Camp Cecil de la Isla redefines glamping with a remote, all-inclusive stay on Mexico’s uninhabited Espiritu Santo Island. Sleeping in beachfront luxury tents, guests trade resort amenities for extraordinary wildlife encounters, pristine waters, chef-prepared meals and immersive adventures in a protected marine ecosystem often called “the aquarium of the world.” This tale of two writers’ stays at the camp shows that weather can have a real impact on the experience.
Highlights
- Sleep on a UNESCO-protected island: Glamp in comfortable beachfront tents on remote Espiritu Santo Island, surrounded by untouched desert landscapes and turquoise waters.
- Unexpected luxury in the wild: Enjoy fresh, chef-prepared meals, daily happy hours, handcrafted cocktails and personalized excursions, all while disconnecting from cell service and reconnecting with nature.
- Adventure meets wildlife: Snorkel the clear water, kayak secluded coves, hike volcanic landscapes and spot sea turtles, tropical fish, pelicans and other marine life in the Sea of Cortez.
Editor’s note: Two SheBuysTravel writers were hosted. This is an updated version of a post written by Jennifer Merrick in 2025.
Camp Cecil de la Isla
Todos Santos Eco Adventures (TOSEA), a local family-owned business, operates on the uninhabited Espiritu Santo Island, a 60-minute boat ride from La Paz, Mexico. This wildlife haven is part of a Mexican national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its vibrant marine life, dramatic volcanic landscape and rich biodiversity.
Only a few visitors can spend the night on the island at a time, glamping near the beach. The TOSEA tents come complete with actual mattresses, soft sheets and a blanket warm enough to ward off the chilly night air.
The eco-conscious adventure includes highly-trained guides, all activities and equipment, accommodations, transportation to the island, daily happy hours, all meals and park entrance fees.
Jennifer experienced a blissful three days of fun in the sun. Sadly, my adventure was cut short by 24 hours when a storm threatened to make the boat passage back to the mainland too risky to try on our planned exit day.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Pack warm layers for cooler desert nights, a wind-proof rain jacket for the boat ride back and forth and reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle.
Are you ready to explore more adventures? Let us inspire you!
Activities Included on a Stay
Swimming with Sea Lions
Hundreds of sea lions lounge on the shore of Los Islotes (Rock Islets), so many that the tiny outcropping looks like it’s dripping with sea lions. It’s easy to know that you’re getting close when you hear the mournful sea lion bark echoing across the water.
As we got closer, the barks grew louder. As we stopped the boat and slid into the water, the sea lions slid off the rocks and joined us.
We spent a magical 30 minutes swimming with these creatures who can barely move on land, but glide gracefully under the water.
When Jennifer was in the water during her trip, she had a magical moment: A sea lion pup looked through her snorkel mask, directly into her eyes and flipped under her, grazing her stomach – twice.
Paddling the Waters
Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling gear are always available.
The water was too choppy when I visited, but Jennifer had more magical moments on her visit. She kayaked to an inlet ringed by jagged volcanic cliffs and swam in the clear turquoise water. On the way back to the campsite, a devil ray jumped out of the water right in front of her.
Spotting Wildlife on the Tortuga (Turtle) Highway
The sea turtles draw visitors to this secluded cove. But the pelicans are the real show here.
Hundreds of these large, prehistoric-looking birds spend their days here, hovering over the water as they search for their next meal. When they spot a sardine swimming below the surface of the water, they put on a show, diving into the water headfirst and coming up with a fish in their beak.
It’s mesmerizing. We had people looking out in every direction, calling out when they saw a bird starting to dive.
And, yes, we did see sea turtles, too. They popped in and out of the water as if they were playing a game of hide and seek.
Hiking the ‘Funnel’ on Isla Partida
Jennifer’s guide, Bernardo, shared his extensive knowledge of the desert plants on this stunning island, located next to Espiritu Santo Island. The towering Cardon Cacti are the prickly stars, but the desert revealed a richness of vegetation that surprised her. She scrambled up rocks to a lookout point that wowed her with the contrast between the browns and reds of the rocky cliffs and the emerald green of the sea below.
Snorkeling the World’s Aquarium
Snorkeling over the region’s reefs explain why Cousteau gave the region its name. Schools of tropical fish darted around us, with king angelfish, balloon pufferfish and parrotfish being among the colorful inhabitants.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring a waterproof case for your phone. Even better, bring a camera that shoots great photos underwater. My cell camera could not do the underwater beauty justice.
