your english language bookstore
& Resource Centre
Conveniently located in the heart of the central historic district, Allende Books is just two short blocks off the Malecón (waterfront) and steps from the beautiful old Cultural Centre on 16 de Septiembre street.
Since 2008, Allende Books has been providing local residents, travelers and tourists with English language resources in La Paz. Besides books, maps and gifts, there is also a small cafe with indoor and outdoor seating in the walkway and courtyard.
In addition to adult and children's fiction and non-fiction, you will also find a wide selection of information to help you enjoy your stay in Mexico: field and travel guides, dictionaries and Spanish language guides, sailing and cruising charts and guidebooks, Baja and Mexico history books, regional gardening and cookbooks, Mexican interior design, architecture, culture and arts of Mexico books.
As we are almost a thousand miles from the US border, English language books are precious and hard to find in La Paz, so we are always looking for books to buy and can provide store credits for saleable books.
We also have an eclectic collection of hand-crafted art and gifts from La Paz and elsewhere in Mexico and local artists display some of their work.
For travelers we have maps of La Paz, the Baja peninsula, and Mexico as well as road atlases for the Baja and Mexico. We also have a good selection of cards and postcards so you can keep in touch with your family and friends.
People often ask if we are named after the Latin American writer Isabelle Allende, but we are not. We are named after Ignacio Allende, a general who fought for the independence of Mexico from the Spanish during the early 1800s. Originally a captain in the Spanish army, he believed in the idea of an independent Mexico so changed sides and fought alongside Miguel Hidalgo in the first stages of the struggle, and eventually succeeded Hidalgo as the leader of the rebellion. Allende was ultimately captured by the Spanish and executed for treason but is fondly remembered as a Mexican hero. The store was originally on Ignacio Allende street, so was called Allende Books.
"Allende" also means "beyond," and we have indeed moved "beyond" just books. We also provide information in English on local resources, tours, places to visit, and provide a welcoming place for travelers to stop, meet and rest. Once it is safe to do so, we plan on having a Saturday morning Children's story hour as well as author and poetry readings and music events.
Stop in and say hi if you are travelling through. We have wifi, air conditioning and a public restroom. We look forward to seeing you soon.
