On this page we will post the locations and details of campgrounds that we find along the way. Many of these campgrounds can be found in any number of books, including most of the guide books that are out there. Some of them, however, we have stumbled upon without reading about them first (which doesn’t mean they are not already in a guide book somewhere). For now we are just including directions and any contact info we have, but at some point we hope to get GPS coordinates. We hope this list will be useful.
Mexico
We didn’t make a list of Mexico campgrounds because of the wealth of information that is already out there. If you don’t already have it we recommend getting Mike and Terry Church’s Mexican Camping. Often referred to as “the bible”, they include details of just about any camping place that exists for the whole of Mexico.
Belize
Crooked Tree Wildlife Santuary
Crooked Tree Lodge– located about an hour south of Orange Walk. Look for the sign on the new Northern Highway, follow the dirt road across the causeway and into the village. Take a right at the T after the visitor center, a left at the cemetery and follow the signs from there. Cost = 20 belize per night (US $10). Beautiful lake side location and a birders paradise. Clean bathrooms and cold shower, you can camp anywhere on the property you want. No hookups, but they will let you charge computers, cameras, etc at the bar. Wi-fi internet included. The owners are very friendly and accommodating. Excellent breakfast and dinner offered and a bar with sodas and beer.
Near Belize City
Community Baboon Sanctuary-Located about an hour north of Belize City. Look for the sign off the northern highway and follow the signs. Cost = 5 Belize (US $2.50) per person. No hookups, clean bathrooms and showers. No frills camping, but it offers an alternative to Belize City and is cheap.
San Ignacio
Inglewood RV and Campground– Located about a mile west of San Ignacio on the Western Highway going towards the Guatemalan border on the left hand side. Cost = 27.50 belize (US $13.75) per night + electricity. Full hookups (electricity is metered), clean bathrooms and showers, wi-fi internet included (only works from 5pm to 11pm and 7am to 11 am). Very nice owners can help arrange tours in the area for you.
Barton Creek Outpost – Located about an hour outside of San Ignacio on the road to the Pine Ridge Mountains. From San Ignacio head east on the highway towards Belize City. Turn right on Pine Ridge Rd in the town of Georgeville (signed for Mountain Pine Ridge). Follow the dirt road for a few miles. Turn left at the sign for Barton Creek Caves. Stay straight on this road through an intersection and across a creek for about 4 miles. Look for the sign on the right just before the caves. Cost = 10 Belize (US $5) with a vehicle. No hookups, electricity for charging computers, cameras, etc available at the lodge at night (generator powered). Clean bathrooms but no shower. Located in a jungle paradise with a beautiful swimming hole for swimming and bathing complete with rope swings and rocks to jump off. Delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner offered daily. Owned by a wonderful family who is friendly and makes you feel at home.
Guatemala
Between Flores and Rio Dulce
Finca Ixobel– Located a few miles south of the town of Poptun on the highway between Flores and Rio Dulce. Heading south look for the sign on the left side of the road, the driveway is on the right. Cost = Q25 per person (US $3 and some change). No hookups, but you can run an extension cord from the bathroom for electricity. Clean bathrooms and showers. Slow wi-fi for Q10 per hour or use of on site computers for Q20 per hour. Delicious on site restaurant and bakery-highly recommend the dinners. Finca Ixobel is kind of an all inclusive type place but in a relaxed atmosphere. Camping is in a nicely vegetated field surrounded by “tree houses” (little houses built on stilts) that can be rented as well as dorm rooms, private rooms and nice cabañas with rooms and bathrooms. There is a nice little pond for swimming and a bar open sometimes at night. They offer tours including Cave tours (highly recommend the Rio Cave), horseback riding, camping, and river rafting.
Semuc Champey
We were told by both the owner of the hostel we camped at and the guards at the park that you can camp for free in the parking lot of the park once you have paid your entrance fee, Q50 (Approx. US $6.50). The catch is the entrance fee is only good for 1 day, therefore “camping” is technically Q50 a day, but you have to pay the entrance fee daily regardless if your camping or not. There are no hookups, but I believe the bathrooms are open all night.
