Current food/drink prices on the Camino Frances, and Trail Angels

[JustJack]

For anyone just recently returned from the CF, do you recall what the price of a couple items were, on average?

- cafe con leche
- fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Pilgrim's menu
- Menu del dia

I've noticed that the cost of accommodation seems to have gone up in the past couple years, which is no surprise as prices everywhere have gone up. Those costs can be easily viewed online. But wondering about the other daily necessities - especially fresh-squeezed orange juice, which is an expensive luxury in Canada. Overall have the day-to-day costs of food and drink - whether dining at an albergue, at a restaurant, or buying from a supermarket - risen substantially in the past couple years?

The cost of food and drink isn't going to impact my camino in any way, but I'm curious to know what to expect in May when I arrive.

And on a semi-related note, would you consider the people selling food and drink out of their van or trailer to passing pilgrims to be akin to "trail angels" you find on through-hikes, or are they simply entrepreneurs who found a side-hustle to make some extra cash?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Bradypus]

I walked the Camino Frances in January. Prices have certainly increased over the past year but probably less than they have at home in the UK. Cafe con leche varied a fair bit in price but €1.40 or so was probably about average. I didn't drink orange juice and didn't notice the price of it. There were very few places open offering a menu peregrino but where I saw signs it was usually about €12 or €13. The menu del dia seems to be closer to €14 or €15 these days.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Fresh-squeezed orange juice goes for 2 or 2.5 euro a glass lately. About 40 cents per fresh orange, mas o menos.

 

[trecile]

And on a semi-related note, would you consider the people selling food and drink out of their van or trailer to passing pilgrims to be akin to "trail angels" you find on through-hikes, or are they simply entrepreneurs who found a side-hustle to make some extra cash?

There are both. Some have made it into a business, while there are other places (often unattended) where a "Camino angel" has set up a donativo food and drink stand.

 

[Marc S.]

And on a semi-related note, would you consider the people selling food and drink out of their van or trailer to passing pilgrims to be akin to "trail angels" you find on through-hikes, or are they simply entrepreneurs who found a side-hustle to make some extra cash?

I am not quite getting the dichotomy between 'trail angels' and 'simply entrepeneurs'. I guess many people selling food and drinks are just Spanish people trying to earn some money, which is hard enough when living in rural Spain. 'Just entrepeneurs finding a side-hustle' somehow does not sound right to me in this context.

I don't know what you are referring to with 'trail angels you find on through hikes'. Probably the term ´through hikes´ is a rather North American concept - so I am just not quite sure what you are talking about.

I do believe that regular Spanish folks earning some money from the camino can be really nice people (or angels, if we want to use this terminology) at the same time.

 

[CWBuff]

To my best recollection from May - July 2022 on both Frances and Finisterre
Cafe con Leche 1.25 - 1.50
Zumo 2.00 - 2.50
Menu Peregrino/ Menu del Dia 10.00 - 16.00
Buen Camino

 

[trecile]

I don't know what you are referring to with 'trail angels you find on through hikes'. Probably the term ´through hikes´ is a rather North American concept - so I am just not quite sure what you are talking about.

Here in the Pacific Northwest close to the Pacific Crest Trail there are people who live in the area who regularly take water and other supplies and leave them at places on the trail for through hikers and section hikers (as opposed to day hikers) on the trail. I have friends that do this.

 

[K_Lynn]

The gentleman I met on the trail somewhere on the way to Pamplona, selling oranges and bananas was a welcome sight and I gladly purchased two. There was a lovely trailer with patio chairs and umbrellas at the top of one long hill where I enjoyed a cold beer in the shade. I wouldn't consider them "trail angels" as they were providing a service for money.

IMO trail angels help carry your belongings when you're injured, or offer you a snack or water or ibuprofen if you need it, or return items dropped and lost on the trail. Sometimes a trail angel just shows up and talks your ear off, taking your mind off your aching feet for the last 5km into town.

Camino isn't really a through-hike, although some less travelled or less infrastructure routes could possibly be classed as such with a stretch of imagination. I have used the phrase to help wrap my head around my next Camino which I imagine will have less arrows and shells than the Frances, but even then, following a map to a restaurant and a hotel doesn't quite make it a through-hike.

While I am certain prices have gone up since I walked in '21, at the time a cafe con leche and zuma usually cost me 3-4 Euros. I'd add another Euro or so for now.

 

[trecile]

Camino isn't really a through-hike, although some less travelled or less infrastructure routes could possibly be classed as such with a stretch of imagination. I have used the phrase to help wrap my head around my next Camino which I imagine will have less arrows and shells than the Frances, but even then, following a map to a restaurant and a hotel doesn't quite make it a through-hike.

Yes, quite different from carrying all of your food and water until you can get to a resupply point.

 

[C clearly]

Zumo 2.00 - 2.50

I am surprised it is this low. I seem to remember higher prices even several years ago, for freshly squeezed zumo. Of course, the glasses could be getting smaller.

