BajaNomad

Las Canadas Campamento

Ateo - 1-21-2012 at 12:02 PM

Las Canadas south of Maneadero:

As a surfer, I drove past this place for 20 years, never giving it a thought. The place that stuck out in my mind about this area was the old military checkpoint, not some random campground. I actually thought, "Is this place for real? Who would actually go there?" To my surprise - many people go there.

So, In 2009, my wife's family invited me to Las Canadas to do some non beach camping.

Honestly, I just went to be nice, but ended up having a pretty good time. I brought a surfboard just in case I wanted to do a day trip to Cabras/San Jose area, but never even had the impulse.

Lookout from the top of the zip line:





Cooking breakfast before a long day of fun:





Prepping prior to zip lining......not for the weary. This was a pretty hard core little workout. You don't want to do it hungover, trust me.

















Crossing these obstacle courses took a lot of energy and wasn't as easy as it looks:





My daughter about to start crying.....but she made it:












The pool got a little crowded during the day:








My son catching air:





But it cleared out at night:




Campfires allowed:




Some sort of caged petting zoo thingy:








And don't forget there's a lake with free boats. Pretty much everything is included in the entrance cost (except for zip lines) :








All in all, a great time. Something you should try out when looking for a family outting. It's mostly Mexican families but I did see a few gringos.

The best thing was they had the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in Mexico. They have 2 people stationed in each male/female bathrooms that clean full time. Super professional.

I give this place a thumbs up.

DENNIS - 1-21-2012 at 12:12 PM

Good call. The place is a real plus for families....pretty much right across the road from one of Baja's biggest slums, El Zorrillo.
Lots of money being pumped into Las Caņadas by a man named Carlos Teran. He's the one who started all of the expropriated development out on Punta Banda. Took a lot of money and ran.
Begs a bunch of questions, but Caņadas is still an asset for the Mexicans to enjoy. I often go their with my best friend....a 12PAK.

norte - 1-21-2012 at 12:15 PM

The money going back into the community must make all those evicted people feel good.

Ateo - 1-21-2012 at 12:15 PM

Quote:
I often go their with my best friend....a 12PAK.


Hilarious!:tumble:

Ateo - 1-21-2012 at 12:18 PM

Yeah Dennis and norte, looks like they're really spent a lot of cash upgrading the place over the last couple years. Sounds like this Teran dude is a real a-hole. But yeah, a total asset for the Mexicans.

David K - 1-21-2012 at 12:58 PM

Excellent Ateo... thanks for showing us what is at the place the rest of us zoom past!

willardguy - 1-21-2012 at 01:08 PM

I watched a show about this place couple nites ago. "crossing south" on some SD channel.( I saw it on the baja bound ins.site). looks like a blast!

RnR - 1-21-2012 at 01:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Excellent Ateo... thanks for showing us what is at the place the rest of us zoom past!


X2!

We've been looking for a place to camp closer to Ensenada than the San Quintin area to make the run north to the border a little shorter (and earlier into the lineup). Thought about this place last year but could never get any firsthand info on it. Would probably spend two nights and have a full day to enjoy the park. Are there places for RV camping available? Can be dry w/o hookups. Also, are well behaved and leashed dogs allowed? Any info is appreiciated.

Great Report!!

Ateo - 1-21-2012 at 01:28 PM

Yeah, dogs are fine. We brought ours.

RV's yes too.

Forgot they also have electrical hookups. We brought a light bulb and extension cord and had light!

Check it out:

http://www.lascanadas.com/en/home.html
Quote:
Originally posted by RnR
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Excellent Ateo... thanks for showing us what is at the place the rest of us zoom past!


X2!

We've been looking for a place to camp closer to Ensenada than the San Quintin area to make the run north to the border a little shorter (and earlier into the lineup). Thought about this place last year but could never get any firsthand info on it. Would probably spend two nights and have a full day to enjoy the park. Are there places for RV camping available? Can be dry w/o hookups. Also, are well behaved and leashed dogs allowed? Any info is appreiciated.

Great Report!!

bigzaggin - 1-21-2012 at 01:31 PM

If I'm at that old checkpoint, is this place E or W?

DENNIS - 1-21-2012 at 01:31 PM

They also rent cabins.

Ateo - 1-21-2012 at 01:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigzaggin
If I'm at that old checkpoint, is this place E or W?


West side of road. If you're looking for it, you can't miss it.

Cypress - 1-21-2012 at 01:37 PM

Disney Land south of the border!;D

DENNIS - 1-21-2012 at 01:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigzaggin
If I'm at that old checkpoint, is this place E or W?


I thought the road went North/South. Which check point? Military? Old Immigration?
Las Caņadas is about four miles south of the last curve in Maneadero "City"....on your right side as you head toward Sto. Tomas......that's south.

norte - 1-21-2012 at 01:59 PM

Hey wait a minute. If Dennis is right, why would you be so anxious to support this crook?

DENNIS - 1-21-2012 at 02:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by norte
Hey wait a minute. If Dennis is right, why would you be so anxious to support this crook?


I am right and chronologically, this crook should have been dead ten years ago. The place will go on with or without him so I choose to overlook his involvement.
It's getting difficult down here to find squeaky clean proprietors of anything, so I'm altering the goals of my quest.

I don't think so...

EnsenadaDr - 1-21-2012 at 02:55 PM

You would never pay the $200 pesos to go in there...I have seen you sitting on the hill outside the Centro de Salud in Zorrillo...that is NOT the same thing....even though its close!!
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Good call. The place is a real plus for families....pretty much right across the road from one of Baja's biggest slums, El Zorrillo.
Lots of money being pumped into Las Caņadas by a man named Carlos Teran. He's the one who started all of the expropriated development out on Punta Banda. Took a lot of money and ran.
Begs a bunch of questions, but Caņadas is still an asset for the Mexicans to enjoy. I often go their with my best friend....a 12PAK.

DENNIS - 1-21-2012 at 03:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
You would never pay the $200 pesos to go in there...


No need to. I make copies of my Drivers License and tell them at the entrance, "I just want to look around." They hold my license....I go in and stay as long as I want....and drive out. They keep my license copy and I put the 200 Peso screws to Teran.
Eees a ween ween for me.

Same old story,...

EnsenadaDr - 1-21-2012 at 03:03 PM

and how many times have they heard that story and let you in pray tell...??? nothing for nothing in Mexico....
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
You would never pay the $200 pesos to go in there...


No need to. I make copies of my Drivers License and tell them at the entrance, "I just want to look around." They hold my license....I go in and stay as long as I want....and drive out. They keep my license copy and I put the 200 Peso screws to Teran.
Eees a ween ween for me.

DENNIS - 1-21-2012 at 03:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
and how many times have they heard that story and let you in pray tell...???


No problem. We all look the same. Just ask them....they'll tell ya.

Can't wait...

EnsenadaDr - 1-21-2012 at 03:13 PM

Yeah this Cuba trip looks more and more like its going to be alot of fun!!!
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
and how many times have they heard that story and let you in pray tell...???


No problem. We all look the same. Just ask them....they'll tell ya.