Getting started

[Stuart 68]

Hello fellow travellers. I am new on here and am planning my very first Camino !

I will be arriving in St. Jean Pied de Port on Sunday Sept 1st (2018).

Could anyone kindly recommend the best Hostel to stay at that evening to get the experience off to the best start (and can you reserve a bed there in advance) ?

Much appreciated.

Stuart

 

[Deleted member 12253]

The municipal a few meters beyond pilgrim office

 

[Deleted member 12253]

Cant reserve bed but if there by 2pm should be ok

 

[André Walker]

I started two camino's in St. Jean and stayed in the same albergue twice: "Beilari". It's just across the street from the pilgrim's office (in case you need to get your credencial). For me, this one proved to be the ideal start of a camino.

The atmosphere is very warm. They make you feel very welcome. In the evening there's a common evening meal. Pilgrim's that don't like to participate in that are kindly asked to stay somewhere else. After the evening meal the pilgrims get the opportunity to get to know each other and to tell about themselves and the reasons for their camino. All this is done without 'pressure': if you don't feel like sharing, then feel free not to.
I liked it very much. It realy got me in the mood to start my camino.

But, whatever you choose to do: buen camino!

http://www.beilari.info/en/reservations

 

[André Walker]

Or, as the English speaking people say:
"Go take a walk".

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Pilgrim's that don't like to participate in that are kindly asked to stay somewhere else. After the evening meal the pilgrims get the opportunity to get to know each other and to tell about themselves and the reasons for their camino. All this is done without 'pressure'

Well, except the pressure to buy the meal.

Fortunately, buying the meal is rarely a requirement for the rest of the camino. Albergues that do have such a requirement often have a lot of negative comments on sites like Eroski and Mundicamino (in Spanish from Spaniards, who dislike coercion).

 

[nycwalking]

Buen camino.

 

[Stuart 68]

Thanks all for the recommendations. Beilari was booked up ! However I have been able to reserve a bed at Buen Camino - an apt name for my first night's stay !!