When Melaina reached out to me on Instagram, she and Cody were looking for a location in La Paz for their symbolic elopement. They were drawn to the quiet, isolated beaches that Baja California Sur has to offer, a perfect contrast to the busier resorts of Los Cabos. Their vision was simple and beautiful: an intimate ceremony on a stunning blue-water beach, surrounded by mountains and their closest friends. Having already legally married back home with family, this was their chance to create a stress-free, intentional celebration just for them.
What made their day so unique was the pure joy and relaxed energy of everyone involved. Everyone arrived on time for their morning elopement at Tecolote Beach, full of excitement for the adventure ahead. This relaxed start meant they had the entire rest of the day to celebrate, enjoying ceviche and drinks at local beachfront restaurants.
Why La Paz is the Ideal Elopement Destination
As Melaina explained their decision, they preferred the calm and isolated beaches that La Paz has to offer. Since La Paz doesn’t have many big resorts like Cabo, this makes the place much quieter and more intimate for couples seeking genuine connection to Mexico’s natural beauty.
La Paz honestly has more beautiful beaches in the Sea of Cortez, and access to the stunning Espíritu Santo Island. Most tours in Cabo actually end up taking you to La Paz locations anyway, so why not arrive directly to this city instead of making the extra move from Cabo?Unlike San José del Cabo with its big resort developments, La Paz offers boutique accommodations like Hotel Indigo with a private beach and Orchid House (with public beach access), plus excellent Airbnb options that give couples more authentic local experiences.
A Calming Morning at Tecolote Beach
My day with Melaina and Cody started early. I met them at their Airbnb around 7:00 AM, just as they were gathering their things for the adventure ahead. They had woken up around 5:30 AM, and her friends did her makeup, talk about dedication! The 50-minute drive from La Paz Malecón to Tecolote Beach was a scenic journey, and we arrived at 8:40 AM just before the sun was too high in the sky.
Opting for a weekday morning elopement was a fantastic decision I had suggested to avoid crowds and noise from speakers that can happen later in the day at this popular local spot. Not only did it give us softer light for their photos, but it also meant we had Tecolote Beach largely to ourselves. Choosing a Tuesday or Wednesday morning allowed us to create a peaceful and personal setting for their ceremony.
The Ceremony at Tecolote Beach
We started the ceremony right at 9:00 AM. Their officiant was one of their best friends, which immediately made the entire event feel more intimate and personal. With the beautiful mountains as their backdrop and the sound of waves as their soundtrack, Melaina and Cody exchanged vows in what was truly a picture-perfect setting.
They also hired a guitarist who sang romantic songs in Spanish, adding such a beautiful cultural touch to their celebration. The ceremony itself was a perfect 15-minute exchange of vows and heartfelt words from their friend, a testament to how meaningful a short, intentional ceremony can be.
What made this ceremony location absolutely stunning was the backdrop – the beautiful mountains surrounding the beach, the intensely blue water, and the fact that we practically had this gorgeous location to ourselves. The combination of accessibility and natural beauty makes Tecolote Beach special for weddings.
See Their Elopement Spot on the Map
Location: Tecolote Beach, La Paz, Baja California Sur
What makes Tecolote Beach special for weddings is its accessibility combined with natural beauty. Unlike nearby Balandra (which is a protected area requiring permissions and fees), Tecolote has fewer restrictions while offering the same stunning Sea of Cortez waters, mountain views, and several local restaurants where couples can celebrate afterward.
Capturing the Morning Light in Baja
Shooting an elopement in the morning light of Baja is a unique experience. The morning light creates more colorful, intense blue water that makes the beach absolutely stunning. While the light can be bright, having the sun behind the couple helps prevent harsh shadows and squinting. This “airy light” creates a different mood than a moody, golden hour sunset, and the water color is far more vibrant and blue rather than the flatter, whitish tones you get at sunset.
The weather is more enjoyable since the sun is just coming out – you won’t feel sweaty, there’s less humidity, and photos have that beautiful airy light quality. Plus, with less wind in the morning, it’s the perfect time to use a drone to capture some breathtaking aerial shots of the location.
Tips for Your Tecolote Beach Elopement
If you’re considering an elopement at Tecolote Beach, here’s what you should know to plan your perfect day:
Best Time of Day and Year
Morning is definitely best! This is when the light is softer, the water is a more vivid blue, and the weather is more comfortable. It also allows you to have the beach to yourselves before the day crowds arrive.
Avoid June, July, August, September, and October; those are the hottest months I’ve experienced in Baja Sur. November through March offers ideal weather conditions.
Weekday Advantage
Just like Melaina and Cody, choosing a Tuesday or Wednesday can make a huge difference in avoiding crowds. Many of Baja’s most beautiful ceremony spots are public beaches, and weekends tend to be busy with both tourists and locals.
Travel and Logistics
Renting a car is highly recommended. Driving in La Paz is straightforward, similar to the US or Canada. People actually respect stop signs, and streets are wide compared to colonial towns.(San Miguel de Allende or Oaxaca city) You’ll need your passport, credit card under your name, and your license. Just be sure to book your vehicle in advance, especially during high season, as they tend to run out of available cars. I have rented cars with Mexrentacar there are lots of other options.
Guest Count and Permits
For this type of beach elopement, I’d say maximum 15 people total including the couple works best. For small groups of 15 or less, permits are not required, making this an accessible and easy-to-plan location.
Planning Timeline
For morning elopements including getting ready, ceremony, and portraits, I recommend booking a half-day or full-day package. We finished couple and friend photos by 10:40 AM, which gave them the entire rest of the day to celebrate – they could have even caught that boat to Espíritu Santo Island if planned ahead!
Advice from Melaina & Cody: Just Do It!
Their biggest piece of advice for other couples? Do it. An elopement with just the two of you or your closest friends is a beautiful way to celebrate your love, with the freedom to be truly present and stress-free.
They also mentioned they could have rented a boat to visit Espíritu Santo Island after their ceremony, but it was too late by then. This is why morning gives you the rest of the day to celebrate with friends and potentially add activities like visiting beautiful Espíritu Santo Island – all these tours include drinks and meals and return around 5 PM.
“Mariana! OMG! THOSE ARE AMAZING! They are sooooo beautiful, I’m obsessed! YOU ARE SO TALENTED! Love them!!! I just keep looking 😭 Thank you so much!”
Planning Your Baja Elopement with a Local Expert
La Paz offers the perfect blend of accessibility and natural beauty. For couples wanting something more personal than the local restaurants, I know a catering company that creates beautiful beach setups including breakfast service – perfect if you don’t feel like eating seafood first thing after your ceremony.
One insider tip that couples don’t usually know: you can pay with debit/credit cards in most places in La Paz City. Have some Mexican currency for tipping and small purchases. Just note that in Tecolote Beach specifically, phone reception can be spotty, so ask for WiFi at restaurants when you’re dining there.
As your Mexico elopement photographer, I specialize in La Paz’s hidden gem locations and understand the unique planning considerations for Baja elopements. I’ll help ensure your day captures both the stunning natural beauty and authentic joy of your celebration.
