As we celebrate 20 years of Follow the Camino, we want to turn the spotlight away from ourselves—and shine it on the people who have truly made this journey possible. Because this business has never been built alone!
Some people come and go, and some suppliers do as well. But as we aim to create custom-made Camino de Santiago journeys for our clients and pilgrims, we have consciously built long-term relationships rooted in trust, shared values, and a deep understanding of what the Camino demands. These are partnerships shaped over years of working side by side: learning when to adapt, when to go the extra mile, and when to protect the integrity of the experience above all else. They allow us to offer consistency without rigidity, quality without guesswork, and journeys that feel personal because they are supported by people who care as much as we do.
Local Suppliers and Sustainable Camino Experiences
Working with local suppliers on the Camino de Santiago not only ensures quality and attention to detail, but also reduces the environmental impact of our trips. Every transfer, every stay, every service we book locally helps minimize unnecessary transport, supports the local economy, and creates a more authentic connection with the towns and villages pilgrims walk through. In short: caring for the people around us is also caring for the journey itself.
We choose to work with partners who share our vision of sustainability: hotels—like the one run by Víctor in Melide—that manage their resources responsibly and continually strive to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as other suppliers who actively support their communities. These relationships make every experience not only more respectful of the environment but also richer and more meaningful for the people walking with us. For us, sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s the foundation of every decision we make. We are thrilled to share this vision with so many like-minded companies!
Trusted Partners Since the Early Days
We could not have come this far without companies like Jacotrans, a family-owned luggage and backpack transfer company. Bárbara, Juanjo, Luis Ángel, and Jose Luis have walked alongside us since our very early days. We started together when the Camino was quieter, less polished, and far more unpredictable. Over the years, we’ve shared early mornings, last-minute changes, tired pilgrims, unexpected challenges… and countless solutions found through commitment and care.
That kind of long-term relationship creates something invaluable: trust. Every day, when a pilgrim hands over their backpack in the morning, they place their comfort, belongings, and peace of mind in someone else’s hands. Knowing that Jacotrans will treat every bag with the same respect we would ourselves is not something we take lightly. It’s something proven year after year.
Family Legacies Along the Way
Some of the suppliers we work with are more than long-standing partners—they are family legacies passed from one generation to the next. Businesses built with care, effort, and pride, where values are inherited alongside responsibility. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of getting to know not just companies, but families.
One of these is Transporte Monterroso. We began working with Benjamín, whose dedication and reliability set the standard from the very start. Benjamín sadly passed away this year, but his way of working lives on through Aitor, his son, who continues the journey with the same commitment and sense of responsibility. It’s a powerful reminder that on the Camino, continuity matters—experience is not lost, it is passed on.
A similar story can be found on the Portuguese Camino, where we work with Manuel, part of a family-run transport company in which his father was also deeply involved. These are the kinds of partnerships that give the Camino its depth and authenticity: people who don’t just work along the route, but belong to it. Walking alongside families like these is both a privilege and a responsibility we carry with pride.
Benjamin and Aitor (Taxi Monterroso) with Umberto and Silvia (Follow the Camino)
Accommodation Partners Pilgrims Love
The same depth of trust defines our relationships with our accommodation partners. Hotel Ferramenteiro, Pazo de Lestroce, Casa de Acrivro, Hotel Junquera…! There are so many accommodations across the different Camino routes that it is truly difficult to just highlight a few of them.
Many pilgrims have a special place in their hearts for 1930 Boutique Hotel in Arzúa. Adri and Rosana have created more than just a place to sleep—it’s a haven at a crucial point on the Camino. Thoughtful, warm, and beautifully run, it offers pilgrims a moment to slow down and feel genuinely cared for.
In Santiago de Compostela, Hotel Costa Vella, Altair and Moure is some of those rare places that manages to feel both timeless and deeply personal. This are hotels with soul, history, and a sense of calm that stays with you long after you’ve arrived at the Cathedral. We are proud to work with their owners!
We also work closely with the Pousadas de Compostela Group, whose properties combine character, comfort, and a deep sense of place. Two places we return to again and again are Hotel Virxe da Cerca, tucked beside the old town of Santiago de Compostela and just minutes from the Cathedral, and Pazo de Lestrove, a beautifully restored Galician manor overlooking the Ulla River, where pilgrims can slow down and truly exhale after days on the Camino. Both places understand the rhythm of the journey and what it means to arrive. Our pilgrims love them!
Because we know our suppliers personally—how they work, what they value, and how they respond when things don’t go according to plan—we can design Camino de Santiago itineraries with confidence. We know when it’s worth spending a little more for an experience that truly elevates the Camino, and when a smaller, local option offers more authenticity and heart. This knowledge removes guesswork, ensures consistent quality, and allows us to focus on what matters most: the experience of the people walking with us.
Follow the Camino Dinner party with providers & suppliers, 2025
Why Long-Term Supplier Relationships Matter
These long-standing relationships also help us secure excellent value for our clients across Europe—without compromising on comfort, service, or ethics. We deliberately choose partners who take sustainability seriously, care about their communities, and understand that tourism should protect the Camino, not erode it.
After 20 years, one thing is clearer than ever: meaningful journeys are built on people, shared values, and trust earned over time.
To all the suppliers who have walked this road with us for years—thank you. You are not just part of our operations. You are part of our story. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
