15 Moto-Camps and Moto-Friendly Hotels
Over the years we have stayed in many great places with some wonderful people. But it is always extra special to stay at a moto camp, where the hosts just get it, understanding the particular needs of the motorcycle traveler and providing indispensable help to keep moto and rider going.
But best of all is of course the moto-traveler community, a magical mix of biker camaraderie, travel stories, the helpful tips and tricks exchange, and no need to explain why we’re all mad enough to braap around the globe on two wheels. And of course, I get to meet all my fellow mascots!
1. Moto Camp Bulgaria in Idilevo, Bulgaria
This is the very first moto camp Maria and Aidan ever went to. At the time they were still traveling with my cousin, Icebear. Nestled in a small village halfway between the capital Sofia and coastal Varna, it is the perfect basecamp for exploring the hidden gem that is Bulgaria. They loved the relaxed atmosphere and the involvement of the local expat community, hanging out in the bar and organizing curry and movie nights. At the time there was an honor system, where you help yourself to drinks from the fridge, marking down what you had and paying up with your bill. All staying options included a European breakfast of hearty bread, cheese and salami and a choice of cereal. These days they host a Horizons Unlimited Mini-Meet every year.
Rustic double and twin rooms with shared bathrooms
Camping option in the orchard
Indoors common room/dining area with bar, and TV corner (I believe there may be some books, too)
Outdoor bar and hang-out area
Good WiFi
Dry, open motorcycle parking below the rooms
Entire property gated and secure
Workshop with option to borrow some tools
Some oil, tires and supplies for sale with the option to order specific things ahead
Motorcycle storage in the big shed for a monthly fee
Lifts to the airport and to Sofia can usually be arranged
Nearby town for groceries and general supplies
2. Crash Pad Adventure Hostel in Hopkins, Belize
A fast-growing moto hostel one block over from the beach in the idyllic little town of Hopkins. Emma, the owner, is a most energetic and fun-loving moto lady whose lust for life is infectious. An avid rider herself, she knows exactly what you need. And since Belize is so small, it’s a great base-camp from which to explore the entire country.
Rooms ranging from doubles to dorms
The best showers in Central America (I’m not exaggerating, I wish mine at home was that good!)
Roof deck chillout area with fridge and coffee-making basics
Excellent WiFi
Laundry service
Safe moto parking in a locked garage
Extensively stocked workshop - you can borrow any tools you need
Moto-washing station
Emma knows the locals well, and can arrange tours like a swim in bio-luminescent waters, reef diving and caving
Plenty of local restaurants and grocery stores
Motorcycle Rental
Guided and self-guided moto tours
3. Greg’s Place in Antigua, Guatemala
Not a conventional moto hostel, but someone’s home. Greg, an American expat, used to travel by moto himself, until his wife Luisa swept him off his feet (or rather off his wheels) and they now enjoy hosting moto travelers in their home. Come see him at his pizza place and bar, Brooklyn Pizza for a (free, if you’re nice ;) pizza and to add your sticker to the wall of fame. He might invite you to stay at his place in exchange for travel stories and good company.
Yummy pizza (just reach out to him on Facebook and let him know you’re coming)
Potentially a double room with your own bathroom
Excellent WiFi
Safe parking in open-door garage in his fenced and locked property
Connections to an excellent mechanic in town that works on ‘big’ bikes
Potential option to do your own bike work in Greg’s garage
Some standard parts and oil, etc. available in town, for more complex stuff you can get to Guatemala City in a day
4. Casa Indigo in Granada, Nicaragua
Strictly speaking not a moto hostel as such, but it is becoming known among moto travelers for having some of the more reasonable prices in the town, as well as a safe, locked garage. The entire building is old and the rooms are rustically basic, but clean. The owners are the most helpful and kind couple, letting us use their kitchen and fridge as much as we wanted, and hanging out with us, sharing beers and chatting about travels.
Affordable, basic rooms; some en-suite
Good WiFi
Locked garage - the owner was happy for us to work on our bikes in there
5. The Overland Embassy in Panama City, Panama
A bunch of super helpful people that have built a bit of a campsite in the industrial area a few yards from their office. Their business is shipping travel vehicles, mostly across the Darien Gap, but they’d probably let you stay, even if you’re not shipping.
Campsite for anything from tents to big rigs
Showers, kitchen, excellent Wifi in roofed common area
Laundry (do-it-yourself, honor-system pay a small amount per load)
Honor-system beers in the fridge
It’s all in a gated parking lot, but the gate’s chain is always unlocked, so you can arrive even when the office is closed. Felt safe though as there is almost always someone there.
