All of these campsites (and more) are available over on iOverlander.com
Navy Museum Parking lot
Date Visited: 07/01/2014
Location: 10.42125, -75.55278 (Altitude: -20 feet)
Parked here for a night. Secure and just enough room to maneuver our rig.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Unknown Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: No Big Rig Friendly: No Kitchen: No |
Hotel El Pedregal Cartagena
Date Visited: 07/03/2014
Location: 10.42032, -75.54447 (Altitude: -33 feet)
Nice place. A little bare bones but AC and fridge in our room. Great owner. Good location. $55 per night (we stayed in the hotel, didn’t camp here– this was while we waited for our rig to ship and clear customs).
| Internet: Yes – Fast Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: Yes – At Sites Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: No Big Rig Friendly: No Kitchen: Yes |
Sans Souci
Date Visited: 07/04/2014
Location: 11.14446, -74.11160 (Altitude: 2326 feet)
We just barely fit here. Beautiful view and a great BBQ and pool and nice owner. I don’t think more than one truck camper could really stay here at a time but the other areas for camping are nice. $5 per person
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: Yes – At Sites Water: Yes Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: No Kitchen: Yes |
Finca Barlouento
Date Visited: 07/05/2014
Location: 11.08009, -74.04003 (Altitude: 5200 feet)
The road up here was pretty insane, but about 20 minutes after we arrived a big 4 wheel drive bus showed up, so apparently it wasn’t as rough as I thought. Anyhow, the road up here was pretty messy. Lots of mud and switch backs. Took us about 3 hours to drive from Minca. The finca we stayed at had rooms for rent and a spot for one truck to park. Area around here is beautiful and there are great views to be had. We learned about this place from Carlos at Iguana 4×4 in Barranquilla. He called ahead to get us permission to stay here, it is his finca. You may want to check with him before making the drive: cmserrano@iguana4x4.com
| Internet: No Restrooms: Unknown Showers: Unknown |
Electricity: Yes – Not at Sites Water: Natural Source Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: No Kitchen: Yes |
Hostal Palo Alto
Date Visited: 07/07/2014
Location: 11.09682, -74.07623 (Altitude: 5538 feet)
A nice little place to stay or camp on the road to San Lorenzo. Beautiful views of the surrounding area when it isn’t cloudy. Cost was $2 per person per day.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Warm |
Electricity: Yes – Not at Sites Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: No Big Rig Friendly: No Kitchen: No |
Tayrona NP Campground
Date Visited: 07/08/2014
Location: 11.30679, -73.93166 (Altitude: 46 feet)
This is a camping area in Tayrona NP. Bathrooms, showers, sinks, camp fire areas. We parked our camper in the overflow parking area right next to the campground. We payed for parking but not camping. Entrance for 3 nights, 2 people and parking cost 100,003.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: Yes |
Finca Escondia
Date Visited: 07/11/2014
Location: 11.25407, -73.55562 (Altitude: 26 feet)
15,000 per person to park/ camp in back. Tent camping near beach 20,000 per person. Nice place to hang out on beach, bar and restaurant . Clean kept up bathrooms. Wifi costs 10,000 a day.
| Internet: Yes – Average Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Camp Ramada
Date Visited: 07/14/2014
Location: 11.74475, -72.56934 (Altitude: -33 feet)
We bumped into this place while looking for the flamingos at Musichi. Not a bad spot for the night. Quiet and nice breezes. No amenities. Free. Great breeze all night. Just be careful of the mud. Make sure you follow tire tracks, dark mud is crusted with salt so it looks harder than it is.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: Natural Source Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Pilon Azucar Beach
Date Visited: 07/15/2014
Location: 12.23312, -72.14413 (Altitude: 43 feet)
Free camping with amazing views. Very strong wind! For tent campers the ground is full of lava rocks, might need to move closer to dunes. Great swimming beach here.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Bahia Honda Windy Point
Date Visited: 07/16/2014
Location: 12.31468, -71.79841 (Altitude: -7 feet)
Beautiful camp site up on the cliffs overlooking Honda bay. Very windy. Free.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: Natural Source Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Pink Dunes Pirate Camp
Date Visited: 07/16/2014
Location: 12.43464, -71.58047 (Altitude: 16 feet)
Windy but there are some shrubs you can tuck in behind here. Beautiful pink sand beaches. Enough dry wood for a fire. Amazing views in both directions, very private. Free.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: Natural Source Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Shell Graveyard Camp
Date Visited: 07/17/2014
Location: 12.43769, -71.67881 (Altitude: -20 feet)
Wild camp on the lakebed tucked into a little nook that stops much of the wind
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Miguel’s Place
Date Visited: 07/19/2014
Location: 12.07096, -72.15224 (Altitude: 23 feet)
Beautiful spot on the beach with a ton of seashells. Windy during the day but calmed down at night. Miguel lives in a house nearby. Very friendly guy.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: Natural Source Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Camp Lost Zapatosa
Date Visited: 07/19/2014
Location: 9.02440, -73.78013 (Altitude: 20 feet)
Tried to make it to the lake but got lost. Ended up boon docking on the side of the road by a cattle ranch. Owner of ranch told us we could park near his house. Spectacular sunset! Super quite and dark.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Parque National de Chicamocha
Date Visited: 07/21/2014
Location: 6.78921, -73.00421 (Altitude: 4236 feet)
Cost was $5k pesos ($2.50 USD) for the night. Bathrooms were pretty much only amenity. Police had wifi but we didn’t use it because cell service here was great. Some freeway noise during the night- bring your ear plugs. There is a water park across the street that has a more secluded parking lot but it was closed when we were here. Check in at the police station if you spend the night.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: No Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Pacha Hostel & Camping
Date Visited: 07/23/2014
Location: 6.59147, -73.15375 (Altitude: 4993 feet)
$15k pesos per person per night. This is a nice Hostal nestled up in the hills between San Gil and Barichara. Owners speak English. Camping area, dormitory, kitchen, solar & electric showers, clean bathrooms, entertainment center stocked with a big tv and tons of movies. Oh yeah, and it’s got an awesome view as well. Slept great. Quiet and dark. Also a restaurant on site. Great place to recharge and explore the surrounding area (buses into San Gil and Barachara cost about $2k pesos).
