I'm a little confused about the various types of sleeping arrangements. My understanding is that the municipal albergues are by donation, the private albergues are a fixed price and are there hostels as well? Also do many of the albergues have female only dorms? There are 3 of us travelling together, would it be cheaper for us to get a private room in a hostel and are they available in most towns. We are starting from Leon. Thank you for any advice.
I think you'll find that the situation changes as you walk so in some towns a better deal will be another option.. but booking ahead also limits your flexibility with schedule.
I recommend a combination of all options..
For example using the large donativos in some locations to save money and also for the special experience of sharing with many in a large old cathedral or church is special.
Play it by ear.. go with th flow as they say!
This opens you up to more opportunities for interesting lodgings and situations..
Sleeping on a mat inside a church for example because all the dorm rooms are full can be a special humbling or bonding experience..
there were two of us, longtime friends and we
usually looked a few days ahead up the track to gauge options as we walked and decide on the best Lodgings based on attraction and convinence or "specialness".
For example the chrurch with the Italian priests who wash your feet.. that happened entirely by divine "chance".. we were super sore that day and after some special unplanned spontaneous stops that day to see amazing sights our evening plans were thawted.. and so we came across that church.. they were full.. overflowing 100% full. BUT we had our tents.. so he let us pitch our tents around the back in the georgeous church grounds and we joined everyone for dinner (we had an uncanny ability of arriving around 6pm dinner time or later many days)
So we had the most amazing sleep under the stars after delicious fresh pasta and rose wine.. oh the wine was delicious! Playing music and laughing in the evening... and a great night sleep on the soft grass
so my recommendation?
Go with the flow and let intuition be your guide and you will find amazing places to stay.
of course a tent is not the norm.. but I just wanted to include that special moment in time for me.
The best laid plans.. as they say.
Next time I walk I'm planning to have three months up my sleeve so I don't have to rush 25kms per day and can stop where I want to volunteer and so on..
but I digress