My Return to the Camino de Santiago

The Camino is calling me back! After completing a section of the Camino Frances last April (I started in Leon), I will return to the Camino to complete the Portugués Litoral route.

My plan is to start in Porto, Portugal, and walk 13 days along the coast to Santiago de Compostela.

When I returned home after completing my Camino last year, I felt like the journey was unfinished. In fact, it felt more like a whole new journey had just begun.

I can see myself returning to the Camino de Santiago again and again, to walk its many different routes. But let’s not get ahead of things. First, I must complete the next task at hand.

Related post: Thoughts after walking the Camino de Santiago 

Why am I returning to the Camino?

I’ve been asked this question a lot since announcing that I will return to the Camino de Santiago.

There are many reasons why I want to walk the Camino again. However, I think the main reason is because I really enjoy the solo adventure and freedom that the Camino provides.

In this blog post, I wrote about why I chose to walk the Camino in the first place. Many of those reasons are still valid. 

I find myself missing the yellow arrows, the sore feet and tired legs, the singing birds in the morning, the church bells, the simple conversations with strangers, and the peaceful time on the trail.

Walking the Camino introduced me to a whole new way to travel. It’s changed my perspective about what I want from my future travel experiences.  

Related post: Beginner’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago

Camino Portugués Litoral Route

Did you know that there are several different Camino routes? I’ve read there are upwards of 250+ officially recognized Camino routes.

The most popular is the Camino Frances (The French Way). This route starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France (learn more here). This is the route that I did last year (read about that here).

The second most popular route is the Camino Portugués (The Portuguese Way). This route begins in Lisbon and travels north to Porto, which is where I will start my Camino. 

I’m excited to return to Porto. It’s one of my favourite cities in Europe. Read this blog post that shares photos of Porto, Portugal.

From Porto, there are 3 different routes: Central Route (The Traditional Way), Coastal Route, and Senda Litoral (Literal Coastal Path), with an optional Spiritual Variant (Variante Espiritual). 

Many pilgrims choose to start the Porto section on the Coastal Route before walking inland to the Central Route. There are multiple paths that connect these two main routes.

My plan is to walk up the Atlantic coast on the Litoral route from Porto to Baiona. I will then walk inland to connect with the Central route at Redondela. 

Follow my Camino in real time on Facebook and Instagram.

What will I do differently this time?

Let me start by saying that there is no right or wrong way to do the Camino. That’s one of the things that makes it so attractive. 

However, there are a few things that I plan to do differently on this return to the Camino.

Different route, different country

The most obvious difference is the route that I am taking. Instead of starting in Leon, Spain, I’m starting in Porto, Portugal. 

The distance is similar (approx. 300km). But the landscapes will be very different.

And the timeline fits well with a 2 week(ish) vacation time frame.

Stay at albergues in shared dorm rooms 

I stayed at a few albergues on my last trip, but in private rooms. I’m a light sleeper and I don’t like the idea of sharing a room with strangers, for a variety of reasons. 

This time, I plan to shake things up and sleep in the shared dorm rooms. I’m not sure how it will go. I wake up easily and can get cranky when I’m tired. 

Many pilgrims I’ve spoken with often say that they love staying in the albergue dorm rooms. They say it’s an essential part of the Camino experience. I’m going to take their word and give it a try.

I will also mix in a few private hotel rooms, too. 

Book my accommodations

On my last Camino, I used a travel booking service to sort out my accommodations. I did a lot of research and it made me very indecisive about where to stay. So I asked for help.

It was the right decision for that trip. I’m glad I didn’t have to think about accommodations. It removed a distraction that was stressing me out.

However, after a few days on the trail, it became clear that I can easily find and book accommodations. 

This time, I will book my accommodations instead of using a service. I already have the first few days organized. Booking.com has many private albergues and budget hotels available, so I plan to book my accommodations one or two days in advance (or I might just wing it).

Create space for spontaneity 

Building on the point above, one of the downsides to having your entire route pre-planned with accommodations is that it removes spontaneity.

There were days when I wanted to keep going, but I had the hotel already booked. My itinerary was not flexible, which was not ideal.

This time, I only have the first few nights booked. After that, I will go with the flow. 

Carry everything in my backpack (no luggage transfer)

I took advantage of the luggage transfer on my last Camino. Each morning, I would leave my bag at the front desk when I left. Magically, it would be waiting for me when I arrived at the next destination.

It’s easy to do this luggage transfer when you know where your next hotel or albergue will be.

Because I want to create space for spontaneity, I need to have my belongings with me. Therefore, everything I bring will be carried on my back.

I plan to travel very light. See photos and video of my packing list here. 

Slow my pace. Enjoy the beach and coastal landscapes

Last time, I was heavily focused on my daily walking goals (distance and time). I got up early and walked with a good pace. It worked fine, but I often arrived at my next destination too early. 

This time, I want to slow down and take more breaks. It’s another reason why I chose to do the Portugués Litoral Route. The beaches and coastal landscapes look spectacular.

I plan to take my time and enjoy the views instead of walking really fast to my next hotel.  

Spend more time with strangers 

People walk the Camino for a variety of reasons. In many cases, it’s because they’re processing unwanted change; the loss of a loved one, a divorce or break-up, a career change or retirement, heath issues, etc.

On my last walk, I was processing a lot of change. I wanted time to be alone, to think and breathe. Because of this, I did not have many real connections with pilgrims. This was intentional. 

During this return to the Camino, I want to engage with my fellow pilgrims. I plan to open up and seek conversation, instead of spending most of my time alone (And, I’m also looking forward to the solitude!).

My general plan for the Portuguese Camino

I will spend my first night in Porto at the airport. It’s a long flight from Vancouver and I know I will be tired when I arrive. So I got a cheap hotel within steps of the airport.

The following morning, I will take the metro from the airport to the city centre. I will walk to Porto Cathedral, get my stamp, and start my Camino from there (less than 24 hours after arriving in Portugal).

Below is my general plan. This is based on walking about 20-25km per day. 

1. Downtown Porto to Labruge (Praia de Angeiras)
2. Labruge to Aguçadoura (Povoa de Varzim)
3. Aguçadoura to Marinhas (or Esposende)
4. Marinhas to Viana do Castelo
5. Viana do Castelo to Caminha (or A Guarda)
6. Caminha to Viladesuso (or Oia)
7. Viladesuso to Patos or Saiáns (Baiona or Vigo)
8. Arrive at Redondela
9. Redondela to Pontevedra
10. Pontevedra to A Armenteira (Spiritual Variant) or Caldas de Reis (Central Route)
11. Either Vilanova de Arousa (Spiritual Variant) or Padron (Central Route)
12. Arrive at Santiago de Compostela (Central Route) or somewhere after Padron (Spiritual Variant) 
13. Arrive at Santiago de Compostela (Spiritual Variant) 
14. Bus from Santiago de Compostela to Porto
15. Extra day in Port before returning home

I expect this general itinerary will change as I get deeper into the walk.

