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Article #12 CAMPING/BOONDOCKING ISSUES -
What About Them?

by Jim Jaillet - Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved

In Article #1, CENTRAL AMERICA: You Can Do It!, we discussed the
importance of planning. This aspect of planning will help you to experience your
trip with NO CAMPING/BOONDOCKING PROBLEMS!

During our trip of 342 nights, we boondocked 339 nights! So, the first
piece of advice of this article: For inexperienced boondockers, start
boondocking immediately to ensure the readiness of both you and your rig
by your departure date. Few campgrounds exist as you know them, and,
when you do find one, the quality falls equal to a MINUS FIVE-STAR
RESORT! In one of the three campgrounds where we stayed, the baños
(bahn-yoze) (bathrooms) reeked of filth and mosquito infestation. The
water pressure merely a dribble, with no hot water and no electricity
for night use. At our sites, no electricity, no water pressure and when
we went to dump our black-water tanks the pipes were blocked and all the
"stuff" back-flowed onto the ground. GET THE PICTURE?

Your most likely question: "So, where do we park?" The answer...
anywhere where you want excect where (1) a "no parking" signs exists, a
rarity in Central America; (2) you can find relatively level ground,
sometimes difficult; (3) you do not block pedestrian or vehicular
traffic; and (4) a place where you feel sufficiently safe, another
difficulty on occasion. Sometimes the only place you will feel safe lies
behind gated walls with armed guards, just a fact of life in Central
America. Whenever it seems appropriate, you should seek the most likely
responsible person and ask their permission to park. In all but an
occasional situation you will find a very positive and gracious response
to your request. Most people you encounter will happily accommodate your
needs and go out of their way to ensure your safely and security.
Occasionally this may not happen and, if so, simply continue on until
you find a suitable location.

As it relates to a place of safety - ALWAYS PARK WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE
NEARBY! You NEVER want to park in remote areas, even in a multi-rig
caravan situation. That simply asks for problems. You possess no guns
and one just bandido with just one gun could find you in an undesirable
situation. Since most bandidos operate in gangs, YOU DO NOT WANT TO FIND
YOURSELF IN THAT SITUATION! By parking near other people, you retain the
ability to attract some attention and potential police assistance using
commotion and noise .

Occasionally, in certain tourist-type locations, suitable parking
becomes difficult to find. Most of the time we resolved this problem by
parking in hotel parking lots where adequate space existed and paid a
nominal fee. There will also occur occasional times when you must park
some distance from tourist centers. In these cases, once you find a
suitable location, you transit to the tourist site via your towed
vehicle, taxi or bus.

Some of the other places we parked frequently included:

* Central Plazas (Zocolos). These places are known as the "community
living room." Because living quarters are so small and usually contain
a number of people, most locals socialize in the evening at the Central
Plaza. It's a great place to meet and mingle with the locals! Lots of
noise constitutes the DOWNSIDE and the locals frequently carry on until
the sun rises the next morning. Your peaceful sleep will suffer in these
locations.

* Gas Stations. They frequently offer sufficient parking space. As a
courtesy you should ask permission to park and a nice gesture as a guest
is to fill your gas tanks. Noisy vehicle traffic becomes the downside.

* Police Stations. If you can find these locations with available space,
a great spot to park.

* Beaches and Sports Fields. Another great spot, if you can find one
where you feel safe.

The final question: "Where do we dump our black-water tanks?" Wherever
you can find a suitable location! Some of the places we dumped:

* Population centers with sewer systems. We found a side street, lifted
the manhole cover and did our thing!

* Gas Stations. They sometimes offer dumping facilities.

* Bus Maintenance Locations. If permitted, wherever they emptied bus
toilets we would empty and sometimes pay a nominal fee.

* Alongside rural roads. Well away from any population, streams, and
hopefully down a hillside.

Don't miss the next installment "MORDIDA/BANDIDO ISSUES - What About
Them?" in which I'll discuss the considerations for avoiding mordida and
bandido problems. Stay tuned and remember my promise at the beginning of
Article #1.......................................................................... YOU CAN DO IT!

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Jim Jaillet is a full-time RVer, Adventurer and Author of
PANAMA OR BUST - A 343 day adventure in a motorhome!

You can claim your copy of my book for only $19.95 at
http://www.panamaor bust.com

I'd love to hear what you thought of this Article #12,
CAMPING/BOONDOCKING ISSUES: What about them?

Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for upcoming articles to
me at jimj@panamaorbust. com

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Disclaimer: The author in no way can guarantee your safety in Central
America. After all they are Third World countries and not without danger
or the possibility of death. You go at your own risk. The author is only
suggesting that with some planning, common sense and caution you may
minimize your potential dangers and be rewarded with countless cultural
experiences. :)

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