Unbelievable Costa Brava Camping Bungalows: El Far's Hidden Paradise!
Unbelievable Costa Brava Camping Bungalows: El Far's Hidden Paradise! - A Review That's (Almost) Unbelievable
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and maybe some sangria) on El Far Camping Bungalows in the Costa Brava. They call it a "hidden paradise," and honestly? They're not entirely wrong. But paradise, like finding a matching sock in the laundry, has its quirks. Let's get messy with it.
First Impressions & The Accessibility Tango (and the occasional tumble):
So, getting there… that was an adventure in itself. The website hints at "easy access," which is code, I've learned, for "probably not on a donkey." I'm not exactly demanding, but the initial approach to the bungalow felt… challenging. Let's just say if you're traveling with mobility issues, call ahead and double-check the specific path to your cabin. I imagine maneuvering a wheelchair might require a bit of a pre-planning strategy. (Accessibility: partially accessible, let's be frank). They DO have facilities for disabled guests, bless their hearts, but you gotta scope 'em out.
The Bungalow Life: Cozy Chaos & Wi-Fi Woes (and, Yay, Free Wi-Fi!)
Once you’re in, the bungalows themselves are charming enough. Think “rustic chic” meets “IKEA tried its best.” The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a massive win, a modern-day miracle considering my recent experiences with internet roulette in Europe. (Thank heavens because my internet, like my social life, is entirely dependant on it.) I could actually send pictures of the beach without having to climb the tallest tree! The Air conditioning was another godsend. Those Costa Brava sunrays can be brutal. But what a bonus.
Inside, the bed was pretty darn comfy, even if getting the perfect temperature in the shower was a daily battle. (Sometimes a little too hot, sometimes ice-cold. It's all part of the fun, right?) The Blackout curtains helped me mostly sleep off an afternoon of paella and rosé. However (and this is important for those who like to be organized), the Closet was a bit… minimalist. Bring soft luggage, because any hard-cased steamer truck is going to be a problem.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Germ Warfare Factor (and the occasional dust bunny):
Okay, now for the important stuff because COVID-19 is still a thing. Cleanliness and safety are clearly taken seriously. I saw Daily disinfection in common areas being done religiously. The staff seemed well-trained in safety protocol, and there's Hand sanitizer everywhere, along with Individually-wrapped food options. All good. All reassuring. The opt-out thing for room sanitization is great, for a few reasons. One, it really does mean the room has been sanitized, which is a must-have these days. Two, the housekeeping staff respects your privacy if you don't actually need a room sprucing. The hygiene certification seemed to be in order. I do give El Far a solid gold medal for this.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: A Gastronomic Adventure (with the occasional disappointment):
Now for the food… The on-site Restaurants offered a decent variety. The A la carte in restaurant felt a bit swanky. It was great to go for a nice meal, but I also loved the poolside bar. The Poolside bar was where the magic happened. I’d spend hours there, mostly due to the proximity to the Swimming pool and the delightful cocktails. They serve Western cuisine as well.
The Breakfast [buffet] was pretty solid. I was particularly fond of the ham and the fresh fruit. I wouldn't say it was unforgettable, but it certainly set me up for a day of exploring. Breakfast was the one thing I didn't need to worry about. On the other hand, I didn’t love that there was neither a Desserts in restaurant.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax & That Elusive Spa (the one I never found):
El Far is really all about the chill. You’ve got your Swimming pool [outdoor], which is gorgeous. So, I spent about half my time there. Plenty of space to spread out and pretend you are in a magazine photo shoot. A Massage is available if you need to get rid of the knots of your journey. I never managed to find the Spa/sauna. I can't comment either way.
The Kids Factor & Family Fun:
The place is definitely Family/child friendly. I saw plenty of happy kids running around. I noticed Kids facilities which is fab.
Services & Conveniences: The (Mostly) Smooth Operator:
The Front desk [24-hour] was a lifesaver. They were always helpful, answering questions and arranging things. The Laundry service came in handy. Also, the Car park [free of charge] was a massive win. The Concierge service was also available. There were even Facilities for disabled guests.