| Internet: Yes – Average Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Hot |
Electricity: Yes – At Sites Water: Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: Yes |
Juan Curi Parque Ecologico
Date Visited: 07/23/2014
Location: 6.37211, -73.16501 (Altitude: 4022 feet)
Camp site right at the entrance to the waterfall. We were here in July and the water levels were pretty low. Also seemed to be quite a few Mosquitos buzzing around. On the upside it was pretty quiet and relaxed. 4000 per person.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Natural Source Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Boavita Vista Camp
Date Visited: 07/24/2014
Location: 6.32719, -72.58133 (Altitude: 7162 feet)
There is a lot next to a gas station that was abandoned. We asked the gas station if we could park there an they said it was fine! Free
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Hacienda La Esperanza
Date Visited: 07/26/2014
Location: 6.41807, -72.35392 (Altitude: 11801 feet)
A traditional Colombian hacienda. The cost is 10k pesos per person per night for camping. You are right at the doorstep of El Cocuy National Park. Stunning views and great place to stay while you visit the park. The showers are super hot here!!
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Hot |
Electricity: No Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: Yes |
El Cocuy Car Park
Date Visited: 07/27/2014
Location: 6.40621, -72.44542 (Altitude: 8888 feet)
The altitude wasn’t playing nice with Erica so we raced down to El Cocuy and frantically searched for a place to spend the night before the sun set. Good news is that this place feels pretty secure. Bad news is that it isn’t level and has no amenities. Still, if you are desperate, it will do. Just knock on the doors down the street from the entrance to the lot. Someone will eventually answer and point you in the right direction. 5k pesos per night.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: No Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Hostal Renecer Colombian Highlands
Date Visited: 07/28/2014
Location: 5.64123, -73.51321 (Altitude: 7323 feet)
Beautiful hostel up in the hills. Price was 14k pesos per person per night.
| Internet: Yes – Average Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Hot |
Electricity: Yes – At Sites Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: Yes |
Convento Santo Ecce Homo
Date Visited: 08/01/2014
Location: 5.67833, -73.59502 (Altitude: 7402 feet)
We didn’t camp here, just visited during the day, but they have a great little official camping area. Price was $5k pesos per person. Probably best for tent campers. Very quiet and peaceful.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: Yes |
Finca Monticello
Date Visited: 08/02/2014
Location: 4.94054, -73.82289 (Altitude: 8924 feet)
Checked this place out from the road. Not much signage. Not sure if it is still open or not.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Yes Showers: Cold |
Electricity: Yes Water: Yes Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: No Kitchen: No |
Back Country Road Near Guatuavita
Date Visited: 08/02/2014
Location: 4.90202, -73.83941 (Altitude: 9012 feet)
All the established campgrounds were closed so we drove up so dirt roads and found a mellow place to park with a pretty country view. A little uneven and muddy so not good for tent campers.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Unknown Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
La Hacienda Venecia
Date Visited: 08/04/2014
Location: 5.03830, -75.56363 (Altitude: 4396 feet)
We drove in here in the evening and the road felt a bit insane, but we arrived safe and sound to a great welcome from the manager, Juan, “I love Overlanders!” This place is beautiful, showers are amazing, great pool and kitchen. Highly recommended. Big riggers, I don’t think you will make it in on the road in here. Maybe you could try. There is room if you can make it down the road. Price was steep at $18k per person per night.
