Camp Cecil de la Isla

Set within Espiritu Santo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, Camp Cecil de la Isla is an award-winning eco-camp that combines barefoot adventure with comfortable glamping. Guests stay in dome tents set directly on the sand, each with real mattresses, linens, and daily housekeeping. The heart of the camp is the Espiritu Xantus Café, where chefs prepare fresh meals – often using seafood sourced from local fishermen – and where daily happy hour is a ritual. The setting is remote and spectacular, with dramatic cliffs, white-sand beaches, and rich marine life all around.

Accommodation

The camp offers 10 spacious dome tents, each with either one king bed or two twin beds. Tents measure 10 x 8.3 feet, with 6-foot ceilings and front and back doors for natural ventilation. Furnishings include comfortable bedding, towels for both beach and bath, and outdoor seating. Housekeeping staff tidy and refresh tents daily. Facilities include a dining tent, two compost toilet cabañas, and two sun showers, balancing comfort with a light environmental footprint.

Food & Drink

Meals are prepared at the camp’s Espiritu Xantus Café, often hailed as one of the best dining experiences in the region despite its modest setup. The chefs source fish directly from nearby fishermen and prepare creative dishes with local ingredients. Guests enjoy a mix of cold and hot breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and a daily happy hour. Beachfront dining beneath the stars and relaxed communal meals in the café tent create a welcoming, family-style atmosphere.

Experiences

Days at Camp Cecil de la Isla are shaped by a wide range of guided adventures, all included in the stay. Guests can kayak through quiet bays, inlets and lava cliffs, swim with playful sea lions at Los Islotes, or snorkel reefs that teem with marine life. Stand-up paddleboarding often brings encounters with sea turtles, while birdwatching reveals rookeries of frigatebirds, herons and blue-footed boobies. On land, there are hikes across lava cliffs and desert trails with panoramic views, as well as time for simple pleasures like stargazing, beachcombing and unwinding on the sand. Every activity is led by a bilingual naturalist guide, ensuring each outing is as informative as it is memorable.

Children

Camp Cecil de la Isla welcomes families, and the balance of adventure and comfort makes it ideal for multigenerational groups. Children especially enjoy kayaking, beach play, and wildlife encounters, with guides tailoring experiences to suit different ages and interests.

Sustainability

The camp is designed for minimal impact, with dome tents that can be moved regularly in compliance with park regulations. Facilities include compost toilets and solar-heated showers, while meals are prepared using locally sourced ingredients to support the regional economy. Operations are low-footprint, with an emphasis on conservation education and respect for the island’s fragile ecosystem.

Best Time to Visit

The Sea of Cortez is a year-round destination, but wildlife highlights vary by season. From November to April, guests may spot whales migrating along the coast. Swimming with sea lion pups is best from late summer through early spring. The warmer months bring excellent snorkeling visibility and calm conditions for kayaking and paddleboarding.

How to Get There

Guests meet at the outfitter’s bodega in La Paz at 10:00 AM on the morning of their trip. From there, it’s around an hour by boat to Isla Espíritu Santo. Transfers from Todos Santos can be arranged at an additional cost. On the final day, guests return to La Paz by late morning.