Hostal El Portal
Located right next door to Semuc Champey on the river. It is a hostal and has places for tents to be set up above the river but is not necessarily set up for vehicles. The owner let us camp in a nice flat spot in the front yard of the hostal/house of the caretakers. Cost = Q20 (US $2.50) per person. No hookups, but you can use the bathrooms and cold shower of the hostel. The hostel also has a restaurant/bar that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Decent food and moderately priced. Beautiful and convenient location along the river.
Antigua
DISETUR-Tourist police yard. The tourist police will let you camp for free in the yard of their headquarters, located near the mercado. Heading south on Calzada Santa Lucia (the road running in front of the mercado), take a right on 6 Calle, and you’ll see the yard on the right towards the end of the block. No hook-ups but there are bathrooms and showers and you can run an extension cord to a plug near the bathrooms if needed. There is a 10:00 pm curfew at night (they close the gate and won’t let anybody in).
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan
Hotel Vision Azule – Coming down the hill into town from Solala, you will see signs for the Vision Azule and Hotel Atitlan on the right just before the road turns and drops into town. The turn is a sharp right, so you may need to go into town to turn around. Follow the road down and the Vision Azule is the first hotel at the bottom. Cost = Q100. They have a big grass area across from the hotel with places for camping right on the lake, some even have small palapas with tables. Electrical outlets are located on the palapas. The bathrooms at the pool are not the nicest we’ve seen, but the owner will open a room for showers as long as they are not full.
El Salvador
Parque Nacional El Imposible –
Located just south of the Guatemalan border, El Imposible is one of the highlights of El Salvador. If coming from the border at La Hachadura follow the CA-2 south for about 25 kms. A few miles south of the town of Cara Sucia you will see the sign for El Imposible. Take the left turn and follow the road up the hill for about 13 kms. The road ends at El Imposible. Cost = $6/person entrance fee and $1 for camping (we stayed two nights and only had to pay the fees once). There are two camping areas inside the park reachable in smaller higher clearance vehicles (trucks/smaller vans), otherwise you can camp in the parking area in front of the visitor center. Bathrooms and cold showers located at the visitor center. Guides are available at the visitor center to lead hikes into the park which is highly recommended.
Playa El Tunco
Roots Surf Camp– Located a few miles north of La Libertad on the main strip of the little town. The camping area shares a lot with two restaurant/bars. Cost = $4 per night. We inquired about camping here but ended up getting a room with AC for the night as we were not prepared for the melting heat yet. Not sure about the restroom/electricity situation.
Parque Nacional Cerro Verde
Located about an hour north of San Salvador near Lago Coutepeque. You can get there either from the highway to Sonsonate or the CA1 near Santa Ana. If coming from Sonsonate, take the road signed for Cerro Verde for about 15 kms. Take a left turn at the road signed for Cerro Verde and Volcan Izalco. The road climbs up the volcano and ends at the park. Cost = $6/person entrance fee and $1 for camping. Bathrooms and water spigots but no showers or electricity. They have a grassed area for camping up on the hill, but it is far from the bathrooms. We camped in the parking lot in order to be closer to the bathrooms. Guided hikes to climb either Volcan Santa Ana or Volcan Izalco leave daily at 11:00 am.
El Pital
El pital is the highest peak in El Salvador. Located near the Honduran border and the small town of La Palma. From La Palma head north on the highway to the little town of San Ignacio. You will see the signs for El Pital coming from either direction. Follow the very steep paved road up the mountain for about 10 kms to the town at the top (can’t remember the name). Take a left on a dirt road (signed for El Pital) and follow the very bumby, very steep road all the way to the top. This last part is only recommended for smaller high clearance vehicles. It is hard to find a flat place to camp. We ended up parking in front of the vacant cabin. Cost = $12 per night. Scary bathrooms, no showers or electricity. Although a little hard to get to, it was one of the most beautiful places we camped in El Salvador. Very quite and peaceful pine forest and the views are amazing. On a clear day you can probably see a good part of the country (at least this is what we were told).
