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4-star hotel Check-out 11:00

Camp Cecil

Stay at Camp Cecil, a 4.5-star kid-friendly hotel in Isla Espiritu Santo, Mexico. Close to Playa Balandra and Ensenada Grande beach for sightseeing and recreation.

Isla Espiritu Santo, 23300 Isla Espiritu Santo, B.C.S., Mexico View on map
9/10
Exceptional Based on 44 recent guest reviews
Kid-friendly
What recent guests emphasize

Memorable nature experiences with attentive service

Guests highlight the unique off-grid setting, knowledgeable guides, and delicious food, balanced with practical considerations for comfort and logistics.

Guests often praise

  • Exceptional guides who are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and helpful, enhancing nature and wildlife exploration.
  • Fresh, flavorful meals with good options for vegetarians, often prepared in creative outdoor settings.
  • Friendly, attentive staff who provide personalized service, including special touches like cocktail hours and romantic dinners.
  • Comfortable tents and scenic beachfront locations that create memorable immersive experiences.
  • Wildlife encounters with sea lions, turtles, whales, and diverse marine life close to the camp.

Worth knowing

  • No cell service, electricity, or running water on-site, requiring readiness for rustic conditions.
  • Guests share tents in close proximity, which can lead to noise disturbances such as snoring.
  • All activities require guides or boat rides; independent exploration is limited.
  • Some guests note that provided tents may differ from promotional images due to regulations.
  • The cost is considered high by some, reflecting the exclusive experience and logistics involved.

Best for

  • Nature lovers seeking immersive wildlife and marine experiences in a remote, scenic location.
  • Travelers who appreciate knowledgeable guides and value educational, eco-focused activities.
  • Couples or small groups looking for a quiet getaway with personalized service and special touches.
  • Guests comfortable with basic, off-grid camping accommodations and minimal modern amenities.
  • Families interested in kid-friendly adventure and engaging outdoor recreation.
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About this property

Welcome to Camp Cecil

Located on Isla Espiritu Santo in Baja California Sur, Camp Cecil offers a unique lodging experience blending a wildlife park setting with rustic beachside camping. Guests stay in tents on the shore, embracing an off-the-grid lifestyle without cell service, electricity, or running water. This natural environment suits visitors interested in immersive wildlife encounters and outdoor activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding. The property’s rating of 4.5 from 43 reviews reflects generally positive guest experiences with some practical considerations.

Service at Camp Cecil is noted for its knowledgeable guides who bring marine biology expertise and enthusiasm to exploration of the island’s diverse ecosystem. Many reviewers praise the attentive staff and highly recommend the quality and variety of food, including vegetarian options prepared onsite. The daily cocktail hour and personalized touches such as assistance with logistics enhance visitor stays, though guests should be aware that all activities require boat trips or guided supervision.

While the natural beauty and wildlife draw travelers seeking a close-to-nature experience, the lack of traditional hotel amenities and communal tent arrangements may not suit everyone. Some feedback points to the campsite layout as cramped and the overall experience as relatively expensive, with limited flexibility in meal options. The presence of day-trip tourists also means that the island is not entirely private.

Nearby attractions like Playa Balandra and Playa El Tecolote provide scenic spots for recreation, expanding the opportunities for sightseeing beyond the campsite. La Paz International Airport serves as the primary access point for travelers. Families with children can find kid-friendly service options, making Camp Cecil suitable for visitors who prioritize outdoor adventure and wildlife observation in a remote marine park setting.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Kid-friendly
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

HK
Holly Kallmeyer Apr 03, 2026
10

We had the best time at Camp Cecil! Our camp was on a beautiful beach, and every detail had been thought of. Manuel, our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable about the biodiversity of the island and the sea, and ensured that everyone was having a fantastic time. We swam with sea lions, turtles, and countless beautiful fish. The food was unbelievably good and Abraham’s cocktail hour was a daily highlight. The whole staff (Omair, Noel, and Charlie) were a delight to talk to. We will be back!

M
Michelle Mar 25, 2026
10

This was an unbelievable trip. The guides were professional, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable, the food was amazing, the campsite was comfortable, and the scenery was stunning. The guides and staff went above and beyond helping us get to the site after a canceled flight made us miss the pick up time and also made a romantic dinner for our honeymoon. This was, by far, the best experience we had. Thank you Bryan, Sebastian, Christian, Abraham, and the rest of Camp Cecil!!

DL
Dan Liebling Mar 23, 2026
10

Amazing off the grid experience. Our guide had a marine biology degree and shared his in-depth knowledge and genuine enthusiasm with us as we explored land and water. The camp chef made it easy to be vegetarian and the food was consistently fresh and tasty.

CY
Christopher Yandell Feb 16, 2026
10

Amazing camp site on Espiritu Santo. The food is delicious and the staff is very attentive to your needs. There are kayaks and paddle boards at the facility. However, there is no cell service, electricity, or running water, so prepare for that. There are also some tourist groups that come by just for day trips, so you will not be alone on the island. Especially if your camp is on a beach closer to the mainland.

LM
Liz MacDonell Feb 01, 2026
10

Wonderful 2 night stay mid December 2025! The bed was comfortable. The food was fantastic - way to go Abraham and crew! The guides (Andrea and Sergio) were knowledgeable and helpful. The boat captains took extra time to allow us to see whales, which was not a guaranteed part of the experience. Highly recommend

PM
Patrick McCall Jan 25, 2026
10

The most incredible trip to an amazing location. Can't recommend the place or the team more highly. The wildlife in the sea, on land and in the sky is breathtaking with fantastic guides to explain and find it all. Thank you so much Sergio and Manuel. Brilliant food for every meal too cooked in a tent on the beach with no lights. They did great vege and non vege food too. Sleeping in a tent under a full moon on the beach is something we will never forget. Thank you to everyone who made the trip so special including Bryan who was super efficient and helpful on booking logistics.

CL
Charlotte L Jan 24, 2026
8.0

Great guides, food & activities. The island is beautiful with so much nature. However, it should be noted that the tents in these images are not reflective of what’s provided - due to changes in regulations.

CD
Christophe Diot Jan 20, 2026
8.0

great place, amazing views and very nice crew. we loved it. there are few reasons for a 4 though: (1) it is quite expensive. (2) no flexibility in food (food quality if fine though). (3) we had to sleep with earplugs as our neighbors were snoring pretty badly and we were packed in three consecutive tents despite 4 or 5 of them were empty. Last (4), all activities require a boat ride or guide supervision. in the end we didnt have time to enjoy free time, nor simply hiking around the tents. again, the local crew is fantastic. but the glamourous side was not really there. maybe staying longer could help (we were there for 2 days).

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Camp Cecil

Maravia, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Based on sightseeing, recreation, and getting around

  • La Paz International Airport invalid time Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Baja California Sur. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Playa Balandra 6,537 reviews

Playa Balandra

Carretera a Pichilingue KM 7, HWY 11, Tecolote, 23040 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

4.8 · Public Beach
Playa Ensenada Grande 975 reviews

Playa Ensenada Grande

Golfo de California, 23010 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

4.9 · Beach
Playa El Tecolote 8,910 reviews

Playa El Tecolote

Baja California Sur La Paz-El Tecolote 23000, Zona Central, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

4.6 · Tourist Attraction
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