Camino stamp when needing to stray off-stage?

[SilentNight]

How do you get the camino stamp in Portugal if you occasionally travel or stay off-stage? I will be going on my first camino in April, 2024 along the Camino Portugues, starting from Lisbon. I searched on the forum, and unless I missed it, my question has not been previously posted.

 

[henrythedog]

Whilst many places en-route will have a Camino-themed stamp; pretty much every commercial establishment on the Iberian peninsula will have a stamp of some description, for invoices and receipts.

 

[trecile]

What do you mean by off stage? Do you mean off the Camino route? It's really not a big deal, as @henrythedog said, you should be able to find stamps anywhere in Portugal or Spain. Always ask where you spend the night.

 

[dougfitz]

I never found this to be an issue on the CP in either circumstance, ie going off-stage (whatever that means) and going off-route where one doesn't follow exactly the waymarked trail.

 

[Geoff Shepherd]

How do you get the camino stamp in Portugal if you occasionally travel or stay off-stage? I will be going on my first camino in April, 2024 along the Camino Portugues, starting from Lisbon. I searched on the forum, and unless I missed it, my question has not been previously posted.

Starting from Lisbon 5 Apr24. Might see you along the way. Cooee

 

[Vacajoe]

You can get a business stamp, but stamps are only required if you plan to get a Compostela and then it’s only mandatory twice a day for the last 100km. Prior to that, stamps are simply souvenirs of your travels.

 

[oursonpolaire]

If attending services, the priest will usually stamp your credencial. Otherwise the town hall or turismo will do it, but there's always police stations, bars, restaurants, shops..... Spain and Portugal both require businesses to have sellos for receipts etc. You'll have no trouble. While you may not need them absolutely for your compostela, they might be handy for the distance certificate and, in any case, they are useful for helping to establish your alibi should you be in trouble with the law.

 

[trecile]

Prior to that, stamps are simply souvenirs of your travels.

For me, my credential is the best souvenir of my Camino - it holds so many memories!

 

[SilentNight]

You can get a business stamp, but stamps are only required if you plan to get a Compostela and then it’s only mandatory twice a day for the last 100km. Prior to that, stamps are simply souvenirs of your travels.

We plan to get Compostelas. We’re biking because both my brother and I can no longer hike long distances. Why is it mandatory to get stamps 2X/day for the last 100 km?

 

[trecile]

We plan to get Compostelas. We’re biking because both my brother and I can no longer hike long distances. Why is it mandatory to get stamps 2X/day for the last 100 km?

If you are cycling you need to get stamps twice a day during the last 200 km. These stamps are meant to prove that you cycled every km and didn't take public transport.

Here's the text from the Pilgrims Office:

To get the “Compostela” you must:​

• Make the pilgrimage for religious or spiritual reasons, or at least an attitude of search.
• Do the last 100 km on foot or horseback, or the last 200 km by bicycle. It is understood that the pilgrimage starts at one point and from there you come to visit the Tomb of St. James.
• You must collect the stamps on the “Credencial del Peregrino” from the places you pass through to certify that you have been there. Stamps from churches, hostels, monasteries, cathedrals and all places related to the Way are preferred, but if not they can also be stamped in other institutions: town halls, cafés, etc. You have to stamp the Credencial twice a day at least on the last 100 km (for pilgrims on foot or on horseback) or on the last 200 km (for cyclists pilgrims).

 

[henrythedog]

We plan to get Compostelas. We’re biking because both my brother and I can no longer hike long distances. Why is it mandatory to get stamps 2X/day for the last 100 km?

Because it is. It’s pretty much the only ‘rule’ printed on the credencial.

The intent is, I suppose, to try to ensure that the applicant for a compostela has walked the last 100km. It’s an imperfect solution, but it is what it is.

Edit: biking; 200km

 

[Harland2019]

If all else fails then just ask the owner where you are staying/eating/drinking to sign and write the details of their establishment.

 

[David Tallan]

We plan to get Compostelas. We’re biking because both my brother and I can no longer hike long distances. Why is it mandatory to get stamps 2X/day for the last 100 km?

If you are biking, you probably need two stamps a day for the last 200 km (the minimum distance for cyclists).

The real answer is "because the Cathedral authorities, who make the rules" say so. The speculation is that it is to show that you didn't just take a taxi from one set of accommodations to the next. Of course, one can easily drive and stop for another stamp at a bar along the way, so two stamps is no guarantee. Which leads us back to the real answer.

 

[Mormon]

How do you get the camino stamp in Portugal if you occasionally travel or stay off-stage? I will be going on my first camino in April, 2024 along the Camino Portugues, starting from Lisbon. I searched on the forum, and unless I missed it, my question has not been previously posted.

Most hotels, hostels, restaurants, bars, churches and post offices will have stamps that will suffice.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

When I started the walk from Portugal in Lisbon, the place I stayed in had no idea what the Camino even was. I asked for a stamp, the owner said "a what?" I showed her a previous Credential. I said it just basically shows the location, and date, of my trip. She responded, "Can I just write it?" I said, "sure". One of the most unique "stamps" I have.

 

[Vacajoe]

We plan to get Compostelas. We’re biking because both my brother and I can no longer hike long distances. Why is it mandatory to get stamps 2X/day for the last 100 km?

200km if on bike! It shows that you made the journey.

 

[KWay]

How do you get the camino stamp in Portugal if you occasionally travel or stay off-stage? I will be going on my first camino in April, 2024 along the Camino Portugues, starting from Lisbon. I searched on the forum, and unless I missed it, my question has not been previously posted.

We went off route a couple of times, and much to my surprise, we were still able to get stamps!

 

[John Cook]

When I walked the VdlP this year I made my own, longer route into Santiago, via Pardon, Noia, finesterra etc so was completely off the official route at times so I asked petrol stations to sign them and cafes. One cafe didn't have a stamp, yet alone heard of a credencial but they were happy to sign and date and write their address in the little box for me. The pilgrim office weren't the slightest bit concerned. It was one of my favourite souvenirs in my credencial as, not only was it a gorgeous cafe but the girl behind the counter was genuinely interested in the Camino and the various stamps the different establishments had.
I shall do the same route next month when I reach Pardon; head west towards Noia and stop at that cafe again.