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🎒 CAMINO DE SANTIAGO | Full Camino Francés | Pre-Departure Checklist | caminotranquilo.net
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Take what you need. Take one thing you want. Pack none of your fears. — caminotranquilo.net
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👨‍⚕️ MEDICAL AND HEALTH
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✓TASKWHENNOTES
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☐See your doctor — get medical clearance6 months outFeet, knees, hips, lower back. Fix anything that might give trouble.
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☐See your dentist6 months outDo not risk a broken tooth on the Meseta. Ask Mark about this lesson.
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☐Sort prescriptions — full supply for entire trip3 months outUS scripts almost impossible to refill in Spain. Bring everything.
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☐Vaccinations if required3 months outCheck travel health requirements for Spain.
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☐Research Spanish pharmacies before you goBefore leavingGreen cross sign. Open daily. Pharmacists are incredibly helpful.
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✈️ TRAVEL AND DOCUMENTS
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✓TASKWHENNOTES
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☐Check passport validity NOWImmediatelyMust be valid 6+ months beyond your return date to Spain.
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☐Book flights90 days outJanuary fares cheapest. NEVER book less than 4 hour layover.
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☐Get travel insurance — World NomadsAfter booking flightsA helicopter rescue near Roncesvalles costs ~€12,000. Get covered.
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☐Book first night accommodation in SJPP3 months outSJPP fills up fast. Book early especially spring and fall.
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☐Download Train Line app and book Madrid → SJPP2 months outTrain to Pamplona then €7 bus to SJPP. Buy bus at station.
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☐Get Pilgrim Passport (Credencial)Before leavingOrder online or collect in SJPP or Roncesvalles on arrival.
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☐Notify bank of travel dates1 week beforeAvoid your card being blocked in Spain. Call them directly.
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☐Set up international data plan or eSIM1 week beforeCancel when you get home — easy to forget and keep paying.
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☐Check EU daylight savings change dates1 week beforeClocks change in March. Missing your train is not fun.
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☐Save 112 in your phone contactsBefore leavingSpain emergency number. It is NOT 911.
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☐Download Alert Cops appBefore leavingSpain police app. Honest review: works sometimes, not always.
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🎒 GEAR CHECKLIST
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✓TASKWHENNOTES
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☐Backpack — measured and fitted in a proper store2 months outBuy last. Get measured. Try the women's version if you have a bigger build.
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☐Footwear — broken in for 100+ miles before you leave3 months outBuy first. Train in them. Never wear new boots on the Camino.
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☐Merino wool or tech base layers × 22 months outRule of Two. Quick dry only. Absolutely no cotton anywhere.
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☐Rain jacket — packable and properly waterproof2 months outRain gear doesn't keep you dry. It slows how wet you get.
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☐Rain pants2 months outMore useful than most people think. Do not skip these.
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☐Merino wool hat and liner gloves2 months outEven in summer the Pyrenees crossing can be very cold.
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☐Hiking socks × 4 pairs plus liner socks2 months outLiner socks prevent blisters. Most important sock decision you make.
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☐Hiking poles2 months outBuy in Pamplona for $29 if needed. Bring rubber and metal tips.
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☐Sleep sack or quilt liner2 months outAlbergues provide blankets but always bring your own liner.
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☐USB mini fan2 months outChanged everything since 2017. Take it on every single Camino.
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☐Red LED keychain light2 months outThe $3 item that makes you the most popular person in the albergue.
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☐Earplugs and eye mask2 months outNon-negotiable. The 5am rustlers are real and completely merciless.
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☐Waterproof passport pouch2 months outPassport, cards, cash, phone. On your body at all times.
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☐Hand sanitizer2 months outMost important single health item on the entire trail.
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☐Basic first aid kit2 months outCompeed, antiseptic, paracetamol, leukotape. Nothing fancy needed.
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☐Orange laces for your bootsBefore leavingStops boot mix-ups in albergues. Sounds silly. Works every time.
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☐Rock climber chalk bagBefore leavingBest pack organiser nobody knows about. Attach to shoulder strap.
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☐Arrival bag — packed and readyBefore leavingOne bag with everything you need first at the albergue.
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☐Ziploc bags — large and smallBefore leavingEmergency bocadillo, wet gear, random stuff. Bring plenty.
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☐Toilet paper in a Ziploc in your pocketEvery single dayEvery day. Always. No exceptions whatsoever.
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📱 APPS TO DOWNLOAD
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✓TASKWHENNOTES
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☐Wise PilgrimBefore leavingBest Camino planning app available. WhatsApp albergue booking built in.
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☐Camino NinjaBefore leavingReal-time bed bug reports by albergue and date. Use it every night.
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☐ReliveBefore leavingGPS tracking. Set 3am alarm on first night to sync — best Wi-Fi time.
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☐Google MapsBefore leavingNOT Apple Maps. Albergues specifically and repeatedly warn against Apple Maps.
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☐Train LineBefore leavingEuropean rail booking. Almost always cheaper than booking direct.
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☐KayakBefore leavingFlight price alerts. Set them early — 90+ days out for best fares.
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☐Duolingo or Babbel6 months outLearn 20 key phrases. Write them down by hand as well as using the app.
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🏃 TRAINING MILESTONES
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✓TASKWHENNOTES
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☐Phase 1 — Introduction: 3-5 miles × 3 days per week6 months outSneak up on your body. Build the habit without burning yourself out.
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☐Phase 2 — Adaptation: 5-10 miles with full gear4 months outTrain in YOUR actual gear. Rain included. Time the 90-second drill.
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☐Phase 3 — Accumulation: 10-12 miles × 3 days back to back2 months outGoal: 3 days in a row with energy left at the end of day three.
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☐Train on hills — steep beats long every timeOngoingHill loops work. Treadmills absolutely do not work for Camino prep.
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☐Complete the 90-second rain gear drill2 months outPack cover and full rain gear on in under 90 seconds. Time it.
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☐See a physio for any niggles NOW3 months outDo not wait until 30 days out. Fix problems early.
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☐Final long training walk — 12+ miles2 weeks beforeConfidence builder. All gear verified and working correctly.
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📋 LAST 48 HOURS
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✓TASKWHENNOTES
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☐Passport ✓ Medications ✓ Bank cards ✓ Phone ✓Day before departureThe four things. Everything else on the Camino is replaceable.
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☐Charge all devices and power bank to fullNight beforeFull charge. Cable packed in arrival bag.
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☐Note the 3am alarm for your first albergue nightNight beforeBack up all photos when Wi-Fi is free and quiet. Trust this tip.
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☐Confirm SJPP accommodation — download offlineDay beforeNo Wi-Fi guarantee in the mountains. Have it downloaded.
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☐Let family know your route and check-in planDay beforePeace of mind for the people back home who love you.
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☐Check Spain entry requirements one final timeDay beforeJust in case anything has changed since you originally booked.
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☐Pack toilet paper in your pocket right nowMorning of departureSee above. Every day. No exceptions. You have been warned.
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