In Brazil our nights were divided among overland camping, spending the night at a gas station, or staying with local people.
Every once in a while we stayed at a pousada (guesthouse), ecolodge, Fazenda hotel, or Bed & Breakfast.
Read More: B&Bs, Guesthouses & Pousadas in Brazil
On the map below you’ll find our noteworthy places of rough camping, pousadas we stayed (either in a room or camping in the parking lot) as well as a few gas stations that came in handy for some particular reason (like in or near a city).
We didn’t find it necessary to log all of them because you’ll find them all over the place.
Overland Camping
Brazil has so much space yet few people per square kilometer (although this varies largely among regions/states).
We found lots of opportunities for wild camping, often near or alongside waterways or waterfalls.
We especially enjoyed rough camping in the southern states, Minas Gerais, the Pantanal, the Amazon, and along the coast of south and northeast Brazil.
Read More: Behind the Fences in the Biggest Wetland in the World, the Pantanal
Camping at Gas Stations
In Mato Grosso we regularly stayed at 24-hour gas stations. We find them fascinating places in themselves with those all those trucks that come and go and the drivers with their stories who sometimes bring their families along as well.
As we discovered the ease of staying at gas stations we’ve been increasingly doing this elsewhere in the country as well, notably in and around cities where we think wild camping is not a good idea.
Read More: Driving Dunes & Beaches in Northeast Brazil
Hospitality – Staying with Locals
Before reaching major cities we try to find accommodation, in which most cases we succeed. Brazilians have been very hospitable to us and we’ve stayed in many homes. Some invited us during a chat on the street, others found us on the website.
We have received great help from all kinds of Jeep and Toyota Clubs throughout the country and we have used Couchsurfing as well (find us under ‘Coen Wubbels’).
Read More: Bye Bye Brazil
GPS Waypoints of Accommodation & Overland Camping Spots in Brazil
Let there be no misunderstanding: no, you don’t have to go to these places. No, these are not by definition the best spots. After having traveled in Brazil for so long (2 years in total) we realize that it’s no problem here to find your own beautiful spots for camping.
We decided to continue the page anyway, for travelers who would like some tips about camping spots which we enjoyed or found practical – please note that this is always our personal experience.
You can also check out iOverlander, where you can see where other overlanders spent the night.
Tips, Suggestions, Feedback?
Do you have overland camp spots we should add to this page? Please share it with us in the comments below so other travelers may benefit from it. Thanks.
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Hey guys, you seem to have boondocking in Brazil very well covered!
We’ve made a list of camp sites we used on the coast – most are organized pay sites, and a good place to take a shower for those days when you really need it! You can download here:
http://bodeswell.org/2013/08/27/camping-brazil-with-gps-coodinates2/
Thanks for sharing Jason!