Post covid

[Ahaj]

My most recent Camino was 2016 and I am starting again from SJPP in May. I’m keen to know if Covid has impacted the Camino. For example in many places I visit cash is no longer King even for a coffee and I’m expected to tap my card- is that the same on the Camino or do I still take plenty of euros? Also are there any mask requirements anywhere? Would you travel with a mask as a precaution?

 

[Bradypus]

I've never come across anywhere that didn't accept cash but cards are certainly more widely accepted than they were in 2016. Still some places which are cash-only. As for masks - Spain was free of mask restrictions for a while but they were recently reintroduced in healthcare settings because of a rise in cases of respiratory disease. I would take a couple just as a precaution in case I needed to visit a clinic along the way

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Ahaj, I can but echo @Bradypus. I would add that you certainly don’t need as much cash as you previously would have - in two weeks I only spent €200, and some of that was given to dinner companions so they could pay by card. Many Albergues don’t accept card, although even that seems to be changing.
Some places impose a minimum spend for a card payment - often €10, occasionally €30.

 

[Ahaj]

I've never come across anywhere that didn't accept cash but cards are certainly more widely accepted than they were in 2016. Still some places which are cash-only. As for masks - Spain was free of mask restrictions for a while but they were recently reintroduced in healthcare settings because of a rise in cases of respiratory disease. I would take a couple just as a precaution in case I needed to visit a clinic along the way

Thank you for your help

 

[Ahaj]

@Ahaj, I can but echo @Bradypus. I would add that you certainly don’t need as much cash as you previously would have - in two weeks I only spent €200, and some of that was given to dinner companions so they could pay by card. Many Albergues don’t accept card, although even that seems to be changing.
Some places impose a minimum spend for a card payment - often €10, occasionally €30.

Thank you that is useful information

 

[CWBuff]

See my post here:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/how-much-cash-should-i-bring-on-my-camino.84817/post-1215491

The thread is Pretty much along the same lines as yours

Good luck and Buen Camino