They own an auto body shop a few yards across the road and let you fix your vehicle there, tools available
Vehicle storage
Help with selling your vehicle, if you don’t want to cross the Darien with it
Groceries a short walk away
6. Donkey Sunrise in La Union, Colombia
A self-proclaimed moto hub with a sign on the gate to let yourself in and make yourself at home, if no-one is available to greet you. The family create a real community with shared meals and ride-outs. The place is growing and there are often options to apply your skills and labor in exchange for room and board. They arrange Christmas gatherings for those destined to spend the holidays on the road. All adventurers are welcome, including backpackers, cyclists, vans and motos. The area is always warm and the weather invites outdoor life in the shade, with just a need for a roof in case of rain.
Hostel-style dorms and rooms
Camping in the gardens among palms and exotic fruit trees
Thatch-roofed tables with electricity dotted around the camping area
Shared, roofed outdoor kitchen with gas stove
Shared bathrooms
Lots of outdoor roofed community spaces and tables
Ok Wifi throughout the property
Outdoor roofed motorcycle parking
Property gated and locked at night
You’re welcome to work on your vehicle - Maria changed out a cam chain under a roof in the garden
Motorcycle rental
Riding tips for the local area
Groceries and a winery in La Union, but very little in terms of bike supplies
Option to have parts mailed here, but expect them to take a long time
7. Posada La Estancia de Bólivar in San Cristobal, Venezuela
A hotel owned by a moto nut well-known among bikers of Venezuela. He hosts national bike meet-ups and has a fully stocked workshop. We were offered an excellent room at minimal cost and Maria was allowed full use of the workshop to change Lea’s clutch plates. The people are super nice, hanging out chatting by the bikes for most of the day and the wife drove Maria around town to source oil and parts.
Rustic but clean ensuite rooms, some including fridge, at decent prices
Ok WiFi
Safe, roofed parking on gated property that is locked at night
Fully stocked workshop with motorcycle lift
For parts and consumables: if they are available in Venezuela, you can probably find them in San Cristobal
Colombian fuel is widely available roadside, sold out of old soda bottles (but it’s good quality)
8. Moto Refugio Campo Bello in San Felipe, Venezuela
A fast-growing moto traveler community. We asked to camp and were told to stay in one of the rooms for free as long as we wanted. They earn their money as a hotel (sometimes by the hour) but their passion lies with supporting travelers and they have a lot of fun becoming a true moto-traveler destination. The owners are of Italian background and cooked home-made pesto and pasta for us. Throughout our stay they took us out around town every evening, involving us in festivals, showing us around the sights and introducing us to local food like Cachapas.
Camping option also for camper vans and big rigs
Ensuite rooms
Excellent Wifi
Safe moto parking in the gated and locked common area (the entire property is also gated with reception staff at the barrier at night)
The owner knows a petrol station guy well and will organise all the fuel you’ll need before you head off
Plenty of groceries and restaurants in town, but sparse on the motorcycle supplies
9. Moto B&B Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia
The super-nice owner, Oscar, has built an entire building up a steep hill at the edge of the city and is renting the rooms of one apartment to travelers, sort of like a big moto-traveler house share. He’s also always renovating and at some point one or two full apartments may be available. It’s not quite a B&B though, since breakfast isn’t really provided. Oscar may bring bread rolls around and hang out for breakfast… Sometimes he throws a big BBQ and he likes to invite new arrivals out for lunch in town.
Single, double and twin rooms
Shared bathrooms and kitchen
Common area with dining table and sofas
Laundry, though sometimes it’s not working, best just ask Oscar
Excellent WiFi
Huge locked garage in basement of building (Oscar encourages you to do any bike work here)
Corner shop for groceries and beer nearby
Short taxi ride or 35min walk to Teleferico station into the city
All-things-vehicle-maintenance type area in town (easy by Teleferico, almost no parking)
Bicycle and moto workshop at bottom of hill that might be able to help
10. Hostal Casa Matte in Santiago, Chile
A proper moto traveler hostel with a real house-share vibe in the center of Santiago. The owner Christian, owns a huge old house with a rooftop terrace and rents out the rooms that he and his mother don’t occupy. He has three sons that usually live with his wife and visit a couple of days a week. All three have autism and can be a little noisy, but they are lovely. Out back is an open front garage that’s also the common area, where people work on their bikes and sit around chatting, having a beer or three.
Singe and double rooms, dorms
Shared bathrooms and kitchen
Good WiFi
Laundry (a small charge, the cleaning lady will wash it for you)
Safe parking in the locked yard
Garage space and plenty of tools available
Motorcycle storage (not officially, but some people leave their bikes here a while)
Supermarket and tons of places to eat out nearby
11. La Posta Del Viajero En Moto in Azul, Argentina
This place is steeped in moto travel history and the walls are decorated in the scribblings of hundreds of moto travelers over the decades. Jorge, the owner loves to hang out for a chat and throws barbecues for his friends and travelers on Saturdays.
Jorge lives in a big house at the back of a beautifully kept garden. The moto hostel part is basically the garage with a simple kitchen and fridge. The shower in the tiny bathroom is heated with a cast iron wood fired stove. It’s simple, rugged and has collected dirt over the years. But somehow it is charming, rather than off-putting. There is also a room rammed full of stuff with two single beds and some old blankets. You can sleep there or pitch the tent in the garden.
