Description
45- 1 "Camino Passport" (from the Cathedral in Santiago).
The 2022 edition of this guidebook has been a year and a half in the making, a great deal longer than the average update. What began as routine communication with albergues during the brief period of pilgrimage in the Summer of 2020 led to the usual on-the-ground investigating during the last 2 months, right up until this edition went to press in the last week of September.
Creating it was a challenge. I have done my best to communicate with every albergue, and they in turn have done their best to relay what they know about their future. At the time of printing, the changing rules and regulations have kept everyone on their toes but together we have tried to put forward the best information possible. What was certain is that nearly every albergue is planning to open in 2022, including many that didn’t in 2021.
This edition contains many changes from the last published edition, most of them a result of the changing health codes that have compelled many albergues to change the services they offer. Many have reduced the number of beds available in dormitories in favor of converting some of that space into private rooms, quite a few have closed their kitchens, and several have changed ownership altogether. Prices have risen a bit as many properties have had to reduce the number of pilgrims that they can accommodate. Some have adopted a system of donation instead. More albergues than ever allow pets, and tents. And lastly, many more albergues than ever before now accept reservations. Local laws are still evolving, and no doubt a few changes are still to come: if an albergue price goes up, or if their bed count goes down, please be kind to them… it is not their fault.
Changes to the services in towns have been less drastic. Some towns lost their only grocery, their aging owners have chosen to retire. Another not-so-small town lost its only ATM.
And the camino itself? Well, it has not changed at all. Patiently it waits. Thank you to all of the pilgrims whose support has kept this dream moving forward.
The guides now contain more practical information than ever before, including more specific information for pilgrims who are looking for albergues that offer group dinners and vegetarian options.
They include:
- A comprehensive accommodation directory. Over 900 properties, including all albergues. Hotels, paradors, casa rurales, pensions, and camp sites. For albergues you will know: how many beds (including private rooms) the albergue has and how much they cost, phone number, months (and hours) open, and whether the albergue accepts non-pilgrims or reservations. You will also know whether they have a bar/restaurant, a kitchen for your use, whether they serve a group dinner, have vegetarian options, wifi, laundry facilities, or bicycle storage.
- City by city information. Navigation tips and cautions, historical references, a list of available service (pharmacies, restaurants, atms, that kind of stuff) and dates for local fiestas.
- Large Scale Maps: Large Scale Maps with no pre-determined stages. These maps are at the start of the book and are the best reference for anyone wanting to plan ahead without having to flip through the book.
- Elevation Profile: The elevation profile sits alongside the large scale maps, giving you a better overview of the terrain ahead.
- City Maps: Lots and lots of city maps. From the small villages to the regional capitals, if there is more than one option for accommodation a map is included to help you find it. These maps are inline with the guide and also show the nearest grocery, albergue, pharmacy, atm, and other bits.
- Detours and alternative routes: The camino splits in a few places, and when it does an overview is provided to help you visualize the option ahead.
The book is created and printed in Santiago de Compostela.
Customer Reviews

A Wise Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago
I’m hiking the Camino in late April and May. Bought this guide in preparation for the trip. It’s packed with essential information on places to stay, trail maps with locations of albergues, ATM, eateries, etc. Laid out in a very easy to understand format. It’s compact and light enough that I’ll be carrying it with me on the hike. A nice touch is that it includes the Camino passport. It shipped from Europe to the US in a short amount of time. I highly recommend to first timers on the Camino.

Don’t Go Without It
There is a lot of info packed into this little guide. It may take some study and back page flipping to remember what all the icons signify, but that is no big thing. The detailed maps of the Camino and the larger towns are accompanied by informative asides, suggest and warnings. I think anyone considering a walk on the Camino Francés would want to carry this resource from a respected and “wise” walker of the the route.


The Camino Frances Guidebook
I’m doing the Camino Frances this year starting in May and this guidebook has it all. Very detailed plans and great contact information for most accommodations. Ive also downloaded the app which has links to the maps and websites of accommodations. I cant wait to get started on my first Camino. Delivered quite quickly and a nice size and weight to stick in the picket if your backpack.

Essential to have in your backpack for the Camino
I’m glad I had ordered this guide before my husband and I started the camino. The information is concise and complete. I found the maps very useful to plan the trip. I appreciated mentioning the uphills and downhills to be ready for them. The brief information about each place was useful to decide whether to stay in a small rural village or in a bigger town. The codes for the albergues and hostals was useful and so was having phone numbers (some need to be updated) as I made most of the reservations by phone. I found discrepancies on the prices listed vs the prices I was charged. In some cases the prices were only a few Euros higher but in others (e. g Zaldu in Estella) the price went up 15 Euros. It would be useful to include other hostals and albergues. For example in Barbadelo, the book included 3 places, one was closed permanently (Casa de Carmen) another didn’t have private accommodation and the third one (O Pombal) had major shortfalls (limited hot water, poor service). I’d suggest to include Casa Barbadelo located in town with full service and friendly people. It was useful to have estimated distances included in the book. However, I found 1-2 Km discrepancies with the GPS in my phone. Overall, the guide was great to have along the camino. It’s small and portable. After completing the Camino we’re excited to do another one, perhaps the Camino del Norte. I’d certainly look forward to having a similar guide along.

A great transaction
Great resource!

Better late than never
Excellent service. This is a wonderful guide to the Camino. Unfortunately, our trip was scheduled to start before this handy guide arrived! Since we plan to return, we will look forward to using it next year!!

Perfect
Perfect as usual and the best place to get up to date Camino guidebooks.

the camino frances....new book (red)
fantastic .it has a better format than the others ..highly recomend

Perfect
Will be using it in the spring of 2023

Pleased with it.
I've not been able to 'use' yet but it is nice to be able plan to return to the Camino Frances. Also I've a friend who is planning to go. So I have one for her when we next meet.

Just what I ordered
Excellent. Same as always.

Book, The Camino Frances - A wise Pilgrim Guide
Excellent! I am from Namibia and the book arrived swiftly!

Very good
Prompt delivery at a fair price

Excellent service, as always
The whole process was smooth and efficient. Thank you

Great Book, Arrived Quickly
Perfect! I would highly recommend.

Great experience!
Great transaction from the Camino Forum Store. Shipping overseas took a few extra days but I was kept up to date with emails from the shipper. I would definitely buy from Ivar and the Camino store again. Thank you Ivar for all that you do for the the Camino!

Happy to support the Camino Forum
I was so excited to see my new book … and especially my Camino Pilgrim Passport. I live it the US, and the delivery time was extremely reasonable. I am happy to support the site and Ivar, as I love watching his videos and reading the forum as I prepare for my first Camino in August of 2022.

Informative
Liked it so much that my wife wanted her own copy for our first Camino in April, 2022. We already used it to book our stays for the first five stops. We think the app will equally be useful once we are on the road.

Good book Fast overseas delivery
Read it but haven’t used it yet. But I will on the Camino in April!
Customer Reviews
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