 

[Sirron]

Here in the Pacific Northwest close to the Pacific Crest Trail there are people who live in the area who regularly take water and other supplies and leave them at places on the trail for through hikers and section hikers (as opposed to day hikers) on the trail. I have friends that do this.

I don't think I'll ever walk the Pacific Crest Trail but I have read a few books about it. It sounds amazing! Sorry for the tangent!


The info on prices has helped me in planning also. Thanks for the post, OP!

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I do believe that regular Spanish folks earning some money from the camino can be really nice people (or angels, if we want to use this terminology) at the same time.

That nice young Spanish guy who appeared in the middle of nowhere and handed me two cups of red wine on kilometre 41.7 that day ... without any doubt was an angel

 

[MacMac]

The prices for accommodation (albergues etc) went up by 50% and more during the pandemic. That was justified, since there were far fewer pilgrims and higher costs for meeting the hygiene guidelines (only 50% beds occupiable, constant disinfection etc etc). However since 2022 the Camino (at least Frances) is more frequented than ever before, but the prices stayed where they were.

It is still OK if you are from a higher income country like those in Western Europe, Northern America, ANZ, Japan etc … since these prices are affordable … but it has quite an impact on those from lower income countries.

 

[Bradypus]

The prices for accommodation (albergues etc) went up by 50% and more during the pandemic. That was justified, since there were far fewer pilgrims and higher costs for meeting the hygiene guidelines (only 50% beds occupiable, constant disinfection etc etc). However since 2022 the Camino (at least Frances) is more frequented than ever before, but the prices stayed where they were.

I wonder how much of the price rise was really due to Covid and the reduced pilgrim numbers. There has been huge price inflation in Spain as in many other countries over the past couple of years. Energy costs in particular have risen dramatically. Until these price cuts are reversed - which seems unlikely in the short term - I doubt that we will see any serious reduction in costs.

 

[WayWalker]

For anyone just recently returned from the CF, do you recall what the price of a couple items were, on average?

- cafe con leche
- fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Pilgrim's menu
- Menu del dia

I've noticed that the cost of accommodation seems to have gone up in the past couple years, which is no surprise as prices everywhere have gone up. Those costs can be easily viewed online. But wondering about the other daily necessities - especially fresh-squeezed orange juice, which is an expensive luxury in Canada. Overall have the day-to-day costs of food and drink - whether dining at an albergue, at a restaurant, or buying from a supermarket - risen substantially in the past couple years?

The cost of food and drink isn't going to impact my camino in any way, but I'm curious to know what to expect in May when I arrive.

And on a semi-related note, would you consider the people selling food and drink out of their van or trailer to passing pilgrims to be akin to "trail angels" you find on through-hikes, or are they simply entrepreneurs who found a side-hustle to make some extra cash?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Our trail angels came in the form of people maybe handing is a water or fruits along the way. Or being spontaneously invited to a picnic that was happening. But those were truly special moments and not counted on with any regularity.

 

[Amused212]

Here in the Pacific Northwest close to the Pacific Crest Trail there are people who live in the area who regularly take water and other supplies and leave them at places on the trail for through hikers and section hikers (as opposed to day hikers) on the trail. I have friends that do this

You can find the same type of angels along the Appalachian Trail.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Here in the Pacific Northwest close to the Pacific Crest Trail there are people who live in the area who regularly take water and other supplies and leave them at places on the trail for through hikers and section hikers (as opposed to day hikers) on the trail. I have friends that do this.

Then my friends, who did a PCT through-hike last year, probably drank some water your friends provided.

 

[J Willhaus]

I think there is really a difference between the "donativo" stands you see on the way (that may be a table with fruit or something similar) where you can leave a donation and the Cafe Movil you will find which is like a food truck or trailer out in the middle of nowhere, top of a steep climb, etc. The Cafe Movil will often have hot and cold drinks and snacks for sale. The donativo stands also sometimes have a "stamp" for your passport (or not).

I have been reading in the paper that there are fewer and fewer restaurants where you can still buy a Menu del Dia for 10 Euros in Galicia. There has been some effort to hold down prices of "essential" grocery goods like beans, milk, etc. Meat and fish consumption has dropped in households due to rising costs so you may see more vegetarian and vegan offerings as a possible result.

 

[CWBuff]

That nice young Spanish guy who appeared in the middle of nowhere and handed me two cups of red wine on kilometre 41.7 that day ... without any doubt was an angel

first of.... if I was on KM 41.7 on any given day I believe I would start seeing Angels as well...
That said - he could've been Bacchus for all we know

 

[Arctic_Alex]

first of.... if I was on KM 41.7 on any given day I believe I would start seeing Angels as well...
That said - he could've been Bacchus for all we know

for sure ... it was actually the longest walking day I did!
However, although some ethanol was involved, it was not quite 100% spirit-ual

 

[Bradypus]

first of.... if I was on KM 41.7 on any given day I believe I would start seeing Angels as well...
That said - he could've been Bacchus for all we know

On my last Camino in January I ended up walking a 42km day when the hospitalero at 32km failed to turn up to open the albergue or answer his phone despite a conversation earlier that day. When I got to the place I had booked online an hour or so earlier I didn't immediately recognise it. While I was trying to work out where I was heading a lady appeared through a door in the wall right beside me and announced that I'd found the right place. Then she told me that she also owned the bar across the street, that it was open and that it would have food for me. Miraculous enough at the time!

