Accommodation SJPDP

[Waka]

Hi All

Just a quick question that I'm sure has been asked before, so sorry for the repeat.
Is it wise to book the first nights accommodation in SJPDP prior to arriving? I will be arriving late afternoon on a weekday.

Thanks in advance

Buen Camino
Waka

 

[wayfarer]

Hi All

Just a quick question that I'm sure has been asked before, so sorry for the repeat.
Is it wise to book the first nights accommodation in SJPDP prior to arriving? I will be arriving late afternoon on a weekday.

Thanks in advance

Buen Camino
Waka

Hi Waka, I would say yes, St. Jean can be very busy so book if you have the time.
Buen Camino.

 

[Waka]

Thank you wayfarer, much appreciated.

Buen Camino.

 

[uniQ]

From my experience, I don't think it's necessary. When you arrive at the pilgrims office they will (assuming there is space) offer to assign you room in a hostel. When I arrived last year via train late afternoon in the peak months of summer there was no problem for myself or anyone else in securing a room that I'm aware of.

In fact throughout my entire Camino I didn't book a single room and regularly left "late morning" only on one day was I unable to get a room and had to walk a few km more to the next hostel. On one other night the hostel was full but readily accommodated me providing a space on the floor and as many blankets as I needed to make a bed. I saw lot's of people worrying about finding a room and spending far too much time in angst about pre-booking rooms and leaving at unsightly hours of the morning just to make sure they got a bed that I think it must of taken away some of the enjoyment of the overall experience.

By all means book ahead, but may I suggest one looks at the stages on a day by day basis and make a judgement call depending on how many pilgrims you are seeing and how far between hostels when you think you may like to stop. For example some days it may be 5km+ between hostels and other days there may be several villages with hostels only a few km apart.

 

[Waka]

redruM

Thank you for the advice I have rd a lot of posts where pilgrims are worried about accommodation, I'm not concerned once I have started, to me pot luck is exciting. I was more concerned about the arrival night in SJPDP, but I'll take your advice and just wing it, the last thing I want to worry about on my journey is where I'll bed down for the night.