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Camping, Propane Sites, Border Crossings,
Shopping Locations, and Fuel Prices in
Central America
Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama
Updated May 2008
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General information: (All costs shown in approximate US Dollars)
The following information is intended to be an addition to the existing literature on places to camp, shop and locate propane in Central America. It is by no means all-inclusive, but lists primarily those places we found that are not already listed on the sites below. We’ve also included fuel costs during our journey and anecdotal border crossing information. We suggest that anyone wishing to travel in this area also investigate the following websites:
www.xor.org.uk/silkroute/index.html.
A note on GPS readings. We are not truly GPS literate. We use our unit as a compass and altimeter much more than as a locating device. As a result we did not take regular readings on campsite locations until we were in South America. We apologize for the frequent lack of such readings in this log.
Propane locations:
RVs (like ours) with chassis mounted propane tanks often must go to a different location than those with removable tanks. There are more locations that can service removable tanks, but so far we have always been able to get our tanks filled when needed. Needless to say, we try not to let the propane level get too low before filling.
Important: before you leave the states, you should acquire an adapter that will connect to the inlet on your propane tank and terminates in a pipe thread (of any common size) so that another fitting can be connected to the adapter. Then, you should be able to acquire a fitting that is used in a particular country once you are in that country and connect it to the fitting that fits your tank. For an excellent article discussing propane availability and connection options click here: Propane Article
Border Crossings:
We have included here the border crossings we used between the countries; the information is based on our experience only and not meant to imply that these are the only crossings. Our strategy in every case was to avoid crossings on the Pan American Highway and stick to lesser used crossings. We also avoided all El Salvador/Honduras crossings as these countries have an ongoing border dispute and all three crossings are reported to be difficult. This worked out very well for us. We advise that you bring the equivalent of about $75 in local funds to each border. If you have “leftovers” they can be converted later. Our costs are given in USD equivalents.
Fuel Prices:
These prices are the average for what we paid in each country. We have a diesel engine; the diesel prices are actual. We have included the estimated prices for regular unleaded gasoline.
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Guatemala: Fuel prices (February 2008): Diesel - $3.55; gasoline 35 cents higher
Mexico – Guatemala border crossing. Paso Hondo-La Mesilla. Quiet and straightforward. No difficulties. You enter into the main street of La Mesilla, but simply need to keep going straight to get out into the countryside. Cost: $20.83
Location, Type/Cost and Description
Estanzuela: Propane
Zetagas is available on CA-10 at the north end of town on the east side of the road.
Antigua: Camping; free
Tourist police yard. We inquired at the tourist office as to a place that would be okay for boondocking. They called the police yard to confirm, and then sent us there. It is a location outside the bollards that surround the center of the city, and near the bus parking area.
Chiquimula: Shopping
As you enter town from the North, at the intersection for the road going into the center of town, a new mall with a nice Paiz; also a Pollo Campero, food court and several ATMs in the mall.
Esquipulas: Camping; $6
We spent the night in the parking lot next to to security the Pollo Compero, beside the basilica.
Flores: Camping; free
Along the malecon on the island; turn left as soon as you cross the bridge. We asked permission from the restaurant across the way.
Huehuetenango: Camping; $10 Pino Montana Hotel
We were unable to locate other noted over night spots, and stopped at the Pino Montana Hotel, which welcomed us. It is located on the main highway (CA-1) on the south side of the road at about KM 258.
Quetzeltenango: propane
Between Cuatros Caminos and the Xela town center, but south of the turn off for the bypass for San Marcos are two plants. We got help at the Zetagas plant. It’s just below Km 93, on the east side of the road. They couldn’t fill our tank but guided us to a place where they had their truck meet us and fill our tank.
Quetzel Sanctuary: Camping; $3 to security Mario Dary Rivera Biotopo Reserve
About an hour below Coban. This is a small parking lot, although they have a second one of equal size nearby.
Santa Elena: Camping; free Puma Station
As you enter town from the east the fuel station is on the south side of the road; you will find water and electric on a pole near the restrooms.
Santa Elena: Shopping
As you enter town from the east there is a new Maxi Bodega on the south side of the road.
Santa Elena: Propane N16.54.170, W89.54.895
There is an old, but operating Tropigas plant about 2 Kms south of town on the road to San Francisco. Heading south on the only major road out of town you will approach a roundabout and a Shell station on the left; make a left turn in front of the station and this will put you on the road to San Francisco. In about 1 Km you will see the plant on your left.
Uspantan: Camping; $5 Maya Parqueo Hotel
We entered town and looked for the tourist office, which was closed; we asked and were taken to a hotel with a secure interior yard; unfortunately, it was very small, and was also a mechanic’s work yard, so it wasn’t lovely, but it was secure.
Yaxha: Camping; free with National Park entry fee (about $10 US p/p) Lago Yaxha
We stayed 2 nights along the shores of the lake, inside the national park; probably electricity at nearby palapa. Wonderful ruins by the way.