 

[Potomaceyes]

For anyone just recently returned from the CF, do you recall what the price of a couple items were, on average?

- cafe con leche
- fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Pilgrim's menu
- Menu del dia

I've noticed that the cost of accommodation seems to have gone up in the past couple years, which is no surprise as prices everywhere have gone up. Those costs can be easily viewed online. But wondering about the other daily necessities - especially fresh-squeezed orange juice, which is an expensive luxury in Canada. Overall have the day-to-day costs of food and drink - whether dining at an albergue, at a restaurant, or buying from a supermarket - risen substantially in the past couple years?

The cost of food and drink isn't going to impact my camino in any way, but I'm curious to know what to expect in May when I arrive.

And on a semi-related note, would you consider the people selling food and drink out of their van or trailer to passing pilgrims to be akin to "trail angels" you find on through-hikes, or are they simply entrepreneurs who found a side-hustle to make some extra cash?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Coffee con Leche 1.5, orange juice 3, pilgrim's meals range from 12-14. In Ocerbreiro now

 

[hikentravel1234]

I am not quite getting the dichotomy between 'trail angels' and 'simply entrepeneurs'. I guess many people selling food and drinks are just Spanish people trying to earn some money, which is hard enough when living in rural Spain. 'Just entrepeneurs finding a side-hustle' somehow does not sound right to me in this context.

I don't know what you are referring to with 'trail angels you find on through hikes'. Probably the term ´through hikes´ is a rather North American concept - so I am just not quite sure what you are talking about.

I do believe that regular Spanish folks earning some money from the camino can be really nice people (or angels, if we want to use this terminology) at the same time.

I have never seen a trail angel on Camino Frances but I return there in 6 weeks, after an 8 year absence. In the US, Trail Angels give away food/drinks for free (especially when on a long trail, like the appalachain trail).Food for sale is a business.
i don't think he meant "a side hustle" to be doragatory. In the US, it would be used for someone who has a regular job but also, when they want, or when the need is present, they also do something else for money (like sell fireworks during holidays or drive an uber part time). And they may think/talk about their "side hustle" in proud terms.

 

[JustJack]

i don't think he meant "a side hustle" to be doragatory. In the US, it would be used for someone who has a regular job but also, when they want, or when the need is present, they also do something else for money (like sell fireworks during holidays or drive an uber part time). And they may think/talk about their "side hustle" in proud terms.

Quite right, I meant nothing negative when using the term side-hustle. Part-time job might be another term.

Thanks very much for all the feedback everyone. Looking forward to copious amounts of cafe con leche and fresh-squeezed orange juice!

 

[trecile]

In the US, Trail Angels give away food/drinks for free (especially when on a long trail, like the appalachain trail).Food for sale is a business.

I don't consider the donativo stands to be a business - donations may not even cover their costs.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Here in the Pacific Northwest close to the Pacific Crest Trail there are people who live in the area who regularly take water and other supplies and leave them at places on the trail for through hikers and section hikers (as opposed to day hikers) on the trail. I have friends that do this.

My son has hiked half of the AT; the JMT and Colorado Tail. None of those Trail Angels had donation boxes, nor charged. It was all free and they did it to help the long distance hikers, and put a smile on their face and encourage them along the way.

 

[Former member 92300]

The Camino doesn't have Trail Angels like we see in the US on long distance thru hikes. And honestly - not really a need for them. On the Camino- pilgrims have access to food sources pretty much every day and often throughout the day (depending on route - but definitely the more popular routes). Unlike thru hikes where a backpacker must pack all his/her food for several to many days at a time.

That said - you do occasionally come across spots where a local is giving out or selling their goods. Some are giving it away for free, some are giving it away for a donation which isn't a business and donations likely don't cover expenses, and some are actually doing business.

Regardless of the local person's intentions - it is great when they do go out and support the Pilgrims! And on a hot day especially - we are usually VERY grateful for them!

 

[Former member 92300]

- cafe con leche
- fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Pilgrim's menu
- Menu del dia

I don't buy cafe con leche but seems to be it was 1-2 Euros
Aquarius which was my drink of choice was usually 1-2 Euros
Fresh-squeezed orange juice (which was heavenly usually) was more like 2-3.5 Euros
Pilgrim's menu was between 10-15 Euros most of the time on the Frances, slightly higher on the Norte/Primitivo (maybe 11-17)
Medu del dia was sometimes the same cost as the Pilgrim's menu, sometimes a little more.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

Quite right, I meant nothing negative when using the term side-hustle. Part-time job might be another term.

