Accessing accommodation on the Camino

A passport or similar document and the credential duly stamped is mandatory to access municipal, religious, private accommodation on the Camino. Municipal accommodation involved Policia Local or Ayuntamiento personnel or both in some instances to gain access to albergues and sport facilities and such like (but not in Galicia).

I recall my first day from Valencia to Algemesi which was a distance 38.0-km, and maybe much more. It was late when I arrived in Algemesi; I was exhausted and went around in circles to find the albergue to be told to register with the Policia Local. My passport was photocopied, I completed an extensive document, and the police officer at the front desk all along appeared to be making criminal types of enquiries about me by telephone. That was daunting. I was escorted back to the albergue by two police officers. All the while, I was dealing with my tiredness, hunger, and dehydration. I remember that episode clearly. That incident tested my resolve, patience, commitment.