Starting in 2 days but still have some questions.... eeeeep

[simpleton]

Hi all,

So I am starting my Camino in 2 days from Pamplona but I still have some questions:

1) I arrive at 8pm to Pamplona. I already have my credencial. Should I go straight to an albergue? Or would I have to spend that night in a hostel? I guess my question is would I be allowed to stay in an albergue without any sellos, as Pamplona is my starting point?

2) Do I need a map or a guidebook? I kind of expected to wing it, but now I am not quite sure...

Thanks guys

 

[Deleted member 3000]

1) I arrive at 8pm to Pamplona. I already have my credencial. Should I go straight to an albergue? Or would I have to spend that night in a hostel? I guess my question is would I be allowed to stay in an albergue without any sellos, as Pamplona is my starting point?

2) Do I need a map or a guidebook? I kind of expected to wing it, but now I am not quite sure...

You can stay in an albergue the first night.
I recommend a guidebook. Obviously from the Forum there are various opinions on this!!

 

[Dutch]

You will arrive late in the albergue, but you can go there straight away.
I would go for a private room/hotel in the city and enjoy a good meal somewhere after your travels of that day and relax a bit. You also get a chance to see some of Pamplona by night.
Albergues will probably close at 2200, so it will not leave you alot of time to just walk around a bit, after arriving.
This is what i would do.....

You can own a guidebook and still wing it. Just use the guidebook (often with maps included) as something that is telling you what's around the bend. It is your decision what to do with that info.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi all,

So I am starting my Camino in 2 days from Pamplona but I still have some questions:

1) I arrive at 8pm to Pamplona. I already have my credencial. Should I go straight to an albergue? Or would I have to spend that night in a hostel? I guess my question is would I be allowed to stay in an albergue without any sellos, as Pamplona is my starting point?

2) Do I need a map or a guidebook? I kind of expected to wing it, but now I am not quite sure...

Thanks guys

Hy , what I would do is , make a reservation for the first night and take a guidebook with you, Wish you a Buen Camino , Peter .

 

[PANO]

If you are the easy-going type of person:
Presuming that you arrive by train, take a taxi to the Albergue Paderborn and ask the driver to wait; lovely Hospitaleros and friendly atmosphere. If they still have a bed at such time, fine (chances are good, for its not high season). If not, continue with the cab to the main plaza where you find
many Pensions and hotels. Reservation there is not really needed at this time of the year. Sello is no problem, just tell them that this is your starting point, you can also get stamps at restaurants, etc.

If you tend to be anxious, follow Peter's advise above.

Buen Camino, hombre

Btw: Very sensible to start in Pamplona!

 

[Felipe]

If you like public albergues, there is the Jesús y María, near the cathedral. It closes at 23:00 hrs. The above mentioned Paderborn has good reviews, too.
From the practical point of view, you can walk without a guide -the Camino is very well signposted, albergues are plenty and announced, and you will see other pilgrims all the time.
This has become a kind of "philosophical" controversy, between the "over planners" and the "just walk and the Camino will provide" groups. So, it is up to you...
Buen camino!

 

[simpleton]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it! This forum is so brilliant for first-timers like me!

 

[frasert]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it! This forum is so brilliant for first-timers like me!

Also just Near the cathedral is a shop called Caminotech where I'm sure you could pick up a guide
Buen Camino

 

[clearskiescamino]

The municipal Jesus y Maria in Pamplona will have many bunks free at this time of the year. No need to reserve anywhere. I am starting in Belorado and arriving late myself. I will go straight to one of the main private albergues there. I have already emailed them asking if this is ok and they said there should be no problem.
Not having a guidebook isn't a problem. Don't let it be an issue. You can wing it.
Have a great time @simpleton
Buen Camino

 

[Introibo]

Hi Hi Simpleton
I've just arrived in Irun and I'm overwhelmed by how friendly and helpful people are. I'm taking the train to Pamplona tomorrow arrivng at roughly 15:00. I'm going to try and stay at Jesus and Maria albergue as itvlooks fantastic. I'll let you know how busy it is as a bit of guide whether you need to book.
Wave as you pass me. I'll be walking slowly. My rucksack will be the one with a tear in the back. Had a coming together with a bus in Paris this morning !

 

[Mark Lee]

If you don't mind spending a few extra euros get yourself a private room that first night and roam about Pamplona as you won't have to worry about being locked out of an albergue after curfew (I never did like that curfew bit. Reminds me of road games in football ha ha). The hotels and pension houses will stamp your credentials as well.
If you don't have a guidebook for the del norte, you may be able to download and print out maps and info on the route online. You can also probably be able to find and print out a map of Pamplona online as well and pick accommodations in advance.
Cheers

 

[Saramago]

Yes, the Jesus y Maria closes at 2300, doesn't take reservations and has 114 beds plus a kitchen. And, as also mentioned the Caminotech shop is right nearby. Buen Camino. pat

Edit: The Cathedral you most likely will want to visit is right across the street from the Jesus y Maria. You can also get stamped there for a small charge.

 

[Jo Jo]

We arrived about that time and just went straight to Jesus y Maria (July 2, 2014). We did not even have credentials. We just showed up, and they sold us two beds and credentials. They did not even stamp them, so our first stamp could be SJPP.

Buen Camino

 

[waveprof]

I recommend a cheap hotel the first night. Begin your camino well rested. You'll have plenty of chances to save money (and have experiences) in albuergues for the month following.

 

[Mike Savage]

Yes, the Jesus y Maria closes at 2300, doesn't take reservations and has 114 beds plus a kitchen. And, as also mentioned the Caminotech shop is right nearby. Buen Camino. pat

Edit: The Cathedral you most likely will want to visit is right across the street from the Jesus y Maria. You can also get stamped there for a small charge.

Some places charge for a stamp?

 

[Saramago]

Some places charge for a stamp?

No. But that one does. Usually it's free. So it stood out and I thought I'd mention it. Fee for admission, extra for stamp. In Burgos, fee for admittance but pad and stamp sitting on the counter you stamp your own (free). You shouldn't have to pay for a stamp. I just wanted that one so paid it (memories).

 

[Saramago]

We arrived about that time and just went straight to Jesus y Maria (July 2, 2014). We did not even have credentials. We just showed up, and they sold us two beds and credentials. They did not even stamp them, so our first stamp could be SJPP.

Buen Camino

Yes, they give credentials. Hey, Jo Jo - we are neighbors. I'm in Westport.;-)

 

[tploomis]

Our first night in Spain was in Pamplona, and we stayed in a hotel. Don't miss out on the bar/tapas/pinxchos evening scene in the Pamplona old section. That was an incredible introduction to Spain. What a wonderful experience -- great ambience, friendly atmosphere, families with their kids out enjoying the evening and going bar to bar. It was just so warm and welcoming. We stopped in Pamplona a second time after walking from SJPP, and the bar scene was just as wonderful the second time around.

 

[s. brown]

You can stay in an albergue the first night.
I recommend a guidebook. Obviously from the Forum there are various opinions on this!!

Falcon, is that you in the photo with Queen Elizabeth? She certainly looks attentive to the man in red. What does the red clothing indicate? Hope you don't mind my asking, but I guess if you do, you just don't have to answer.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

What does the red clothing indicate?

Honorary Chaplain to the Queen. There are 33 of them. This one is Hugh Bearn, Vicar of St. Anne’s, Tottington, and a pilgrim.