Follow my return to the Camino on Facebook and Instagram.

Read more blog posts about Camino de Santiago:

• Thoughts and reflections after walking the Camino Frances
• What to do in Santiago de Compostela after walking the Camino
• Beginners Guide and FAQ about the Camino 
• Why I started the Camino Frances in Leon, Spain
• Photos and video of my packing list for the Camino

Are you planning to walk the Camino de Santiago?

Leave a comment below if you have any questions.

My Return to the Camino: What I’m doing Different this time is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park?

When planning your Alaska Cruise itinerary, you will likely need to make a decision between visiting the Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park. After visiting both of these impressive natural treasures, we have some thoughts that we’d like to share. 

First of all, it must be noted that you can’t go wrong with either. Both are remarkable and will surely leave a lasting impression. And, both are part of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Secondly, if you are loyal to a particular cruise line, you might not have the option to choose. Depending on your departure time and departure city (ie. Seattle or Vancouver), the available cruise itineraries with your favourite cruise line might be limited to one or the other. 

We visited the Hubbard Glacier while on the Celebrity Eclipse (read about that cruise here).

And we visited Glacier Bay National Park while on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship (more on that Alaska cruise experience here).

Note – you may find select Alaska cruises that visit BOTH. This is called the ‘Double Glacier” itinerary. 

Both of our Alaska cruise experiences happened in mid-August, with Vancouver as the departure city. This is an ideal time to take an Alaska cruise because the weather is typically good. We had smooth sailing and lots of sunshine on both cruises. 

Read more Alaska blog posts here.

Hubbard Glacier

The Hubbard Glacier is famous for being North America’s largest tidewater glacier. As you can see in these photos, it’s awe-inspiring! The sightseeing boat in the above photo puts the scale of the glacier into perspective.

It’s over 120 kilometers long (75 miles), 11 km wide (7 miles) and it flows directly into Disenchantment Bay, which feeds into the North Pacific Ocean. While the vast majority of the world’s glaciers are retreating, Hubbard Glacier is currently advancing. 

The glacier originates in Canada’s Yukon Territory and flows through Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, before reaching the ocean.

The height of Hubbard Glacier is said to be 600 feet at its terminal face (350 feet exposed above the waterline and 250 feet below the waterline – source). For perspective, that is higher than the Washington Monument in Washington DC!

Because of its height, this glacier is known for its calving. This is happens when the ice breaks off the glacier and splashes into the water. It’s an incredible experience to see the glacier calving. And it’s very loud! It’s a thunderous sound that echoes across the bay.

Visiting Hubbard Glacier on a cruise ship is a “one stop” experience. Once the ship arrives at the glacier, it will slowly spin 360 degrees for a couple hours. This allows every stateroom balcony and observation deck to get a panoramic view of the glacier.

We had plenty of time to view the glacier from observation decks as well as our stateroom balcony. 

Risks of visiting Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard Glacier is prone to ‘ice choking’. If there is too much floating ice in Yakutat Bay and Disenchantment Bay, captains may deem it unsafe to approach, forcing the ship to view it from a great distance or skip it entirely.

The risk of being unable to visit the glacier is highest in the early season (May and early June) and the late season (September).

Because Hubbard is an advancing glacier, it calves frequently. The large icebergs from the calving can sometimes rise from below the waterline unexpectedly, which presents a risk. Consequently, cruise ships must maintain a safe distance, sometimes preventing the up-close experience that passengers expect.

Visibility is another risk. Alaska’s weather is predictably unpredictable. Rain and dense fog may impact your ability to see the glacier. And, it some cases, may prevent ships from entering the bay. 

While Glacier Bay National Park offers views of multiple glaciers (making it highly likely you will see at least one), Hubbard is a single massive glacier. If weather or ice prevents access to this one spot, there are often no “backup” glaciers on that specific part of the Alaska cruise itinerary.

Watch our Alaska Cruise video about the Celebrity Eclipse here.  

The cruise ship spins around so that every guest has an unobstructed view of the glacier. No need to crowd in one spot to get “the shot”. 

We witnessed multiple ice calving events during out time at the glacier. It’s an incredible experience.

Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay isn’t just one glacier; it’s home to several glaciers spread over hundreds of kilometers of stunning landscapes. 

Most Alaska cruises will spend about 8 to 10 hours navigating the fjords and inlets. The park has several tidewater glaciers, including Margerie Glacier (pictured above), Lamplugh Glacier, Reid Glacier and Johns Hopkins Glacier (picture below). 

Cruise ships will enter Glacier Bay via Icy Strait and sail north through the fjord before turning around and backtracking to the entry point. Ships do NOT dock in Glacier Bay.  

This stunning Alaska region is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage under Kluane/Wrangell-St. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek.

National Park Rangers will board your cruise ship during your time cruising through Glacier Bay National Park. Live narration is delivered over the ship’s PA system, so you’ll enjoy some commentary as you soak up the incredible scenery. 

There’s a very good chance that you will see lots of wildlife, including whales, porpoises, sea otters, harbor seals, bears and eagles. This is a protected ecosystem, so wildlife is abundant. We spotted hundreds of sea otters on the return trip from Margerie Glacier. 

Related post – Visiting Skagway on an Alaska Cruise

Limitations for Glacier Bay National Park

For the 2026 Alaska cruise season, only two cruise ships are allowed into Glacier Bay National Park per day. Most of these slots are reserved for ‘historical operators’.

The cruise lines with the most frequent access and permits for 2026 are Holland America Line (HAL), Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). 

Holland America Line holds more Glacier Bay permits than any other cruise line. Princess Cruises shares the historical operator status with Holland America, together receiving roughly half of the total summer use days.

Cruises that visit both Hubbard and Glacier Bay

If you want to experience both without choosing, several lines offer ‘double glacier’ routes in 2026. 

Many of these itineraries are one way. Northbound itineraries typically depart from Vancouver or Seattle and conclude in Whittier, Alaska (closest cruise ship port to Anchorage, Alaska). Southbound itineraries depart from Whittier and conclude in Vancouver or Seattle.

Some longer itineraries (10-14 days) include both Hubbard and Glacier Bay, but these are less frequent and may not have availability during your desired departure dates.

Cunard Line has fewer total permits than Holland America and Princess, but it offers multiple sailings that feature both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. However, 2026 is expected to be Cunard’s final season in Alaska. 

We sailed with Holland America on it’s beautiful Koningsdam ship.

We did the 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage cruise. It departs from Vancouver, sails up the Inside Passage, stops in Juneau and Skagway before sailing through Glacier Bay. It then stops in Ketchikan before returning back to Vancouver via the Inside Passage.

