unURBAN camps in Central America
We have taken down notes and GPS coordinates from our camps on our way south. The notes start
in Belize as we felt that Mexico had a fairly good camp coverage from the guide Church & Church,
Camping in Mexico.

Also keep in mind that our "camper" is a 4x4 with a roof top tent. We don't need much space, and
we don't mind rough access roads.

Facilities: PT = pit toilet, FT = flush toilet, CS = cold shower, HS = hot shower, I = internet, IF = internet for a fee,
P(110/220) = electrisity hook up, PO = power outlet available, W = water, DR = dirt road access, SP = swimming pool,
B = beach, K = kitchen, R = restaurant


unURBAN in Belize

Hopkins Seabird's nest N16 51' 22.1" W88 16' 50.0" Elevation 5 m Price: 10 belize $ This is a small place with a couple of rooms for rent. It's location is directly on the beach and there is room for three to four small campers. No big-rigs will really fit. Tents on the beach will also work fine. Toilet and shower is in one of the buildings, and you have to find the owner to get the keys to open up the place. The owner is not necessarily there, so ask around. Several nice restaurants around. Facilities: FT, WS, B, PO, K Cockscomb Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary N16 46' 49.9" W88 27' 34.5" Elevation 77 m Price: 20 belize $ Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is also referred to as The Jaguar Sanctuary because there are several jaguars in the area. This is a wildlife park with some basic camping facilities. The area for vehicle camping is actually the halicopter landing area, so we were told not to park in the middle. Should be room for four to five small campers. Good starting pint for jungle treks, with or without guide. Facilities: FT, WS, DR Placensia Seakunga N16 33' 11.0" W88 21' 40.6" Elevation 5 m Price: 10 belize $ We were allowed to camp on their parking lot, and they told us to spread the word to other travellers. This is a really nice place directly on the beach. The parking is behind the houses, so you don't see the ocean from the camper. You can use their common areas, beach chairs and hammocks, and of course, buy drinks and food in the restaurant. Facilities: PT, CS, B, PO, R, I Barton Creek Barton Creek Outpost N17 06.862 W88 55.742 Elevation 92 m Price: 10 belize $ Barton Creek Outpost is a relaxing place in the Belize cave area, close to San Ignacio. This is basically a backpacker place, but they allow camping and small campers on their property. The creek is excellent for coooling down on warm days. The access road is rough, including a small river crossing, but we made it together with a 1976 VW with 2WD. Facilities: FT, R, I, DR San Ignacio Trek Shop N17 05.404 W89 07.406 Elevation 93 m Price: 20 belize $ No photo of this place, but it is a cozy and convenient place just a couple of kilometers from the Guatamalan border. Trek Shop is a "jungle resort" mostly accomodating backpackers, but they have a parking area behind their buildings that overlanders can use. Should be able to fit in quite a few small campers here, even if the parking is a little overgrown. Here is a nice little restaurant with free WiFi. Facilities: PT, CS, R, I, PO Orange Walk Victors Inn N18 04' 56.5" W88 32' 27.5" Elevation 16 m Price: 20 belize $ A run down place that looks like it used to have everything. There is a restaurant up front, and some cabañas/rooms for rent. In the back there is a large field with the remains of hook up stations (and a car wreck or two..). Water is still running, but no electricity. They opened a room for us so we could use toilet and shower. We had the whole place to our selves (a few locals came by the restaurant for some drinks) the night we were there. Not particularly nice and quite expencive, but if you need a place to park for the night... Facilities: FT, CS, R, W, PO unURBAN in Guatemala Panajachel Hotel Vision Azul N14 44' 48.6" W91 09'49.3" Elevation 1578 m Price: 150 quetzales Hotel Vision Azull has a fantastic location right on the shores of Lago de Atitlan. We were a little bit surprised that the prices had increased from what was mentioned in the Church & Church book, but it looked as the new owner had done some upgrading. It is just outside town, but not more than about 10-15 minutes