Yeah, so, WhatsApp. It has quickly replaced email as the preferred method contact for albergues and many small hotels/pensions too.
The new update to the apps adds a new feature to help out. It is made for pilgrims that would ordinarily use email or a phone call, or pilgrims that would like to use those methods but perhaps are not confident enough in their language skills. It is for pilgrims that want to reserve but still want a bit of spontaneity and flexibility, as you probably would not use it to plan out a whole camino.
It’s simple really, just a pop up that lives in the usual app screen for an albergue. Except that there is now a new button for phone numbers that work with WhatsApp. You can tap it to start a conversation, or you can long-press it to summon the message helper. That message helper asks for 3 bits of info:
- Number of people
- Date
- Accommodation type (private room, bunk bed, or anything!)
Then it opens up a new whatsapp window with a message that is automatically translated into Spanish or Portuguese with the appropriate request. It asks for availability, a price confirmation, and a reservation if there is availability. From there on you will need to rely on a translator, or your own skills, as the conversation is handled entirely within whatsapp. It is just a tool to get you going, a confidence builder. The only thing you should add to the message is your name, if it is not already in your profile.
And the bonus is that you don’t need to add any new contacts to your phone like you usually do with WhatsApp.
What it is not: This is not a replacement to booking directly via a web page or via booking.com, if you want guaranteed availability and reservation instantly those remain the only way.
I also added a link to the pilgrim office to help you register the day before you arrive, in case you want to.