Everything I Wish I Knew Before Heading out on my First Campervan Adventure

With more than 16 years of getting customers on the road and out into the wild, we’ve seen travellers hit just about every snag you can imagine while rolling on those back country roads to paradise. We’re always learning, but we’ll never forget the campervan travel advice we’ve received over the years from fellow wanderers and seasoned adventurers. In the spirit of paying it forward, we thought we’d share some of the tips and advice we’ve learned the hard way, so you can make your campervan holiday go as smoothly as possible. While most problems can be avoided with a bit of old-fashioned common sense, it’s always helpful to have a refresher. In this guide, we’ll go over the following:

• Things to Know Before Van Life
• Preparing for a Campervan Trip
• Campervan Travel Challenges
• Campervan Mistakes to Avoid
• Campervan Adventure Tips
• Portugal Road Trip Advice
• Van Life Essentials

First-Time Campervan Tips

So you’ve grabbed your Siesta Camper from our base, picked up a few groceries and cold beers and you’re ready to head out into the wilds. You’ve downloaded the trusted Park4night app and a few helpful others, and after scrolling the reviews, you’ve decided on your first stop for the evening. Just a little way on the map, it says.


While the paths to many Park4night spots start off easy, a lot of them become increasingly difficult to navigate in a rental vehicle with a security deposit. From bushes scraping along the sides to potholes that can rip a water tank clean off, it’s good to remember that while it may feel like a true adventuremobile, your campervan is not an off-road vehicle (and as much as it bums us out to say it, our terms strictly forbid off-roading, and any damage to the van’s undercarriage and roof is not covered by the insurance).


📌 Keep in mind: Many of the reviews on Park4night come from full-time van lifers cruising around in their own well-worn and well-loved vans. A scratch here and there may not catch their attention at all. Renters, however, will know that a scratch here and there comes out of the wallet later. 


💡 Tip: Try to get to your spot while it’s light out. Take it easy, and take it slow. Look up and look down, and keep an eye on those side mirrors. If the road is especially narrow, have your co-pilot get out and lead the way while holding back branches, etc.

Booking your Campsite(s)

You’ll quickly find endless camping options in Portugal and Spain, even with the recent protective legislation preventing wild camping in Portugal and the long-standing laws in Spain. Don’t stress too much about booking campsites in advance, as most campgrounds have lots of space, even in the summer.


Many campsites in Portugal still feel and look a little bit like they exist in the 1970s. This is great if you’re in one of our 1970s campers, but it’s also all part of the charm of road tripping through a very small country. Take it in stride. If you want to glamp, then book a glampsite. If you want to embrace the quirks and unique qualities of campsites frequented year-round by an international community of van dwellers, stay humble and set up camp. Who knows, you may even get the chance to play Boules with your neighbours.


📌 Keep in mind: You may turn up and find that you’re not really into the place you chose. It happens. Thankfully, many spots will allow you to walk around the campsite and check it out a bit beforehand if you ask nicely. 


💡 Tip: To avoid paying a campsite booking platform commission, just roll up and check-in. 

Heading into Spain

If you plan to drive from Portugal into Spain, you just need to give us a heads-up first—a simple message before you go will usually do the trick. If you don’t tell us, you’ll be charged for each day of your reservation. 


📌 Keep in mind: If you head into Spain without letting us know beforehand and you have mechanical issues that require breakdown service, it will be far more difficult (and expensive) to get to you. 


💡 Tip: If you’re on the fence about Spain, go for it. The Iberian Peninsula has just about every environment and landscape you can imagine - but send us a message first to make sure you have the right coverage for your van!

Waste Disposal and Drinking Water

In recent years we’ve seen a ton of ASAs (Área de Serviço para Autocaravanas) pop up in Portugal where you can empty your greywater and toilet cassette for a reasonable price, and most campsites will let you use their facilities without actually camping for around €5. Just ask at the reception.


📌 Keep in mind: It’s extremely uncool (and illegal) to improperly dispose of greywater and other waste while on the road. If you get caught, it’s seven years bad vibes, a hefty fine, and you’ll be banned from renting a Siesta van in the future. We take environmental protection seriously at Siesta, and we hope you do too.


💡 Tip: Be cool! Do the right thing and put that waste where it belongs.

