Bed bug alert Sept '16- Comillas. Albergue de Peregrinos La Peña

Pete Dunn · Sep 18, 2016

There is a big infestation of bedbugs at this Albergue. Literally 1 hour ago most people staying there left when the news came out and we had checked it to be true.

Some Germans a few stages further up the Camino realised they had been attacked by bedbugs at this Albergue and phoned back to tell their friends who were staying there.

We returned from a meal in this lovely town to find everybody sitting outside talking about this. We checked under our mattresses and they were riddled with bed bugs. I have taken photos.

I don't want to scaremonger but you might want to avoid this Albergue for now and pass this information on to fellow peregrinos. It was not just our group. At least 12 of the 20 peregrinos staying there left, calling up local hotels for rooms. There was no hospitalero to speak to at this time.

I've no idea if there is an official channel to report this to, or if it's just part of the Camino experience!!

Buen Camino all, preferably bed bug free!

Pete

grayland · Sep 18, 2016

Hopefully, it will get reported to the albergue management.
There is a great danger downstream when an infected albergue does not shut down and decontaminate

I am not familiar with this albergue so do not know how it is operated.

peregrina2000 · Sep 19, 2016

This is the Albergue: http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/albergue-de-peregrinos-la-pena.

It is, I believe in the old jail of Comillas. I stayed there when it first opened about 10 (??) years ago.

If you scroll through the comments, you will see that a Spanish pilgrim reports 60 bites in August, not confirmed as bed bugs, but that's suspicious. Seems that maybe the "management" hasn't been alerted. Hope that your group finds a way to notify the hospitalero, because treatment is essential, as grayland says.

Smallest_Sparrow · Sep 19, 2016

When I stayed there four years ago the hospitalera showed up in the afternoon, stamped credentials, collected money, and was not seen again. Perhaps someone who saw the bugs could contact them by phone or email info according to wepage:

Teléfono de contacto: 942 72 00 33 Ayuntamiento de Comillas; 942 72 25 91 Oficina de turismo

Email: cultura@comillas.es

not to make light of this unfortunate occurrence but I thought the hotels in Comillas looked very nice and wouldn't have minded staying in one

Rainerbernd · Sep 19, 2016

Pete Dunn said:
There is a big infestation of bedbugs at this Albergue. Literally 1 hour ago most people staying there left when the news came out and we had checked it to be true.

Some Germans a few stages further up the Camino realised they had been attacked by bedbugs at this Albergue and phoned back to tell their friends who were staying there.

We returned from a meal in this lovely town to find everybody sitting outside talking about this. We checked under our mattresses and they were riddled with bed bugs. I have taken photos.

I don't want to scaremonger but you might want to avoid this Albergue for now and pass this information on to fellow peregrinos. It was not just our group. At least 12 of the 20 peregrinos staying there left, calling up local hotels for rooms. There was no hospitalero to speak to at this time.

I've no idea if there is an official channel to report this to, or if it's just part of the Camino experience!!

Buen Camino all, preferably bed bug free!

Pete

Many thanks Pete for this important information. I have put it right now into a german forum. So hopefully all pilgrims will know this.

Once again many thanks and a bug free way, Rainer

Kanga · Sep 19, 2016

I've sent an email to the albergue. @Pete Dunn as you experienced this directly perhaps you could also send one. I kept it very short and used google translate to put it into Spanish.

smj6 · Sep 19, 2016

What's 'bed bugs' in Spanish

SYates · Sep 19, 2016

smj6 said:
What's 'bed bugs' in Spanish

Chinches

Buen Camino sin chinches - Wishing you a bed bug free Camino, SY

Pete Dunn · Sep 20, 2016

Kanga said:
I've sent an email to the albergue. @Pete Dunn as you experienced this directly perhaps you could also send one. I kept it very short and used google translate to put it into Spanish.

Thanks Kanga. I will do so. Although I'm pretty sure the German girl was going to make it known as she was so disgusted.

I really don't want to make a big issue of this and cause problems for the albergues which perform a fantastic role, but hadn't appreciated until speaking to more experienced peregrinos how much of a problem this is and must be taken seriously.

Smallest_Sparrow · Sep 20, 2016

Pete Dunn said:
Thanks Kanga. I will do so. Although I'm pretty sure the German girl was going to make it known as she was so disgusted.

I really don't want to make a big issue of this and cause problems for the albergues which perform a fantastic role, but hadn't appreciated until speaking to more experienced peregrinos how much of a problem this is and must be taken seriously.

