carlosg
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Bahía Magdalena Camping
Hi Bajanomads,
Does anyone have any recent info regarding Camping in Bahia Magdalena?
For sometime now we have been planning to visit Tembabichi (http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=85069&got...), but after reading on the news of the presence of the Red Tide in the
SOC (and it seems to be one of the strongest ones in recent years) and how it affects what we most enjoy: seafood... well... we're going west
instead of east from Ciudad Constitución and heading to Bahía Magdalena... on the Pacific side of Baja.
We plan to camp somewhere near Puerto San Carlos (somewhere I read something related to San Buto as a good place for camping... anyone been there?)
We'll probably haul our old 16' boat with us to do some fishing inside the bay and along the mangroves as well.
So if anyone can help us with camping sites information and any outboard mechanics (just in case) in this area it would be very helpful. Any
recommendations for eating or lodging in San Carlos?
Also any Hotel and Restaurant recommendations in Ciudad Constitución will be very appreciated.
Muchas gracias por su ayuda amigos Nómadas....
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wilderone
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I've camped at San Buto. It's a nice spot at the end of the road on a little bluff - no place to launch a boat, and extreme high/low tides. If you're
the only ones camping there, there is adequate space; not sure about enough space to turn around with a boat/trailer. Otherwise, on both sides of the
road, there is fencing/private property. Also camped at Punta Paredon. The sand access road is not specifically signed (there is a sign but doesn't
state "Pta Paredon") - you need to be careful to find it where it should be on the map. Then it's a fairly easy main road all the way to the end -
many cross-cross roads that go to small estuary ponds, but eventually come back to the main road - just try to stay on the main road. Wide shallow
beach.
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carlosg
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Thanks wilderone, I think your post is the one I was referring to... have you posted this info before here on BN?.... How's the road getting to San
Buto and Punta Paredon, is it doable on a 2WD? How about safety, is there people (locals) living around the area, maybe we could rent a space from
them and be able to leave our camp to go fishing in the boat... we do not want to stay at "tourist" campgrounds.... what's your take on this....
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AKgringo
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I think that the red tide risk is determined more by what you eat, and how it is prepared than where you are! Outbreaks occur all along the Pacific
coast, and are common even in Alaskan waters.
I would not hesitate to swim or dive in waters that that have been determined to contain higher than normal levels, and would not assume some other
waters are safer unless they have been very recently tested.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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wilderone
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Yes, I did post about 4 (?) yrs. ago when I did this trip (both camps on same trip). Re San Buto: The private properties all the way to the end to
where it's evident that one may camp, have fairly large parcels, and not that many people, per se, observed. I would have to assume the fences and
signs are up because people try to access the estero and bay without regard to trespassing, and possibly not too welcoming. You can't actually see the
estero from the road and beyond the private property, so it would be difficult to determine if that's really where you'd want to camp, then somehow
get through their gate, go up to their house and ask ... dunno. If you did happen to see someone working a field who you could hail and ask about
camping and fishing, you might get lucky with an invitation.
There are no homes or private property en route to Pta Paredon.
I believe both roads are doable in 2WD. Seems the road to Paredon is graded from time to time. We were the only ones at Paredon, except for a
caracol collector on the expanse of flat lava tidepool shelf. He got picked up in a boat couple hours after we got there. That boat trolled close to
shore near the flat lava shelf where it's a little deeper. The beach where you end up has a hard sand, flat wide, shallow beach. I think that is
something to consider when launching a boat - getting out to 3-4 ft. of water could be a distance. There's an estero to the east (Estero el Chisquet
on my map), that has a road or two to it. It's possible that is where boats launch in deeper water with a channel that goes into the bay - only a
guess - I looked at the area with binoculars and walked way out on that sand spit.
If it's a bust, maybe better access to Bahia Mag. could be had on the road from La Divisa (off Mex 22). I do see several access roads to the estero
from the main road that goes to Medano Amarillo on my map. Have no idea what that area is like, but might be worth exploring. My gut feeling about the
area and all along the coast north of Pto A. Lopez Mateos that gringos launching boats in their waters where they make a living are not welcomed with
open arms. There are exceptions - we came across someone at one of the old time campos on the estuary (these old fish camps had their glory days and
are now derelict and run-down) and he was friendly. Had a beautiful launch cove right in front of his property (really so poor these people with
shacks and tarps for homes) - he may have let you launch and would have been happy for a launch fee. You'll need to heed your instincts around here.
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wilderone
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Just wanted to mention, my previous post with photos about this area (and included many other sites on the trip) is dated about 2-10-14.
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carlosg
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Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  | | Just wanted to mention, my previous post with photos about this area (and included many other sites on the trip) is dated about 2-10-14.
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Thanks wilderone,
That's where I read it, however there's no photos, it seems like they were removed from photo bucket.
Carlos.
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wilderone
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testing: a new image hosting site vis a vis my tech-challenged abilities
The beach at the end of the road at San Buto
In the AM after incoming tide at San Buto in front of camping bluff
The bluff and beach at San Buto
The sign at the turnoff to Pta Paredon
At the beginning of the road to Pta Paredon
Beach at Pta Paredon
Road out to Pta Paredon
[Edited on 2-20-2017 by wilderone]
[Edited on 2-20-2017 by wilderone]
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wilderone
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It works! The road to San Buto goes past the dump, across something like salt flats, and continues through ranchos.
Photo of the Bahia in front of San Buto when we arrived (compare with AM photo when tide comes all the way up)
When you’re getting way to the end of the road at Paredon, there is a hill to the left to get to a beach campsite. This is the approach:
[Edited on 2-20-2017 by wilderone]
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David K
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The first group of photos look great Cindi, good job. You can click the edit button next to the post if you want to correct the captions. The second
posted photos (2) are very small, like thumbnails, as viewed on a standard monitor, however.
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wilderone
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Edit - of course. Done. Thx David. Maybe I didn't check the box on the site to get larger than thumbnails. I'll try a few more. This is fun.
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wilderone
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Another test to see if they come out larger.
This is the aforementioned cove along the mangrove coast No. of Pto A. Lopez Mateos
And just to mix it up a little, this is along the road at the Biosphere Reserve of La Poza de Teresa past the San Javier mission. We camped here one
night down the road outside of “town”.
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carlosg
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WOW....!!!!
Thanks Cindy (wilderone?) for all of your info, you're making our decision a lot easier with all the pics and descriptions on your posts. Later today
I'll be talking with the "Protección Civil " Commander in Ciudad Constitución to find out more about the Red Tide in the SOC and also to get more
info on Bahía Magdalena... I'll post my findings after the conversation.
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wilderone
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OK – last one. The end of the road at San Buto with a smallish area for camping
 photoupload
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