Stay connected while on the Camino de Santiago

Just because you have lunged yourself into a foreign country, decided to walk kilometers thru forests and small villages while possibly sleeping in monasteries like the secluded monks of the past once did doesn't mean you need to be without internet. Even though some bars and restaurants have internet available (password given upon request) I found it quite difficult to get reliable fast internet while walking the Camino de Santiago. On my travels to Spain i have found one company that provides a low cost sim card that offers a decent amount of data.

The company Orange (popular mobile service in Spain) offers a sim card package called Ballena sim (whale sim card). This sim card offers 2 GB of data for the month. The cost to activate the card is 8 euros and then 8 euros a month for data. You pay per month loading the card with the amount of money you would like. No credit card is needed. This card unfortunately is only a data card and does not provide text or minutes to call. On the flip side you are given a phone number for that sim card that allows you to receive any number of phone calls and messages for free. The card stays active for 6 months after the last month of use so you can pass it on to someone else you like and avoid them having to pay the 8 euro activation fee.

The maximum speed you will get for a cell phone is 3G in Spain and reception on the trail may be spotty, but having the ability to upload to facebook, call your friends and love ones, or send a simple message is a nice luxury. Make sure you set some time aside to get the card as it will require some paper work and showing of identification. This can take easily 30 min on top of the 30 min per person that may be in front of you at the store. If you can avoid using your phone on the trail and enjoy the experience. Buen Camino!

Update 9/1/17:  Orange now provides 4g. Price has risen slightly to 10 euros a month but so has the data to 3gb.