Wild Camping at Aguilas
We're at Camping Bella Vista on the western outskirts of Aguilas in Murcia. On previous visits here, we've watched as the local police have rousted wildcampers from the adjacent beach area at sunset, but this morning we counted 48 'vans which had rested undisturbed overnight. Many of the motorhomes are v big and couldn't get on this site if they tried. There's nowhere obvious for waste disposal or fresh water replenishment, so they must go off site to dump and replenish.
We prefer campsites, but with winter campsites being increasingly full, we can appreciate how bigger vans must find it difficult to find sites which can accommodate them. It seems that the Murcian Police are turning a blind eye to 'wildcamping' to ease the problem.
They get a great view, even if they're a bit close together.
Comments
-
, Oh !! VERY similar to just outside Benidorm in the 80s at " La Cala" then !! !! ( been there ,done that ) 
.0 -
Actually it must be quite appealing to park up and listen to the waves lulling you to sleep! Nice photo ChasandCath!
I just do hope they go off site to 'dump' and not towards the sea to dispose of 'the evidence'!
We hope so too Valda. There's no evidence that anyone is behaving irresponsibly.
0 -
That look likes a horrible dusty car park to me. Probably going to get flamed here but we are currently in a lovely spacious appartmemt on the Algarve, all services including heating, wifi, sea view , wonderful roof terrace - £600 a month plus £100 a month
for car hire. Don't get me wrong we like vanning but it is far from the only way to get cheap winter sun.ps 20 degrees here today and not a cloud in the sky
0 -
That look likes a horrible dusty car park to me. Probably going to get flamed here but we are currently in a lovely spacious appartmemt on the Algarve, all services including heating, wifi, sea view , wonderful roof terrace - £600 a month plus £100 a month for car hire. Don't get me wrong we like vanning but it is far from the only way to get cheap winter sun.
ps 20 degrees here today and not a cloud in the sky
Not quite, from the first picture to me it looks like a lovely beach, and I really wouldn't mind spending some time there!
However, our friends do the same, booking an apartment, but they go to Tenerife or another of the Canaries, and stay for the whole winter. They've just got back after nearly five months there, brown as berries, and paying less then £60 per week (cheaper than most campsites) for a two bedroom apartment, on a complex with bar, restaurant, and two pools and a very short walk to the beach! It cost them just £29.00 to fly home!
We may join them next year!
0 -
Don't want to 'wildcamp', but wouldn't want to be stuck in an appartment for weeks on end. We can step outside our van into the sunshine at ground level and enjoy the sunshine and meet people. We can also move on whenever we want, to wherever we want. That beats an appartment hands down unless being able to watch Coronation Street is a prioirity.
The wildcampers have a great 'social' dimension and kinship, we believe; however, we like our campsites and the 'village life'.
0 -
I'd like to know where people find these apartments at the prices mentioned, we are on Lanzarote at the moment and not seeing anything anywhere near. I'm serious where do you find them?
The appartment we rent on the Algarve is £210 a week in the winter or £600 for 3 weeks with every fourth week free - therefore £600 per month - we use Owners Direct. If we rented for 5 months I dare say we could get it for less (maybe £100 a week plus bills)
but the £60 a week ValDa quotes for the Canaries is very, very cheap.0 -
ValDa, thanks I would appreciate that.
birderbilly, thanks for that that sounds good value I will look into it possibly for next winter. I have a villa booked through the same company on GC for 1st week of October, but the price is a little eye watering at that time just for a week.
0 -
We werre at Bella Vista last year and nearly every beach between there and Mojacar had plenty of motorhomes. Great for wild campers but not so good for we caravanners who park on a site and like to walk on the desrted winter beaches!
Were you there in time for the Mardi Gras parade Chas?
0 -
ValDa, thanks I would appreciate that.
birderbilly, thanks for that that sounds good value I will look into it possibly for next winter. I have a villa booked through the same company on GC for 1st week of October, but the price is a little eye watering at that time just for a week.
I think in the Canaries there is a huge diff price wise between an apartment and a villa. We go to Fuerty' for the whole of November and stay in a lovely cottage 10 mins from the beach with volcano views ! that costs Euro 1,000 for the month, so about £200
a week, still great value but I am sure an appartment would be alot cheaper and a villa (with pool) alot dearer. One great thing about the Canaries is the cost of living once you get there is very low, suprisingly cheaper even than mainland Spain.0 -
We werre at Bella Vista last year and nearly every beach between there and Mojacar had plenty of motorhomes. Great for wild campers but not so good for we caravanners who park on a site and like to walk on the desrted winter beaches!
Were you there in time for the Mardi Gras parade Chas?
We missed the parade this year, but were here in 2009 for the carnival week and the final parade - spectacular costumes and the loudest music you ever heard!
0 -
Chas & Cath, after problems with wild campers like you have described in that area the Murcia government has been involved with the local authorities to try and get action taken to remove all the wild camping in Murcia. Unfortunately Murcia Government has no powers to deal with them and it has to be done by the local authorities but they have said they will support the actions taken. I read that a few months ago in the local press online and it involves all area of the municipality. They are also going to do an aire on the shopping centre to the north of Murcia City with easy accesso the city via public transport. Not sure when it will be ready but I hope it has some facilities as well. That camper stop at Los Alcazares we used in October was pretty much full over the Christmas period I understand from friends who live there. There were still plenty wild camping though! Our friends rent in La Azohia for 400 euros a month all included!!! rather than stay at Los Madriles, a real bargain but they cannot move on if they get bored like we can
. Regards, Roy0 -
The wildcampers are not a problem for us , Roy, but it seems like Murcia is missing an opportunity to create a few jobs and make some money by regulating and charging for wild camping. The wildcampers are also helping to ease the demand for winter campsites.
Right now, sites are thinning out as overwinterers head for home. Several vacant pitches here at Bella Vista
There are still beaches and coves nearby to enjoy a morning stroll
0 -
Anyone who promotes 'appartmenting' over 'camping' should be drummed out of the Club
Go and start your own thread!..sorry was just seizing the moment
lovely and warm on Lanzarote quite a few wild campers here this year. Not into wild camping ourselves we
like our comforts but someone we know fulltimes and does when they need to.PS, camping is not the only holiday choice, cruising i believe is popular
0
