Baja Camp

Small, luxurious tented camp on a remote white sand beach on Isla Espíritu Santo, an unspoilt island in Mexico's Sea of Cortez

An hour's boat ride from La Paz takes you past spectacular sheer red cliffs and delivers you to Baja Camp, located on a secluded beach on Isla Espíritu Santo. The island is a nature reserve with no hotels or marinas and the desert landscape is distinctly Martian. As you approach the bay, you can spot sea hawks nesting on the rocks and pelicans skimming the turquoise sea rich with marine life. The isolation gives you a real sense of being in the wilderness, but sleeping under canvas here is a far cry from usual camping. You get large luxury tents with proper beds, warm showers, chilled cocktails and delicious seafood prepared by Italian host, Andrea Tamagnini.

There are opportunities to kayak, trek across the island, go wreck diving and snorkel with the nearby colony of sea lions. But there's no particular routine to the day - just get up when you want, swim in the warm crystal-clear waters, sunbathe, eat the freshest fish, consume margaritas, repeat...

Highs

• Stunning red sunsets are accompanied by perfect margaritas
• Activities include swimming among sea lions, spotting schools of pilot whales and dolphins, and kayaking in serene aquamarine waters
• This is camping in comfort in a pristine natural environment
• You sleep under stunning star-filled Mexican skies, waking occasionally for cooling midnight dips
• Your host personally dives for your fish supper

Lows

• Expect all the minor irritations of sleeping so close to nature; watch out for mosquitoes and ants (although the tents are well supplied with repellents and nets)
• Some might find the bathroom arrangements rudimentary
• You might receive the occasional visit from Babisuris, harmless ring-tailed cats who scavenge for food
• It goes without saying that stereos and satellite TVs aren't part of the landscape here
• It's only open for a few months each year (normally June-September) and in August it's always fully booked