MotoCamps in Central America
 

Hi.

Can anyone share their knowledge of dedicated Motocamps or Overlander
hang-outs in any central American countries.

I'm forming a database for a possible trip.

Thanks

Central America Moto Camps ????
 

Just a quick perusal of your past travel history suggests to me that you have some experience in parts other than Central America and may as a consequence be having some distorted ideas about overnighting in CA and perceived need for acquiring a list of "dedicated motocamps " or " hang-outs " there long before you arrive .
Not to say that camping is impossible in Central America (it is NOT a common thing among the population) nor to deny the occasional usefulness of websites like iOverlander, booking.com etc but really it is not necessary to have such information secured long before arrival . Having ridden in all the Central American countries a number of times I have no hesitation in saying that you can have great motorcycling experiences there without relying on any plan for lodgings /camping laid months ( years ?) beforehand . At most, if there is some doubt , one can do a short web-search to see if hotels or camping possibilities exist where you intend to go . But even then the sites are unreliable because they do not show every offering for lodging ,either because no traveler mentioned it on overlander or the financial cost to the hotel made a listing not a positive income generator . The booking sites take a big cut of whatever price the hotel asks .
For you as a motorcyclist is there a need to spend nights only in the company of other foreign motorcyclists ? There are not likely to be enough of them for a business to make a living from them alone . Only a few locations that are overrun by tourists in general might have a campground that attracts motorcycle travelers through word of mouth . Or is an overnight stay seen more practically as a place and time to rest and be ready for the next day's riding or visiting of attractions or doing bike maintenance or " work " on a computer ?
My sole " database " consists of the knowledge that there are plenty of hotels in the very reasonable price range to be found in just about every town in Central America . For less money than a night in a European or North American campground you can sleep soundly, out of any weather and know the bike is securely parked in a small hotel in Central America . No need to set a time and a place where to alight for each night . Simply start the day with a general direction for travel and find a budget hotel in the later part of the day . Asking a member of the local population can be a very easy way to find a hotel also .Stop and check room availability and prices a few times and you will soon enough be settled into a room with private shower and toilet and often air conditioning and wifi.


The

Thanks for your reply.

I suppose the term 'motocamp' was a little misleading. I was really suggesting any accommodation where Overlanders converge. Not necessarily for camping.

Finding somewhere to stay isn't a problem I've ever had. Be it side of the road or a swanky hotel for a special occasion.

Some of my best memories and life long friendships were made at 'gringo' Overlander meeting places.

Places such as Dakar Motos and La posta in Argentina. Or perhaps Jungle junction in Nairobi or Wimms place in Addis abbaba

Then there was Norton Rats in Peru (which sadly I never made it to)

These Overlanders spots are fantastic places to share information, make travel companions, buy and sell bikes or just rest.

I don't wish to spend all of my time with other travellers. Quite the opposite in fact. But sometimes the familiarity of your own language and culture on a long trip is a welcome rest.

I was curious if there were places such as this in Central America.

I had a general idea what you were looking for, but couldn't really think of any in Central America. That seemed odd, so I figured I'd give it more thought.

If you mean to include Mexico--which is actually part of North America--I can think of a few which might fit your description, like Mike's Sky Ranch in Baja California Norte and the town of Batapilas in Barranca del Cobre. In Central America, nada.

I'm still not sure why; there's no shortage of overland motorcyclists moving through. Probably the availability of so many options throughout the region helps disperse the traveling hordes. I'll be interested in hearing what you're able to dig up.

Well exactly. With the prolifery of passing travellers it seems odd there isn't more of a network.

I did hear of someone setting one up in Costa Rica, then shying away from the project.

If you look at the Geography of the Motocamps, I suppose they'd built up over need.

Dakar Motos was a hubb for people shipping in and out of Buenos Aires. And Javier also ran a workshop and could supply parts and tyres etc.

La Posta del viajero is a days ride south of Buenos aires on the RTA 3. On the road to Ushuaia.

Jungle Junction or Nairobi in general is were many vehicles first stop after needing repair after travelling the bandit highway. It's kind of "half way" down Africa.

And the one point i've missed, is that all of these places offered safe parking for motorcycles in otherwise risky places.


In Central America, people haven't shipped in or out.

They're still too close to the USA to need tyres or parts shipped in or parts are easy to find.

Or as you say, there is just too many alternative options of cheap, good and safe accomodation with secure parking.

With the war in Europe and the fallout of Covid I suspect many people will be heading towards South America for their travels over the next year or two. Add into the mix the popularity of Itchy Boots and Central America might get a large increase of that market too.

However, even Europe doesn’t have that many Motocamps/hotels so I don’t suppose they’ll be springing up in CA anytime soon.

Having said that, I can see where TT is coming from and, as someone planning a trip to CA myself, I can see the desire to having a list of such places, just in case we’re in the area.

With the war in Europe and the fallout of Covid I suspect many people will be heading towards South America for their travels over the next year or two. Add into the mix the popularity of Itchy Boots and Central America might get a large increase of that market too.

However, even Europe doesn’t have that many Motocamps/hotels so I don’t suppose they’ll be springing up in CA anytime soon.

Having said that, I can see where TT is coming from and, as someone planning a trip to CA myself, I can see the desire to having a list of such places, just in case we’re in the area.

Crash Pad Adventure Hostel in Belize.

It caters more to self guided motorcycle tours - they rent dirt bikes so people mostly stay a few nights and take a rental bike to explore the country - but the owner, Emma is awesome; she gets the overlanding thing and is super accommodating and helpful. She has a workshop for her rental bikes & a bit of space out back so if you need to do a bit of repair/maintenance or just wash the mud off, it's a good spot. There's also a rooftop patio to hang out on & chat if there are other bikers around.

We wild camped for all our time in Belize to save cash, but we decided to splash out on a stay here to shower & tune up the bikes, and it was really worth it.

It's in Hopkins, btw, a cute little beach town (cash machine yes, though sometimes out of order, SIM cards no, WiFi at most bars and restaurants).

Crashpad books out fast so try book in advance. And please don't cancel last minute. Emma gets that things happen with moto-travel, but it puts her out (and in our experience she's been going above and beyond to accommodate anything her biker guests might need). :thumbup1:

Charlys Restaurant - close to guadalajara
El Rancho - close to oaxaca
Balneario Buenavista - bacalar Laguna mexico
Biohidroselva - chiapas jungle campspot
San ignacio Belize - campground center of town

These were the most overland hangouts we saw so far in CA. All nice places in case no one is around. I guess it's more small scale hangouts than what you imagine, but they all looked like you're very likely to find others around.

Overland Embassy in Panama city has recently opened a little car park camping area down the road from their office. It's gated, has a kitchenette and showers, and there always seem to be quite a few overlanders coming and going. We're staying here for a week to do some bike maintenance and prep for shipping over the Darien gap.

Brooklyn Pizza in Antigua, Guatemala is run by an American rider.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ScdtfXaMcRATrhLR6

It's on iOverlander. Any traveler meeting place is almost certainly going to be listed on iOverlander, and if it's not, somebody should add it.