12/15/08 – 12/17/08

We arrived into San Carlos in the evening, just as the sun was setting.  Our Mexican Camping book had recommended Totonaka trailer park as the best place to camp for the night.  While we avoided these types of RV parks in the US, they seem to be the only organized camping spots in Mexico.  Driving by the Totonaka, it was as we expected, a giant parking lot filled with RVs.  Since we did not find this very appealing, we decided to try the “RV park” next door, behind the Best Western hotel.  Our camping book describes this park as falling into disrepair and it was certainly true.  However, there were big patio structures with overgrown bougainvillea, cactus and other vegetation around them.  Although everything was run down, at least the plants and patios provided some privacy and space between the vehicles.  We thought this was a better option than the parking lot, and paid $15 in the office of the Best Western for the night. 

San Carlos and Guaymas are twin towns on opposite sides of the bay.  The bay is surrounded by mountains, making a rocky coastline with a small stretch of beach.  Most of the gringos live in San Carlos, which seems like it is a town that was created to serve the ex-pats who built houses on the cliffs overlooking the bay.  We walked the main drag of San Carlos, stopping for excellent fresh squeezed juice and yogurt at JJ’s and coffee at Evie’s.  In the evening we enjoyed 2 for 1 thin crust pizzas at Froggy’s Bar and beers overlooking the bay at Charly Rock.

Since the Best Western “RV park” was virtually unattended, we decided to stay another night and see if anyone came to ask us for the nightly fee, which no one did.  I am not sure how long you could stay there without paying – it is unclear whether some of the RVs there are occupied, or paying customers, or how long they have been there.  This is in contrast to the hotel and pool area, which are meticulously maintained.  While I would not recommend a long stay, unless you were totally self-contained, it is a good place to stop on the way to points south.