walk. Facilities: FT, WS, SP, P(110), R, I Antigua Tourist Police Compound N14.55591 W90.73965 Elevation 1543 m Price: free Great spot for a camp in Antigua Guatemala. Check in at the guarded gate, and they should let you stay for at least two weeks for free. If you ask you will probably get access to their WiFi as well. We were told that they close the gates at 10 PM, but we never had problems getting back in even a little bit later. It is in the city center just next to the market, and it takes a couple of minutes to the main square. Facilities: FT, CS, W, PO (one!), I, FL Lanquin El Recreo N15 32' 11.1" W89 59' 02.3" Elevation 300 m Price: 100 quetzales A quiet hotel just outside the town center (10 minutes walk) that will let you camp on their parking area. Okay place, but almost a little too quiet when we were there. The place felt kind of too big for only the two of us and two other guests.. Facilities: FT, WS, R, W, PO Lanquin Zephyr Guesthouse N15 34' 46.7" W89 58' 52.4" Elevation 310 m Price: 50 quetzales Zephyr is a party place. It has a young clientel, and seems to be operated by temporarily employed backpackers. We were allowed to park in their drive way. Not really a parking area, but should fit two or three small campers. There is a restaurant and a bar, and everything goes on a bill that is paid when you leave. It was a little chaotic. Happyhour every day between 6 and 8. However, we had a fun couple of days, and the location is close to perfect! Facilities: FT, WS, PO, R, I Tikal Jaguar Inn N17 13' 34.4 W89 36' 42.3 Price: 100 quetzales We planned to camp on the official Tikal Park campground, but when we got there they wouldn't let us drive in on the grass. Leter we heard from other travellers that they were allowed in. Just across the main parking area for Tikal is a small hotel that will let you camp on their property. It even turned out to be cheaper than the official campground, and the facilities were good. Facilities: FT, WS, PO, IP, R El Remate El Muelle N16 59' 16.8" W89 41' 33.2" Price: 100 quetzales Camp on the beach of Lago Peten behind the Hotel El Muelle. Room for four, five, six small campers. You can use the facilities of the Hotel restaurant, and the hotel WiFi should just reach the parking area. Nice swimming from the pier, and a beautiful sunset. Facilities: FT, WS, R, SP, IF, B El Zotz El Zots Park Administration N17 14' 29.1" W89 48' 19.6" Elevation 203 m Price: free (park entrance was 80 quetzales) The road in was a lot rougher than we thought. 4WD is an absolute must, and there can be low hanging branches. Bring a saw! You can camp in a big area behind the admin buildings, and there are some facilities available. Nice and quiet spot in the jungle, and the only place to camp close to the El Zotz ruins. From here we started our trip through the jungle to Uaxactun (4WD+winch+saw&axe!). Facilities: PT, CS, DR! Carmelita Airstrip N17 27' 43.7" W90 03' 13.3" Elevation 245 m Price: free A quiet little village as close to the El Mirador ruins as you can drive. From here they have five day treks into the site. We asked around and locals told us we could camp anywhere, and that it was a friendly neighbourhood. We popped our roof top tent just next to the airstrip that went straight through the village. We ate at a small restaurant nearby. Facilities: None Poptun Finca Ixobel N16.30335 W89.42032 Price: 100 quetzales This is a big finca/ranch just off the highway about half way from Tikal to Rio Dulce. The camping facilities are good, plenty of space, and they have a great restaurant. Most of their guests rent rooms or cabañas. Lots of activities and tours can be arranged from here. Facilities: FT, WS, R unURBAN in Honduras Copan Across the street from Copan ruins N14.84009 W89.14724 Elevation 624 m Price: 150 quetzales Local family building up a camp ground and hostel just across the road from the entrance to the Copan ruins. When we were there it looked like a construction site, and the facilities wasn't much to talk about. Okay for a nights stay though, and will probably look better by the time you get there. Looks like they are also setting up a restaurant/bar. Facilities: FT, PO Gracias Finca Bavaria N14 35' 28.6" W88 34' 46.2" Price: 100 Lempiras Finca Bavaria is located in the city center, and let