TECOLOTE – FREE CAMPING ON THE BEACH

Driving Baja California – Part 11

Updated July 2022

This is part 11 of the “Driving Baja California” series. Click on the Travel menu at the top for the other parts.

You don’t need to stop at the same places as on the way south while heading back north. Our next stop after Los Barriles was Tecolote, on the Gulf Coast east of La Paz. This is the first time that I have tried “boondocking” in Mexico, which means camping out on a beach or in the desert without being in a campground or having any electricity, water, or services.

Camp on the Beach at Tecolote

Tecolote is a lovely beach; one can camp here for free as it is government property. What could be better than camping on a beach in the middle of winter and not having to pay a cent? We camped on the beach with the sea on one side and the desert on the other.   There will be a few other campers, but you will have plenty of space all to yourself.

Things to do

• Hiking in the desert.
• Birding – I found the Ash-Throated Flycatcher nearby in the desert and the Yellow-footed Gull on the beach.
• Swimming.
• Windsurfing.
• Exploring the beach – I found many pretty seashells and a washed-up Puffer Fish covered with sharp spines to discourage other fish or birds from eating it.
• Relax and picnic on the beach and enjoy the sun. Palapas are provided.

For those who don’t know what a palapa is, it is a picnic table with a thatched roof to provide shade; sometimes, just the roof without the table. (you can see some in the top photo).

Go exploring and birdwatching in the desert

Seafood

There are no facilities at Tecolote. You must be self-contained. However, there is a rustic restaurant which offers seafood, beer, and a few other things.

The fishers go out before dawn and return about when the average tourist gets out of bed. If you are lucky, you can meet a fishing boat as it returns and buy some excellent seafood at extremely low prices. For example, we purchased a big bag of fresh-caught shrimp for a few dollars.

Ferry Crossing

There is a ferry crossing at Tecolote to the Mexican mainland.

Summary

I loved our short time at Tecolote. What can be better than spending a few days on a beautiful, sandy beach for free?

Driving Baja California Part 12

In part 12, we take in the great carnival in La Paz. Click here for Driving Baja California part 12