Sending supplies ahead to post offices - who's done it?

[Ungawawa]

I'm currently devising a cunning plan whereby I send ahead supplies (Huel) to a half-way point and pick them up when I'm there. That would mean I'd only have to carry maximum half the weight.

Who has done this? I know Correos will keep packages for you, but for how long? And how do you address them to make sure they're kept back. Has anyone had experience with this? I know Correos in Santiago would know what to do with such packages, but do smaller town and city post-offices earlier on, also?

 

[Sparrow in Texas]

Look up elcaminoconcorreos.com . There is a service called Paq Peregrino where you can send packages ahead and Correos (post office) will store them for 30, 45, or 75 days. I used this service last fall, sending a small suitcase (did not have to be packaged) and a small box from Salamanca to be stored in a post office that I had selected near Barajas in Madrid. It was more cost effective than any luggage storage service in Madrid. The counter service person in Salamanca was very helpful with addressing the package and ensuring the correct service. I even received texts tracking the packages. Just be aware of the open hours of the various correos locations.

Correos also has a service called Paq Mochila that will transport you pack along the Camino.

 

[Sparrow in Texas]

Another bit of information: On the Correos website you will be able to look up post office locations and hours and whether a particular office is able to store packages.

 

[trecile]

I'm currently devising a cunning plan whereby I send ahead supplies (Huel) to a half-way point and pick them up when I'm there. That would mean I'd only have to carry maximum half the weight.

Who has done this? I know Correos will keep packages for you, but for how long? And how do you address them to make sure they're kept back. Has anyone had experience with this? I know Correos in Santiago would know what to do with such packages, but do smaller town and city post-offices earlier on, also?

What supplies would you send ahead? I don't see how you could halve the weight that you carry. You will always need to carry the same amount of clothing, sleeping gear, rain gear, basic toiletries, etc.
If you have special consumable items that you don't want to replace with Spanish brands along the way you could mail those to yourself. I've thought of doing that, but it would require a lot of advance planning. You wouldn't want to arrive at the place where you mailed them on a Saturday afternoon and have to wait until Monday to retrieve them.

 

[Ungawawa]

What supplies would you send ahead? I don't see how you could halve the weight that you carry. You will always need to carry the same amount of clothing, sleeping gear, rain gear, basic toiletries, etc.
If you have special consumable items that you don't want to replace with Spanish brands along the way you could mail those to yourself. I've thought of doing that, but it would require a lot of advance planning. You wouldn't want to arrive at the place where you mailed them on a Saturday afternoon and have to wait until Monday to retrieve them.

I'm talking about food, specifically Huel shakes for breakfast / brunch. If I need say 3.5 kg of it for a full camino, I could leave half at the half-way point, you see...

 

[trecile]

I'm talking about food, specifically Huel shakes for breakfast / brunch. If I need say 3.5 kg of it for a full camino, I could leave half at the half-way point, you see...

I don't know what Huel shakes are. I just always bought lunch along the way either at a bar or grocery store.

 

[Sparrow in Texas]

@H Richards, On the Forum I have seen Poste Restante -General Delivery- mentioned a number of times. My understanding is that a package will be kept for only 15 days (need to confirm this with Correos) before it is returned to sender. Therefore, I believe that the Paq Peregrino service would be preferable in that it allows for longer storage while you are walking.

Post offices all along the Camino Frances would be experienced with the needs of peregrinos.

 

[OTH86]

I've done this many times. I'm a true fan of Correos - Madrid, Belorado, Sahagun, Carrion de los Condes, Leon, and Santiago!! They've given me great tips - the RETURN address should be YOUR name and the address of the RECEIVING post office. Indicate PEREGRINA/O. I picked up a package six months after mailing it without problems (long story). Just be aware that the Correos office in small towns may have limited hours, be sure to check when you mail your package. I found smaller places easy to work with - the big city offices are a bit more confusing.
Good luck, @H Richards and Buen Camino!

 

[verose]

I'm doing the Camino Portugues from Porto next month. The cost of sending some luggage to Santiago by post seems expensive (POffice website). There's another service by a company called Tui Trans. The price per bag (up to 15/20kg) from Oporto to Santiago directly is 60€.

