted growth rates below 1% during the same holiday period, according to Olachea Nogueda. That comparison puts La Paz’s 23% spending increase in sharp relief, even as its own momentum cools slightly.
Part of a Statewide Boom
La Paz’s figures form part of a broader Holy Week boom across Baja California Sur. The state projected 640 million pesos (roughly $34.8 million USD) in total tourism revenue for the 2026 season. Los Cabos and La Paz, the state’s two main tourism hubs, operated near the limits of their hotel capacity, with some properties fully booked since late February.
Mayor Quiroga Romero said the numbers remain positive for the state capital despite the slower growth rate. La Paz has positioned itself as an alternative to the resort-heavy Los Cabos corridor, drawing visitors with its malecón, marine wildlife excursions, and proximity to Todos Santos.
The occupancy and spending data were first reported by Noticias La Paz and confirmed by Tribuna de México and BCS Noticias.