you camp on their property. A friendly old man was taking care of the place when we were there, and they have a restaurant. We went into town for dinner, and it was a really nice little town. Feelt safe, and there were plenty of restaurants and some grocery stores. Facilities: FT, CS, R, FL Lago de Yojoa D&D Brew N14 56' 47.9" W88 02' 16.9" Price: 100 Lempiras D&D Brew is a guesthouse run by an american, and he brew his own beer which is for sale in his bar. Room for a small camper or two in their parking lot, and you can use the guesthouse facilities. Facilities: FT, WS, R, W, I, PO, SP Danlí Hotel La Esperanza N14 01' 47.9" W86 34' 13.8" Price: 280 Lempiras We were looking for a place to camp, and we'd heard that people had been allowed to camp in this hotel's fenced parking lot. Not so this time. We asked several of the hotels in town, but the only place that would let us camp was the local Texaco gas station in the city center. Too noicy and too crowded for us in our roof top tent, so we decided to check in to a room. Facilities: FT, WS, PO, roof top terrace unURBAN in Nicaragua Semoto El Mirador N13 29.087 W86 35.192 Price: 110 Cordobas This is a restaurant just outside town which will let you camp in their parking lot. Relatively quiet when we were there, but we don't know how it is in weekends. The owner can also arrange for a tour through the canyon - the local tourist highlight. Facilities: FT, R, SP Jinotega Sollentuna Hem N13 05.714 W86 00.059 Price: NA Jinotega is a cosy highland town. The hotel Sollentuna Hem (a Swedish name) let us camp in their backyard and use the hotel facilities. Not sure if this will work for everybody, as I have a feeling that being able to speak Swedish really helpt in the negotiations. However, the hotel is nice and the rooms are not too pricy. There was also a possibility for camping at the hotell across the street (see the other camp list). Facilities: FT, WS, I, PO, FL, R(only breakfast) Laguna de Apoyo "George's holiday house" N11 55' 51.4" W86 03' 16.1" Elevation 86 m Price: 100 Cordobas Great camp site, but there is no name on the gate. The reason is that this is a holiday house for the owner and his familiy, and getting the right permits for running a camp ground is not too easy. However, this place has a beautiful location right on the lake, and the swimming is really good. The parking is not very level so it might be necessary to move a few rocks around. The owner encourraged us to let other travellers know about the place, and it is a good base for exploring the area. It is about 20 minutes to drive to Granada, to Volcan Mazaya, to "the white towns", and to the Volcan Mombacho. Facilities: FT, CS, PO, B San juan del Sur Camping Mathilda N11 17'51.5" W85 54'53.0" Elevation: 8 m Price: 200 quetzales This beach is as nice as they come. Camping Mathilda is about 20 minutes driving out of town, and can be a bit tricky to find. You camp almost directly on the beach behind a fence. Facilities are across the road (dead ends here) in the guesthouse (cabañas and dorms). You can walk along the beach from here to good surf beach with a restaurant and surf board rentals. We ended up staying more than a week... Facilities: FT, CS, PO, B! unURBAN in Costa Rica Curubandé, Rincón NP El Sol Verde N10 43' 05.7" W85 24' 31.7" Price: 14 USD This is a propper camp ground run by a Dutch couple. There are no hoook ups, but a kitchen area, and nice and clean toilet and shower facilities. It is also possible to ret rooms or a couple of small, basic cabins. Narrow gate! Difficult or impossible for bigger rigs. Facilities: FT, CS, K, PO, IF La Fortuna Therme los Laureles N10 29' 21.6" W84 40' 41.5" Elevation 370 m Price: 4000 colones Camping available on a field just ouside the gate of a developed hotspring. Location is about 10 minutes drive out of town towards Lago Arenal. the ground is not very level, but it is possible to find a deasent spot. Should be okay also for RVs. You don't have to pay the entrance fee to the hotsprings, but for 8000 colones per person it is a nice alternative for the evening. They are open until 10PM. Facilities: FT, CS, PO, W Nuevo Arenal Municipality Area N10 32' 06.0" W84 35' 25.1" Elevation: 566 m Price: free This is a free camping area right on the lake just outside the