Oxamarca | Informal Campsite

February 14th, 2024 by Elinam

Added a photo of owner’s peephole and ladders and the shower building.

February 14th, 2024 by Elinam

WARNING to all, especially women! AVOID THIS CREEPY OWNER’S PLACE ENTIRELY!

This place is called Restaurante Campestre Choropata. We stopped here on our way to Cajamarca because it was getting dark and we needed to sleep. We did get some sleep. However my recommendation is to avoid this place. Here’s what happened:

Christian the owner showed us that there is a white toilet and shower building in the backyard. He said we should tell him when we go there so he can calm down his dog. He said that the dog bites. After it got dark he escorted us to the showers. We had our own lamps. There isn’t much privacy, just light curtains in front of both showers. I got undressed and turned on the shower. I looked up and saw Christian’s face in the window peephole above the shower room. I have no idea for how long he had been peeking there! I started screaming and he left. My husband was not yet in the shower and came to me. Christian asked if there is water. As if he had been checking if the water works. My husband went to the back of the shower building and saw ladders leaning on the wall of women’s shower. In the back there is nothing that is related to water technology. As I got out of the shower Christian appeared again asking how is the water, is it cold, is it warm. He tried to chat normally as if nothing had happened. I was shocked, we were both shocked. Because it was dark it was not safe to drive anywhere else. Next morning we left 6 AM before Christian woke up. The dog is really friendly. We used the toilets in the morning and the dog didn’t mind. In the morning the ladders were put down by Christian as if nothing had ever happened. ATTACHED: A photo of the shower building, owner’s ladders and peephole.

August 28th, 2023 by hourlesslife.com

We stayed one night because we definitely needed a break from the road. We parked not too far off the road, so there was some road noise (especially because everyone honks at the nearby blind curve). But we felt fairly secure in the area and we were able to sleep. There was no one there when we arrived. They showed up eventually and said they wouldn’t charge us to camp. There is a simple bathroom with flush toilet around the back of the building and up the hill. There is also a shower there, which is nice because it’s pretty hot during the day. But we didn’t use it. There is a water spigot near where we parked so we could do dishes. There are huts with shaded chairs and a hammock. The chitras (sand flies) are really bad until after dark. We all got bit up. Overall, I’m not sure what’s going on with this property. I’ve seen Google Maps photos from a year ago and everything looked nice—the pools and seating areas were well-kept. But during our visit, it looked post-apocalyptic. The pools were empty and trash was everywhere. We had a lone flip flop and coffee mug on the ground behind the Jeep. Right by the three barrels for burning trash. It’s like the owners just stopped taking care of the place. BUT the surrounding mountain view is incredible. And we were just grateful for a place to stop for the night. Peru 8B, amiright?

December 16th, 2022 by robjansenphotography.com

It shouldn't be permanently closed. We stayed here one night and met the owner. He is building up this place and iOverlanders are welcome in his restaurant, swimming pool or staying the night

December 3rd, 2022 by robjansenphotography.com

We arrived in the afternoon and met the friendly owner Christian. We stayed around to look for the Yellow-faced Parrotlets. Unfortunately we didn't see them here. We asked Christian if we could stay the night at the parking lot. That was no problem. We could also use the bathroom and shower. The restaurant was open, but starting. We ordered two plates of chicken and French Fries (it took him two hours to make it), but it was really nice. Together with 3 beers of 600ml it was 54s in total. Fair price in our opinion :)

Enjoy!

November 16th, 2022 by hans.spille

There is a restaurant in construction. Maybe it will become a top spot. There will be also a pool.

April 15th, 2022 by tony-ontheroad

This place is permanently closed.

February 20th, 2020 by mrhvdm2010

We don’t know why this place should be marked as closed. Big sand area, open to park.

November 22nd, 2019 by fierydruid

Not worth going anymore. It is now a construction site with large trucks and equipment

September 29th, 2019 by Adriaan&Isabelle

This is a large quarry, used for digging and to store road construction materials (sand, gravel and grit). It's a little above the road and offers some piles to hide behind. You won't be completely invisible, but it's far better than camping in a pull-out right next to these narrow roads.

Some evening traffic and very little at night. Good spot for one night.

February 6th, 2019 by patatesenvadrouille

Good spot but we couldn’t stay here ! Way too many “moucherons” (I don’t know how to say that in English, kind of small bugs), like hundreds of it that bited us. Tried to make a fire camp to make them go but it didn’t worked. Got us crazy so we left unfortunately

December 30th, 2018 by HahnSolo

Nice flat spot. Much better than nearby, exposed 360 spot. Warm, dry air to help dry out wet gear after the damp mountains. Large sand piles block view of moto/car and tent from the road. Clear skies and a million stars!

BEWARE: GIANT centipedes (20cm) here and surely elsewhere in the area. Saw a HUGE tarantula (spider) in the road this afternoon, too. Save yourself a pair of clean underwear--zip up your tent and bring your shoes in at night!

March 7th, 2018 by Flip Flop Cowboy

We checked out the spot lower down, but it was pretty exposed and next to some buildings. This spot in an gravel quarry was much flatter, less exposed, and not near anyone's house.

Very quiet at night and nobody around. Perfect place for a little campfire and a peaceful night after a long twisty (beautiful) drive.

Basically the same view as below, but we had two rigs.. ;)

March 7th, 2018 by Calderescapes

We were two rigs and this spot has a few large spaces and was flatter with no structures. So heading west, go up past "360 view" spot, around two bends and pull in.