Stop laughing. I hope you didn’t choke on your morning coffee thinking about camping in Yucatán. Yes, it can be hot, sweaty, and very, very wet here, but not all the time. From mid-October until at least March, I’d even go so far as to say we have perfect camping weather. Days are delightfully warm and the evenings are cool enough that the idea of a Fogata (for some reason I love the Spanish word for campfire enough to replace it in my English) and s’mores is incredibly appealing.
As we emerge, blinking into our strange new world, we need to figure out how to explore during our new “normal.” For some, this will mean no travel at all for now, for others, it entails staying closer to home or traveling with packets of antiseptic wipes to clean down hotel rooms and airplane seats. For me, it means ensuring even more of my travel time is spent outside. Naturally, therefore, my thoughts turn to camping possibilities.
So, where to camp in Yucatán?
Ejido San Crisanto
Offers camping spaces on their beach area Balneario Sac-Há. If wild beach camping is your thing then this option will be perfect for you. Set up your tent under a Palapa or between the palm trees and get ready to do some serious relaxing. Sac-Há is one of the state’s best-kept secrets. This stretch of beach could be on a desert island, it’s so beautiful.
There are bathrooms that are kept clean and basic outdoor showers. The community can provide meals to your tent with prior warning, or you can head into Telchac Puerto or San Crisanto to find food. Of course, if you’re really into the whole camping experience (I am), then there’s always the option of cooking your own food over the Fogata. Just take the grill from your oven at home and create a makeshift stove.
When I camped here, we took a mix of pre-prepared food from home and also cooked over the fire. Of course, if you’re there with kids then the s’mores can come out too once everyone has eaten. As a non-American, I can attest that kids of all nationalities love s’mores!
The site is large enough and few enough people camp here that you really won’t be disturbed by other campers. During the day there will be day-visitors, but most leave by 5 pm.
Address: Carretera Yuc. Km. 27 between Telchac Puerto and San Crisanto Cost: $135 pesos per person per night (including children but not babies) How to Book: Call Cel. 9911 05 37 10 or via Co’ox Mayab
Palula Beach
Right in the heart of San Crisanto is Palula Beach campsite. This is a smaller site, but it is still located right on the same stunning stretch of beach. I camped here over one of the coldest weekends Yucatán had seen in a long time, but it was still a magnificent experience with stunning views, hammock possibilities, and plenty of opportunities to relax. It is possible to order food to your tent if you don’t want to head into town or cook your own.
One big benefit of this site is that there is a small kitchen where you can wash dishes and, wait for it, make coffee in the morning without having to get a fire going first! Because it’s in town it can be a little noisy at night. Fogatas are permitted here too. There are bathrooms and showers on site.
Address: Calle 25 x 32, San Crisanto Cost: $100 pesos per person per night How to Book: Message or call Cel. 9993 22 04 85 FB: Palula Beach Camping & Hotel
Sayachaltún Ecoturismo
just before Telchac Puerto is Sayachaltún, one of my favorite places for kayaking and communing with nature in Yucatán. I spend a lot of time out on the water here, but I haven’t yet camped with them. I absolutely plan on doing so very soon. This site is on the lagoon side of the road, making it slightly different from the other two options above. If you want beach time, simply cross the road and follow the sand.
This campsite has bathrooms and showers and a full restaurant service. There is a fun wooden play space for the kids to entertain themselves and you can rent kayaks to muck about on the Laguna. Fogatas are not permitted at this campsite. Address: Calle 27 on the right-hand side just before Telchac Puerto Cost: $150 pesos per tent per night How to book: Message or call Cel. 9992 30 81 19 FB: Sayachaltún
Hameki
If you’re less keen on actual camping, how about glamping? At Hameki, in Homún, you can have all the safe outdoor fun you like with the comfort of not having to put up your own tent and being able to sleep in a bed. There is even a mini spa on site for those who really love a little pampering.
Homún is home to a large number of cenotes so while you’re far from the beach, there’s no shortage of watery options, including the on-site swimming pool. If you stay here be sure to ask about their cenote tours, too.
There is a restaurant and bar on site (no taking your own food or booze here) and a firepit where you can cook your all-important marshmallows or s’mores. Address: Km 3.3 Carretera Acanceh - Sotuta, Homún Cost: Get in touch for prices as there are often promotions How to Book: reservaciones@hameki.com.mx
Top Camping Tips:
- Whatever you do, please, please step out of your tent in the middle of the night for a star-gazing session. Rarely will you experience a night sky like in the Yucatecan countryside. I’ve traveled extensively around the world and am awed by the stars here.
- I know the wonderful YT readers aren’t the type of people who leave trash behind, but the more reusable items you take, the less waste you create.
- Our esteemed editor reminded me that bugs might be of concern: hmmm, well, it’s often windy at the beach, which means few mosquitos. Don’t forget the bug spray and sunblock, though. It’s still hot enough to burn.
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