town of Nuevo Arenal. We had only opne night here, but we've heard about other travellers staying for some time without any problems. While in town make sure to visit "The German Bakery" (Tom's Pan). The bread and pasteries are fantastic! Facilities: none Samara Camping los Cocos N09 52' 52.7" W85 31' 28.6" Elevation: 2 m Price: 6000 colones A small camp ground with a fantastic location on the beach on the Nicoya Peninsula. Surface is firm sand. Several good beach restaurant nearby, and a short walk to a grocery store. An easy place to stay for a few days or weeks. Tight corner which will give bigger rigs a problem. Facilities: FT, CS, W, PO, B PLaya Coyote Camping Tanga N09 46 11.3" W85 15' 53.9" Elevation 10 m Price: 5000 colones This is a smalll restaurant that offers camping in between the trees a few meters back from the beach. Quite a few local people camping here (in tents), but nice and quiet during night. Rough access road, but should be navigable in a small rig. Facilities: FT, CS, PO, R, B Malpais Mar Azul N09 36' 38.2" W85 08' 41.1" Elevation: 4 m Price: 8000 colones Another paradise place on the Nicooya Peninsula. Beach front camping, and not crowded at all. This place is 10 - 15 minutes from the town of (Playa) Santa Teresa where you can go for party, supplies, espresso, shopping, surfing, or just hang out with other travellers and backpackers. Facilities: FT, CS, PO, R, B Uvita Flutterby House N9 09.236 W83 44.274 Elevation: 30 m Price: 6000 colones Flutterby is a guesthouse with a small parking lot. If you are any higher than 2,8 meters, you won't get in through the gate. The guest house has great kitchen facilities and a hang out are. Lots of backpackers also stay in thisa place. Walking distance to the beach, and a very laid-back and relaxed atmosphere! Facilities: FT, CS, W, PO, B, I Turrialba Hotel Interamericano N9 54.250 W83 40.948 Elevation 669 m Price: 4000 colones The hotell does not have safe parking or any real camping facilities. When we came along, Sprinterlife had persuaded them to let them camp in their van in front of the hotel. The hotel is in the city center of Turialba, and you might as well park on the street. However, we could use the toilet in the reception area, and we could sit in the lobby using their WiFi. Didn't sleep too well this night. Facilities: FT, PO, , R, B, xxxxxxx Cahuita Playa Negra N W Elevation: 10 m Price: 2000 colones Reasonable camping located a 20-25 minutes walk north of Cahuita. The town is nice and relaxed, and it is just next to the Cahuita National Park. There were a couple of bars/restaurants close to the camp site, but we didn't try. The beach is across a small access road. Quiet. But to be honest, the beach camp at Punta Uva just a few kilometers away was nicer. Facilities: FT, CS, PO, B Punta Uva El Arrecife N9 38.460 W82 41.389 Elevation: 10 m Price: 5000 colones A fantastic beach camp right on the Caribbean Ocean. Good swimming and snorkeling, and there were several restaurants near by. The toilets were a little run down, but okay. We planned to stay one night, ended up staying three, but if we hadn't had a shipping appointment we would have stayed longer... Facilities: FT, CS, PO, R, B unURBAN in Panama Boquete Pension Topas N 08 46'22.2" W 82 25'55.2" Elevation: 1104 m Price: 10 USD Pension Topas is a guesthouse run by a friendly German, and he will let you camp in his garden. Not a lot of space, but it is possible to fit at least three small campers. One toilet and shower is available, and there is a common area on a roof covered terrace. WiFi. Excellent location a couple of minutes walk from the main plaza. A small ferreteria (hardware store) just across the road. Facilities: FT, HS, PO, I Panama City Panama Passage N 08 57.767' W 79 32.767' Price: 20 USD Panama Passage is the soon to be (or already?) famous place to stay for overlanders in Panama. These guys know everything about how to ship across the Darien Gap, and they have a good overview on what to do in Panama City and around. The place is a nice house close to the city center, and overlanders camp in the driveway. Fits 3-4-5 campers (plus bikes) depending on size. Facilities: FT, HS, I, W, PO *********************************************** See also our camp lists for South America and Africa.