This post is the second in our San Carlos, Sonora: An Active Basecamp on the Sea of Cortez series—where we explore RV travel and camping with hints of paddling routes, hiking trails, biking loops, birding hotspots, and the simple daily rhythms that make this corner of coastal Mexico so intriguing.
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Table of Contents
Why Camp in San Carlos, Sonora?
San Carlos has a long-standing reputation as a welcoming winter basecamp for RV travelers—and it’s easy to see why. Camping here offers a blend of comfort, flexibility, affordability, and instant access to outdoor adventure.
For many travelers, camping provides significant cost savings compared to short-term rentals, especially for longer stays. It also means having your own kitchen, your own bed, and the freedom to come and go as you please—whether that’s a sunrise paddle, a midday siesta, or an impromptu sunset walk on the beach.
Just as important is the active, social community. San Carlos attracts people who play pickleball, kayak, hike, bike, bird, and linger over happy hour conversations. If you enjoy shared adventures—or simply being surrounded by others who value an active, outdoor lifestyle—you’ll feel right at home.
Is San Carlos Safe for RV Camping?
Safety is a common question for first-time visitors to San Carlos, and based on our experience, RV camping in San Carlos felt comfortable and low-stress, especially within established parks.
At Totonaka RV Park, the property is gated (sometimes closed at night) and a security guard stationed at the entrance overnight. For those who need it, this adds a noticeable layer of peace of mind. Inside the park, there’s a strong sense of community—people look out for one another, and there’s consistent staff presence throughout the day.
As with anywhere you travel, basic precautions apply: secure valuables, be aware of your surroundings, and choose locations that match your comfort level. For us, Totonaka felt safe, welcoming, and well-managed.
Totonaka RV Park Review
Totonaka RV Park has been welcoming travelers since 1983, and it remains one of the most popular places to camp in San Carlos.
Location, Location, Location
The standout feature of Totonaka for us is its unbeatable location. The park sits directly across the road from the beach and the Sea of Cortez. We could carry our kayaks across the street and be on the water without ever starting the truck. Mountain biking trails are accessed without ever having to drive to a trailhead. Grocery stores, coffee shops, and restaurants are all within easy walking distance—making it possible to settle in and truly live here rather than drive everywhere.
Cost & Services
Totonaka is refreshingly affordable. We paid $185 USD cash for a full week, which included full hookups—water, sewer, and electricity. While we only use electricity in our tiny trailer, many larger rigs relied on the full services, and everything worked well – but power fluctuations are common.
Note: Best protection for your rig is to have an electrical management system which protects against high and low voltage fluctuations.
Prices vary depending on length of stay and whether you pay by credit card or cash, but U.S. cash generally gets you the best rate.
Keep track of your dates and bookings with this RV Trip Planner – available in our Etsy shop!
Sites & Park Maintenance
Sites are a mix of dirt, gravel, and older concrete pads. Some pads are in better shape than others—ours was solid, while our friends discovered that sweeping their site also swept away bits of aging concrete. That said, the park is clearly well cared for.
Workers were constantly fixing, painting, pruning, and cleaning, and their cheerful greetings—hola, ¿cómo está?, buenos días—became part of our morning routine.
Amenities
- Bathrooms: Spotlessly clean—among the cleanest we’ve ever seen in an RV park.
- Showers: Good hot water, though once the propane runs out, it can take a full day for heat to return.
- Pools: Two swimming pools and a hot tub heated three days a week.
- Eagle’s Nest: A raised porch overlooking the pool, with rockers facing the ocean—perfect for sunset watching.
- Seating & Shade: Covered tables, sun loungers, and lots of shady spots.
- Pickleball Court: One court, free to use. Official booking is through the office, though afternoons and evenings were usually wide open.
- Clubhouse: Tables for cards or work, a small library, couches, washroom, and decent Wi‑Fi inside (Wi‑Fi at sites was hit or miss).
- Laundry: $2 USD per load. Dryers were unreliable, but clotheslines near the cabanas worked beautifully.
- Dog-Friendly: Designated dog-walking area.
- Garbage & Utilities: Open barrel garbage cans emptied regularly; fish-cleaning table in a separate room.
- Cabana Rentals: Over 30 cabanas with kitchenettes—great if friends or family come to visit.
- Weekly market days: Fresh produce, baked goods and shrimp trucks
Nature in the Park
Large palms, mature trees, and flowering bushes fill the park, attracting plenty of bird life. We regularly spotted cactus wrens, gila woodpeckers, doves, hummingbirds, and a variety of songbirds right from our site.
Social Vibe & Noise Levels
Early evenings often brought informal happy-hour circles—campers gathering with lawn chairs and drinks. Many people return year after year, creating a strong sense of community. There’s a large Canadian presence, especially from Western Canada, with a sprinkling of travelers from Ontario and Manitoba.
Weekends can be noisy. Loud karaoke and music from outside the park sometimes kicked off around 2 a.m. Earplugs solved the problem for us, but it’s worth knowing if you’re a light sleeper.
Who Is Totonaka RV Park Best For?
This campground is a great fit if you:
- Want walkable beach access and town amenities
- Enjoy an active lifestyle (kayaking, hiking, biking, pickleball)
- Appreciate a social but optional community vibe
- Prefer full hookups at an affordable weekly or monthly rate
- Like well-maintained facilities and friendly, English-speaking staff
It may not be ideal if you:
- Need guaranteed quiet on weekend nights
- Prefer luxury-style RV resorts or pristine concrete pads
- Want complete solitude or off-grid camping
Making Connections
We arrived with friends who are seasoned San Carlos visitors—social, active, and deeply embedded in the Totonaka community. Thanks to them, introductions came fast and furious. It was a bit overwhelming at first (we value our quiet time), but it didn’t take long to appreciate the warmth and openness of the people we met.
Before we knew it, we’d stumbled into an impromptu tiny trailer trio, complete with a weekly progressive appetizer hour—snacks and drinks at RV #1, then #2, and finally #3. It was relaxed, hilarious, and one of those experiences that simply wouldn’t happen without camping.
Whether you’re outgoing or more reserved, Totonaka seems to have room for every style of traveler. It’s not just a campground—it feels like part of the Pueblo Mágico spirit that defines San Carlos.
Other Places to Park Your RV in San Carlos
While Totonaka is a favorite, it’s not the only option.
- Emerald RV Park: Another established park in town, often chosen for longer stays. Amenities and pricing differ, but it’s worth checking availability if Totonaka is full.
- Small No‑Name Park: A very small park we discovered while biking around town. It has five sites—limited services, solar showers but sometimes an option in high season (usually summer months). Must rent for winter season, $350 US per month, unless there are vacancies.
- Dune Boondocking: Some travelers choose to camp in the dunes outside town.
- Beach Boondocking: We saw campers on Piedras Pintas.
Free Camping Pros: Free camping, fewer close neighbors, quieter nights, star-filled skies, and the freedom to wander straight onto the beach for moonlit walks.
Free Camping Cons: Occasional homeless encampments, increased risk of theft, blowing sand, muddy access after rain, no services, and the possibility of nearby generators running.
When You Go: Campground Notes
- Prices vary depending on cash vs. credit card and daily, weekly, or monthly rates.
- U.S. cash usually gets the best deal.
- High season fills quickly—reservations are recommended, though we lucked out during a quieter period.
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👉 Up next in this series: Paddling the Soldado Estuary —
exploring a unique bird sanctuary just minutes from camp.
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