Bed Bugs in Portuguese Coastal Route

[Shadi]

I have spoken to 4 people in the last 2 days who have bed bug bites. One in Lisbon and the others on the coastal route. I was severely bitten at the Caruma Surf Hostel. When I asked for a refund - I think it is unfair to pay for a bed that will cause me days or maybe weeks of suffering. The response from Caruma Surf Hostel was surprising:
First he accussed me of blackmailing him for a free room.
Then he sent me this a text message: "..we are good people and 28 euros is just a stupid value for stay in a nice place. Just to you now we dont have bed bugs in Portugal this things are from america. This bugs came from america with tourists. You are American, correct??"

 

[JCLima]

"Just to you now we dont have bed bugs in Portugal this things are from america. This bugs came from america with tourists."

As a Portuguese, this made me laugh out loud.
Sir... Please.

Edit: He's right. We don't have bed bugs in Portugal; we have percevejos.

 

[Lexicos]

I guess he figured a refund of 28 euro would be the least of your problems and the least of his problems! Who knows??
I’d have been out of there before you could say boo, with or without a refund.

 

[bullingtonce]

I have spoken to 4 people in the last 2 days who have bed bug bites. One in Lisbon and the others on the coastal route. I was severely bitten at the Caruma Surf Hostel. When I asked for a refund - I think it is unfair to pay for a bed that will cause me days or maybe weeks of suffering. The response from Caruma Surf Hostel was surprising:
First he accussed me of blackmailing him for a free room.
Then he sent me this a text message: "..we are good people and 28 euros is just a stupid value for stay in a nice place. Just to you now we dont have bed bugs in Portugal this things are from america. This bugs came from america with tourists. You are American, correct??"

Bed bugs can be transported from place to place by people who do not treat their trek items properly and bed bugs are a problem all over Europe and certain other places. It is unknown if the bed bugs originated in the place you stayed or were transported from other places. Many travelers are, quite frankly, careless and, at times, inconsiderate.
Albergue's are often run by the shoe strings, partially due to 'cheap' pilgrims who donate little to nothing. At a regular hotel room, absolutely ask for a refund, but at a Albergue, no. The owners are giving back to pilgrims in so many ways. Take the hit and treat it as a charitable donation even with encountering bed bugs.

 

[Tincatinker]

@Shadi, sorry for your troubles. Did you carry out the standard checks when you checked in?

Even in “posh” hotels I’ll check the mattress edges and bed frame for bug sign. Scan the walls for bloodstains / squished bugs etc. in a “surfer” hostel I’d probably take a discrete look at the “residents” too.

Damn sight easier to get a refund if you don’t stay the night.

There is great information on this forum about avoiding our oldest companions. I’m sure @trecile or @C clearly will point you in the right direction

 

[BarOne]

I have spoken to 4 people in the last 2 days who have bed bug bites. One in Lisbon and the others on the coastal route. I was severely bitten at the Caruma Surf Hostel. When I asked for a refund - I think it is unfair to pay for a bed that will cause me days or maybe weeks of suffering. The response from Caruma Surf Hostel was surprising:
First he accussed me of blackmailing him for a free room.
Then he sent me this a text message: "..we are good people and 28 euros is just a stupid value for stay in a nice place. Just to you now we dont have bed bugs in Portugal this things are from america. This bugs came from america with tourists. You are American, correct??"

I empathize with you. How ever, I've got bed bug bites, even though we checked every bed etc and saw no evidence, our bags have been steamed; I've got spider bites and mosquito bites. Managed to kill a couple mosquitos but never saw the spiders. My body rounds up the toxins and forms a bump, which I have learned not to scratch or pop. The itch if I do that is insane. The spider bites become huge red blotches that are very itchy and a couple were painful. A trip to the farmacia and topical cream helped the bed bug and mosquito bites. A trip to the hospital emergency for an antibiotic topical cream helped the infected spider bites. They are slowly fading out but I may have a few red dots as souvenirs.

 

[Esperanza]

I’ve had bed bug bites a number of times after staying in hotels, one of which was quite fancy, but not so far on a Camino. I react strongly to the bites and get raised red lumps that itch like crazy for days. Not pleasant. It has never occurred to me to ask for a refund after I stayed the night (for any reason), but that hostel owner’s response is totally out of line.