Thanks to all of the amazing places to visit and the different spots where people can set up a tent and enjoy the magic of nature, New Zealand is one of the favourite places for campers worldwide.

As an adventure seeker, Tauranga man Juan Cortes says having a tent is part of his must-gear to enjoy a country that offers gorgeous mountains, fresh rivers and deep forests just to mention some of the options – and places to sleep with all the facilities while being surrounded by Mother Nature.

Read further for Juan's camping experiences.

My birth place, Colombia, is an amazing country too – rich in places and activities to do outside. Like New Zealand, camping is one of those plans you can enjoy with friends and family.

But unlike Aotearoa, in Colombia, you can find or better – you could be found by – mountain lions, snakes, spiders, crocodiles, jaguars, poison frogs and even hippopotamus. An extensive variety of animals that will see you as a yummy, colourful and noisy appetiser.

Arriving in New Zealand and learning about all the destinations, places, and facilities people can visit, made me want to gear up and explore the islands and their wonders.

That is why from having nothing to spend a night out back in my hometown, I ended having a tent, inflatable mattress, a gas stove, clutter kit, camping chairs, torches and the big desire to camp every weekend in NZ!

One of my most memorable experiences is visiting Mount Ruapehu at the end of September 2020, and staying at Whakapapa village. Yes my wife and I were the crazy people sleeping in a tent during the snow.

In my defence, it was our first time watching the snow and the two nights trying to sleep in a tent in minus-five degrees Celsius conditions outside was worth the experience.   

But we learned from it, and since that unforgettable experience, we’re now more aware about each season’s weather, and other things to consider before go on an adventure.

Now we enjoy sleeping under the stars in our tent or in a warm cabin with all the delightful amenities that holidays parks can offer. And since our first camping experience, we’ve pitched our tent at Rarawa Beach in the Far North, Mount Ruapehu again, Karangahake Gorge, Cape Reinga, the living room of our house during Covid lockdown, Lake Taupō, Rotorua and Napier – just to name a few. And we totally recommend it!

Camping near Cape Reinga, at the top of the New Zealand’s North Island. Photo: Juan Cortes.