You can stay for free as long as you need, and it’s expected that you help keep the place tidy and perhaps lend a hand with a project or other. You are also welcome to work on your bike, either outside, or in the garage. Any broken and disused parts find a place on the wall of shame, sporting used-up sprockets, stretched chains and the like.
Free very basic room or camping
Shared kitchen and bathroom
Good WiFi
Common area, hangout and barbecues at weekends
The entire property is gated and locked, so your moto is safe parked out in the garden
A few tools flying about that you can borrow
You’re welcome to work on your bike
12. Moto Posada El Clan in Las Grutas, Argentina
A well-established moto hostel and community where you’ll find neighbors and travelers alike hanging out around the large outside table. The family cooks shared dinners for everyone (small fee) and there’s wine for sale if you want a tipple with your meal.
Rooms and dorms
Shared simple but excellent and clean bathrooms
Laundry service for a small fee
Excellent WiFi
Motorcycle parking with shade-roof (not waterproof)
The entire property is securely gated and locked
You’re welcome to work on your bike where you parked it
Very basic moto supplies in town
Basic groceries - but diners are so yummy and affordable and bring everyone together, so they would be a shame to miss
13. Rincón de la Mochila in Rio Gallegos, Argentina
Mi casa es su casa. Never were these words more true, than at Sandra’s in Rio Gallegos. She rents out all the rooms in her house to travelers and sleeps in the living room herself. (Her daughter sleeps on the mezzanine under the roof.) There’s also a second bed in the living room that you’re more than welcome to. Or you can camp in the yard. It’s up to you - she charges the same token amount of $$, no matter which you choose, just to keep the place running. And once settled in, the place is your home. Use the WiFi, kitchen, bathroom and all the spaces, as if they were your own - she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Upon arrival, the dogs jumped over the fence to greet us and almost herded us inside. They love travelers - I hope they are a little more ferocious with thieves, because Sandra’s door is always open, in case someone arrives in need of a place to stay, while she’s out at work.
At Sandra's you’re not just at home, you’re family. In true Argentinian style, she got the BBQ going, and everyone chipped in with bread, salad and vino. That evening, we all went out to a concert in town and Sandra bought dessert of hand-crafted chocolates for everyone. Her place and her life seem unassumingly simple, but her heart is big enough for everyone who might pop by, making it one of the most magical memories from our trip.
private room or a bed in the living room
camp or park your campervan in the yard
all sleeping arrangements the same token price, just to keep the place running
shared bathroom, kitchen, living/dining room
Excellent WiFi
house and yard gates are left unlocked at all times, but our things felt safe, with valuables left in a locked pannier inside the house
groceries in town
basic moto supplies in town
14. Motorcycle Hostel Fin del Mundo in Rio Grande, Argentina
Another place with tons of history and T-shirts hanging from the ceiling to prove it. There are sticker collections everywhere, including Toto’s totally covered car. This is the place to meet other moto travelers in Tierra del Fuego.
Rooms and dorms are simple, but clean and warm, heated with gas stoves that would never pass safety inspections in Canada, but are very common in southern Argentina. A huge industrial hall that is locked at night accommodates the motos, though leaving them outside is considered safe in the area. There is also a welding workshop, BBQ stove and a bar that’s currently disused, in that storage hall. You’re welcome to work on the bike, but will need your own tools.
The heart of the place is a common room where life is centered around the big, round table. The owners, friends and moto travelers all hang out, passing yerba mate and setting the world to rights. The place is heated with a wood fired stove and there is a small kitchenette and fridge.
For a small fee, house-made beer, pizza and chicken milanesa is available.
Rooms and dorms
Shared bathroom, simple, but does the trick
OK Wifi
Fantastic common area
Shared fridge and kitchenette
Safe, dry, locked motorcycle parking where you can work on the bike
Supermarket in town
15. Moto Posada las Piedras in Ushuaia, Argentina
Basically a biker who’s converted part of his house to accommodate moto travelers as well as other guests. Space, especially parking, is limited and it’s best to call ahead to confirm there’s availability.
Rooms with shared bathroom
Shared kitchen and common area to hang out in
OK Wifi
Safe, gated outside parking up a steep concrete slope, hence the limited space (it is considered safe to leave vehicles outside, even without property gates, in Ushuaia anyways)
It’s not an ideal space, but you could work on the bike here, if you had to
I saw a limited selection of tools in a cupboard that I’m sure you could borrow, but best not rely on availability of what you need
Limited moto supplies in town
Disclaimer: Things may have changed since we have been there, as these places develop and grow. If anyone would like us to make updates, feel free to reach out. And of course, this list is not comprehensive. If you know of any awesome Moto Camps and Hostels, please post in the comments below - I’d love to visit them sometime!