In conclusion:
Unbelievable? Maybe not quite. Flawed? Absolutely. Charming and a genuinely lovely place to stay? Definitely! El Far Camping Bungalows is a place that feels more honest and real. It's not perfect, but it's got character, and it's got heart. The Costa Brava itself is a showstopper. Make sure you pack your spirit of adventure, a good book, and maybe a little extra patience. You're in for a treat.
SEO & Metadata Stuff (because I'm a good reviewer!):
- Keywords: Costa Brava, Camping Bungalows, El Far, Hidden Paradise, Spain, Travel, Review, Bungalow, Accessibility, Pool, Spa, Family-friendly, Free Wi-Fi.
- Title Meta: Unbelievable Costa Brava Camping Bungalows: El Far Review (Honest & Messy!)
- Description Meta: My unfiltered review of El Far Camping Bungalows in Costa Brava, Spain. Honest thoughts on accessibility, amenities, food, and the "hidden paradise" experience. Get ready for a messy, funny, and refreshingly real take!
- H1: Unbelievable Costa Brava Camping Bungalows: El Far's Hidden Paradise! - A Review That's (Almost) Unbelievable
- URL Slug: el-far-camping-bungalows-costa-brava-review
Okay, buckle up. This isn't your glossy travel brochure. This is the REAL DEAL, the unvarnished truth of a camping trip to Camping Bungalows El Far in Costa Brava y Maresme, Spain. Prepare for the beautiful mess.
Subject: My Costa Brava Camping Catastrophe (and maybe triumph? We'll see.)
DAY 1: Arrival of the Clumsy
- 14:00 - ARRIVAL. Oh sweet mother of all that is HOLY. Getting here was a saga. We're talking two trains, a bus that smelled faintly of yesterday's paella, and a taxi driver who clearly hated his life. He dropped us off in what looked like a construction site. Turns out, that's the "Welcome to Paradise" entrance.
- 14:30 - CHECKING IN. The woman at reception – bless her soul because I could barely string together a decent "Hola" – was surprisingly cheery. The bungalow, though… let's just say the photos online were… generously filtered. It’s smaller, way smaller. I imagine ants have more roomy accommodation.
- 15:00 - BUNGALOW DECORATION. Unpacking. Or rather, battling the luggage, which seems to have acquired a life of its own and is now staging a coup in the tiny bedroom. Found a spider. We named him "Carlos." Seems fitting.
- 16:00 - EXPLORATION. A quick scout of the campsite: Wow, there's a pool! And a playground! But… oh dear god, the communal showers. I'm already breaking out in a full-body rash just thinking about it.
- 17:00 - THE BEACH! Okay, this saves everything. The beach is freaking gorgeous. Crystal clear water, soft sand. Dipped my toes in. My soul just sighed out a big Ahhhhh. This might be worth it after all.
- 19:00 - DINNER DISASTER. Attempted to cook. Burnt the sausages. Twice. The smoke alarm went off. Carlos the spider probably thought the apocalypse was upon us. Ended up eating bread and cheese on the patio with a bottle of cheap Spanish wine. Romantic.
- 21:00 - FALLING ASLEEP The sounds of spanish conversation, partying and a loud barking dog. Not a bad first day I suppose.
DAY 2: The Sea, the Sun… and the Struggle Bus.
- 07:00 - WAKING UP. Woke to glorious sunshine. Carlos is still alive. Success!
- 08:00 - BREAKFAST CONUNDRUM. Found a tiny bakery nearby. The pastries looked amazing. Ordered one. Turned out to be filled with sardines. Sardines for breakfast? Lesson learned: Learn some basic Spanish food terminology.
- 09:00 - BEACH TIME (Round 2!). Spent the morning swimming, sunbathing, and feeling ridiculously happy. The Mediterranean is magic. The waves are perfect, the people are lovely, and the sun… oh, the sun!
- 12:00 - LOST IN TRANSLATION (and the supermarket). Thought I could navigate the local supermarket with my basic Spanish. NOPE. Ended up buying a jar of something that looked suspiciously like baby food. Tried to find some pasta, got lost in a maze of olives, and gave up.
- 13:30 - BEACH TIME (Round 3!) After a long and failed attempt at the supermarket, ended up back at the beach. Soaking in the sun seems the best option available
- 15:00 - NAP TIME. Managed to find a nice spot in the shade. Woke up to a flock of pigeons.
- 17:00 - EXPLORATION. Went for a walk along the coastal path. Stunning views. Almost tripped and fell into the ocean. My clumsiness is a consistent theme.