Laguna de Alegria
Located off the CA1 west of San Miguel. You can either take the road signed for Berlin or Santiago de Maria. The roads are well signed to Laguna de Alegria. Cost = $1/person a night plus a $.50 entrance fee. The lake is in the caldera of the volcano. You can camp anywhere you like around the lake. No bathrooms or facilities. There are some palapas and tables set up around the lake. There is a faint smell of sulfur in the air, and the lake is sulfurous. Very beautiful scenery, with coffee plantations on the drive in and steep forested slopes surrounding the lake.
Nicaragua
Grenada
Estacion de Bomberos, fire station downtown. The fire station located a few blocks from the central plaza has a secure parking lot where you can park you car for the night if staying in a hotel or we were told you can also sleep in you car there. The fire station is located on the corner of the same block as the Bearded Monkey Hostel and Hostel La Libertad, a few blocks from the central park. Cost = 50 cordoba to park overnight or 100 cordoba to sleep. We didn’t ask about the bathroom situation, but it is a secure place as there are people there all night.
San Juan del Sur
Camping Matilda- Located north of San Juan del Sur on Playa Matilda. Take a right on the road heading north as you come into the town of San Juan del Sur. The road is signed for Playa Marsala. After a little while you come to a small neighborhood and the road gets a little confusing. You might have to ask for directions, but essentially you are looking for the road that will take you inland around the point. Follow the dirt road to the Chocalate Junction and take a left (just after a small bridge). Follow this dirt road to the Y and go right (the left is signed for Playa Marsala Beach and Surf Club). Follow this road all the way to the end and you will see Camping Matilda at the very end of the road on the beach. Cost = 90 cordoba per person. Bathrooms and cold water showers are available inside the hostel. There is a fenced field across from the hostel for tents and cars, located right on the edge of the beach. It is on a beautiful cove, and is a short walk around the point to Playa Marsala which is a great surf spot. The hostel also has “dog houses” which are small concrete rooms with beds and private rooms for rent.
Note: we found other places to camp along the beach going into Playa Matilda, including at Playa Marsala, however, for car camping Camping Matilda seemed the safest and most comfortable. You can ask at any beach place and they will most likely let you camp for a fee, however, water and bathrooms may not be available.
Costa Rica
San Jose
Camping Belen– Located in San Antonio Belen, a suburb of San Jose near the neighborhood of Heredia, this is an actual RV park! On the panamerican highway, just past the airport, take the exit for route 111. Go right off the exit and follow the road. Just after a soccer field take a right (the road becomes one way going in the opposite direction here so you have to take a right). Go to the end of the block and take a left. About 3 blocks down the RV park is on the left just after the gas station. Cost = $14 US per night. Full hookups (water, electricity, and sewer), clean bathrooms, hot water showers. NOTE: The owners were in negotiations to lease the land for the trailer park while we were there. They told us if they did lease it the trailer park would be open through the end of the year, and there was some talk about starting a new trailer park across the street. Before going check out there website to be sure they are open.
Punta Uvita-Pacific Coast
Flutterby House– The Flutterby House is a newly opened hostel, located a minutes walk from the only free beach access to Marino Ballena National Park and Punta Uvita (near Dominical on the Pacific Coast). It is a very cool hostel that offers camping, dorm rooms, and private cabañas. Parking space is limited however, so this place is only recommended for smaller rigs (RV’s wouldn’t fit). On the coastal highway, the town of Uvita is south of Dominical. Near the south end of town, turn right 150 meters south of Banco Nacional at “Cabinas Gato” on the corner. Turn left at the first intersection. Follow this road over a small bridge and then take your first right. The Flutterby House is on your left, look for the big wall. Cost = 600 colones per person for camping (about $3.50 per person). Beautifully tiled bathrooms with cold showers (trust me you wouldn’t want a hot shower here!), and a communal kitchen and hang out area. You can run an extension chord for electricity. The hostel was beautifully built and the atmosphere is very laid back and relaxing. Highly recommended.