Thanks...I think it's especially important in albergues without in-house hospitaleros to get this sort of information. Unless things have changed (quite possible) the hospitalera who checked you in won't arrive back until long after the last pilgrim has left, so would have no way of knowing there was a mass middle of the night exodus, or its cause. I'm sure they would want to know and do something about it.

KinkyOne · Sep 21, 2016

smj6 said:
What's 'bed bugs' in Spanish

And chinchas in Gallego (for Galician albergues). At least I was told so...

Rainerbernd · Sep 21, 2016

KinkyOne said:
And chinchas in Gallego (for Galician albergues). At least I was told so...

In Gallego, they use different names for this nasty bugs. Chinchas and couzas.
In Portugal we say percevejos or simply bichos.

Bom caminho, Rainer

Lucy Keenan · Sep 24, 2016

Pete Dunn said:
There is a big infestation of bedbugs at this Albergue. Literally 1 hour ago most people staying there left when the news came out and we had checked it to be true.

Some Germans a few stages further up the Camino realised they had been attacked by bedbugs at this Albergue and phoned back to tell their friends who were staying there.

We returned from a meal in this lovely town to find everybody sitting outside talking about this. We checked under our mattresses and they were riddled with bed bugs. I have taken photos.

I don't want to scaremonger but you might want to avoid this Albergue for now and pass this information on to fellow peregrinos. It was not just our group. At least 12 of the 20 peregrinos staying there left, calling up local hotels for rooms. There was no hospitalero to speak to at this time.

I've no idea if there is an official channel to report this to, or if it's just part of the Camino experience!!

Buen Camino all, preferably bed bug free!

Pete

I stayed there about 4 weeks ago and it seemed fine. I did sleep in the smaller bunk room downstairs though. There was talk from other pilgrims 10 days ago about bed bugs. But the hostel had been closed and fumigated (or whatever they do)

Duncan Idaho · Sep 24, 2016

I stayed here last Tuesday (21st ?). I did get bitten but by mosquitoes - I like Lucy was in the ground floor room which had 2 bunk beds and a mattress on the floor but no door . looking at the bites now they don't look like bed bug bites. I did not see any evidence of bugs when setting up the disposable bed sheets and I always look

Duncan

caminka · Sep 24, 2016

I stayed there on 13th september. There were bedbugs. I killed 29. A german lady sleeping next to me got bitten very badly. Her feet were swolled the next day. I left a message with all killed bedbugs on the hospitalero desk. There was a previous message hidden below some magazines. I talked to many pilgrims who stayed there and got bitten really badly. The corners of the big dorm were reported to be taped over with bedbugs underneath. I heard that one night someone even called the police. The hospitalero was reported not to care much. We have seen hospitalera carrying around a bug spray but she didn't alert anyone.
So yeah, this albergue has problems. Some bad reports also came from the next two albergues, in San Vicente de la Barquera and Colombres.

Nick Bali · Sep 26, 2016

Thanks to this forum I stayed before Comillas last night----- but just met a lady who stayed at the Albergue there last night - she was covered in bites!!!!

Kanga · Sep 26, 2016

I have not had a reply to my email.

DragonShadow · Oct 5, 2016

Pete Dunn said:
There is a big infestation of bedbugs at this Albergue. Literally 1 hour ago most people staying there left when the news came out and we had checked it to be true.

Some Germans a few stages further up the Camino realised they had been attacked by bedbugs at this Albergue and phoned back to tell their friends who were staying there.

We returned from a meal in this lovely town to find everybody sitting outside talking about this. We checked under our mattresses and they were riddled with bed bugs. I have taken photos.

I don't want to scaremonger but you might want to avoid this Albergue for now and pass this information on to fellow peregrinos. It was not just our group. At least 12 of the 20 peregrinos staying there left, calling up local hotels for rooms. There was no hospitalero to speak to at this time.

I've no idea if there is an official channel to report this to, or if it's just part of the Camino experience!!

Buen Camino all, preferably bed bug free!

Pete

The bedbug infestation continues. We met up with peregrinos yesterday that had the same issue in Comillas just 2 days ago. There were bites up and down their arms.

Kanga · Oct 5, 2016

Oh dear. Anyone on the forum who is local and can take this up with the mayor, tourist office or hospitaleros? If it really is a problem it will cause difficulties for albergues further down the line.

Smallest_Sparrow · Oct 6, 2016

caminka said:
So yeah, this albergue has problems. Some bad reports also came from the next two albergues, in San Vicente de la Barquera and Colombres.