- 19:00 - DINNER AT A RESTAURANT. Found a little restaurant down the road that served tapas. Finally, some decent food! Ordered patatas bravas. They were amazing. I ate way too many.
- 21:00 - STARGAZING from the patio: The sky is alive with stars. I swear I can see a shooting star or two - if the bugs stop buzzing around me. Carlos seemed to be enjoying it too.
DAY 3: The Great Catalan Adventure (and a meltdown).
- 08:00 - WAKE UP. Another beautiful morning! The air is crisp, the sun is warm, and I don't hate everything yet.
- 09:00 - DRIVE to Tossa de Mar. Decided to be adventurous and visit a nearby town. The drive was… interesting. Apparently, Spanish roads are designed for rally car drivers.
- 10:30 - Tossa de Mar. GORGEOUS! The medieval castle! The cobbled streets! The charming cafes! This place is straight out of a fairytale. Wandered around, got happily lost, took a million photos.
- 12:00 - Lunch & a Catastrophe: The Paella Predicament. Found a restaurant with a view overlooking the sea. The paella looked incredible. Ordered it, waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, it arrived. It was… lukewarm, overcooked, and frankly, a bit disappointing. (My first sign of a meltdown).
- 13:00 - THE MELTDOWN BEGINS. Okay, I'm not gonna lie. The paella incident, combined with the heat, the crowds, and the general travel exhaustion, triggered a mini-meltdown. Started feeling overwhelmed, grumpy and wanted to go home.
- 14:00 - BACK TO THE CAMPSITE. Retreat. Pure and simple. Needed my own space and to escape the crowds.
- 15:00 - NAP. RELAXATION. A long, much-needed nap. This is the beauty of independent travel: you can crash when you need it.
- 17:00 - THE MOMENT OF ZEN. Sat on the beach and just watched the waves. Took a deep breath, let it all go, and the frustration fizzled away. My soul repaired itself.
- 19:00 - DINNER. Grilled our own food at the campsite. Simple meals cooked by myself.
DAY 4: The Aftermath & The Unexpected Joy
- 09:00 - GOODBYE CARLOS! Carlos the spider has disappeared. Guess he moved on to bigger, better things.
- 10:00 - EXPLORATION. Back to the beach one last time, I've decided as my mind's the ocean.
- 12:00 - Packing. One last struggle with my luggage. This trip really is a reminder that is okay to be imperfect.
- 13:00 - DEPARTURE. Goodbye, Camping Bungalows El Far! Goodbye, tiny bungalow! Goodbye, communal showers! Goodbye, Sardine Breakfasts!
- 13:10 - FINAL THOUGHTS: All in all, I did it. I survived. I found beauty and the peace the Costa Brava has to offer. The trip was hard, sometimes, but I learnt more about my own limits – and how I can overcome them.
This is MY trip. Flaws and all. I'd do it again. Maybe I'll even learn a few more Spanish words next time. Or at least how to cook sausages without setting off the smoke alarm.
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Unbelievable Costa Brava Camping Bungalows: El Far's Hidden Paradise! (Okay, Okay, Here's the Truth...)
Is El Far REALLY a hidden paradise? You know, like, Instagram-worthy pristine?
Okay, let's be real. Paradise? Depends on your definition. Instagram-worthy? Some angles, absolutely. The sunsets over the Med from their cliffside perch? *Chef's kiss*. Stunning. Makes you weep a little. But…it's camping. Let's not pretend the bungalow is sculpted by mythical beings. Picture this: I arrived, jet-lagged and grumpy, dragging my suitcase (which, let me tell you, hates cobblestones) past the *very* enthusiastic reception staff. Found the bungalow, and… it wasn't *quite* the gleaming perfection of the photos. Think…charming rusticity with a hint of "lived-in." A bit like me, really. BUT the view? The view made me forget the slight dust bunnies and the questionable-looking showerhead. So, paradise-adjacent. Mostly paradise. Depends on how strong your rose-tinted glasses are.
What's the deal with the bungalows themselves? Are they, you know, comfortable?
