After spending three months backpacking in South America we were able to trade our bus tickets, hostel rooms and backpacks to a Mitsubishi Montero Sport 4×4 with a huge rooftop tent.

With new opportunities came new challenges

Camping in Ecuador is relatively simple, there are no laws where you can and cannot put your tent up, it’s mostly asking around where it’s safe and where it’s not. In this post I’m going to demonstrate what options we took and how those turned out for us.

Hotel parking lot

On our first night we did not want to jump into wild camping right away, so we were looking for a safer option on iOverlander. Since campings where nowhere to find, we drove to a hotel that had a huge parking lot and asked if we can stay the night there. They welcomed us with open arms, they showed us around, let us use the showers, electricity, WiFi and introduced us to Jason, the guard dog 🐕. We set up the tent and started cooking our dinner. We felt quite safe and slept well in our new tent.

We ended up using this option quite often in busy towns and cities to avoid crowd, shady people or to get a little more comfort once in a while.

Security: 🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐
Comfort:  🚻🚾💧📶🔈
Cost:     💲💲💲
Privacy:  🎦🎦

Established camp site

A few nights into our camper life we were passing by Cotopaxi Volcano and we found a campsite outside of the town close to the entrance of the National Park. Since you are paying for the service they provide, it’s really structured without any surprises. Bathrooms, cooking place, showers, electricity is usually part of the package and sometimes WIFI is available near the main building.

Security: 🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐
Comfort:  🚻🚾💧🔉
Cost:     💲💲
Privacy:  🎦🗣️

Someone’s yard

Many people who traveled or like traveling offer free or cheap parking on their property. This usually involves talking with them and other travellers exchanging stories and advises, which is a really good way to socialize with like-minded people. Also this is a way for them to give back to the traveller community or add something they wish they’d have had. Either way we really like this option, the downside is that you are not as free to leave and work around everybody’s schedule.

Security: 🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐
Comfort:  🚻🚾💧🔉
Cost:     💲
Privacy:  🗣️

Gas station

We waited long before exploring this option, but it quickly became our safety and backup choice. Basically most of the bigger gas stations have a place for trucks and campers to stay overnight. This option offers water and most cases WiFi with the benefit of someone watching over the parking lot during the night. It’s pretty consistent and if you can tolerate the noise of the trucks backing up, you can have a good rest.

Security: 🔐🔐
Comfort:  🚾💧📶🔊⛽
Cost:     💲
Privacy:  🎦🗣️🚚🚨

Near tourist attractions

The idea is pretty similar to the gas station option, you sleep in the parking lot of a viewpoint or at the entrance of a trail, with a lot less consistency. You can be lucky with toilet and sometimes a roof or completely without any amenities. Still, we prefer this option as you are practically undisturbed through the night.

Security: 🔐
Comfort:  🚾🔈
Cost:     free
Privacy:  🦌🐕🐄

Wild camping

This is where a 4×4, expedition truck or a concerted microbus shines. You pick a spot anywhere, we prefer those that are hidden from the main road and sleep without having anyone or anything disturb your slumber. With the cooking equipments on the car stocked up with food and water this is the best option you can look for.

Security: alone
Comfort:  🔈
Cost:     free
Privacy:  🦌🕊️