Villa Nueva: propane
Reportedly there is a Zetagas plant at Km 19 along CA-9, a little south of town.
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El Salvador: Fuel prices (February 2008): Diesel $3.60, gasoline 30 cents higher.
Guatemala – El Salvador border crossing. Valle Nuevo. Very well organized, helpful, quick and pleasant. Out in the countryside. Cost: $7.84 entering El Salvador, and $5.17 to return to Guatemala.
Location, Type/Cost and Description
Perquin: Camping; $4 to security Museo de la Revolution
We spent the night in the parking lot of this small museum in this tiny town with steep, narrow streets; very rewarding museum.
Sonsonate: Camping; $12.50 San Bernardo Balneario
On CA-12, about 2 miles north of town, on the side of the road; also a nursery. Staff was nice, but we felt somewhat conspicuous; very upscale spot.
Joya de Ceren: Propane
Tropigas plant just off CA-1, approximately 2 Km after turn north onto Joya road.
Suchitoto: Camping; $6 El Mangal Piscina N13.56.733, W89.10.077
Lovely site down by the lake; restaurant on site; a long uphill walk to town with limited taxi service.
San Miguel: Shopping
Good shopping center on main road as you go alongside the town. It is on the north side of the road right where the Burger King sign is.
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Honduras: Fuel prices (March 2008): Diesel - $3.10; gasoline 30 cents higher
Guatemala – Honduras border crossing. El Florido-Copan Ruinas. Again, straightforward, easy and quick. Copan Ruinas is about 11 Kms from the border, and makes a good evening destination. Cost: 38.06
Location, Type/Cost and Description
Gracias: Camping; free with park entry of about $10 Celaque National Park
We spent the night along the road into the park; not recommended; is very rough and should be approached with caution; twisty and steep; cannot get level; the visitor’s center is not level either.
Lago de Yojoa: Camping; $2.65 Finca Las Glorias N14.56.787, W88.02.280
This is a gorgeous resort with a level area for RVs; camping under the trees, pool, on the lake, restaurant, activities available.
Miguel Guancapla: Camping; free
This is a small dusty town about halfway between Gracias and La Esperanza. We stopped at the police station and were told we were welcome to park along the street, near the square. It was okay, but not great; not a lot of options along this road.
Saba area: Propane N15.33.290, W86.16.560
After leaving La Ceiba, somewhere between Los Planes and Saba we saw a Tropigas propane plant on the south side of the road.
Saba: Camping; $10 Hotel Ejectivo N15.30.907 W86.13.846
We had to circle around town awhile before we found it; it’s on the road out of town toward Olanchito.
San Juancito: Camping; free La Tigra National Park
We spent the night at the El Rosario entrance to the park, near Valle de Angeles. Not suitable for most vehicles. You enter via San Juancito, which is tight and narrow. Then you proceed 2 miles up a very narrow, tight and steep rough road to the park visitors center. It is, however, lovely up here and they let us boondock for free. Could not get level.
Siguatepeque: Camping; free N14.35.011, W87.50.881
Shell station across from Wendys on the west side of the highway.
Valle de Angeles: Camping; free
There are several places to stay in the area, including a large regional park, which looked very nice, but we were advised the most secure would be in the hospital parking lot. We asked for permission and were allowed to overnight for free. Lovely town
Nicaragua: Fuel prices (April 2008): Diesel $4.25, gasoline 20 cents higher
Honduras – Nicaragua border crossing. Las Manos-Dipito. No dificulties. A quiet, rural area; we went on to Esteli for the night. Cost: $ 52.31
Location, Type/Cost and Description
Esteli: Propane N13.05.282, W86.21.107
Tropigas on the highway in town on the east side, after you pass the Shell station on the same side of the street; cross street is Calle 10a SE.
Esteli: Camping; $2.50 to security Club Campestre
We stayed at this private resort 4 kms north of town, on the east side of the road. It was free, but we tipped the guard $2.50/night. There is a pool, showers, electricity, water and dump; some shade; it is a large grassy open field. Very nice spot, we were delighted.
Matagalpa: Camping; free Selva Negra
This is a hideaway in a forest, 12 kms above town on the road north, with flowers, birds, hiking trails, and real seclusion. Boondocking was free after paying the $2 entrance fee, which is redeemable as a credit toward a meal in the restaurant. Only for small rigs, and we had trouble finding a place to get level. But well worth the trouble. In a cloud forest; run by Germans. Good food. Note: others have reported being told they couldn’t park here, but we had no difficulties.