Learn more about this Alaska cruise itinerary here. 

Which is better – Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay?

Back to the original question for this blog post – what Alaska cruise is better?

The answer, however, is not that simple. There are several factors to consider, including preferred cruise line, itinerary, departure dates, etc.

We enjoyed visiting both and lucked out with clear skies and calm water on both cruises.

The size of Hubbard Glacier is mind-blowing. It’s such a magnificent glacier. Witnessing the thunderous ice calving is an unforgettable experience. If you want to see the biggest and most impressive glacier in Alaska, this is the one.

However, the totality of the Glacier Bay National Park experience might give it a slight edge. In our opinion, based on our personal experience.

Margerie Glacier is remarkable and, in some way, comparable to Hubbard (but on a smaller scale). Witnessing several glaciers in one day is an amazing experience. And the scenery in Glacier Bay is spectacular.

Another thing to note is that Glacier Bay is generally more reliable (visibility and ice conditions) and ships can get closer to Margerie Glacier than Hubbard Glacier.

Related posts about Alaska cruise ship travel

• Food and Dining on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam cruise ship
• Take a peak inside the Koningsdam Alaska Cruise ship
• Visiting Skagway on an Alaska Cruise
• Watch our video about the Celebrity Eclipse here.  
• Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska – is it worth visiting?

Are you considering an Alaska Cruise?

Leave us a comment below if you have questions about Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park.

Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay – What Alaska Cruise is Better? is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish

When I first learned about the plan to build the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, I was skeptical. As residents of North Vancouver, we often drive the Sea to Sky Highway enroute to Whistler. 

Back then, I viewed Squamish as the half-way point to Whistler. Not a stand alone destination. I did not see the vision for this new outdoor attraction. 

At the time, Whistler had just built the Peak to Peak Gondola, connecting Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain. Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics a few years prior and it was still buzzing from the global event.

I questioned whether this new Squamish gondola could compete with Whistler. 

We first visited the Sea to Sky Gondola in May 2015 as a day trip from Vancouver. Our boys were 4 and 2 years old at the time. We returned a few years later during the winter holiday season, which is a completely different experience. 

On this most recent visit, we decided to spend the weekend in Squamish. It had been a while since we did an overnight trip to Squamish, so it felt like a good time to revisit.

Related – 22 Awesome Things to do Along the Sea to Sky Highway

Should you visit the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish?

Let’s revisit the title of this blog post. Should you visit the Sea to Sky Gondola?

The short answer is Yes. It’s a unique year-round attraction that caters to all travel styles. 

If you’re a resident of the Lower Mainland, you should absolutely visit the Sea to Sky Gondola. There are plenty of things to do, regardless of the season. I’m confident that you won’t be disappointed. Unless, of course, it pours rain and/or it’s crazy busy during your visit (both could happen, so be prepared to pivot). 

That said, if you’re a first time visitor to the Vancouver area, and you’re limited on time, I might give you a different answer. 

Ultimately, this question is about value for your time and money.

If you have to choose between the Squamish Gondola, Whistler Gondola or Grouse Mountain tram, I’d recommend the Whistler option because there are more things to do in Whistler. 

However, if you are limited on time and you are staying in Vancouver, than Grouse Mountain might be a better option. And, if you do not have a vehicle, you can take public transit to Grouse Mountain or join an organized tour.

That said, if you do have a vehicle and you have the time, we would recommend a day trip to Squamish and a visit to the Sea to Sky Gondola.

Watch – Take a virtual trip up the gondola in 30 seconds

Things to do at Sea to Sky Gondola

There’s much more to this popular Squamish tourist attraction then pretty mountain landscapes. Although, the pretty landscapes are certainly worth seeing for yourself. Over the years, the Sea to Sky Gondola has expanded it’s offerings and attractions.  

• Walk across the bouncy Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge (photo above)
• Panoramic views of Howe Sound from the Viewing Platforms (photo below)
• Take a hike. There are several trails from the summit lodge, from easy paths to backcountry alpine trails. Here’s the list of hiking trails.
• Patio dining with spectacular views at Sky Pilot Eatery. 
• Live music, concerts and holiday festivities. Search for calendar of events here.
• Snowshoeing, tubing and ski touring in the winter.
• Squamish Via Ferrata tours. More info here.

Watch – Amazing views from Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge

Beautiful landscapes from the Chief Overlook Viewing Platform. 

How long is the gondola ride sea to sky?

The gondola ride is approximately 10 minutes from our base to the summit.

How many people fit in Sea to Sky Gondola?

Each gondola cabin has a capacity of 8 passengers. If you’re lucky, you might get the cabin all to yourself.

On a busy weekend in the summer, guests are asked to fill each cabin. There are often long lines in the summer months, so don’t expect to have the gondola all to yourself.

The Sea to Sky Gondola is wheelchair and stroller friendly.

How high does the Sea to Sky Gondola take you?

The elevation gain is 885 meters.  This is 200 meters higher than the crest of the  Stawamus Chief. 

More details about the numbers here. 

This is the money shot from the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola.

To get a similar photo, walk across the suspension bridge and turn right. Follow the trail to the Sky Pilot Lookout.

Our boy walking across the dizzying Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. Look at those mountain landscapes! 

Sea To Sky Gondola Map

Above is the Sea To Sky Gondola Trail Map (photo credit to Sea to Sky Gondola). As you can see, there is a lot to do once you reach the Sea to Sky Summit, including the suspension bridge, viewpoint platforms, and several walking and hiking trails. 

Wonderland Lake Loop is a popular beginner trail that takes about 30-45 minutes. It’s a nice nature trail through the coastal forest. It offers several viewpoints along the trail with great views of the Summit Lodge, Sky Pilot and Co-Pilot Mountains.

You can also hike up (or down) to the summit via the Sea to Summit trail.

Entrance to Panorama Trail. The prize at the end of this trail is the Chief Overlook Viewing Platform.

It takes between 30-60 minutes. This beginner trail is flat and well marked. It’s mostly gravel. 

Snowy peaks and coastal forest views from the Spirit Trail. This trail is considered easy and is family friendly. 

Best view of Squamish and Howe Sound from the viewing platform.

Watch short video here.

Brave guests completing the Via Ferrata course on the Sea to Sky Summit.

Stay on the trail! There are some cliff areas to mindful of. 

Top of the Stawamus Chief with views of Squamish in the distance.

Family picnic area with playground at the top of the gondola.

The kid’s play area has a slackline to practice your balance. 

If hiking is not your thing, pull up a chair at Summit Lodge and enjoy the patio with stunning mountain landscapes. This is arguably the best lunch spot in Squamish. 

