Between land and sea: new coordinates of real estate development in Baja California Sur

According to data from the Public Property Registry, the purchase and sale of land and houses in La Paz doubled between 2020 and 2024 .

Desarrollos en BCS

By Valentina Lozano | BCSRealEstate360

Baja California Sur is today an open-air laboratory for real estate development in Mexico .

Between unspoiled coastlines, ecological reserves, and communities that still retain their essence, a new investment landscape is emerging that challenges developers, authorities, and residents to respond with balance and responsibility.

Last week, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) published key data: La Paz and Los Cabos account for 86% of land use change requests for residential and tourism purposes .

This figure, far from being just an urban planning indicator, reflects a national trend: investors are seeking areas with high natural value, but also high vulnerability.

📈 What drives the market?

Population growth, migration of domestic and foreign residents—primarily North Americans—and a growing community of digital workers have driven demand for housing.

According to data from the Public Property Registry, the purchase and sale of land and houses in La Paz doubled between 2020 and 2024 .

But it's not all speculation. There are also new ways of living: ecological developments, low-density communities, and spaces that integrate solar energy, water recycling, and the protection of endemic flora.

What was once a trend is now a requirement: sustainability is no longer optional .

🧭 The challenge: meaningful development

As a real estate advisor and observer of the business ecosystem in BCS , I've seen how the concept of luxury has evolved. It's no longer measured by square meters or Italian finishes, but by net-zero environmental impact, harmony with the surrounding environment, and the positive social footprint a project leaves.

Buyers—particularly foreign buyers—are increasingly asking about permits, environmental impact, legal access to water, and ties to local communities.

It's a clear sign: the market is changing and demands transparency.

🌱 Emerging Voices

In Loreto , a group of residents has successfully stopped the felling of mangroves to build a tourist complex without an approved environmental manifesto.

In Todos Santos , a group of architects has created the first regional bioclimatic design manual, which is already becoming a reference for new developments.

And the government? There's progress. The La Paz City Council and the Municipal Planning Institute (IMPLAN) have launched a public consultation on new criteria for urban density and mobility. But regulation is still moving slower than heavy machinery.

Baja California Sur doesn't need more square meters of construction: it needs more conscious square meters.

The challenge is enormous, but not impossible. If as a society we learn to value the environmental, cultural, and human wealth that inhabits this land, the future of real estate will be more than just a business: it will be a legacy.

Because between land and sea, principles are also built.