Thanks very much for all the feedback everyone. Looking forward to copious amounts of cafe con leche and fresh-squeezed orange juice!

I think the word hustle has very negative connotations in the UK.

 

[JustJack]

I think the word hustle has very negative connotations in the UK.

yeah that word tends to have negative connotations here as well, however not when used in the context of side-hustle.

That said, any time there are groups of people that are outside of their normal environment, there tends to be others that make an point of preying on those people. You see it everywhere with regular travel and tourism. All sorts of people making every effort to extract some $ from the tourists' wallets. So much so that's it's become a regular part of travel, with an endless flow of anecdotes from people that were scammed or ripped off while on vacation.

I know the camino is different from a vacation, and pilgrims are different from tourists, but I'm surprised (and happy) that I see almost no anecdotes from pilgrims about certain people/places that tried to rip them off. Either it's happening and people aren't noticing or reporting it, or it's (hopefully) not happening. And if it's not happening, then I think that speaks volumes about what a unique and special experience walking a camino in Spain really is.

Not meaning to go off on a tangent, as my comments are related to my original post. It's pretty incredible that there are hundreds of thousands of pilgrims walking caminos in Spain every year, which has been happening for a long time, yet no group of undesirables have moved in to try to take advantage of all those people passing by every day. The fact that donativos are able to exist, and that those selling items to passing pilgrims aren't attempting to rip them off is pretty incredible indeed!

 

[trecile]

My son has hiked half of the AT; the JMT and Colorado Tail. None of those Trail Angels had donation boxes, nor charged. It was all free and they did it to help the long distance hikers, and put a smile on their face and encourage them along the way.

But there aren't nearly as many hikers on those trails as there are pilgrims on the Camino!

 

[WayWalker]

I think the word hustle has very negative connotations in the UK.

"Side hustle" is big with the Millennials in the US as far as idioms go.

 

[Marc S.]

I think the word hustle has very negative connotations in the UK.

Same in the Netherlands, although English is of course not my native language.

But the point I also tried to make. This is an international forum, so when people make certain references (such 'as trail angels on through hikes'), it is maybe appropriate to consider that such references may perhaps be clear for people from certain countries, but not for all forum members.

In other words, it is worth remembering this is an international forum. I try to. If I were to write to a Dutch audience, instead of an international forum, I would probably express this in more direct wordings. But I realize this would probably come across as rude for some.

 

[Bradypus]

It's pretty incredible that there are hundreds of thousands of pilgrims walking caminos in Spain every year, which has been happening for a long time, yet no group of undesirables have moved in to try to take advantage of all those people passing by every day.

Sadly that is not entirely true. For example there is the very long running "deaf" charity collection scam which seems to reappear every year. Or those who take a more direct approach and simply lift pilgrims' neglected valuables from albergues.

 

[C clearly]

I'm surprised (and happy) that I see almost no anecdotes from pilgrims about certain people/places that tried to rip them off.

You are assuming categories when in fact there is a multi-dimensional spectrum. When does reasonable profit turn into "ripping off"?

As examples, the Camino has businesses where foreigners seem to be charged more than the locals - I'm not making a judgement on this, but at some point that might qualify as a rip off. There was the crepe lady who angelically offered fresh crepes to passing pilgrims and then afterwards assertively asked for payment. There are the food trucks that are present only at the most lucrative times and their prices may be high (again, no judgement). There are rude/impatient people. There are out-and-out scams such as the deaf petitioners.

Most of us accept these things as part of the normal human experience, and don't like to belabour the negatives, but that doesn't mean they don't happen.

It is a mistake to sugarcoat the Camino experience in advance.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

But there aren't nearly as many hikers on those trails as there are pilgrims on the Camino!

Good point; very true! Camino Trail Angels would quickly go broke trying to offer free food or drink!

 

[Bradypus]

Good point; very true! Camino Trail Angels would quickly go broke trying to offer free food or drink!

On my first Camino there were several times when a bar or restaurant refused to take my money - a gift for the passing pilgrim from the owner or another customer. There were also a couple of times when I was invited to sit with a family or group of friends and share their meal and I was not allowed to pay my share. Very generous but only possible when you can count the passing pilgrims each day on the fingers of one hand!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

"Side hustle" is big with the Millennials in the US as far as idioms go.

I've never heard of this, although I know the word "hustle" has a couple of definitions. When my kids were young I'd say "You'd better hustle and finish your homework or no tv for you tonight!"

 

[C clearly]

"Side hustle" is big with the Millennials in the US as far as idioms go.

True. While there can be a bit of a negative implication, the modern usage tends to be used for an income-supplementing legitimate activity, in addition to a regular job. It might be anything from sales of homemade crafts, to consulting, to a paper route! Many millennials find this necessary given that secure lifetime employment is no longer the norm.

 

[Rita Flower]

I think the word hustle has very negative connotations in the UK.