The Clutch - Driving Manual / Stick Shift

Ahh, manual. Considered by many to be the most fun way to drive, but not as common with our North American buddies. Since our vans aren’t designed for off-roading adventures (see above), they don’t have the traction and height clearance to get in and out of risky business, which means if you get stuck and try to reverse up a steep hill, you’ll likely burn that clutch out. 


📌 Keep in mind: A sure sign that you’re doing what you shouldn’t be doing is the strong smell of burning rubber and smoke coming from the engine (yikes, is this ever a good sign?). Modern manual clutches burn out easily, and if you ruin the clutch through negligence, you’ll land yourself a hefty repair bill. 


💡 Tip: Don’t kid yourself - a road trip designed to take it easy is not the time to learn a new way to drive. Learn to drive a manual transmission in your home country before your trip, or request an automatic van. We have both - whether you rent a California, Grand California, Siesta Sierra or ID Buzz. 

Getting Stuck

The Costa Vicentina is packed with hidden beaches reached by nondescript paths. We’ve found that Google Maps often shows a short trek to paradise, but the map doesn’t always convey a steep incline, narrow roadway, or soft sand.


📌 Keep in mind: Getting stuck in the sand in a remote location without cell service is a definite vibe killer. Many tow trucks will not take on sandy rescues and if you’re off-road, this service is not covered by our insurance. It’s not unusual to wait three hours for a recovery service to find you and many will refuse after-dark rescues. 


💡 Tip: Before you head in, hop out. Scope out the grounds and get a feel for what you might drive into. If in doubt, play it safe.

Flat Batteries

We live in a very powered-on world. We carry devices with us at all times, and it’s not uncommon to have gear you need to charge after a day of documenting your travels. While at home we might leave something charging overnight, in a van, this is a no-go. If you leave phones and other devices plugged in overnight, there’s a good chance you’ll wake up with a dead/flat battery.


📌 Keep in mind: The cigarette lighter in the front is connected to the van’s main battery. The USBs in the back of the van use the second, solar-charged battery.


💡 Tip: Remember to always shut your lights off and never leave the keys in the ignition. Check on your charging devices regularly, and pull ‘em when they’re back on full. 

Locking Yourself Out of the Van

Locking your keys in the van never feels good to deal with, but it happens to the best of us. We’ve had this happen many times, and sending someone to find you can sometimes take a whole day, depending on how off the grid you’ve gone.


📌 Keep in mind: If you press the key fob lock button by mistake when the door is open, when you shut the door again, it will lock the van.


💡 Tip: Always keep your keys in your pocket when you’re in and out of the van. Got a carabiner? Clip them into safe-keeping. If you go swimming, pass them to someone on dry land. Guard those keys with everything you’ve got - or risk losing up to a day of your trip waiting around.

Van Life Packing Tips

Road trips are an opportunity to slow down and live with less so you can experience more. A break from our daily routine can offer a very different day-to-day on the road–one with slow mornings, lunch at the beach, afternoon swims and sunset beers by the campfire.


Marie Kondo taught us all to find what sparks joy and let go of the rest, but what’s the middle ground for those of us who can’t be full-time minimalists? Van life. Ever hop on a plane with just a carry-on? That’s bliss. Free from the weight of material possessions, it’s almost as if less stuff means less stress. The phrase “pack for a day, stay for a week” rings true for campervan travel, and if you travel lighter, you’ll travel better. 


📌 Keep in mind: The sun in Portugal means business, so sunscreen is a must. Lightweight layers, easy shoes, a bathing suit and quick-drying towels are no-brainers. To help save the planet with us, pack a refillable water bottle and a few reusable bags for groceries and day trips. 


💡 Tip: To enhance the abundant downtime on the road, a good book, bluetooth speaker and travel kit of art supplies are all great ideas. Don’t forget your chargers, and bonus points for solar-powered charging banks if you’re bringing along photo + video gear for epic travel content. 


To learn more about packing for the road, check out our Essential Campervan Packing List. 

Conclusion

In the end, campervan travel is about embracing the journey and staying open to adventure, challenges and all. With a bit of prep and respect for the road, you’ll be well-equipped to go with the flow and make the most of each stop along the way. Remember to take it slow, stay flexible and leave every spot better than you found it. The beauty of van life is in its simplicity–packing less, living more, and taking in every aspect of the open road with an open heart.