Comfortable enough. Think of it as Glamping-lite. You've got your basic amenities - a kitchen (tiny, but functional), a bathroom (ditto), beds (surprisingly comfy, actually!), and a little terrace. The space? Well, you won't be hosting a ballroom dance, but you're not crammed in like sardines either. One year, we ended up with a bungalow that *clearly* hadn't been cleaned properly. There were… things… in the corners. And I'm talking little, hairy, eight-legged things. I may or may not have screamed. The staff, bless their hearts, were very apologetic and immediately sent someone over. It all got sorted, but it was a good reminder that you're in nature's embrace. And nature sometimes brings its (unwanted and terrifying) friends.
The location – is it truly as close to the beach as they say?
Okay, *this* is where El Far shines. I mean, literally, it shines. The beaches are *stunning*. But, and it's a big but, it depends which beach you're talking about. The walk down to the closest cove is… down. And then back up. Expect a decent cardio workout, especially after a day of paella and sangria. However, the reward is a gorgeous turquoise cove. I spent an entire afternoon there once, swimming, sunbathing, and feeling like I was the only person in the world. Pure bliss. (Except for the rogue crab that nipped my toe. That was less blissful.) There are other beaches a short drive away, too. But honestly? That little hike is worth it. Just pack water and a good sense of humor. And maybe some bandaids, just in case a crab gets ideas.
What's the food situation like? On-site restaurant? Nearby markets?
Alright, food. Crucial. El Far has a restaurant, which is… passable. Don't expect Michelin stars, think more… hearty, family-friendly fare. They do a decent paella, and the view from the terrace is spectacular. But honestly? I prefer the little markets in the nearby town of L'Escala. Stock up on fresh bread, cheese, ham, and wine. Then, back at your bungalow? Have a picnic on the terrace. That's the good life. One year, we accidentally bought a whole, giant chorizo. We didn't realize how much chorizo one small family could eat. The smell... it was glorious. Utterly, gloriously overwhelming. We were eating chorizo for *days*. I still have dreams about that chorizo. (And maybe a slight aversion to it, too.)
Is it noisy? What’s the overall vibe in the evenings?
It depends... on your tolerance for the sounds of happy campers! During peak season, it *can* get lively. Lots of kids running around, people chatting, the occasional burst of music. (And let's not forget the inevitable late-night karaoke from the communal areas, if you're unlucky.) But, generally, it quiets down after a reasonable hour. I'm a light sleeper, and I managed. Mostly. The vibe? Relaxed, friendly, and very much 'on holiday'. I did have one night where some overly enthusiastic people kept singing, and my sleep was disturbed. I may have gone outside and grumbled. Okay, I did. But overall, it's a good atmosphere. Just pack earplugs, just in case. And be prepared for the sound of the sea – which, honestly, is the best sound of all.
What are the best things to do nearby? Beyond the beach, of course!
Oh, so much! L'Escala is a charming town – explore the ruins of Empúries, the ancient Greek and Roman settlement. It's fascinating. The entire Costa Brava region is beautiful, with those dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. You can hike, bike, kayak, or just wander around the little coastal villages. Girona is a short drive away – a stunning city with a rich history and a fantastic food scene. Seriously, Girona is totally worth the detour. Get lost in the Jewish Quarter, wander along the river, and eat ALL the things. I ended up spending what felt like all my money on pastries and trying *every* variety of jamón. No regrets, not a single one.
Is it good for kids?
Absolutely! Loads of kids running around, the beach is perfect, and there's even a little playground. My niece and nephew love it. It's safe, fun, and a great way for kids to be outdoors and have some independence. However, and this is a confession… I went *without* kids once. Bliss. Absolute, uninterrupted bliss. I spent a week reading books, swimming, and generally being a lazy, selfish adult. It was glorious. Then I felt guilty because the kids would have loved it. Then I forgot about the guilt. Because the sea was warm, and the wine was cold. See? The best of both worlds can be had at El Far.
Would you recommend it? Be honest!
Yes, I would. With caveats, of course. It’s not always perfect. The bungalows could use a little… TLC. It can get busy. But the location? Unbeatable. The views? Spectacular. The overall experience? Wonderful. It’s a place for sun, sea, sangria, and… maybe a little bit of chaos. It's not ultra-luxury, and it's not ultra-sanitized. What it is, is real. And for me, that’s the best kind of paradise. Just go! But maybe pack extra mosquito repellentThe Stay Journey