Nicoya Pensinsula
Playa Avallana-there is a public parking lot at Playa Avallana right next to Lola’s Restaurant where you can camp. There are guards during the day who will keep on an eye on your stuff while you are enjoying the beach, and while there is no charge we tipped the guard when leaving. Coming from Tamarindo on the back road, take a right in Avallana at the sign for Lola’s Restaurant. The parking lot is at the end of the block. There are no facilities here, but the owner of Lola’s let us use his bathrooms. Don’t miss Lola the pig bathing in the ocean, it is quite the site!
Playa Junquillal- coming into town from the north, take a left at the dirt road signed for Iguanazul Hotel. Follow the road to the T and take a left. You will see a sign for camping, take a right here and follow it to the end. Camping is on a grassed area with lots of trees up on a bluff overlooking the beach. There is a trail for beach access, bathrooms and showers, and some sinks for doing dishes. Cost = 2,000 colones per person during the low season. There are a lot of trees in the camping area, and we heard howler monkeys all night and morning. In the morning a family of howler monkeys came out to eat and let us take pictures. A very nice place to camp.
Panama
Panama City
Balboa Yacht Club-While this isn’t a campground, it does offer free parking and access to free showers and internet. Located on the causeway, take the first exit for amador after the bridge of the americas when coming into town. After about a block you will see a sign for TGI Fridays and a hotel on the right, turn here. The yacht club is at the end of the block on the right. You can park in the field next to the restaurant to sleep. Down the bank from the restaurant towards the water is a small building with showers, a washer and dryer, and a little hang out area. We didn’t actually stay here but have met quite a few overlanders that have. We were told it is sort of a don’t ask don’t tell policy. They don’t mind people staying as long as they stay out of the way.
Santa Catalina
Oasis Surf Camp– Santa Catalina on the Pacific Coast is probably the most famous beach town in Panama for its surf. The Oasis is located right on the nicest stretch of beach in town. The only problem is that you have to cross a small river to get to it, so can only come and go at low tide (at low tide the water is only 4-5 inches deep so no problem for any vehicle with a little clearance). When coming into town, take the only dirt road on the left at a pink hotel/store. This road goes out to all of the beach fronted hotels. Continue on the main road for awhile (stay to the left past a few branches). You will come to a Y and see a sign for Oasis Surf Camp, go to the left. Follow the road all the way until it ends at the river, the Oasis is just across the river. We recommend checking the tide before coming out here, and walking the river before crossing to make sure it is crossable. Cost = $5 per night per person for camping. Bathrooms and cold water showers available. There is a restaurant for food and drinks onsite as well as cabanas for rent as well.
Colombia
Caribbean Coast
Playa Velero-10.951388ºN, 75.034111ºW Located about 20 km from Barranquilla on the highway from Cartagena, Playa Velero is a nice little bay with palapas set up all around the water. There are a bunch of little restaurants set up to provide food for the beach goers. You can camp on the beach for free. There are some scary pit toilets that you may or may not want to use, but no other facilities. We were told the police have a presence here at all times and it is safe for camping. On the highway from Cartagena you will see a sign for Playa Velero, turn left on the road and follow it all the way to the beach. You can pick anywhere you want to camp. WARNING: this beach gets very crowded on weekends with Colombians.
Playa Los Angeles-11.292894º N, 73.891640º W Located east of Santa Marta next to Parque Tayrona. Beautiful beach, with places for tents. You can drive a vehicle in to camp during the dry season or when the rain hasn’t been too bad (when we were there we couldn’t drive in because the road was pure mud from the rain). Bathrooms and cold water showers. Cost = 5,000 COP per night per person. From Santa Marta take the highway towards Riohacha. At km 33.5 you will see the sign for Playa Los Angeles on the right side of the road.
La Guajira Peninsula
Cabo de la Vella– The Guajira Peninsula is hard to get to but well worth the effort. There is an area right in town where you can camp on the beach, for a few dollars a night. There are no amenities besides the amazing view. You can also camp on the beach just before getting to the main part of town where it is a bit quieter. Ask at any of the houses along the beach for permission. The occupants of the houses will ask for a few thousand pesos. This area is somewhat of a no-mans land so it is best to camp around people and pay for the privilege to insure your safety and the safety of your possessions. It also wouldn’t hurt to buy some fresh lobster off your hosts if offered. The price is good, and they will even cook it for you if you don’t feel like it.
Villa De Leyva
Zona de Camping-Great location only a few blocks from the main plaza of Villa De Leyva. Big grassed lot with bathrooms and cold showers right in the middle of town. You can run an extension chord into the bathroom for electricity. Cost = 10,000 COP per person per night plus 10,000 COP for the vehicle (30,000 COP or about $15 per night for a couple). When you drive into town, follow the road past the main plaza 2 blocks and it is on the left. Note: there is a covered gate you drive through into the lot. We didn’t have any trouble with clearance, however a German couple in a camper couldn’t get through due to boxes on their roof. If you have a really high vehicle you might have problems getting in.
Renacer Guest House–Located just outside of Villa de Leyva about a 15 minute walk from town. It is a hostel with private rooms and an area for camping, in a very relaxed, beautiful setting. Bathrooms and hot showers are shared with the dorm rooms. You can run an extension chord for electricity. Free wi-fi internet, a big nice kitchen area and a nice hang out area as well. The same owners have a tour company in town called Colombian Highlands, and are a great source of information on the area and tour packages. Cost = 14,000 COP per person in the high season. From Villa de Leyva take the road to Tunja out of town, after about a half a mile, turn right just after a small bridge. Follow the dirt road past the military base about 100 meters, turn right at the sign for Renacer Guest House.
Eje Cafetero-Salento
Camping Monteroca–4.64375ºN, 75.58395ºW Located in the little town of Bocia about 4 km from Salento. The bus into Salento stops right out front and costs 1,000 COP per person (about $0.50) It is a actual campground right next to the river. The place is ideal for tent camping, but you can park you rig next to the office. Bathrooms, wonderful outside hot water showers, three big kitchen areas, hang out areas, and hammocks. You can run an extension chord for electricity. Cost = 15,000 COP per person per night. The road into Salento passes through the little town of Bocia, and Monteroca is on the left just before the river. It has good signage and is hard to miss.
La Serrana-Located about 1.5 km from Salento. It is a working ecofarm and hostel, and has a nice flat spot for camping with an amazing view of the surrounding countryside. Bathrooms and hot showers are located inside the hostel along with a nice kitchen, great hangout areas, and a living room with a good selection of movies. Free wi-fi internet, and the owner would probably let you run an extension chord for electricity. You can even help milk the cows if you are willing to get up early. Week nights the owner cooks a delicious family style meal, enjoyed with all the other guests at one table, and is well worth the reasonable price. Cost = 10,000 COP per person including breakfast. We liked it so much here, we had a hard time leaving! Driving into Salento, take the first right at the sign for Plantation House hostel, at the T go left and continue to follow the road around to the right and past the cemetery (the road turns into dirt at the cemetery). After about 1.2 km past the cemetery, go left at the Y and you will see the sign for La Serrana.
Ecuador
Ibarra
Graham’s Place-N00°18.416 W078°07.918 Graham is every overlander’s dream. He is a very nice Australian that owns some land and a nursery just outside Ibarra. He has built a nice kitchen, bathroom, and even a room with a few beds and offers them free of charge to overlanders coming through the area. There is a flat cement slab in front of the kitchen to park and you can run an extension chord for electricity. It is best to send him an email before arriving: gkersy@hotmail.com to let him know you are coming and get directions. Graham doesn’t accept money for your stay, but I’m sure he would appreciate an invite for a meal while you are there.
Quito
Hostel Guayunga-We don’t usually include hostels in our list here, but this hostel has parking inside the hostel, which is hard to find in a big city. The rooms are nothing special, but clean. Prices are a bit high, but being able to park your car securely inside the hostel makes up for the prices. Note: The entrance to the parking has a high clearance, but larger vehicles (larger than a Sprinter or similar sized vehicle) probably won’t be able to fit inside. Located in Quito old town on Calle Antipara y Los Rios, San Blas, Quito, right across the street from Secret Garden Hostel.
Cotopaxi
Secret Garden Cotopaxi-Located about 5 miles and just across the valley from Volcan Cotopaxi, this place has some amazing views! It is actually a hostel that allows camping and use of the facilities including the communal living room, bathrooms, and the jacuzzi. It is located in the middle of nowhere and so provides all meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner) as part of the price. Cost = $20 per person per night for camping. Bathrooms and hot water showers and you can run an extension chord for electricity. Heading south from Quito, leave the Pan American Hwy at the town of Machachi (coming from Quito it will be a left turn at the stop light, there is a big horse statue on the corner). Follow this road into town to the main plaza. Turn left at the main plaza and follow the road out of town, you’ll see a sign for Cotopaxi National Park as you are leaving. The road will eventually turn into a rough cobblestone road. Continue to the town of Santa Anna de Pedregal (about 45 minutes). About 2km after the school you will see the Secret Garden sign on the left hand side, turn at the green gate. Follow the driveway (about 3km) to the hostel.
Vilcabamba
Hosteria Izhcayluma– This is a beautiful hostel with an amazing view of the valley below, an onsite restaurant and bar and a swimming pool. Camping is in a flat pull-out at the bottom of the driveway. Electrical outlets and water spigot near the camping and bathrooms with hot showers near by. Cost = $5 USD per person per night. Arriving in Vilcabamba continue on the highway through town and up the hill about 2 miles. You’ll see the signs and the hostel on the right side of the road.
East of Baños
Pequeño Paraiso– S01° 24.095 W078° 17.178 Located next to the river on the right side of the highway from Baños to Tena. Bathrooms and cold showers.
Puyo Monkey Sanctuary-S01° 29.139 W077° 58.004 This isn’t a place for camping, although if you ask they may let you camp outside the gates. It is a very cool place for anybody who likes monkeys. They rescue monkeys who have been pets and can no longer be kept as well as wild monkeys. The “tame” monkeys wonder around and interact with the visitors, even going for rides on shoulders and climbing into laps.
Peru
Zorritos
3 Puntos– Located just south of the town of Zorritos near km marker 1235, right on the beach. Leaving the town of Zorritos go about 1 mile and look for the big wooden gates with 2 big Peruvian flags on the beach side of the road. Camping is on the beach in front of the restaurant. You can run an extension chord for electricity if it is long enough. Bathrooms and cold water showers. Restaurant and bar with good local meals. Cost=S/10/person (about $3.75 USD).
Huanchaco
Huanchaco Gardens RV and Hotel– S08°04.379 W079°07.105. Located about a block from the beach this is a great place for camping. The camping is behind the hotel in a grassed lot right next to the pool. Electricity, bathrooms, wifi, use of pool and hot water showers. Cost= S/40 per night per car (about $15 USD).
NOTE: You can also camp on the beach in Huanchaco free of charge. When you are entering the town there is a big tourist shop with restaurants and bathrooms on the left just before town. We met lot’s of overlanders that camped on the beach next to the tourist shop and were able to use the bathrooms free of charge and showers for a small fee. Most people said it was safe to camp here, but a bit loud on the weekends.
Cordillera Blanca
Los Pinos Lodge- S09°02.906 W077°48.768. The lodge is located in the town of Caraz right on a nice little plaza. The camping is in the back parking lot, with access through a gate on a side road. Unfortunately while we were here they were doing road construction and the access was unavailable. It looked like a cozy place with a nice restaurant. We were also told they had electricity outlets, wifi, and hot showers. Cost=S/35/night (about $13 USD).
