Accommodation
There are various accommodation options to suit different budgets and needs, but it is worth understanding the differences. Broadly speaking, your choices include albergues, hostels, guest houses and hotels. The names and facilities can vary by region and by establishment, so it is worth checking the details before you reserve.
Albergues
Albergues are generally the least expensive accommodation option on the Camino. They provide dormitory-style accommodation, sleeping anywhere from two to twenty or more people, usually in double bunk beds.
Bathrooms are shared, and many have kitchens where you can prepare your own meals. Many also have washing machines, sometimes coin-operated, and some offer dryers.
There are three main types of albergues:
Donativos
These are generally managed by church or community groups and often staffed by volunteers. They provide basic accommodation but frequently offer some of the best pilgrim atmospheres.
Some include dinner and breakfast, and pilgrims may be invited to help prepare meals or clean up afterwards. There is no fixed fee; instead, pilgrims contribute what they can afford.
A donativo is not an opportunity to take advantage of someone’s generosity. If you can afford to contribute more, doing so helps support the volunteers and future pilgrims. I generally contribute what I would pay at a municipal albergue, and often more if they offer meals and because I enjoy staying in donativos.
The main drawback is that donativos operate strictly on a first-come, first-served basis and do not accept reservations.
Municipal albergues
These provide basic dormitory-style accommodation at a reasonable price but typically do not include meals.
Pilgrims can prepare their own food in shared kitchens or visit a restaurant in town. Some accept reservations while others operate on a first-come basis. Your guidebook or app should provide the relevant details.
Private albergues
Private albergues generally cost more, but that does not necessarily mean they offer better accommodation. Some may have single and/or double rooms for pilgrims who prefer that. In some smaller towns, they may be your only option, so it is worth planning ahead.
Many accept reservations, which gives you the security of knowing that you have a bed waiting at the end of the day. Some provide optional dinners and breakfasts, which can be particularly useful in smaller villages where other dining options may be limited.
Your guidebook or app should provide details of the available facilities and services.
Hostels and guest houses
These generally represent the next step up in price. Some offer private rooms for one or two people, while others have smaller dormitories with fewer occupants.
Some provide optional meals, while others do not. Some have shared kitchens and others do not, so check your guidebook or app for details.
Many can be reserved in advance.
Hotels
Hotels are generally the most expensive option. They typically offer private rooms and en-suite bathrooms, and some have a restaurant or dining room.
They are a popular choice for pilgrims with a larger budget or those who struggle to sleep in shared accommodation.
You will generally experience less of the communal atmosphere associated with albergue life, although staying in a hotel certainly does not make you any less of a pilgrim. In my view, however, you exchange some of the traditional pilgrim experience for greater comfort and a good night’s sleep.