Lounging on a Pristine Beach
There are plenty of things to do on the island, including guide-led activities each morning and afternoon. But there’s also a beach and that warm turquoise water. It’s OK to miss a kayak or hike and while away a few hours soaking up the sun, napping and sipping a cerveza.
Star Gazing
At the end of a blissful day, my fellow campers and I grabbed the camp chairs outside our tents and gathered them on a ridge to chat quietly and gaze at the wide open sky.
Indulging in Happy Hours and Al Fresco Dining
I still have no idea how our chef created such amazing meals with only a couple of camp stoves. The seafood was swimming-in-the-morning fresh and the tortillas were camp-made. All our companions’ dietary considerations were accommodated.
A daily happy hour just as the sky starts to put on its rosy sunset show features local favorite cocktails like margaritas and hibiscus mezcalitas.
Need to Know: Bathroom Facilities at Camp Cecil
Nature can be a challenge for people (like me) who really don’t want to live without a flush toilet and running water.
At Camp Cecil, the facilities are private, but primitive. The toilet is a dry one; after you use it, simply scoop up a bit of sawdust and sprinkle it over the top of whatever you have left behind.
And, important to note, there are only two toilets available. You place a yellow flag outside while you’re inside to let the other campers know the toilet is occupied.
There’s also a solar-heated shower, but since i was only on the island for 24 hours, I chose to wait and shower when I got to my comfy hotel the next day.
Who’s the Right Traveler for Camp Cecil de la Isla?
Best For:
- Nature lovers, snorkelers, kayakers and campers
- Multi-gen families since each member can tailor their adventure to their comfort level
- Glampers who like a soft bed and great food
Don’t Go If You:
- Are squeamish about outdoor toilets and showers
- Have mobility issues that would impede you from getting out of a boat and walking up to the beach
- Can’t stand being out of cell service
Fun Facts
- The Sea of Cortez is home to over 891 fish species and 39% of the world’s marine mammal species, including humpback whales, orcas, bottlenose dolphins, sea otters and, of course, sea lions.
- Whale sharks, the largest fish on the planet (up to 59 feet and 15 tons) congregate here from October to April, providing opportunities to observe and snorkel with these gentle giants.
- Todos Santos Eco Adventures (TOSEA) has garnered multiple awards for its commitment to sustainability and conservation. Solar power, a leave-no-trace policy, no single-use plastics are just a few of their green initiatives.
- Isla Espiritu Santo is home to ancient cave paintings believed to be over 6000 years old.
- Rare and unique indigenous species include the blue-footed booby. Famous for its bright blue feet, this bird is more closely associated with the Galapagos but is also found here: the babisuri or the ringtail cat (a relative of the raccoon) and the vaquita (a member of the porpoise family that’s the world’s smallest and rarest marine mammal).
- The region also has mountains. Many visitors are surprised by the Baja Californian peaks when they arrive. TOSEA also offers a glamping experience that highlights the unique ecosystem of the mountains and the vaquero (cowboy) culture.
Getting There
La Paz International Airport is the closest to the island. Several airlines offer direct flights from major US cities, including Dallas and Phoenix.
Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is another option (about a two-hour drive to La Paz).
TOSEA can arrange transportation from the airports. Once in La Paz, all transportation to the island (approximately a 60-minute boat ride) is included in the experience.
FAQs
Yes. The experience includes accommodations, chef-prepared meals, snacks, beverages, guided activities, transportation from La Paz, and equipment for water-based adventures. Just bring some cash to tip the terrific staff.
Guests meet in La Paz, Baja California Sur, and travel by boat to Espiritu Santo Island. The 60-minute boat ride is part of the adventure and offers opportunities to spot marine wildlife along the way.
Snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, hike, swim, relax on secluded beaches and explore the island’s unique ecosystems. Stargazing and wildlife viewing are major highlights, with chances to see sea turtles, dolphins, tropical fish and seabirds.
Yes. Camp Cecil combines the adventure of camping with upscale amenities, including spacious safari-style tents and actual mattresses. The bathroom facilities are shared. The dry toilet uses scoopfuls of sawdust. The service is attentive and the food is very good.
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