If the above is accurate (meaning the reports heard, not the person posting) then it sounds like it may already be marching down the road. Is there a local pilgrims group (like local chapters we have in each state)?

KinkyOne · Oct 6, 2016

Smallest_Sparrow said:
If the above is accurate (meaning the reports heard, not the person posting) then it sounds like it may already be marching down the road. Is there a local pilgrims group (like local chapters we have in each state)?

Yep, it would be wise to alert albergues further down (up, actually) the Camino!!!
I remember in 2011 on CF In Las Herrerias private albergue they have asked me about bites. "Bites"? What bites??? Didn't know anything about any bites at that time (OK, mosquitos, yes). In 2014 I understood what that was all about when I was really severly bitten.
So if there is any way to spread the word further on that would be very helpfull I guess. Without making any panic of course Just a help to owners, hospitaleros and fellow pilgrims.

Bedbug free Camino I wish to you all on the road at the time!

peregrina2000 · Oct 7, 2016

I have just written to Alejandro (formerly of Bodenaya on the Primitivo). He has an Albergue in Caborredondo, in between Santander and Comillas. Though he isn't "downstream" from the problem, he is a great guy and very dedicated to the Camino. I will let you know what I hear from him. Buen camino Laurie

peregrina2000 · Oct 7, 2016

Wow, that was fast. I just got a response from Alejandro who says he will be in contact with the people in charge. Hopefully this will stop the problem in Comillas, but of course there are now lots of albergues downstream that are likely to be infected. Buen camino, Laurie

Smallest_Sparrow · Oct 7, 2016

peregrina2000 said:
Wow, that was fast. I just got a response from Alejandro who says he will be in contact with the people in charge. Hopefully this will stop the problem in Comillas, but of course there are now lots of albergues downstream that are likely to be infected. Buen camino, Laurie

great job!
I'm happy to hear Alejandro has an albergue on the Norte, I was so disappointed when I'd read he was no longer at Bodenaya (his was one of the best albergue experiences I had). Do you know the name of it?

peregrina2000 · Oct 7, 2016

Smallest_Sparrow said:
great job!
I'm happy to hear Alejandro has an albergue on the Norte, I was so disappointed when I'd read he was no longer at Bodenaya (his was one of the best albergue experiences I had). Do you know the name of it?

Here's a post I wrote when it opened. Caborredondo is the name of the town.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/new-albergue-in-caborredondo.38688

The albergue's name is Izarra, and it's right on the camino. You won't be able to miss it, I'm told. http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/albergue-de-peregrinos-izarra.

ClaireMcMahon · Tuesday at 6:29 PM

Hi all, I’m starting my Camino Frances on May 12. I’ve booked my first night in SJPDP, but I’m starting to worry I need to book more. My plan was to take it day by day and just turn up, but lots...

garlicbread · Thursday at 5:05 AM

Hello all. Here to give a brief account of my (and many others) first day on the Camino on May 1. The trip to Roncesvalles was tough. I went Valcarlos route because napoleon was very ill advised...

Barbara · 2024-05-04T15:03:23+0200

Or do you prefer Cromwell's attitude? Put your trust in God and keep your powder dry. I am starting to get tired of the attitude that it isn't necessary to take reasonable care and thought...

Zara123 · 2024-05-04T00:40:36+0200

I struggle with social anxiety and I was wandering if anybody with the same issue had a positive experience on the Camino walking alone. I saw lots of posts and videos people talking about forming...

falconbrother · Wednesday at 10:58 PM

I am wondering how you disconnect, in part, from the world. I have a couple of reasons that I need to be accessible but, I don't want to be constantly connected on this journey. Ideas?

bkkboy · 2024-05-04T07:38:31+0200

Money stolen from bag on bed while sleeping. Estelle municipal hostel. Not a big inconvenience as my passport and credit cards were left.

Bed bug alert Sept '16- Comillas. Albergue de Peregrinos La Peña

Member

Veteran Member

Moderator

Life is rarely what you expect or believe it to be

Active Member

Veteran Member

Siempre hay que ver el positivo

Camino Fossil AD 1999, now living in Santiago de C

Member

Life is rarely what you expect or believe it to be

Veteran Member

Active Member

Active Member

Member

Veteran Member

New Member

Veteran Member

Member

Veteran Member

Life is rarely what you expect or believe it to be

Veteran Member

Moderator

Moderator

Life is rarely what you expect or believe it to be

Moderator

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency