Central & South America - where to camp?

[MattB]

Hi all

Shipping out to LA in three weeks (hooray!)ready for the trip down to Buenos Aires :-) ... we're taking camping gear but hope to be staying in cheap B&B-type accomodation most of the time.

When people camp - where are you camping? By the side of the road, specific campsites...where?

Thanks in advance!

Matt

[madmarco]

Hi Matt

In Argentina it's quite easy to find places to camp. If it's just for sleeping, you can put up your tent at that stripe between the road and the fence, but in many communities, there are little campsites with toilets and some basic infrastructure. They are quite cheap.

But what I do mostly is to look for a little side-road which goes into a field, and drive there about 500mts away from the street. Sometimes land owners come by, but I never had to change the place. They mostly invite you for a or something :-) (or you could invite them!)

Marco
http://www.schnueriger.net

[MattB]

Sounds ideal..! Thanks for the reply. Is that just in Argentina or in South America as a whole?

Matt

[Sian Mackenzie]

Hi Matt,

Its possible to camp for free pretty much in the whole of Central & South America. Had no experience in Equador or Columbia though.

The most beautiful spots were in Chile.
In Argentina you can camp at fuel stations and use the showers, toilets and not have to carry heaps of water around. In southern Chile, there always seems to be a river next to which you can camp. Never wild camp near big towns or cities - you will always attract the wrong sort of attention.

As Marco says, farmers will sometimes come to see what is going on on their land, but are mostly friendly.

Enjoy your trip,
Sian..

[MattB]

Thanks for the info...much appreciated. Can't wait to go!

[GlobeBusters]

Chile and Argentina are really geared up for camping and there are loads of options to rough camp or go in some pretty nice campsites, that have BBQ areas and good shower / toilet blocks.

In Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, we mostly stuck to hostal accomodation, mainly because it is so cheap, there is no camping culture in those countries and probably better for security.

Have camped in Colombia before, but that was back in 97, and would not advise it now.

[Twintraveller]

HI, check out my postings under Acc rest of the world for some nice spots. Beside that, In most of the times u can ask to camp in hotel or hostel gardens. Often costs 3 to 5 Dollars and u can use the pool and everything. Is a lot of fun, if u swim with those who paid 30 dollars ;-)

In Mex there are campsites (the famous Church guide). In Guatemala there are camp sites sometimes, but ask the people, they let u camp in their garden and u can talk to them. In Honduras u can often camp in the balnearios (public pools beside the rivers and streets). In Nicaragua, camp in Hostel gardens. Costa Rica in hostel garden as well. Panama in Parks possible.
In National Parks u can camp in Ecuador for free (unf. park fee).

have fun
Martin

[ente]

Hey!
And try this:
www.hospitalityclub.org
www.couchsurfing.com
You can stay for free. It works perfect. I use it often on my worldtour.
Have fun!
Olli

[This message has been edited by ente (edited 01 August 2005).]

[marker]

never encountered any real problems when bushcamping in the many years I've been travelling around South America. Not even at the Shining Path time in Peru. But somehow I always felt less willing to do so only in Colombia and lately some parts of Brazil(mainly the densely populted mideastern parts). If you are a tight sleeper (trucks come and go!) the 24hrs petrolstations are a safe option. Cold drinking water and warm showers here for free too.

[This message has been edited by marker (edited 13 August 2005).]