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

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

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

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http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93

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.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

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.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

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.