A few years ago, Dan and I packed our bags, grabbed the kids (Kasey and Andy), and headed south to Baja California Sur for what turned out to be one of the most memorable family adventures we’ve ever taken. We partnered with our friends at Todos Santos Eco Adventures—one of our favorite local operators and now a proud Privada partner—and followed an itinerary that combined coastal charm, desert beauty, and wild island magic.
We split our time between Los Colibris Casitas in Todos Santos and Camp Cecil on Isla Espiritu Santo. And while I could wax poetic about the turquoise water or the grilled fish tacos (and I might), what really stuck with us was the pace of life, the wildlife encounters, and the ease with which our kids unplugged and leaned in.
Our first few days were based at Los Colibris Casitas, a beautiful cliffside property with views of the Pacific so wide it made your heart swell. We eased in with yoga on the Sky Deck, a bluff hike above Punta Lobos, and a picnic lunch at the beach. Kasey was on turtle patrol from the jump—hoping every ripple in the sand meant baby hatchlings—and Andy just wanted to swim and climb everything in sight. It was a good balance.
The setting here is a kind of Baja dreamscape: cactus-studded cliffs dropping into blue water, local fishermen hauling in their catch, and that golden Baja light softening everything by sunset.
Then came the boat ride out to Isla Espiritu Santo, a UNESCO-protected island in the Sea of Cortez. Camp Cecil is glamping at its finest: canvas tents right on the beach, solar lanterns, cold cervezas at sundown, and ocean lullabies at night.
By day, we kayaked through hidden coves, snorkeled alongside tropical fish, and hiked the island’s volcanic terrain with a local biologist who helped the kids tag a sea turtle (a serious highlight). One day we visited a frigatebird colony—thousands of birds puffing up like living balloons. Another day we just floated, napped, and let the kids run barefoot with pelicans overhead.
The vibe at Camp Cecil was relaxed but intentional. The guides made it fun, educational, and safe. Meals were fresh, creative, and somehow gourmet even in the middle of nowhere. And every experience felt tuned into the rhythm of the island—never forced, always rooted in place.
On our final day, we swam with whale sharks—a jaw-dropping moment, even for Dan, who has seen a lot in his life. These gentle giants moved like underwater zeppelins, and floating beside them in the deep blue was humbling in all the best ways.
After lunch in La Paz and a fun cooking class back in Todos Santos, we capped the trip with fresh tortillas, new skills, and sandy shoes we didn’t want to pack away.
This was one of those rare journeys where everything clicked: the lodging, the guides, the wildlife, the food. But more than that—it was a trip that offered our family room to breathe, play, learn, and reconnect with each other.
Kasey still talks about the turtles. Andy now insists on kayaking any chance he gets. And Dan and I? We came home feeling grounded, grateful, and more than a little sun-kissed.
We’d be thrilled to help your family experience the magic of Baja with our friends at Todos Santos Eco Adventures. Reach out anytime—we’ll make sure the sea lions and tacos are waiting.