Sea To Sky Gondola Restaurants: Where To Eat

• Sky Pilot Eatery – main restaurant (pictured above) with outdoor and indoor seating. 
• Edge Bar – serving craft beer from every local brewery in Squamish.
• Co-Pilot Cafe – located inside the Summit Lodge, serving fresh coffee, snacks and to-go items.
• Backyard Bites – located in the Backyard Plaza (see photo below), serving fancy poutine and quick bites.

Backyard Plaza at Sea to Sky Summit

Order your food at the red awning (photo above) and grab one of the picnic tables.

There’s a kid’s playground here, too, so you can let the little ones run wild while you enjoy lunch surrounded by coastal forest. 

If you’re lucky, you can eat your lunch inside a gondola with a table (see above). There’s only a few of these gondolas available, so if you happen to see one empty, grab it!

Outdoor seating area at Backyard Plaza. This is a nice place to enjoy a packed picnic lunch.

How to get to Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish

The Sea to Sky Gondola is located along the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99). It’s only 2 kilometers south of Squamish city centre. 

Address: 36800 Highway 99, Squamish, British Columbia

From Vancouver, it’s a 45 minute drive.

Is there parking at Sea To Sky Gondola?

Yes, there is a parking lot at the base of the gondola. To access the main parking lot, you will need to be driving north on the Sea to Sky Highway. The parking lot turnoff is just after Shannon Falls Provincial Park. 

If you’re driving from Whistler south to Squamish, you will need to drive past the Sea to Sky Gondola and turn around at the lights at Darrell Bay/Shannon Falls. You cannot take a left turn from the highway to the parking lot.

Parking is free. However, the parking lot fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Arrive early. 

Where to Stay in Squamish

During our trip to Squamish, we stated at the Sandman Hotel. It’s located off the Sea to Sky Highway, near the Walmart. It’s a fairly new property with good sized rooms. We had two double beds plus a pull-out couch, which is ideal for our family of four. 

Check Sandman Hotel room rates and availability here.

Other family friendly hotels in Squamish are Executive Suites Hotel & Resort and/or Mountain Retreat Hotel.

There are also several Squamish vacation rentals to choose from, including rustic cabins and high-end condos on the waterfront. Check VRBO for availability. 

Read more blog posts about travel in British Columbia:

• Top attractions along the Sea to Sky Highway
• 20 Awesome Things to do in Victoria
• Best Things to do in Whistler this Summer
• Things to do at Harrison Hot Springs with kids
• Best Road Trip from Vancouver for first time visitors

Have you visited the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish?

If not, do you plan to visit in the future? Leave us a comment if you have questions.

Is the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish worth visiting? is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Should you rent a car in Norway?

Are you planning a trip to Norway and questioning whether it’s a good idea to rent a car in Norway? If so, read this post to learn about our experience driving in Norway for the first time. We learned a few things that you might find helpful.

Norway is such a big and beautiful country. However, to get the full Norway experience, you have to get out of the big cities and visit the Norwegian countryside. To do this, it’s best to rental a vehicle. 

Norway’s public transportation system is limited once you get outside the cities. The train system in Norway is good for connecting from one city to another, but not for visiting smaller towns and villages. Bus transportation is available, but also limited. You can join an organized tour, but it’s probably more cost effective (and fun) to rent a car, especially if you’re traveling with family or friends.  

Because of this, we believe renting a car is the best way to see Norway. 

If you’re curious, this is our 12 day Norway road trip itinerary. The road trip starts and finishes in Oslo.

However, you can shrink the itinerary by flying back to Oslo or Bergen, or where ever you start your Norway road trip.  

We visited Norway with our two boys (family of four). Therefore, it’s not cost effective to purchase four flights and/or train tickets. While it may be faster to fly or take a train, we enjoy road trips. It’s a great way to explore at your own pace. 

In this post, we share travel tips for driving in Norway as a tourist. 

How much does it cost to rent a car in Norway?

Fuel is expensive in Norway. Consider this when selecting your vehicle. What distance will you travel? If you’re covering a lot of ground, consider getting the unlimited mileage option. 

There are plenty of hybrid and electric car rentals in Norway. The charging infrastructure in Norway is arguably the best in the world. Most fuel stations have several electric car charging stations available. I would not be surprised if Norway has more electric charging stations than traditional gas pumps. 

We were given a Ford Kuga Hybrid (pictured above). It’s decent on fuel and fits our family perfectly.

Here’s a breakdown of our vehicle expenses for 10 days:

• Car Rental – 5,131 NOK ($665.00 CAD)
• Additional Driver fee – 400 NOK ($52.00 CAD)
• Road tax admin fee – 200 NOK ($26.00 CAD)
• Toll Road Fees – 850 NOK ($110.00 CAD)
• Gas – 270.00 CAD

Looking to rent a vehicle in Europe?

Check out Auto Europe to search for rates and availability from the top car rental companies in Europe. We also like to use Discover Car to search for deals on car rentals. It gives us a baseline on pricing, based on the type of vehicle. 

We rented from Hertz with pick-up and drop-off in Oslo city center. It’s one of the cheapest car rental options for Norway. 

What side of the road do they drive on in Norway? 

Before we get started, let’s first address the most common question.

Norway drives on the RIGHT side of the road.

And, if you are wondering what side the steering wheel is on, it’s on the left side.

Driving in Norway as a tourist

You do not need an international license to drive a rental car in Norway. More info here.

You can use a valid drivers license from your home country, as long as you’ve had your license for at least one year. The license must have a picture and be written in Roman Alphabet.

Norway car rentals have an age requirement. Typically 19 years old, but sometimes 21 years old. It’s best to check with the car rental company if you fall in this age category. Sometimes, if you are under 25 years old, the car rental company may include an additional young driver charge.

If you have multiple drivers, expect to pay an additional fee per driver. 

You will need a credit card to rent a car in Norway. 

Quick Tips for Driving in Norway

• Trams always have the right of way. You pass trams on the right. 
• Pedestrians have the right of way at marked crossings.
• Speed limit signs are in kilometres per hour – NOT miles per hour.
• Unless otherwise marked, the speed limit is 50 km/r in developed areas (cities) and 80 km/h in rural areas.
• Drivers and cyclists share the road. Both must abide by the same traffic rules.
• There is no right-turn-on-red in Norway.
• Do not drive in taxi and/or bus lanes.

Related post – Our Norway road trip itinerary with drive times 

Should you pick-up & drop-off at same location?

The answer to this question will significantly impact your road trip itinerary. If you are limited on time (7 days or less), you might consider going in one direction. By not backtracking to your departure city, you will save time.

However, it’s typically more expensive to drop-off the rental car at a different location. Even if you’re in the same city. For example – it’s more expensive to pick-up from the airport and drop-off in the city centre. Rental companies prefer to have vehicles returned to the same location. 

