Photo by author

Camp Cecil: Luxury Camping on an Uninhabited Mexican Island

Camping Insider Guides Mexico
Photo by author
Katie Ann Plick
Jun 29, 2017

CAMP CECIL is a “glampsite” (glamorous campsite) on Isla Santo Espiritu, an uninhabited island in the Sea of Cortez, one of the most biologically diverse seas in the world. It also turned out to be my favorite experience in Baja Sur in a couple of weeks of traveling the peninsula. This Mexican island haven with safari-style tents lining the shore is much more than a quiet stretch of beach on a deserted island. It’s a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site of historic and environmental significance and one of the best chances you’ll ever have to encounter diverse marine life in the open ocean (including the planet’s biggest fish). If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in this place removed from everyday life, you’re probably having the adventure of a lifetime.

Planning your stay

Camp Cecil is operated through Todos Santos Eco Adventures. The guides there — who felt more like new friends — are highly passionate, extremely knowledgeable, and always down for an adventure whether it be kayaking, snorkeling with sea lion pups, swimming with whale sharks, Stand Up Paddle boarding, hiking, bird watching, or whale watching. My day started with getting picked up in Todos Santos to swim with whale sharks, then snorkel with sea lion pups (the highlight of my trip), and come back ravenous to a gourmet meal and a super comfy night’s sleep with a cool ocean breeze and sounds of waves lapping on the shore. Each tent is complete with luxurious beds, linens, candle light, beach towels, nightstands and plenty of places to relax. And after a full day of adventuring to your heart’s content, happy hour is a plus, too.

Here's the best place for luxury camping in Mexico

Photo by author

Wildlife

Aside from the glamping and dining experience, the wildlife is the most special thing about Island Espiritu Santo. Along the clear, warm shores and towering cliffs, you can expect to see:

  • Dolphins
  • Whales
  • Whale Sharks
  • Sea Turtles
  • Devil and Manta Rays
  • Blue-footed Boobies
  • Reddish and Snowy Egrets
  • Great Blue Herons
  • Yellow-footed Gulls
  • 5,000 micro-invertebrates
  • Babisuri Ring-tailed Cat

Cost

It’s tough to put a price tag on such mind-blowing exploration, but $550 a night will get you a fully-stocked tent, entrance and National Park fees, three meals a day, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and a custom schedule of all activities with a guide so that whether you’re into sipping margaritas with your favorite book in the sand or hiking to archaeological rock art by the extinct Guaycura and Pericu Indians, the adventures are endless.

What did you think of this story?
Meh
Good
Awesome

More on

Mexico

How To Visit the Ruins and Jungles of Chiapas, Mexico's Southernmost State

Take Your Mexico Trip To the Next Level With This Luxurious Villa in San Agustinillo

15 Beautiful Airbnbs in Mexico City’s Trendiest Neighborhoods

The Cabañas and Villas at This Tulum Hotel Are the Perfect Jungle Escape

8 of the Best Hotels in Cabo San Lucas for a Luxurious Beach Trip

The Most Stylish Beach Boutique Hotels in Tulum, Mexico

At Mezcal Amarás, You Can See the Art of Making Mezcal Firsthand

9 Mexico City Parks Where You Can Relax in One of the World's Biggest Cities

This Cabo Hotel Is the Perfect Base for Ocean Views, Great Food, and Adventures on the Water

Inside Chablé Yucatán, a Luxe Retreat Hidden in the Mayan Jungle

We think you might also like

The Most Famous Archeological Site in the World Dominates This European Capital City

18 of the Best Hotels in Las Vegas for Every Type of Traveler

How To Visit Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in Madagascar

Get To Know the Real Banff, From Hot Springs and Waterfalls To Historic Town Sites

This Famous Parisian Church Is Open 24/7 To Maintain 130 Years of Nonstop Praying

The Most Colorful Park in the World Is Actually a Failed Housing Estate for the Rich

Your 2023 Azores Vacation: a Guide To São Miguel and Beyond

This Is France’s Most Famous and Mysterious Island That You Can Visit

The House Where Frida Kahlo Was Born (and Died) Is Now an Extraordinary Museum

Why It's Green and Other Things You Need To Know Before Visiting the Statue of Liberty

How To Spend a Weekend in Coweta, the Charming Small-Town County Outside Atlanta

Save Bookmark

We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. For more information read our privacy policy.