In Australia too. We don’t all speak the same English and in places like the forum misunderstandings easily arise.
I love anyone who provides prepared food and drink at standard prices - my local coffee shop, food vans on Camino and everyone in between - especially because I believe these providers have small margins - more especially in Spain along Caminos where businesses opportunities are probably very limited.
Can’t wait for my next cafe con leche.

 

[Former member 102963]

True. While there can be a bit of a negative implication, the modern usage tends to be used for an income-supplementing legitimate activity, in addition to a regular job. It might be anything from sales of homemade crafts, to consulting, to a paper route! Many millennials find this necessary given that secure lifetime employment is no longer the norm.

Yes agreed! I have never regarded ‘hustle’ as negative, just maybe a less formalised, less corporate, more frenetic and fast paced way of earning money. Very common in vast parts of the world, and maybe less common in the more affluent parts of the world though still existing in great numbers!

 

[Former member 102963]

You are assuming categories when in fact there is a multi-dimensional spectrum. When does reasonable profit turn into "ripping off"?

As examples, the Camino has businesses where foreigners seem to be charged more than the locals - I'm not making a judgement on this, but at some point that might qualify as a rip off. There was the crepe lady who angelically offered fresh crepes to passing pilgrims and then afterwards assertively asked for payment. There are the food trucks that are present only at the most lucrative times and their prices may be high (again, no judgement). There are rude/impatient people. There are out-and-out scams such as the deaf petitioners.

Most of us accept these things as part of the normal human experience, and don't like to belabour the negatives, but that doesn't mean they don't happen.

It is a mistake to sugarcoat the Camino experience in advance.

One of the strangest things I find is the amount of people who sugarcoat the Camino experience. I have never quite understood it tbh!

 

[JustJack]

You are assuming categories when in fact there is a multi-dimensional spectrum. When does reasonable profit turn into "ripping off"?

As examples, the Camino has businesses where foreigners seem to be charged more than the locals - I'm not making a judgement on this, but at some point that might qualify as a rip off. There was the crepe lady who angelically offered fresh crepes to passing pilgrims and then afterwards assertively asked for payment. There are the food trucks that are present only at the most lucrative times and their prices may be high (again, no judgement). There are rude/impatient people. There are out-and-out scams such as the deaf petitioners.

Most of us accept these things as part of the normal human experience, and don't like to belabour the negatives, but that doesn't mean they don't happen.

It is a mistake to sugarcoat the Camino experience in advance.

Thank you for the well-intentioned and needed dose of reality. Only being an observer and consumer of Camino content for the past couple years has no doubt generated some perspectives that may be a bit too rosy and perhaps somewhat idealistic and unrealistic. I definitely need to be re-grounded in my thinking on occasion. I suppose some of this is caused by the eternally positive reports you see from people who have walked - particularly on this site!. The vast majority - almost all - of reports are exceedingly positive, which of course can lull the uninitiated into a false sense of what life walking the camino is like. I'm really doing my best to enter this experience with an open mind and no expectations, but that's hard to do...

 

[Camino Chrissy]

One of the strangest things I find is the amount of people who sugarcoat the Camino experience. I have never quite understood it tbh!

But it's why many of us keep coming back year after year.

 

[Former member 102963]

But it's why many of us keep coming back year after year.

Yea I see what you mean! It’s like an alternative world with no bad things going on! Everyone is lovely, and honest, and helpful!! I guess it’s great really and I need to be less cynical!!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Yea I see what you mean! It’s like an alternative world with no bad things going on! Everyone is lovely, and honest, and helpful!! I guess it’s great really and I need to be less cynical!!

Well, after six caminos I have rarely encountered unlovely, unhonest, and unhelpful pilgrims, although I'm sure there are a handful of stories that can be told by others.

 

[Former member 102963]

Well, after six caminos I have rarely encountered unlovely, unhonest, and unhelpful pilgrims, although I'm sure there are a handful of stories that can be told by others.

Good to hear!

 

[trecile]

One of the strangest things I find is the amount of people who sugarcoat the Camino experience

The phrase "the Camino provides" comes to mind.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Yea I see what you mean! It’s like an alternative world with no bad things going on! Everyone is lovely, and honest, and helpful!! I guess it’s great really and I need to be less cynical!!

Well, my experiences on the Camino so far have been very positive. It appears to be safe and full of friendly people.
Of course I was annoyed by those 3 pilgrims who felt superior and looked down on Spanish culture, of course I was annoyed by the large, loud and reckless groups of young people on the last 60 or so kilometres, or by those two girls with loud music from some device in their backpacks who could be heard from over a kilometre away. But those were exceptions, more than compensated by the otherwise great experience.
I never felt ripped-off, prices were mostly fair when seen in context.
Spain is an extremely safe country compared to large parts of the world. Of course one needs some common sense to avoid being pickpocketed in larger cities and the like – but that is a world wide thing except maybe North Korea.

Is this sugarcoating? No, this is just me evaluating things on a realistic scale. In international comparison a Camino in Spain is a safe, convenient and enjoyable experience.

 

[dougfitz]

I think the word hustle has very negative connotations in the UK.

That may well be so, but 'side hustle', in the meaning that it was used in by the OP has been recognized as entering the language with a first recorded use in 1982. It is listed in the Cambridge dictionary as US informal, so perhaps not as common to followers of British and other variations of English. We might be tempted to see this as two words, rather than a single phrase.

But even then, to think of the word hustle as pejorative is to rely on another US informal meaning, rather than the much plainer meaning of to push, as in 'to make someone move quickly by pushing or pulling them along', (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hustle).

 

[Tincatinker]

“the Camino provides” - all sorts of interesting opportunities and experiences

 

[Bradypus]

The phrase "the Camino provides" comes to mind.

And always makes me wince! I've had more than my fair share of happy encounters and unexpected rewards but that's no excuse for setting out totally unprepared or blithely assuming that someone else will pick up the pieces for you when things go pear-shaped!

 

[Former member 102963]

Well, my experiences on the Camino so far have been very positive. It appears to be safe and full of friendly people.
Of course I was annoyed by those 3 Germans who felt superior and looked down on Spanish culture, of course I was annoyed by the large, loud and reckless groups of young people on the last 60 or so kilometres, or by those two girls with loud music from some device in their backpacks who could be heard from over a kilometre away. But those were exceptions, more than compensated by the otherwise great experience.
I never felt ripped-off, prices were mostly fair when seen in context.
Spain is an extremely safe country compared to large parts of the world. Of course one needs some common sense to avoid being pickpocketed in larger cities and the like – but that is a world wide thing except maybe North Korea.

Is this sugarcoating? No, this is just me evaluating things on a realistic scale. In international comparison a Camino in Spain is a safe, convenient and enjoyable experience.

Sure what I meant is that I don’t find it any better (or worse) than pretty much anywhere else (well maybe Atlantic City, with apologies to folks from New Jersey!).

 

[Arctic_Alex]

The phrase "the Camino provides" comes to mind.

Well, it does provide most of the time. There are so many safety nets and conveniences along the way that even the unprepared will survive without major harm most of the time.

Compare this to long distance walking in regions with no infrastructure, or through hostile terrain or full of nature's dangers ...

 

[Former member 102963]

The phrase "the Camino provides" comes to mind.

I thought it was just me! I googled this phrase a few hours back as I had no idea what it meant!

 

[trecile]

“the Camino provides” - all sorts of interesting opportunities and experiences

I love that interpretation.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Sure what I meant is that I don’t find it any better (or worse) than pretty much anywhere else (well maybe Atlantic City, with apologies to folks from New Jersey!).

There are places worse than Atlantic City ... but then again I do not really know too much about Atlantic City to be honest ... but about some other places I do.

 

[dick bird]

Can we keep to the point here? The OP wants to know roughly how much they need to budget for on the Camino Francés. 50 euros a day would be tight but doable especially if you keep to public albergues, don't take too many rest days and do as much self-catering as you can. If you have money left over at the end, you can live it up in Santiago or save it for your next camino.

'The camino provides' - no it doesn't. A number of thoughtful, large-hearted, kind and generous people along the camino provide. Please try not to take them for granted.

 

[dick bird]

would you consider the people selling food and drink out of their van or trailer to passing pilgrims to be akin to "trail angels" you find on through-hikes, or are they simply entrepreneurs who found a side-hustle to make some extra cash?

As I understand a 'trail angel', it is someone who does food drops far walkers on long overland walks where there are not many facilities e.g. the Bibbulman Track in Western Australia (1000km, we plan to do end to end in Sept - Oct). They are volunteers and take no money for the service and sometimes even for the food. Along the camino, there are food vans and little stalls. I wouldn't call them 'side hustles' as they are probably the owner's only source of income.

 

[Bradypus]

Along the camino, there are food vans and little stalls.

That depends on when you walk. None of them there in January when I passed by! Though I was delighted to find that David's donativo fruit juice cart was present and well stocked a few km before Astorga. No sign of David himself but an older gent greeted me when I stopped for a few minutes on the way.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Though I was delighted to find that David's donativo fruit juice cart was present and well stocked a few km before Astorga.

I loved David's quirky property and food stand when I passed through and he was very personable. He had a very nice variety of fruit and a few other things. The watermelon slice I enjoyed was very refreshing.

 

[Bradypus]

I loved David's quirky property and food stand when I passed through and he was very personable. He had a very nice variety of fruit and a few other things. The watermelon slice I enjoyed was very refreshing.
View attachment 143378

I think there may have been some apples on the stall but not much else in the fresh fruit line. But it was in January and there wasn't a lot of passing trade Frankly I was just impressed that someone kept that kind service going on a very exposed hilltop in the middle of winter!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I think there may have been some apples on the stall but not much else in the fresh fruit line. But it was in January and there wasn't a lot of passing trade Frankly I was just impressed that someone kept that kind service going on a very exposed hilltop in the middle of winter!

We were there in early May.

 

[Former member 92300]

Good point; very true! Camino Trail Angels would quickly go broke trying to offer free food or drink!

I assume this would depend on the trail. On the Frances - this would certainly be true if someone wanted to do it regularly. Then again - a trail angel doesn’t need to be out there every day serving every pilgrim to be a trail angel. Trail Angels can buy wherever amount of supplies they want, and set up to provide those supplies until they run out. And wait to do it again when they think it is financially possible to do it again. On the PCT/AT - some Trail Angels are well known and do it fairly regularly. Other may pop in once or twice to give back a little of what the trail gave them (or for some other motivated reason).

But like I said - for the more popular routes - there are regular services available compared to a wilderness hike where you carry several days of food because you can’t reshoot for several days. Not the same level of need on most popular Camino routes.

 

[Former member 71219]

Thank you for the well-intentioned and needed dose of reality. Only being an observer and consumer of Camino content for the past couple years has no doubt generated some perspectives that may be a bit too rosy and perhaps somewhat idealistic and unrealistic. I definitely need to be re-grounded in my thinking on occasion. I suppose some of this is caused by the eternally positive reports you see from people who have walked - particularly on this site!. The vast majority - almost all - of reports are exceedingly positive, which of course can lull the uninitiated into a false sense of what life walking the camino is like. I'm really doing my best to enter this experience with an open mind and no expectations, but that's hard to do...

Very well said!

 

[kamleman]

Generally I am always surprised how welcoming and kind service providers are on the Camino, given it is more than likely that they might never see you again. I can count the bad experiences over 3 Caminos on one hand, in comparison to the many restaurants and hotels that greeted us, were so sympathetic and decent. If they make some money, good for them. Everyone needs to live. But that’s why we keep coming back. It is truly a unique experience.

 

[MaryLynn]

You are assuming categories when in fact there is a multi-dimensional spectrum. When does reasonable profit turn into "ripping off"?

As examples, the Camino has businesses where foreigners seem to be charged more than the locals - I'm not making a judgement on this, but at some point that might qualify as a rip off. There was the crepe lady who angelically offered fresh crepes to passing pilgrims and then afterwards assertively asked for payment. There are the food trucks that are present only at the most lucrative times and their prices may be high (again, no judgement). There are rude/impatient people. There are out-and-out scams such as the deaf petitioners.

Most of us accept these things as part of the normal human experience, and don't like to belabour the negatives, but that doesn't mean they don't happen.

It is a mistake to sugarcoat the Camino experience in advance.

I remember the crepe lady and also the band of young girls wanting money in the woods.

 

[CWBuff]

You are assuming categories when in fact there is a multi-dimensional spectrum. When does reasonable profit turn into "ripping off"?

As examples, the Camino has businesses where foreigners seem to be charged more than the locals - I'm not making a judgement on this, but at some point that might qualify as a rip off.

I can state with a fact that in certain cities of Ukraine there are 2 menus - one in Ukrainian\Russian and one in English. Care to guess which one contains the more expensive prices?

 

[C clearly]

I can state with a fact that in certain cities of Ukraine there are 2 menus - one in Ukrainian\Russian and one in English. Care to guess which one contains the more expensive prices?

Yes, that happens in many places - informally or not. Let's not get into a discussion of these practices. It was just intended as an example to show that the perception of fairness/unfairness and reasonable/rip off are in the eyes of the beholder.

 

[Linda V]

I am not quite getting the dichotomy between 'trail angels' and 'simply entrepeneurs'. I guess many people selling food and drinks are just Spanish people trying to earn some money, which is hard enough when living in rural Spain. 'Just entrepeneurs finding a side-hustle' somehow does not sound right to me in this context.

I don't know what you are referring to with 'trail angels you find on through hikes'. Probably the term ´through hikes´ is a rather North American concept - so I am just not quite sure what you are talking about.

I do believe that regular Spanish folks earning some money from the camino can be really nice people (or angels, if we want to use this terminology) at the same time.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

assuming that someone else will pick up the pieces for you when things go pear-shaped!

Love this..."pear-shaped"! Never heard the description before beyond a description of a woman's figure.

 

[Former member 102963]

Love this..."pear-shaped"! Never heard the description before beyond a description of a woman's figure.

Really!!’ A fave UK phrase, it has largely been replaced amongst certain demographics by ‘it’s gone t*ts up’!

 

[J F Gregory]

I think there is really a difference between the "donativo" stands you see on the way (that may be a table with fruit or something similar) where you can leave a donation and the Cafe Movil you will find which is like a food truck or trailer out in the middle of nowhere, top of a steep climb, etc. The Cafe Movil will often have hot and cold drinks and snacks for sale. The donativo stands also sometimes have a "stamp" for your passport (or not).

I have been reading in the paper that there are fewer and fewer restaurants where you can still buy a Menu del Dia for 10 Euros in Galicia. There has been some effort to hold down prices of "essential" grocery goods like beans, milk, etc. Meat and fish consumption has dropped in households due to rising costs so you may see more vegetarian and vegan offerings as a possible result.

I would expect the costs would rise. In 2015 a Pilgrim menu was about 10€. Even at these prices it is a lot less than restaurant in the US. Fast foods like McDonald's run about $10-12 for sandwich, chips and drink and are not nearly as tasty.

 

[Denzil]

For anyone just recently returned from the CF, do you recall what the price of a couple items were, on average?

- cafe con leche
- fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Pilgrim's menu
- Menu del dia

I've noticed that the cost of accommodation seems to have gone up in the past couple years, which is no surprise as prices everywhere have gone up. Those costs can be easily viewed online. But wondering about the other daily necessities - especially fresh-squeezed orange juice, which is an expensive luxury in Canada. Overall have the day-to-day costs of food and drink - whether dining at an albergue, at a restaurant, or buying from a supermarket - risen substantially in the past couple years?

The cost of food and drink isn't going to impact my camino in any way, but I'm curious to know what to expect in May when I arrive.

And on a semi-related note, would you consider the people selling food and drink out of their van or trailer to passing pilgrims to be akin to "trail angels" you find on through-hikes, or are they simply entrepreneurs who found a side-hustle to make some extra cash?

Thanks for your thoughts.

This is good to know. Certainly still excellent value for us Australians. Please can someone advise what I should allow for daily expenses excluding accommodation.

 

[oliasah-peace]

Last year I walked from Fromista to Astorga (very short daily distances due to bad knee). My average daily spend was €21. I'm budgeting a daily spend of €25 this year. I stayed in refugios and self catered where I could. And yes I found it more expensive than I expected but understood why. The pandemic has taken its toll on many businesses especially the hospitality sector. However, I was glad that it was now possible to walk the Camino again and that it was possible to do short daily distances. I carried my own rucksack.

 

[kelleymac]

Yes agreed! I have never regarded ‘hustle’ as negative, just maybe a less formalised, less corporate, more frenetic and fast paced way of earning money. Very common in vast parts of the world, and maybe less common in the more affluent parts of the world though still existing in great numbers!

Back in the 70's The Hustle was also a dance. (Warning! Ear worm!)

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Back in the 70's The Hustle was also a dance. (Warning! Ear worm!)

True; it was!

 

[aidan macdhorcaidh]

For anyone just recently returned from the CF, do you recall what the price of a couple items were, on average?

- cafe con leche
- fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Pilgrim's menu
- Menu del dia

I've noticed that the cost of accommodation seems to have gone up in the past couple years, which is no surprise as prices everywhere have gone up. Those costs can be easily viewed online. But wondering about the other daily necessities - especially fresh-squeezed orange juice, which is an expensive luxury in Canada. Overall have the day-to-day costs of food and drink - whether dining at an albergue, at a restaurant, or buying from a supermarket - risen substantially in the past couple years?

The cost of food and drink isn't going to impact my camino in any way, but I'm curious to know what to expect in May when I arrive.

And on a semi-related note, would you consider the people selling food and drink out of their van or trailer to passing pilgrims to be akin to "trail angels" you find on through-hikes, or are they simply entrepreneurs who found a side-hustle to make some extra cash?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Coffee ...1.50
Three course. Evening meal ...11 -15 euro Inc wine . prices can increase In the bigger towns ....but all in all....I found prices v reasonable.

 

[aidan macdhorcaidh]

Coffee ...1.50
Three course. Evening meal ...11 -15 euro Inc wine . prices can increase In the bigger towns ....but all in all....I found prices v reasonable.

Re van sellers....
All of the above.

 

[SusanH]

There are both. Some have made it into a business, while there are other places (often unattended) where a "Camino angel" has set up a donativo food and drink stand.

I always left extra money at these places! Lol

 

[Manusp]

I remember the crepe lady and also the band of young girls wanting money in the woods.

Where was the crepes lady? The crepes lady I met about 20km after o cebreiro invited my wife, 2 kids and I into her barn during a rain/hail storm and fed us crepes. She also let us hang out among her chickens while my wife was nursing… nothing like the crepes lady described here

 

[AnneMarie1]

I think there is really a difference between the "donativo" stands you see on the way (that may be a table with fruit or something similar) where you can leave a donation and the Cafe Movil you will find which is like a food truck or trailer out in the middle of nowhere, top of a steep climb, etc. The Cafe Movil will often have hot and cold drinks and snacks for sale. The donativo stands also sometimes have a "stamp" for your passport (or not).

I have been reading in the paper that there are fewer and fewer restaurants where you can still buy a Menu del Dia for 10 Euros in Galicia. There has been some effort to hold down prices of "essential" grocery goods like beans, milk, etc. Meat and fish consumption has dropped in households due to rising costs so you may see more vegetarian and vegan offerings as a possible result.

Well, that would be an excellent development! Spain is getting more into vegetarian and vegan eating in general, and the general high quality of the food and cooking culture bodes well for some great vegan food coming into being.