 

[Davey Boyd]

And post Spanish post offices on the Camino have their own sello's too! They are quite proud of it. Just so you know, you can get a stamp when you pick up your shakes!

Davey

 

[Deleted member 73526]

I've done this many times. I'm a true fan of Correos - Madrid, Belorado, Sahagun, Carrion de los Condes, Leon, and Santiago!! They've given me great tips - the RETURN address should be YOUR name and the address of the RECEIVING post office. Indicate PEREGRINA/O. I picked up a package six months after mailing it without problems (long story).

In places with fewer pilgrims, I've found that post office staff aren't always aware or sympathetic to the needs of pilgrims. I encountered one very surly "jobsworth" type at the main post office in Cordoba. I gave up trying to work with her and returned later to deal with a more service-oriented staffer.
My solution to the 15 day holding limit was to use the address of a hotel where I had a reservation as my return address. (I included my name and my reservation date). This requires some additional planning, as you can imagine - and if you show up on the day that the parcel is in transit from the post office to the hotel, you're out of luck.
I'm intrigued by your six month story. I was told that parcels would be sent to the return address or destroyed if there was no return address. Perhaps if I had put my name and the address of the receiving office with Peregrino on the label some kind employee would have thought twice before destroying it?

 

[OTH86]

In places with fewer pilgrims, I've found that post office staff aren't always aware or sympathetic to the needs of pilgrims. I encountered one very surly "jobsworth" type at the main post office in Cordoba. I gave up trying to work with her and returned later to deal with a more service-oriented staffer.
My solution to the 15 day holding limit was to use the address of a hotel where I had a reservation as my return address. (I included my name and my reservation date). This requires some additional planning, as you can imagine - and if you show up on the day that the parcel is in transit from the post office to the hotel, you're out of luck.
I'm intrigued by your six month story. I was told that parcels would be sent to the return address or destroyed if there was no return address. Perhaps if I had put my name and the address of the receiving office with Peregrino on the label some kind employee would have thought twice before destroying it?

The Correos people, i found, were nice people. Ive always tried to be kind and appreciative to them. Few spoke English, and my Spanish is limited, but we always managed with a few smiles and frequently a Buen Camino as i left! I dont know about the 15-day "rule". Everything ive ever sent, ive retrieved, usually beyond 2 weeks!! I would use their services again and again.

 

[Ungawawa]

@H Richards, On the Forum I have seen Poste Restante -General Delivery- mentioned a number of times. My understanding is that a package will be kept for only 15 days (need to confirm this with Correos) before it is returned to sender. Therefore, I believe that the Paq Peregrino service would be preferable in that it allows for longer storage while you are walking.

Post offices all along the Camino Frances would be experienced with the needs of peregrinos.

Thanks - poste restante... that's the one I'm thinking of yes. I know there's the paq peregrino but it's a lot bigger and more expensive. Basically it would wipe out any savings I'd make from carrying the food instead of eating out. I just need the basic service.

Thanks to everyone who pointed me in the right direction!

 

[OTH86]

@Sparrow in Texas & @H Richards - I don't remember using either Poste Restante or Paq Peregrino, tho' I must have used one or the other. I sent fairly small packages - maybe 2kg or less. Possibly since they wouldn't take up much space in their storage facilities, the 15-day limit wasn't a factor. I don't remember the cost - the important thing for me was the small reduction of pack weight! ;-)

 

[WalkingJane]

Look up elcaminoconcorreos.com . There is a service called Paq Peregrino where you can send packages ahead and Correos (post office) will store them for 30, 45, or 75 days. I used this service last fall, sending a small suitcase (did not have to be packaged) and a small box from Salamanca to be stored in a post office that I had selected near Barajas in Madrid. It was more cost effective than any luggage storage service in Madrid. The counter service person in Salamanca was very helpful with addressing the package and ensuring the correct service. I even received texts tracking the packages. Just be aware of the open hours of the various correos locations.

Correos also has a service called Paq Mochila that will transport you pack along the Camino.

I used this too. Works well!