We found it cheaper to pick up the vehicle in Oslo city centre, instead of the Oslo airport car rental locations. That said, we did find more vehicle options at the Oslo Airport car rental companies. 

We planned to spend a few days in Oslo before starting the road trip. It did not make sense to pick up the car at the airport and pay for extra days and parking because we did not need the car in the city. Most hotels charge $30+ CAD per night for parking.

Choose your pick-up time wisely!

Pay attention to this one, because it almost ruined our Norway road trip.

When you choose your pick-up time for the vehicle, you must arrive at that exact time. If you’re late, they *may* give your car to someone else. Even if you have a reservation. And even if you paid a deposit or paid in full. At least, that’s what the Hertz representative told us.  

We’ve rented dozens of cars, in several countries, and have never come across this before. The Hertz representative said this is a common practice in Norway.

Now, this may not be ALL car rental companies in Oslo. But this is how Hertz operates. I would hope the Oslo Airport rental car companies are more flexible, given that travellers cannot control arrival times of flights. It’s best to confirm before making your  reservation. 

Here’s what happened to us. 

We chose 9:00 AM pick-up time. The plan is to depart Oslo at 11:00 AM. Our thought process is that if we select an earlier time, we ensure the vehicle is ready for us when we arrive.  

We had an early start to the morning, so we decided to pick-up the car before checking out of our Oslo hotel. The original plan was to pick-up the vehicle after checking out of the hotel. 

We arrived at Hertz at 9:45 AM. After providing our name, the representative says, “You’re late!”

It took us a moment to process her comment. How can we be late to pick-up a rental car? 

It was 45 minutes after the time we chose to pick-up the car. She went on to say, “it’s like if you have a dentist appointment. If you don’t make the appointment time, we give it to someone else”. I still struggle with this analogy. 

We’ve never come across this before. I had no idea that the time you select is a firm time. We reviewed the original reservation and it does not mention this strict rule. Nor did we receive any communication about this from Hertz prior to our arrival. 

Fortunately, we arrived earlier than our original plan of 11:00 AM. Otherwise, we might have lost the vehicle. This would have had a terrible ripple effect on our hotel reservations. 

Keep this in mind when you rent a car in Norway!

A few tips for when you rent a car in Norway:

• Select a pick-up time that you are confident you can make. Don’t be late.
• If you are running late, or your flight is delayed, make sure you call the car rental company. Let them know you’re late, but still coming, so they don’t give your vehicle to someone else.
• When dropping off the vehicle, choose the latest option available. You can always drop-off the car early. But if you’re late, you will incur a hefty late fee. Or, you may even be charged an extra full day as penalty. 
• Pick-up and drop-off at the same location, if possible. It will be much cheaper. Sometimes, the additional fee for the “one way option” is double the price of the full rental cost. 
• There are limited fuel stations in Oslo city center. Fill up the tank before you enter the city. 
• Does your credit card provide vehicle insurance? If so, pay for the vehicle with that credit card. It’s a good practice to read the fine print and/or speak with someone to understand your coverage and the rules. Do this BEFORE you arrive in Norway.

Related – The perfect Norway road trip itinerary for first time visitors

Norway speed limits and tickets

Norway is strict when it comes to speed limits. It has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to speeding. Driving over the speed limit, even by a little, could cost you an expensive speeding ticket. We’ve read that it can be as high as $3,000 or 10% of your annual income!

Speed limits in Norway are low in comparison to other parts of the world. In general, we found the speed limit in cities and towns to be 40 km/h. Highway speed limits are between 60 km/h and 80 km/h. 

We’re used to 90 km/h to 110 km/h for highways in Canada. It was a big adjustment for us. We found it challenging to drive 70 km/h on an open highway. It felt very slow.

Generally, we found that Norwegians follow the rules and speed limits. 

There are lots of speed cameras in Norway

Norway monitors your speed with cameras. We passed many of these cameras on our road trip.

Road signs warn drivers about an upcoming camera. It’s not a sneaky system that tries to catch people in a speed trap.  

Basically, the cameras take a photo of your car at the first measure point. A second camera takes a photo at the next measure point. The system then calculates your speed.

Looking to rent a car in Norway?

Check out Auto Europe to search for rates and availability from the top car rental companies. 

Some roads are VERY narrow. Slow down.

Some roads are so narrow that they do not fit two passing vehicles. The expectation is that you pull over and let the oncoming vehicle pass. It can be very sketchy. 

Some roads give little or no warning about the upcoming narrow sections. Even on some highways where the speed limit is 80 km/h. We had a close encounter with a much bigger truck. Often times you have to reverse to create a passing lane.  

Most of these windy single lane roads are in small villages in the mountains fjords. See photo above as an example.

The best tip we can give you is to drive slow. Follow the speed limits and pull over when oncoming traffic is getting too close for comfort. 

Related post – Things to do in Stockholm this summer

Norway road tolls for highways and ferries

All foreign and domestic vehicles must pay road tolls in Norway. 

When you rent a car in Norway, most vehicles will come with the AutoPASS. It’s best to confirm this when you pick up your vehicle. The AutoPASS will automatically track the tolls, so you don’t have to worry about paying for the Norway highway tolls until after you return the vehicle. 

If you’re driving a personal vehicle from another country, you will need to register the vehicle and get an AutoPASS – more info here.

On our Norway road trip, we paid 900 NOK (approximately $120 CAD or $91 USD) in road tolls. Most of the tolls were on the first invoice we received. However, a few more charges showed up about a week later.  

Many of the highways in Norway turn into ferry crossings.

Some highways literally end at a small ferry terminal. Similar to the highway tolls, you don’t need to pay for the ferry when you have the AutoPASS. The ferry cost is automatically charged to your account. 

We drove the E39 highway from Bergen to Forde, which includes a ferry crossing from Oppedal to Lavik. We just missed the ferry, so we had to park and wait for the next one. There was nobody there to guide us, so we had to guess what lane to use. 

We noticed big trucks parking in lane 1, so we went with lane 2. This small terminal has about 8 parking lanes. 

Related – Should you take the DFDS Ferry from Oslo To Copenhagen?

There are lots of tunnels in Norway

Norway is known for it’s remarkable tunnel infrastructure. Lærdalstunnelen, pictured above, is the longest road tunnel in the world at 24.5 km. Because the tunnel is so long, it has several sections with blue lights and room to pull over. This is designed to keep drivers alert by adding new visuals. 

When driving in the fjords, many of the roads will tunnel through the mountains instead of going over the mountain pass. It’s an impressive, and expensive, highway network. 

Before you enter each tunnel, there is a sign that shows the length of the tunnel. 

How is it to drive in Norway?

Driving in Norway is easy. Highways are in good condition. Roads are nicely paved and clearly marked. Most road signs have both Norwegian and English language.

Driving on the right side of the road is similar to North America, making it an easy transition. We found driving in Ireland to be much more challenging because the UK drives on the left side of the road. 

Our vehicle has a navigation system, which makes driving in Norway easy. We switched the language to English. It has a very accurate speed limit notification, so when the speed limits change (even if the signs are not visible) the dashboard is updated.

Related post: Hike to Briksdalsbreen in Jostedalsbreen National Park

Is it easy to find parking in Norway?

In most of the small towns and villages in Norway we did not pay for parking. However, in the bigger cities, like Oslo and Bergen, pay parking is required.

We had to pay for parking at our hotel in Bergen. It was approx. $30 CAD per night. 

When parking inside a parkade, you often pay when you leave. A camera takes a picture of your license when you enter. When you depart, you enter your license and the reader will tell you how much you owe. We like this option because it removes the guesswork about how much time you need. And, if you take longer, you don’t need to return to top up your time. 

You can pay for parking using the APCOA Parking app. However, we did not use this app because most of the time we had free parking. We also did not use a Norway SIM card on this trip (only wifi when available), you need cellular access to use the app.

Read next – 12 days in Norway. A perfect road trip itinerary.

A quirky travel tip for families

Parents be warned! Many radio stations that play Top 40 music do not censor bad language. We did not realize how many swear words are in popular songs because in Canada this language is blocked or edited.

If you’re traveling with young kids, and you plan to use the radio, consider yourself warned! 

Do you plan to rent a car in Norway? 

Leave us a comment below if you have questions. We’ll do our best to answer. 

Read next – The remarkable Borgund Stave Church in Norway

Should you rent a car in Norway? Tips for driving in Norway is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

It does not take long to find the rhythm of the Camino. The days (and weeks) before you arrive at Santiago de Compostela can feel long and exhausting, yet time goes by surprisingly fast.

You don’t really have to think about what to do each day when you’re on the Camino. Just follow the yellow arrows, one step at time. 

However, after you finally arrive at the iconic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, you’re left wondering – what do I do now? 

In this blog post, we share a few thoughts about what to do in Santiago de Compostela after walking the Camino. 

This is a long post with lots of photos of the Old Town. Keep scrolling for ideas about things to do in Santiago de Compostela!

Find more Camino de Santigao content on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

Plaza del Obradoiro

The first thing you will do when you arrive in Santiago de Compostela is take a seat in Plaza del Obradoiro (pictured above). It’s a powerful moment when you first step into this historic square and witness the towering cathedral for the first time. 

Most pilgrims will simply drop their backpacks and sit on the stone floor in the centre of the square.

Walking the Camino is a huge achievement, so it might take time to process what just happened. Don’t rush the experience. Take a moment to reflect on your journey. 

This is also the perfect people-watching location. You will witness dozens, if not hundreds, of pilgrims arrive at the square. Each person has their own reason for walking the Camino and it’s often an emotional experience when they arrive in Santiago. 

Related: Thoughts after walking the Camino de Santiago 

Above: Pazo de Raxoi, located in Plaza del Obradoiro, faces the twin spires of the Cathedral.

Get your Compostela

After taking your obligatory selfies in front of the cathedral, it’s time to get your Compostela. This is the official certificate of completion for the Camino de Santiago. 

You get your Compostela certificate at the Pilgrim’s Reception Office (Oficina del Peregrino), located at Rúa das Carretas, 33.

It’s a short walk from the Cathedral to the office. When facing the Cathedral, go left and down the stairs; then turn right. If you don’t have access to Google maps, just ask fellow pilgrims to point you in the right direction. 

It’s recommended to register your details online before arriving at the office (here’s the link). You will receive a QR code. Present this upon arrival and join the queue. 

You must present your stamped credentials from your Camino at the office (in person).

The office is open daily, generally from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.

The Pilgrims office is on this pedestrian road (above photo).

The Pilgrim’s Mass

One of the first things you’ll want to do after completing the Camino is attend the Pilgrim’s Mass. 

This daily mass is held inside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Even if you’re not religious, this mass is an powerful conclusion to the Camino experience. The mass celebrates and welcomes those who have just completed the Camino.

A highlight of this particular mass is the swinging of the Botafumeiro, a famous silver-plated brass censer (thurible). You can see it hanging in front of the alter in the photo above. 

At the time of my visit (May 2025), there are four daily times for the Pilgrim’s Mass: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 12:00 PM (noon) and 7:00 PM.

I’ve read that the Botafumeiro is only used at the 12:00 PM mass, although I cannot confirm this. I attended the 12:00 PM mass, which is why I have photos and video of the swinging Botafumeiro (below). 

Note – backpacks are not allowed inside the Cathedral during mass. It’s best to leave your backpack at your accommodations, if possible. If not, there are retail stores near the cathedral that will hold your bag. 

The tomb of St. James (Santiago)

The tomb of St. James is located in a subterranean crypt beneath the main altar of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. The ornate alter is pictured above.

After attending Pilgrim’s Mass, visitors can walk under the alter to view the tomb (photo below).

To view the tomb, you line up to the left of the alter. The line will be long after the mass, but it moves quickly. You walk down a few stairs before viewing the tomb.

The path continues to the back of the main alter where you will see a huge statue of St. James. There is a tradition for pilgrims to hug this statue (Hug of the Apostle) as a sign of completing their Camino journey.

Entrance to the Cathedral

The above photo shows the lineup outside the Cathedral for the 12:00 PM Pilgrim’s Mass. It’s a long line but it moves quickly. I waited about 15 minutes.

Get there early if you want a seat. There was only standing room by the time I arrived.

The entrance to the cathedral is NOT in the main square (Plaza del Obradoiro). It’s actually on the south side of the cathedral. 

The doors at the front of the cathedral (facing the square) are for the museum entrance, which is separate from the church. I made the mistake of trying to enter here. 

Indulge yourself with tasty Pinchos

After weeks of walking you must be hungry, right?

Well, you’re in luck! Because Santiago has several fantastic restaurants to choose from. 

Pinchos are small, skewered snacks popular in Northern Spain (Basque Country). Most pinchos restaurants serve a variety of finger foods that you either grab from the counter or point to the items and a server will plate for you. 

I visited Antollos Pinchos y Vinos and A Taberna do Bispo during my 2 days in Santiago. 

Antollos, pictured above and below, has different skewers that represent different prices, ranging from €1 to €3 per piece. At the end of your meal, you are charged based on the number of skewers you have. 

Watch this Reel to find out how much weight I lost on the Camino.

El Papatorio Tapas & Brasas

On my second night in Santiago de Compostela, I found this upscale tapas bar and restaurant.

I felt a little out of place with my Camino clothing, but the food looked too good to pass. So I wiggled my way to a tight spot at the bar and ordered some pinchos and red wine.

The food and atmosphere here is fantastic. It was exactly what I was hoping for. 

In the back of the restaurant are tables where guests have a more formal sit-down meal (vs the tapas at the bar, which is more social with people standing while they drink and snack).

Above is my first round of pinchos El Papatorio. I may have had multiple rounds of pinchos that evening. 

Notice the cuts of beef under the glass countertop. Guests can choose their cut of meat and/or seafood and it’s grilled in the open kitchen, pictured below.

Pulpo a la Gallega – a Galician specialty

If you did not have a chance to try Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician-style octopus) while on the Camino, now is your chance! Santiago de Compostela has several restaurants that serve this famous dish. 

I don’t remember the name of the restaurant pictured here, but it’s located on Rua do Franco. Look for the giant octopus on the counter-top (photo above).

After weeks of eating pilgrim’s meals on the Camino, it’s time to treat yourself.

Santiago has so many wonderful restaurants to choose from. Indulge yourself, you’ve earned it!

Live music by Tuna de Derecho de Santiago

The Tuna de Derecho de Santiago de Compostela is a centuries-old university musical group that are famous for their nightly performances in the historic Plaza del Obradoiro.

I was unaware of this nightly performance and actually stumbled upon it after an evening of tapas and wine. I heard music and clapping in the distance, so I followed my ears. And I’m glad I did because it was a joyous experience after completing the Camino.

You can usually find them around 10:00 PM under the arches of the City Hall in Plaza del Obradoiro. In the photo below you will see a cluster of people – that’s where you will find them.

Watch the live performance from Santiago on our Facebook page.

Explore the city at night

Santiago de Compostela takes on a different persona at night. The bars and restaurants come alive with music, laughter and clinking glasses. Many of the people celebrating in the Old Town are tourists and visitors. 

However, when you step away from the entertainment areas and wander the quiet, dark streets at night, you can feel its medieval history.

The Old Town has a haunting atmosphere, especially when shadows are cast from the moonlight. It’s a little spooky when walking solo down the narrow streets.  

Museum of Pilgrimage and Santiago

Located beside the Cathedral, the Museo das Peregrinacions e de Santiago (Museum of Pilgrimage and Santiago) is worth a visit. You only need 30-60 minutes here.

It’s a state-owned cultural institution that is dedicated to the history of the Camino de Santiago. The museum is spread across several floors, each focusing on a different aspect of the pilgrimage.

It’s FREE to enter, so this tourist attraction is as budget friendly as it gets.

Hours of Operation vary depending on the time of year. Generally, it’s open from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM. It’s closed on Mondays and holidays.

Santiago Cathedral Museum

The Santiago Cathedral Museum (Museo da Catedral) exceeded my expectations.

Initially, I was going to skip this museum. I thought that by visiting the Cathedral and the Pilgrimage Museum mentioned above, there wasn’t a need to also visit this museum. I was wrong. This museum is great and certainly worth a visit. 

The museum is spread over several floors and has a variety of exhibits. See photos below.

The main entrance is located in Praza do Obradoiro, to the right side of the cathedral’s main façade.

General admission is €9 to €23 – depending on whether you visit the Pórtico de la Gloria or rooftops.

There is a discount for Pilgrims. Bring your Camino passport or Compostela as proof. 

The cloister of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (above) is one of the largest and most significant Renaissance cloisters in Spain.

Outdoor views from Santiago Cathedral Museum

Guests of the museum can step outside for incredible views of the plaza and red-roofed city.

Visitors can join the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Rooftop Tour, also known as ‘Cathedral’s Decks and Carraca’s Tower’ tour.

There’s a fee for this tour. More info here. 

It’s recommended to book tickets online in advance because it sells out. I was unable to take this tour because it was sold out during my time in Santiago de Compostela.

Museo Diocesano – San Martiño Pinario

The Museo Diocesano of San Martiño Pinario is a religious art museum and church located across the street from the main Cathedral. You will pass this monastery (on your right) as you walk the Camino Frances route to the main plaza.

The museum is located inside the Monastery of San Martiño Pinario, which is said to be the second-largest monastic complex in Spain. 

General admission is €5 per person. Discount is given to pilgrims. More info here.

Igrexa de San Martiño Pinario

When you purchase your ticket to the Santiago Cathedral Museum, you also get free entry to Igrexa de San Martiño Pinario (located inside Monasterio de San Martín Pinario).

The entrance to the church (pictured above) is at the back of the monastery.

It doesn’t look that big from the outside. However, it’s quite impressive on the inside. See photos below.

Palace of Fonseca

Located in the heart of the historic center, this 16th-century building is considered the original nucleus of the University of Santiago de Compostela.

The entrance is within steps of the main square, so this is a convenient attraction to visit. You can actually see the spires of the cathedral in the backdrop. 

It’s FREE to enter the palace and courtyard. 

Hours of Operation are Tuesday to Saturday (11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM). Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Saint Francis Church

Another interesting church in the historic centre of Santiago de Compostela is the Church and Convent of San Francisco (Saint Francis Church). More info here.

It’s located north of the main cathedral and Plaza del Obradoiro, about a 10 minute walk. 

This pedestrian road (above) connects Saint Francis church to the main cathedral and plaza. 

Miradoiro da Catedral – Alameda Park 

Alameda Park is a large public green space located just outside the Old Town centre. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the main plaza to the park.

Miradoiro da Catedral is the lookout point pictured above and below. If you’re looking for a panoramic view of the cathedral and surrounding area, this is the spot. 

It was raining when I visited, so I didn’t get the full nature experience. However, it looks like a very nice place to relax under the trees (assuming the weather is nice).

Mercado de Abastos (Food Market)

This is a popular attraction for the foodie traveler. The Santiago Market is located inside an old historical building and it has several food vendors, along with traditional fresh items like seafood, meats, cheeses, produce and flowers. 

I visited mid-day and it was very busy (see above photo). I’ve read that this market is the second most visited attraction in Santiago de Compostela, after the cathedral.

My goal was to sample some food here, but I could not find a seat. It was just too busy. So I decided to wander around instead. 

Above is the outside of the market. There are several restaurants and bars here, many with outdoor seating. It appears to be a popular lunch spot for locals, too (not just tourists).

I’m told that you can purchase fresh seafood from any market stall and take it to a nearby eatery within the market to have it prepared for you on the spot.

I did not do this. However, I did see people eating freshly prepared percebes (goose barnacle) that was purchased directly from a seafood merchant. 

Convento de Santa María de Belvís

After visiting the market, walk to the nearby Convento de Santa María de Belvís (photo above). It’s only a few blocks from the market. 

There’s a lookout point here (photo below) with a different panoramic view of the city. Even if you’re not interested in visiting the monastery, it’s worth visiting for these views.

Albergue Seminario Menor is located here, if you’re looking for cheap accommodations in Santiago de Composela. This is a one of the most popular albergues in Santiago de Compostela because of it’s large capacity and walkable proximity to the old town centre.

