Camp Ceseña by Panterra is situated at marker 98 on the main highway north of La Paz. It is approx. half way between La Paz and Puerto Chale, Madalena Bay. The camp is approximately one kilometer off the highway and can be accessed by car. Once guests arrive and check-in, your cars will be parked for the duration of your stay and our van transportation will take over to move you around to the different sightseeing areas to include Mag Bay. The land is owned by the Ejido San Hilario, who doesn’t allow ATV’s or 4×4’s driving on their lands. The area is great for hiking and driving to explore archaeological, paleontological, and historic sites. Camp Ceseña is an extension of Loncheria Lupita, which is owned by the Ceseña Family.

The camp is situated amidst the stunning desert landscapes of Ejido San Hilario. It’s glamping style design offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in traditional Mexican culture while enjoying all the rustic comforts of home. This is a unique educational and cultural experience that should not be missed during your visit to Baja California Sur.

By day their is much to explore and experience. Guests can hike to areas rich in paleo (fossils) and archaeological lithic remains (arrowheads), giving one the feeling that time has stood still. Historical sites reflect the arrival of the missionaries and the Catholic influence in the culture. The land also offers, an oasis feed by natural springs and plays host to rarely seen snapping turtles and other wild animals.

You may delve further into experiencing the culture by visiting a traditional ranchero and try your hand at making tortillas accompanied by fresh ranch cheese and beans or head over to the loncheria where founder Loreto Ceseña Arce and daughters are happy to teach you how to make empanadas, corn tortillas and tamales.

Our sea adventure takes guests to Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side. World renowned as one of the three major birthing lagoons of the Pacific gray whales (Jan. – Mar.) and throughout the year it plays host to a plethora of marine fish, birds and mammals, both migratory and resident, which arrive to feed on the rich sardine runs.

By night enjoy world-class stargazing or relax in the social area where guests are welcomed to meet new friends and engage in social activities such as cards, cribbage, backgammon and more.

These experiences are designed to leave guests with memories of a lifetime and you will want to come back to continue your journey exploring. It is droplet in the ripple of richness of the culture, land and sea that Mexico has to offer. Several of our  guests return on our trips to finish a journey they did not realize they started. Some even joining us on 3 or 4 trips a year.

The Ceseña family, your hosts in partnership with Panterra, will provide you with a glimpse into the richness of the Baja culture, tradition, desert lands and the sea, so much that reflects the raw beauty of Mexico.

The idea of offering the depth of cultural and educational tourism present in the packages, was born out of a family request for developing tourism and an educational and cultural research initiative created by Panterra and under agreement with the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), La Paz.

In the Ceseña family alone, 14 of the 38 grandchildren attend UABCS studying in several different disciplines. All 14 will be given a chance to apply their education in the Ceseña/Panterra project. You can learn more about the project and the Ceseña family on the Panterra Facebook page.

After exploring the Baja for over 40 years and meeting community members in remote areas,  I have learned a very important life’s lesson. Sometimes when you think somebody has nothing you come to realize they may actually have more than you. This is a true journey of the heart.

I invite you to join the Ceseña family and I on this remarkable adventure.

Lela Sankeralli
Founder of Panterra 1986

We acknowledge and thank the Ejido San Hilario community on whose traditional lands we teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge.