Organized or on your own?
Are you thinking about doing the Camino de Santiago?
At Camino de Santiago Reservas we encourage you and assure you that you have made a great choice, because you are going to have a wonderful experience, we guarantee it.
Many walkers, before taking on this goal they have set for themselves—the Camino de Santiago, by any of the different routes that exist—ask themselves: Should I do it on my own (planning my route, accommodation, dates, etc.) or on an organised, scheduled trip (through an active tourism or adventure travel agency)?
That is the question, and below we outline the different advantages and disadvantages of doing it one way or the other:
Organised, Scheduled or Guided Camino de Santiago
Advantages
- The Organised Camino de Santiago is one of the options that many people are currently choosing, either because without this method they would never be able to live this great experience, or because they see it as a better option in terms of making the most of their time and the route.
- Most Active Tourism and Adventure Travel Agencies that offer these services include Accident and Travel Insurance, and in the event of any related issue you have the reassurance of being covered in case of any type of mishap, accident, theft, etc.
- Some agencies allow you to choose your travel dates, although others do not, as they have fixed departure and arrival dates.
- When it comes to accommodation, you will have, in most cases, a single room with private bathroom, where proper rest is guaranteed.
- Many services also include an escort, guide, support vehicle and direct contact with the Agency, which will attend to your needs as quickly as possible, advising you on the route, giving tips, information on the places you pass through, etc. This will save a lot of time, something that is unfortunately very scarce for many of us.
- Likewise, it is a unique and unforgettable experience, extremely enriching, and one that inspires many people to return year after year to walk different sections. Every year there are more Camino lovers who carry that star for having walked and felt the magic of the Camino.
Disadvantages
- Although you can often do the Camino according to your preferences, some tourism agencies that organise these activities set specific dates, accommodations and starting points that may not align with your own preferences.
Camino de Santiago on Your Own
Advantages
- Achieving a personal goal that will strengthen your human resilience, enthusiasm and self-esteem. Reaching a goal enriches us internally.
- You can choose your own departure date.
- You can also choose the places where you will spend the night.
- For those who enjoy organising their own trips and routes, this is the ideal choice.
Disadvantages
- As with everything in life, undertaking a long route on foot or by another means of transport on your own carries a number of risks.
- If you do not have travel or accident insurance, you run the risk of having to deal personally with any mishap.
- Along the route you may need to make phone calls, check the condition of the route, weather, etc., and you will have to manage all of this on your own.
- You will have to book your own accommodation—hostels, guesthouses, inns, hotels, rural tourism houses—with the inconvenience that there may not always be availability or the place may not meet your needs.
- Rest. Many accommodations require you to share a room with other travellers, with all the inconveniences that entails when you have completed a long stage (unwanted noise, etc.).
- Private bathroom. Likewise, many easy-to-book accommodations are busy and require you to share bathrooms and showers. This does not mean they are not in good condition, but rather that you will have to share them with others.
- You will have to carry all your luggage and personal belongings: backpack, etc. One of the greatest challenges of walking the Camino on your own is carrying your own gear on your back or in your panniers. It is a demanding effort requiring physical preparation to handle routes of 20 to 100 km, whether on foot or by bike.
- In short, it is a great adventure, which generally goes well, but comes with small risks and circumstances that require more time and personal effort.
Do you want to book your Camino de Santiago?