Laguna Paron-S09°00.014 W077°41.095 Beautiful glacier fed lake located about 30 km up a dirt road from the town of Caraz. Small taxi cars had no problem with the dirt road, but longer wheel based vehicles might have a hard time with the sharp curves. There is a small dirt track that leads down the lake from the visitor center and we found a nice flat spot to camp right next to the lake. Camping is free with the S/5/person entrance fee. No amenities. NOTE: the lake sits at 4,200 meters (almost 14,000 feet) so make sure you are acclimated before trying to sleep here.
Llanganuco Lodge– S09°05.751 W077°41.969 Located up a dirt road towards the Llanganuco Lakes from the town of Yungay, the lodge is located at the base of beautiful snow covered mountains and next to a nice lake. Camping is in a flat grassed field above the restaurant. Bathrooms and hot showers, no electricity. Cost=S/15/person. There are outlets for charging camera batteries inside the lodge but for a fee so we recommend coming with charged batteries. Absolutely amazing place!
The Way Inn Lodge– Located about 30 km up a dirt road east from Huaraz. We forgot to take a GPS reading here and the directions on the website are a bit confusing so here is the condensed version. Head east up Avenida Raymundi in Huaraz (about 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas) up the hill to the end. Take a left at the T, then immediately right just before the river onto a dirt road. Follow the river up about 500 meters then take the first left over the bridge. Keep following this road (it will turn dirt) through the small villages for about 45 minutes. The Way Inn is on the left. Great flat spots for camping, hot water showers, but no electricity. They have a nice communal area inside the lodge with outlets for charging electronics. They also have a great home made sauna they start most nights. Cost=S/15/person/night. NOTE: they host retreats at the lodge fairly often and the lodge is closed to camping. You might want to contact them before coming to make sure they don’t have any retreats planned for the nights you want to stay.
Lima
Hitchhikers Hostel– S12°07.344 W077°02.169 Located in the upscale Miraflores District, this hostel allows camping in their walled in court yard. It is a great location in Lima, a few blocks from the ocean and from Parque Kennedy with lots of restaurants and cafes. Electricity, bathrooms, hot showers and free wifi. There is only space for 4-5 rigs depending on size so it is not a bad idea to make a reservation ahead of time. Cost=S/18/person. NOTE: this is a backpacker hostel and camping is right next to the tables in the courtyard, so depending on the crowd that is here, it can be loud for sleeping sometimes and the staff isn’t very good at asking people to be quite. Most nights this wasn’t a problem, but we did have a few loud nights.
South of Lima on the Coast
Huacachina– S14.08744 W75.76142 (NOTE: these GPS coordinates were given to us and are in a different format than the rest of our coordinates. You should be able to change the format settings for coordinates on your GPS to enter them.) This camping spot is a dirt pull out next to the Hostal Rocha. It is hard to find a flat spot here, and it is right next to the hostel’s bar so is probably quite loud at night. You can use the hostel’s bathroom, shower, pool and wi-fi for S5/person.
Nasca
Hotel Mezon Suiss– S14°51.045 W074°57.502 Located across from the airport. Camping is on a flat paved area below the hotel near the rooms. It is nicely shaded by trees which is a relief in the middle of the dessert. Electricity for an extra S/10 per night, bathrooms, hot showers, and wi-fi in the lobby. Cost=S40/night for 2 people.
Nasca to Cusco Road
Cconoc Termas (hot springs)-S13.54288 W072.6385 (NOTE: these coordinates are in a different format than the rest of our coordinates). The hot springs are located down a steep dirt road, next to the river, about 2 hours east of Abancay. Longer rigs may have difficulty. There is a flat terrace for camping next to the bathrooms. Bathrooms, no showers or electricity. The hot springs are not very hot and are crowded with locals on the weekends. There is a restaurant on site for food. Cost=S/3/person entrance fee.
