What are the hours and season for El Cardonal Beach Camp?

El Cardonal Beach Camp is open Year-round (summer is hot: 105°F+). Check-in: Flexible. Check-out: Flexible.

What are the fire rules at El Cardonal Beach Camp?

Fire rules at El Cardonal Beach Camp: Beach fires permitted. No cutting of any vegetation. Minimal-impact camping expected.

What is the best time to visit El Cardonal Beach Camp?

Nov–Mar: Perfect weather. East Cape wind for kite surfing. Dorado and wahoo fishing peak. Apr–May: Water warming. Roosterfish season. Before summer heat.

What are the best things to do near El Cardonal Beach Camp?

Near El Cardonal Beach Camp: Panga fishing for roosterfish, dorado, and tuna — negotiate directly with village fishermen. Los Barriles kite surfing (20 miles north) — world-class East Cape wind, November–March. Sunrise over Isla Cerralvo — one of the most dramatic island silhouettes in the Sea of Cortez. Shore fishing at dawn for roosterfish — surface plugs in the beach break.

Is there wildlife at El Cardonal Beach Camp?

Wildlife alert for El Cardonal Beach Camp: Sea lions on Isla Cerralvo visible from shore. Manta rays and mobula rays jump in the channel between the cape and the island. Stingrays in beach sand — shuffle feet. Sharks in deeper water (not a beach concern).

What are the common problems at El Cardonal Beach Camp?

At El Cardonal Beach Camp: No water, no hookups, no services — fully primitive. Solution: Bring all water from La Paz (50 miles). Plan 3 gallons per person per day. This is a full self-sufficiency situation.

What are the insider tips for El Cardonal Beach Camp?

Insider tips for El Cardonal Beach Camp: Ask in the village for Jorge or his brother — they’re the best panga captains on this stretch and speak some English Bring a quality surface plug lure (Yo-Zuri or similar) and you can fish roosterfish from the beach without hiring a panga La Paz is 50 miles north with full provisioning — stock all water, food, and fuel before heading south to the East Cape

What makes El Cardonal Beach Camp unique?

The roosterfish at El Cardonal. The East Cape is one of only a handful of places in the world with consistent roosterfish from shore — they patrol the beach breaks and can be caught casting from the sand with a surface plug. A roosterfish is the most spectacular-looking gamefish in the Sea of Cortez: 4-foot dorsal fin that rises like a rooster’s comb when it chases a lure. Catch and release. ⇒ Water: The cobblestone point on the south end of El Cardonal has 25+ foot visibility and reef fish year-round — best snorkeling on the East Cape without a boat. Visit May–October for calm conditions. Bring your own gear; nearest rental is La Paz (2 hours north).

El Cardonal Beach Camp

✓ Sites Available

Secret Sea of Cortez fishing village — primitive beachfront camping on the East Cape

El Cardonal, Baja California Sur, Mexico (East Cape)4.6 (89)5 ft

Share: X Facebook

Cell signal:

El Cardonal is a tiny fishing village and beach camp 50 miles south of La Paz on the East Cape of Baja California Sur — one of the most isolated beachfront camping spots accessible by paved road on the peninsula. Absolute silence except for waves and roosters. Small family operations offer basic beach camping. The East Cape is famous for world-class fly fishing (roosterfish, dorado, yellowfin tuna) and kite surfing at Los Barriles, 20 miles north. This is the end-of-the-road Baja experience.

Things to do nearby

Los Barriles kite surfingLa PazCabo San LucasPanga fishing for roosterfish, dorado, and tu

Best For

AnglersOff-grid adventurersBaja veteransSolitude seekersKite surfing base

Site Types

RVTent

Amenities

Primitive beachfront camping

Palapa structures (at some sites)

Basic toilet facilities

Fishing village setting

Sea of Cortez frontage

No hookups

Extreme solitude

Pet friendly

Check-in

Flexible

Check-out

Flexible

Season

Year-round (summer is hot: 105°F+)

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

No water, no hookups, no services. Cell service nonexistent. 50 miles from La Paz. Summer heat brutal. Self-sufficient campers only.

Cancellation Policy

First come or knock on doors in the village. Cash only.

Why campers love El Cardonal Beach Camp

El Cardonal is what the entire East Cape of Baja California Sur is about: fishing and solitude. The roosterfish, dorado, and yellowfin tuna fishing here rivals anywhere in the world — hire a local panga for $150–250/day and you will catch fish. The village has been a fishing community for generations and the families who run the camping spots know these waters completely. And it’s one of the last beachfront camping experiences in Baja accessible by paved road that hasn’t yet been discovered by the Los Cabos resort development machine.

What's new in 2026

2026: A second family camp opened in the village with basic palapa structures. Road from Los Barriles south improved significantly in 2025.

What campers say about El Cardonal Beach Camp

"Our panga captain, Jorge, has fished these waters his whole life. The dorado bite was within 20 minutes of leaving the beach. $180 for the day for the three of us. Best fishing day I’ve ever had."

— iRV2 Forum 2025

"Complete silence except for waves. No other RVs in sight. The Sea of Cortez turning pink at sunset. This is why we take the long Baja drive."

— Campendium 2026

"Los Barriles kite surfing is 20 miles north and one of the best in the world. Use El Cardonal as your quiet camp and drive to Los Barriles for the action."

— The Dyrt 2025

Not the right fit if…

✕You’re not fully self-sufficient with water, food, and fuel
✕You need any connectivity
✕You’re visiting June–September (extreme heat)

Frequently asked questions

How much does El Cardonal Beach Camp cost per night?+

El Cardonal Beach Camp costs $10–$20 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: None. Fully primitive. Generator or solar.

What season is El Cardonal Beach Camp open?+

El Cardonal Beach Camp is open Year-round (summer is hot: 105°F+). Check-in is Flexible, check-out is Flexible.

Does El Cardonal Beach Camp have hookups?+

None. Fully primitive. Generator or solar.

What is the maximum RV length at El Cardonal Beach Camp?+

El Cardonal Beach Camp can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.

How do I make reservations at El Cardonal Beach Camp?+

Book El Cardonal Beach Camp directly at camperwatch.org/book/el-cardonal-beach-camp-baja. No booking fees. Select your dates and site type and pay online.

Does El Cardonal Beach Camp have beach access?+

El Cardonal Beach Camp has beach access: On-site — Sea of Cortez beachfront

Are pets allowed at El Cardonal Beach Camp?+

El Cardonal Beach Camp is pet friendly. Pets must be kept on leash.

What is the cell service like at El Cardonal Beach Camp?+

None. Complete blackout. Satellite communicator strongly recommended.

How far is El Cardonal Beach Camp from the nearest town?+

Nearest services: Los Barriles — 20 miles north. Stock up in La Paz (50 mi) before the East Cape.