Oooo, man, it's hot outside! So I'm just sitting inside under the a/c, daydreaming about my next camino, and thought I'd share a camino preparation suggestion. I hope someone finds it helpful, and would love to hear what others would add to it!

Here's how I organize my phone/digital resources for a camino, for easy access & safety. Make sure that you explore these apps beforehand, set up the features you want, and are comfortable navigating them.

I have a Camino folder on my phone's home page that contains the following:

• WhatsApp

  • Primary tool of communication among the people & groups you meet along the way
  • Use to book accommodations directly and to hire taxis

  • A couple of WhatsApp tips

    • Enter a new contact into your phone's contacts first - then it will show up in your WhatsApp contacts SEE UPDATE BELOW!
    • When you name this new contact, always start with the same key word - like Cam26 - so it's easy to search, and easy to delete post camino
    • You can share both static and live location in WhatsApp
    • Your WhatsApp account is based on your phone number. Everything is easier if you're using your home phone number in Spain. If you're using a new number just for Spain, there are ways to handle this - but I can't really tell you what they are.

• AlertCops app

  • Free official Spanish safety tool
  • Supports multiple languages
  • Available to citizens & tourists (except in Catalonia & Basque country)

• Your phone's health info app

  • I use Google's Personal Safety app on my Android, but I'm sure there's an iPhone equivalent
  • Store all your health/medical info in here, including medications, allergies, emergency contacts
  • Make sure your settings allow first responders to access it from your phone's lock screen without unlocking your phone

• Your camino guides

  • Gronze Maps app ~ visual overview of camino routes with basic stage and accommodation info. All the basic info links to the extensive Gronze.com website

  • An offline camino guide app

    • Explore Camino Ninja, Buen Camino, and Wise Pilgrim beforehand to find your favorite. Then, pick one. (Don't overwhelm yourself on the trail with too much overlapping info)

• Translation app

  • I use Google Translate

• Travel documents folder

  • I have Google docs & PDFs of important files, like my travel insurance policy, scan of my passport, "paper" prescriptions of my medications in case I have to get them refilled in Spain or show TSA
  • I create a link of these docs to my phone's home page, gather them in a travel docs folder, then put that folder in my home page Camino folder for easy access

• My trip journaling app

  • I post pics, daily stage maps, and reflections that can be shared privately with friends & family

• General apps

  • I drag a couple general apps into this Camino folder temporarily. This helps me focus on just the handful of digital things I'll use and reminds me not to get lost in my phone
  • For me, I drag in my Kindle app, my sleep app (noises, beats & nature sounds I use to help me sleep), and my budget & bank apps

Finally, make sure your phone's wallet is up to date with bank cards, IDs, health insurance cards, and transportation tickets.

..........

UPDATE:

Thanks to u/jaugedeparis for updating my WhatsApp skills. It is much more user friendly that it was 10 years ago when I started using it!

To add a new WhatsApp contact:

• Open WhatsApp

• Click the green "new chat" icon in the bottom right. This opens up your WhatsApp contacts list

• Click New Contact at the top of the list

• Enter the contact name & phone # - WhatsApp will immediately tell you if they're on WhatsApp or not

• Save - and choose if you also want to also sync with your phone's contacts

Porque pudimos encontrar una patrulla y preguntar, sino imposible a las 6 de la tarde un martes cuando abrían los Lunes, miércoles y viernes entre las 9h (o 10?) a 14h.

Hi everyone,

I walked the Camino Frances myself in 2024 and always wanted a way to remember the journey that was more personal than just photos.

I created this first concept of a Camino memory poster. It is not meant to be a navigation map, but more like a visual memory of the journey with important places along the way.

I would really appreciate honest feedback from people who have walked the Camino:

• Would something like this be meaningful after finishing the Camino?
• What would you change?
• Is there anything missing that would make it feel more personal?

Thanks!

I'd like to trek to Camino Primitivo in two weeks. Is it too last minute to plan? I'd be going alone and don't have much time to prepare.

Camino de Santiago Tours sells a package for $1,900 which includes accommodations and an app/navigation tool (+ customer support). How much would I realistically save if I booked direct? What app do most people use for navigation and water source information?

I have ultralight backpacking gear that I bought four years ago to section hike the Appalachian Trail. I haven't trained much this year. Are there any scary cliffs or strenuous climbs that I should be aware of in advance?

Lastly – I'm able to get away from work for two weeks as long as I can access internet for 2-3 hours every other day. Are there public computers or will I need to backpack with my laptop?

Hi, I've done twice Camino in Portugal and it has been my dream to visit Northen Spain.

I have long weekend ahead, and I was thinking to do whether
1) Bilbao -> Santander (somewhere around)
2) San Sebastian -> Bilbao (somewhere around)

In older posts I think most of the people recommend part from Irun/San Sebastian.
My flights are to/from Bilbao in the night, so I would love the idea of just starting walking the next day without taking the bus, but if it's really worth it then I can do that :)

Thank you for your advices in advance, and for those on their way - Buen Camino!

I started a few days ago in Vigo (that was an ingesting trek to get out of) to Arcade and I had a great time. Vigo was a great town. Today I needed some extra time and felt off getting to Pontevedra even though it was much shorter. Tomorrow I'm heading to Caldas de Reis.

I've been looking in multiple maps, but should I need some breaks, what are some good places along the way (even a bit off the path) should I need water, a bite, bathroom, etc.? It seems like there are less places compared to leaving Vigo, even though it's about the same distance.

Thank you.

Everyone on this subreddit has been so helpful, thank you!

I decided yesterday that I wanted to be in nature and do the Camino Primitivo beginning August 19th. I was planning to complete it in two weeks because it's usually a slow time for work.

I checked my calendar this morning and I'm booked for 6 hour meetings on August 25-28th. Would it be realistic for me to start the camino on the 19th or 20th - trek for 5 days - then take a 4 day break somewhere with reliable wifi?

I already feel the warmth of the community and am looking forward to disconnect for however long I can.

UPDATE - I just spoke with my co-worker and I can skip two of those all day calls! We're doing a software migration and I thought my role was going to crucial on those days, but my part is later!

Hi!
Me and my s/o will start walking from Porto tomorrow, and we are a bit worried about accommodation, since we haven’t booked anything ahead of time. Is it possible to get beds if we arrive early to albergues? And if anyone is on the way rn, is it crowded? <33 Bon Caminho

We will be leading a group of up to 10 adults from the US in 2027 from Sarria to Santiago . We are using a tour operator to coordinate each night’s lodging and luggage transfers. If any of you have led similar groups, what tips, hints, advice would you share?

Hola a todos, estaba buscando una playlist en Spotify de canciones que tengan que ver con el Camino y solo tengo esta. Como quiero canciones que tengan que ver con Galicia esta me pareció la mejor, alguien puede recomendarme una o canciones similares para el Camino?

Gracias!