Cusco
Camping Quinta LaLa– S13°30.336 W071°59.110 Located on the hill above old town next to the Sacsaywaman ruins. It is about a 20 minute walk down to town. We had a bit of trouble finding the place as our GPS kept trying to take us up staircases in the old town. At the Plaza de Armas take Ave. Plateros/Saphi from the northwest corner of the plaza, follow the road 3-4 blocks then stay to the right at the Y which curves sharply up the hill. After the entrance to the ruins take the dirt road on the left with a sign for Hacienda Llaullypata. The campground is the first large gate on the right. Camping is on a large grassed lot, and is a great place to meet other overlanders. Electricity is an extra S/3 per night, bathrooms, hot water showers, and wi-fi for an extra S/5 per day. Cost = S/30/night.
Sacred Valley
Pisac- The guards at the entrance to the Pisac ruins told us we could camp in the parking lot of the ruins for free with the price of entrance. Bathrooms can probably be used during the day. The ruins at Pisac are part of the Boleto Touristico, S/70/person for 2 days or S/130/person for 10 days and include entrance to many of the ruins in the sacred valley and some museums in Cusco.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo Lodge-S13°15.611 W072°15.686 Camping is in the nice grassed garden area of the hotel. Bathrooms, wi-fi, you can run an extension chord into the bar for electricity and they will give you use of a room for showers which are hot about half the time. There is a bar/hang out room with TV which you can use. We really loved the little town, which tourists mostly pass through on the way to Macchu Pichu. The ruins here in town are also really nice. Cost = S35/night. You can also park your car here while going to Aguas Calientes/Macchu Pichu for S/11 per night.
Puno/Lake Titicaca
Sonesta Posada del Inka– S15°49.438 W070°00.318 This high end hotel on the shore of Lake Titicaca seems an unlikely place to camp, but they allow camping in the parking lot in front of the hotel (although we were told we were the first roof top tent they’d seen). Bathrooms and wonderful hot showers inside the hotel, use of the lobby with TV and wi-fi. It looked like you could also plug in electricity if your extension chord is long enough. The only problem is that most tour buses leave from the hotel around 5:30 so expect to be woken up early. Cost = $20 USD per night.
Arequipa
Hotel Las Mercedes– S16°24.020 W071°32.540 This hotel is located a few blocks from the beautiful old town. Camping is on a grassed area along the side of the hotel. Bathrooms with hot showers, plenty of electrical outlets, and there is even a sink next to the bathrooms for doing dishes. Wi-fi is available in the lobby. Cost = S/22/person.
Colca Canyon
Chivay
La Calera Hot Springs-located about 3km east of Chivay and well signed. People told us you can camp in the parking lot of the hot springs. S/10/person entrance fee. Nice hot springs.
Yanque
Hosteria Tradicion Colca– S15°39.107 W071°39.306 Located at the entrance to the Colca Canyon, this hosteria allows camping in their parking lot behind the hotel. They often have tour buses parking here as well so it might be a good idea to call ahead to see if they have room. Camping is on a grassed area. They have a nice restuarant/bar with a pool table and common area you can use. Bathrooms and showers are located inside the spa room. We were told we could use the spa after 9:00 at night when it is closed to guests. They also arrange horse back riding trips into the Colca Canyon on Peruvian Paso horses. Cost = S/15/person.
Cabanaconde
Hotel Kuntur Wasi– S15°36.747 W071°54.246. This hotel is located up the hill from the main plaza. They have a flat, gated parking area across the alley from the hotel where you can camp. We decided to take a room here and forgot to ask how much for camping. You can probably negotiate the price and bathrooms and showers. The owner seemed pretty okay with the idea when we asked about camping.
Mirador Cruz del Condor-S15°36.745 W071°54.266. This is the view point to see condors in the Colca Canyon. It is just a small parking lot off the side of the road where you can sleep for the night for free. Bathrooms are open in the morning only and cost S/1 per visit. The only warning is that by 8:30 the mirador is overrun with tour buses and tourists. Lot’s of them!