| Internet: Yes – Slow Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Hot |
Electricity: Yes – Not at Sites Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: No Kitchen: Yes |
Termales Del Ruiz
Date Visited: 08/05/2014
Location: 4.97063, -75.37845 (Altitude: 11470 feet)
They let us park overnight for free with entrance to thermal pools which is 18,000 a person. Hot pools and nice area to relax indoors and outside. Good place to acclimate before entering PNN Los Nevados. Very quiet and safe camping spot.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Natural Source Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: No Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Outside Termales de Santa Rosa
Date Visited: 08/06/2014
Location: 4.84306, -75.55605 (Altitude: 6601 feet)
Parking lot near pretty river outside hot springs. Free. No amenities. We went to termales de Santa Rosa hotel beautiful but very pricy, 84,000 for 2 adults! The balenerio is cheaper at 23,000 each. A little noisy with cars driving by.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
La Serrana Hostel
Date Visited: 08/07/2014
Location: 4.63012, -75.58260 (Altitude: 6506 feet)
There are a bit picky about how many car campers can be here at the same time. Two were here (one motorcycle one small van ) when we showed up and they said no to us but we sweet talked them into letting us camp here. Beautiful views and a great place to relax. Not sure they are really on board with campers to be honest. We heard of campers being turned away. It is hit or miss. Great place, just not very overlander friendly.
| Internet: Yes – Unknown Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Hot |
Electricity: Yes – Not at Sites Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: No Kitchen: Yes |
Donde JuanB Restaurante Bosque De Cocora
Date Visited: 08/09/2014
Location: 4.63845, -75.48780 (Altitude: 7881 feet)
A restaurant at the heart but so much more. A camping area, tourist booking area, coffee shop and farm. Right next to the hiking trails and very secure. People here are extremely nice. 12k pesos per person per night. Huge grassy area for tent campers. Super good coffee in on site coffee shop! Very cold showers. Very busy on weekend but fun.
| Internet: Yes – Slow Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Santafe Guaduales
Date Visited: 08/11/2014
Location: 4.40527, -75.19602 (Altitude: 3648 feet)
This is a nature reserve and ecological park with rooms for rent, a swimming pool, hiking trails, waterfalls, a kitchen, restaurant, camping area and sauna. Randomly found this place after getting stuck in traffic for two hours. Cost for camping was $20k per person. They provided towels and soap for the sauna and showers. A great spot that is off the highway that’s quiet to break up the drive between Bogota and the coffee zone.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: Yes – Not at Sites Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: Yes |
Camp Tatacoa Observatory
Date Visited: 08/15/2014
Location: 3.23454, -75.17066 (Altitude: 1506 feet)
Simple campground near the desert. Bathrooms and cold showers for 15k for two people for one night. They have about 5 telescopes they setup here at night that you can look through for an extra 10k. Very quiet. Tent campers, there are a half dozen other camp areas down the road with better facilities and spots for tent campers. Several have pools as well.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Tatacoa desert camping area
Date Visited: 08/16/2014
Location: 3.23355, -75.16865 (Altitude: 1447 feet)
This is a combo restaurant and camping area with amazing views of the red desert. 6000 a person, totally worth it! Free camping options all over, but the view here was great.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Camping Gamcelat, San Agustin
Date Visited: 08/17/2014
Location: 1.88800, -76.27728 (Altitude: 5466 feet)
15k COP for two people for one night. Ground was a bit muddy but plenty of space here. Helpful owner who can arrange tours to the archaeological sites if you are interested. A bit noisy due to proximity to town. Lots of other camping options nearby. Owner offered to run electricity out to our camper but we didn’t need it. They have some areas to grill and spots for camp fires.
| Internet: Yes – Slow Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: Yes – At Sites Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Alto de Los Idolos
Date Visited: 08/18/2014
Location: 1.91676, -76.24323 (Altitude: 5919 feet)
Camping in parking lot for free. Really only good option for people who can sleep inside rigs. Very nice guards. Restaurant across the street.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: Yes |
Tent Friendly: No Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Private River Campspot
Date Visited: 08/19/2014
Location: 2.41819, -76.62238 (Altitude: 5696 feet)
This is on private land. Local brought us down here and asked owner for permission, they were worried about us being in dangerous area.. Not sure if others will be able to camp here. Free. Safe.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: Natural Source Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Parking behind Gas Station
Date Visited: 08/20/2014
Location: 1.67545, -77.32903 (Altitude: 1985 feet)
Simple but not a horrible spot if you just need a place to sleep. The buildings block some of the noise and there are bathrooms and showers. Got really noisy around 5am, be prepared to wake up early.
| Internet: No Restrooms: Running Water Showers: Cold |
Electricity: No Water: Non-Potable Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: No Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |
Santuario Parquedero
Date Visited: 08/21/2014
Location: 0.80788, -77.58222 (Altitude: 8921 feet)
Parking lot for Santuario. No amenities but lots of space and good views. During week it is empty.
| Internet: No Restrooms: No Showers: No |
Electricity: No Water: No Restaurant: No |
Tent Friendly: Yes Big Rig Friendly: Yes Kitchen: No |