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Costa Rica: Fuel prices (April 2008): Diesel $3.95; gasoline 25 cents higher
Nicaragua – Costa Rica border crossing. There is only one crossing, and it’s quite difficult, expensive, and chaotic. No good recommendation. This is the only crossing where we used local help, and then only because we could not seem to avoid doing so. $101.23
Location, Type/Cost and Description
Fortuna: Camping; $10 Las Hornillas Pailas N10.42.884, W85.10.592
(north of Bagaces, not La Fortuna near Arenal) Volcan Miravalles area. This is on a loop road going east between Torno and Guayabo. In the middle of the ICE thermoelectric plant area is a hot springs called Las Hornillas Pailas. They let us stay in the parking area after we promised not to use the thermales, which cost extra. Pretty, and the pools were nice looking, not very level.
Liberia: Camping; $5 Delfin Trailer Park
This great spot is about 4 miles northwest of town on the highway. An excellent base for exploring. Supposedly defunct, and not well maintained, but welcomed us; had a nice pool, showers and dump (the dump was in a difficult location)
Liberia: Shopping
There is a new Jumbo supermarket at the first signal intersection as you enter from the north. Turn right toward the airport, then left into the parking lot. Also several banks and ATMs at this location.
Liberia area: Camping; free Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Just north of the entrance to the Delfin park is a turn to the east towards Rincon de la Vieja NP. This road goes into the mountains about 8 miles. We camped just outside the park entrance on the grassy day use parking area , for free, for two nights. We paid the entrance fee and entered the park during the day to hike, but suspected they didn’t care. This is a great spot.
Belen (San Jose Area): Propane N9.59.834, W84.10.099
Heading east, between the airport and the turn for the Belen Trailer Park, approximately one mile west of the road you turn on to go to the trailer park, on the north side of the highway is a Total Gas service station that has pumps for propane as well as gasoline and diesel. The station is most easily reached going westbound; there is an unmarked off ramp right at the station. These stations are scattered around the San Jose area at least and all seem to offer propane. The sign for the station says “LP Carburacion” like the signs at propane stations in Mexico. We’ve heard some other gas stations in C.R. offer propane as well. Not sure if these stations can fill removable tanks as well, but a boon for those with US style fixed tanks.
Nuevo Arenal: Camping; free N10.34.463, W85.00.627
Going west around Lake Arenal, we took a right turn onto a road toward Volcan Tenorio. The map marks this as the road to Tierras Morenas. After 2.9 miles we came to an unmarked, unpaved right turn going up a grade into what appeared to be a defunct upscale housing development; we followed it a ways and found a great place to park beside the road. Unparalleled views and quiet, although windy.
Volcan Arenal: Camping; Free N10.26.300, W84.43.773
We turned in on the dirt road toward Volcan Park, and then on beyond it. At a total of 3.3 miles from the main road you cross a bridge and make an immediate left. You ford a small stream and continue for a short distance to the river. Can park here for the night and can get a good view of the volcano if it is active and the night is clear.
Cartago: Shopping
There is a big new Mega Super on the north side of the road, east of Cartago and before you get to Paraiso.
Cartago: Propane N09.51.450, W84.56.800
East of town, along the highway, there is a Zetagas on the south side of the road.
Playa Pinuela: Camping; free
On the Pacific coast, east of Dominical. Small, lovely beach with several parking places right along the water. The turn to the beach is between Km 170-171; the signage is sufficient but not great. Free during the week.
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Panama: Fuel prices (May 2008): Diesel $3.65-3.95; gasoline 5 cents lower
Costa Rica – Panama border crossings. San Vito-Rio Sereno. This is a small mountain crossing about half-way between the two oceans. It was very quiet (we almost had to wake them up to let us through) with virtually no turmoil. Everyone was nice and we had no trouble. There is a short stretch (4 miles) of unpaved, rather rough road on the Costa Rica side leading up to the border. Panama requires actual stamps for your passport; they are not available at the border so you have to walk a quarter-mile into town; they require US funds to enact this transaction. Because of the walk the entire process took about 1 1/2 hours. Cost: $22.00
Location, Type/Cost and Description
Boquete: Camping; free
The Visitor’s Center will allow you to stay overnight in their parking lot (they are about one mile outside town to the south) but it seemed quite noisy and right on the road. We went into town, turned right a couple of blocks before the square, and found our way to the river. There is a soccer field ahead of you, with a fence along its right side. If you park on the field, the you go to the right of this fence, along this road, you will come to a large open field right on the river. It is public land and you are welcome to stay there, apparently as long as you would like. It was perfect.
David: Shopping
There is a large new Rey supermarket and also a big hardware store (Do-It Center) on the right hand side of the Pan Am just north of the turn off to Boquete. Excellent shopping.
David: Propane N08.25.300, W82.21.600
Between David and Chiriqui there is a Panagas on the north side of the highway. About a half-mile further east there is a Tropigas on the south side of the highway.
Volcan: Camping free
We spent a quiet night parked on the grass of a city park in front of the fire station, about two blocks off the main street. They let us fill with water. We had heard there was a gravel lot on the south edge of town that could be used; we think it has been built on, as we were unable to locate it.
Divisa: Propane N08.09.150, W80.40.925
Just east of town on the north side of the road are both Panagas and Tropigas.
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