I paid $176 to stay in a camper van hotel in the tropical jungles of the Philippines. It gave me a taste of the downsides of van life.

Marielle DescalsotaJun 22, 2022, 07:32 IST

Camper van jeepney hotel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I booked an overnight stay at a jeepney-turned-camper-van hotel in the Philippines.
The resort is located in the remote jungles of Mount Daraitan in Rizal.

Rizal is a mountainous province located just outside of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Mount Daraitan, Philippines.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Balai Tanay is one of the dozens of resorts on Mount Daraitan. The resort has many different accommodations, including a camper van hotel.

Balai Tanay.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The camper van hotel is built out of a jeepney, an open-air minibus commonly seen in the Philippines.

Camper van jeepney hotel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

My first impression of the camper van was that it much smaller than I expected. I was traveling with four family members and had my doubts we'd all be able to fit inside.

Camper van jeepney hotel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

My first impression of the camper van was that it much smaller than I expected. I was traveling with four family members and had my doubts we'd all be able to fit inside.

The camper van had two floors, each of which was fitted with a double bed.

Inside the camper van hotel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

While the camper van is just three years old, there were already signs of wear on the bamboo surfaces.

The second floor of the camper van hotel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I'm only 5'1", so the camper van didn't seem that small. But sharing it with four other people made for a crowded experience.

Filipino memorabilia decorated the walls of the camper van.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Fortunately, there was a spacious outdoor area that had a campfire, a dipping pool, and a sink. There was also a basketball court, where some local boys were playing.

The amenities around the camper van hotel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The toilet was located in a shed right beside the camper van.

The camper van's toilet.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The toilet was fairly clean but it was easy for smells to build up, since the ground wasn't tiled.

What the toilet looks like.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

It was a peaceful trip, but not one I would spend $176 on again.

Me inside the camper van hotel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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I paid $176 to stay in a camper van hotel in the tropical jungles of the Philippines. It gave me a taste of the downsides of van life.

Rizal is a mountainous province located just outside of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Balai Tanay is one of the dozens of resorts on Mount Daraitan. The resort has many different accommodations, including a camper van hotel.

The camper van hotel is built out of a jeepney, an open-air minibus commonly seen in the Philippines.

My first impression of the camper van was that it much smaller than I expected. I was traveling with four family members and had my doubts we'd all be able to fit inside.

The camper van had two floors, each of which was fitted with a double bed.

While the camper van is just three years old, there were already signs of wear on the bamboo surfaces.

I'm only 5'1", so the camper van didn't seem that small. But sharing it with four other people made for a crowded experience.

Fortunately, there was a spacious outdoor area that had a campfire, a dipping pool, and a sink. There was also a basketball court, where some local boys were playing.

The toilet was located in a shed right beside the camper van.

The toilet was fairly clean but it was easy for smells to build up, since the ground wasn't tiled.

It was a peaceful trip, but not one I would spend $176 on again.