La Paz, San Antonio, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

La Paz ("The Peace") is a sculpture by artist Cuauhtemoc Zamudio in the Hemisfair area of San Antonio, Texas. It shows a dove with its wings wrapped around the world, and it is a gift from San Antonio's sister city, Monterrey in Mexico. It is a quiet symbol of the friendship between the two cities.

The story behind it

La Paz was given to San Antonio by Monterrey, one of the city's sister cities across the border. The gesture reflects the long cultural ties between the two places, and the dove is a simple, readable image of peace and goodwill between neighbours.

The sculpture stands on land that was part of the HemisFair '68 world's fair. After the fair ended, the city had to find new uses for the site, and today it mixes parkland, public art and cultural buildings. La Paz is one of the pieces that gives the area a sense of place.

What to look for

• The dove's wings curve around a globe, so walk around the sculpture to see how the shape changes from each side.
• Look for the artist's name, Cuauhtemoc Zamudio, and any plaque that records the gift from Monterrey.
• Next to the sculpture is the Mexican Cultural Institute (El Instituto Cultural de México), a building devoted to sharing Mexican arts and traditions.
• Notice how the sculpture sits against the open space of Hemisfair, which gives a feel for how the old fairgrounds are used now.

Tips for your visit

• You can see La Paz from the outside in a few minutes, so treat it as one stop on a longer walk rather than a destination on its own.
• Visit in the morning or late afternoon, when the Texas sun is softer and the walk is more comfortable.
• The Mexican Cultural Institute is right beside the sculpture. It offers art and cultural activities, so check current opening hours and programme before you go.
• On a hot day, there are places for a cold treat close by, including an ice cream shop across the street at the time of writing.

See it on a quest

La Paz is a good fit for a self-guided walk, because you reach it on foot as one stop of a longer route through downtown San Antonio. On Crash the Wedding: Save Lily in Romantic San Antonio, the app tells you about each place as you arrive and you solve a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.

If you prefer a different mood, try Dorothy’s Quest: The Trials of Oz in San Antonio, which takes an Oz theme through the city streets. You walk from place to place at your own pace, hear the story of each stop and solve a puzzle in what is in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.