Bahia Camping Tips:  Summer

Weather:  High-Summer in Bahia de los Angeles is not for the weak at heart.  It separates the "men from the boys", as the saying goes.  Temps of 110 in the shade with 80%+  humidity are a common occurrence and sometimes it hardly cools off at night.   Sleeping inside a tent in these conditions is pretty much out of the question unless you have a 12V fan or other way to keep the air circulating over you.  The summer heat here can be unbearable and overwhelming if you are not used to it and do not have a way to cool off or get out of the elements.  Shade is absolutely essential during this time of year.  For some, summer time camping is quite enjoyable and it can be if you:

1. Can physically handle and enjoy a hot envirionment.

2. Come prepared!

The water is beautifully warm for swimming and bathing, and there will be many days that are quite bearable and even comfortable, but keep in mind the conditions that exist here. For me personally, I don't mind how hot it gets during the day.  One can always get under the shade or jump in the water.  It's not being able sleep comfortably at night that just saps the life out of you. If you bring an extra car battery along, and a way to charge it (small solar panel?) life will be so much nicer with that 12V fan blowing on you at night.  Makes an absoulute world of difference.

Winds:  The prevalent wind direction in summer is from the East.  These are generally coolish, pleasant breezes, but they can pick up pretty strong from time to time.  Fog is also a condition that you will run into out on the water in summer time.  This can be dangerous so if you see a bank moving in, head for shore and wait it out if at all possible. Get to one of the near islands or other shore.  

West Winds can blow in the summer and when they do, it's like being in front of a giant hair-dryer.  If they come up a night, keep a bath towel handy and enough water to soak it. Lay that over you and the evaporative effect will make you downright chilly!

When winds blow from the South, these usually bring rain or other bad weather including lightning and thunder.

Critters:  This is a definite consideration during the summer months especially.  One should always be cautious, but Summertime is when the critters are most active down here. MAKE SURE YOU BRING A FLASHLIGHT ALONG AND USE IT AT NIGHT IF YOU HAVE TO WALK AROUND.  

Rattlesnakes: During the day, you may find them curled up behind some gear or underneath tarps or other such items.  At night, they are out looing for food so USE CAUTION AND USE THAT FLASHLIGHT.

Black Widows:  They can set up shop pretty fast and you'll see them in their webs at night, but sometimes even during the day.  They are out there in the dunes, or in firewood piles or other spots, and can easily move into your camp area.  Keep that flashlight handy.

Scorpions:  When camping on the beach, you'll almost always see scorpions.  There are some beefy ones living in the dunes and under wood, rocks, etc.  They come out mostly at night, but always use caution.  Alot of times, when you are packing up camp and  move your tent, you'll see one right under there.  When I pick things up that have been sitting in one spot for a while, I expect there will be a scorpion underneath.  If there's not, then no bigee.  But if so, then I'm not so startled..

Matavenados (Deer Killers):  These resemble scorpions and are indeed sometimes known as "Wind Scorpions". They are pretty nasty looking with two long forelegs and a double-set of jaws. Kind of resemble a cross between a potato bug and a scorpion.  They run like the wind too!  They are fast.  I've encountered many, but one particularly uncomfortable time was when I had a light jacket hanging on a post.  Went to put it on and thougth I saw something in the arm.  Turned it inside out and sure enough, there was a big Matavenado in there.  Not too funny.

Bees:  Bees may move into your campsite if there is water around.  The caution to use here is when you open a soda can for example, take a drink from it, then set it down.  It is quite possible that a bee could land on it and go inside looking for moisture.  If you would then take another drink and swallow that bee, you are in big trouble.  It is good practice to always put something over opened cans or bottles, like a small rag, ball cap,  anything that prevents bees or insects from getting in there.  It is common to see the locals here with a hand over the opening when holding a can.  Just in case.

Suggested Items for Summer-Time Camping:  SHADE!!!!; light-colored, lightweight cotton clothing; some long sleeved to protect you from the sun; SUNBLOCK; hat with a wide brim; 12V FAN for tolerable night sleeping; small solar panel to charge battery; INSECT REPELLENT; plenty of water; ice chest and something to put underneath it to get it up off the ground (ice will last much longer that way); blanket or sleeping bag to put over ice chest; FLASHLIGHT; some type of cot or other bedding arrangement that gets you up off the ground; light sheets; mosquito netting and way to rig it up over you if you are sleeping out in the open.

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