How should I do the Camino — with a tour group or on my own?

There are many group options for the Camino. I have a friend who raves about the Camino she did a couple of years ago with the group Creatio, and I have a priest friend who leads (Holy Land) pilgrimages with the reputable 206 Tours. As well, there are the detailed Dynamic Catholic-led tours. The benefits of the groups include:

➢ They will carry your gear if desired
➢ They have Daily Mass as a priest is usually with a group
➢ They make all reservations for hotels/albergues
➢ They are seasoned guides
➢ They provide some meals

The drawbacks include:

➢ They are scheduled, not flexible
➢ They are expensive (Creatio, mentioned above, is a much lower cost option compared to the bigger tour companies)

We determined we’d go on our own. We know we are a little “older” and want to go at our pace without the pressure of staying with a tour. Also, if we like a place, or want a rest day, we want the option to stay another night. On the other hand, we can have longer days of walking if desired. Further, we can explore cities, sites, restaurants, and lodgings as we like. This flexibility appealed to us.