Wander the streets of the Old Town 

Getting lost in the narrow, granite-paved streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is arguably the best thing to do in Santiago de Compostela.

During my visit, I must have walked at least 10 kilometers each day without a plan. Let your curiosity guide you. Pop into the gift shops and art galleries, grab a table outside and order your favourite beverage, listen to the church bells ring each hour.

I know it’s cliche to say, but Santiago de Compostela is a truly unique city.  

Related: Thoughts after walking the Camino de Santiago 

Admire the stunning architecture 

The architecture in Santiago de Compostela is stunning. Every corner reveals another masterpiece.

I took hundreds of photos of buildings, churches, hotels and fountains. Below are a few photos from my time exploring the streets of Santiago de Compostela.

The city’s architectural backbone is Romanesque, dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. However, during the 17th and 18th centuries, the city experienced the Baroque Revolution.

See more photos of Santiago de Compostela on our Instagram page.

In any other city, this old stone church would be the star attraction. In Santiago de Compostela, it doesn’t even crack the Top 5. 

Above – backside of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It’s absolutely stunning!

Where to stay in Santiago de Compostela?

The good news is that you have plenty of options for accommodations in Santiago de Compostela. It’s a very popular travel destination that welcomes over 500,000 pilgrims each year.

I stayed at two different hotels during my two nights in the city.

On my first night in Santiago I stayed at Hospedaría San Martiño Pinario.

The photo above is my room. Here’s a short reel from my stay at this hotel.

I was pleasantly surprised by this hotel. It’s part of the old monastery and the rooms have been upgraded. It’s ranked as a 1 star hotel, but I don’t agree with that. I’d say it’s closer to a 3 star. 

The next night, I stayed at Pensión Rúa Nova. 

I enjoyed my stay here. See photo below. This hotel does not have a common area or restaurant, just a few rooms on 3 floors. It’s clean, quiet, comfortable and the location is perfect. 

Pensión Rúa Nova is affiliated with Hotel Rua Villar, which is located one block away. That hotel has a restaurant, lobby and front desk. You actually check-in at Hotel Rua Villar to get your room key for Pension Rua Nova. 

Train Station in Santiago de Compostela

After spending a couple of days in Santiago de Compostela it was time to make my way back to Madrid.

I took the high-speed train from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid-Chamartín. It takes 3 hours.

I booked an early morning taxi from Pensión Rúa Nova tot he train station (taxis are allowed inside the Old Town centre). However, you can easily walk to the train station from the city centre. It’s about a 20-30 minute walk, depending on where you are staying.

Purchase your train ticket in advance!

Don’t make the mistake of casually showing up to the train station and thinking a seat will be available for the next train. It’s a very popular train route, especially in peak season. 

The bus station is physically connected to the train station via a pedestrian walkway. If you plan to travel from Santiago de Compostela to Porto, the bus is your best option. 

This is the only restaurant/cafeteria in the Santiago de Compostela train station.

It gets very busy before a popular train is about to depart.

I hope you found this post about ‘what to do in Santiago de Compostela after the Camino’ helpful.

Obviously there are a lot more things to do in Santiago de Compostela, but this list should fill up your first few days in the city. Please add your tips and recommendations in the comments section below. 

More blog posts about the Camino de Santiago

• Walking the Camino de Santiago: A Beginner’s Guide and FAQ
• Thoughts after walking the Camino de Santiago
• Starting the Camino Frances from Leon

Watch this short recap from my Camino on Instagram.

Are you planning to walk the Camino de Santiago? 

Leave us a comment below if you have questions. Our readers thank you!

What to do in Santiago de Compostela after walking the Camino is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Juneau, Alaska. Approximately 700,000+ people visit this glacier and recreation area each year, with daily visits reaching as high as 25,000 people during the busy cruise season in the summer.

Unlike many other glaciers in Alaska that require flights or long boat trips to access, you can reach the Mendenhall Glacier via an easy 30 minute drive from the cruise port in downtown Juneau. 

Given it’s popularity and easy accessibility, the big question is whether this Alaska cruise ship excursion is worth it. 

The short answer is that it depends on your interests and how much time you have in Juneau. 

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is a good option if you’re looking for an easy, low stress activity. The shuttles pick up cruise ship passengers within steps of the port. The drive is relatively short, and it also provides a brief tour of Juneau. 

However, if you’re looking for a more adventurous activity during your time in Juneau, there are better options. 

Nugget Falls near Mendenhall Glacier

Nugget Falls is an impressive cascading waterfall located in the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. It’s said to be 377 feet tall (115 m) and one of the most visited waterfalls in Alaska.

Getting to the waterfalls is straightforward. The Nugget Falls Trail is a 3.2 km (2 mile) round-trip hike (out-and-back) that leads to the base of the waterfall. The trail is considered easy and takes approximately 40 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on your pace.

For families, this is one of the more manageable walks in the area.

Most of the trail is paved, with a few gravel and stone sections. It has low elevation gain, so it’s not a strenuous hike.

That said, Nugget Falls trail is also one of the busiest.

During peak cruise ship hours in the summer, the trail can feel more like a steady procession than a hike, with people stopping frequently for photos.

Watch this short video of Nugget Falls and the trail. It gives you a sense of what you may experience during a visit to Mendenhall Glacier in Tongass National Forest.

Up close, Nugget Falls is loud and misty, especially after rainfall or during snowmelt.

There’s no formal viewing platform at the base, but people tend to gather on the rocks near the lake’s edge. It’s scenic, but not secluded. 

Overall, Nugget Falls is worth the walk if you’re already at Mendenhall Glacier.

It’s a impressive and powerful waterfall that doesn’t require much time or effort. Just don’t expect it to feel remote or secluded.

Like much of the area, it’s popular, well-trafficked, and very much part of a curated glacier visit.

Watch this short video of Nugget Falls on our Instagram feed.

One interesting thing about Nugget Falls is how it highlights the glacier’s retreat. The creek that feeds the waterfall is glacier-fed. Older photos show the ice much closer to where the water now runs freely.

Standing there, it’s easy to imagine how different this landscape looked only a few decades ago. It’s a sobering reality of the state of the environment. 

Instead of returning to the visitor center on the main path, we decided to walk along the lake. The trail, if you want to call it that, is along a rocky beach.

We found this to be a more enjoyable option because it had few people and feels more like you’re in nature.

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center provides an excellent vantage point to view Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. It has several exhibits that explain the glacier’s history, including older photographs and video that shows how the glacier has retreated over time.

It’s an eye opening experience to see just how much the glacier has retreated in the past century. The glacier is still impressive, but it’s clearly a shadow of what it once was.

There is a $5 USD entrance fee for visitors aged 16+ during the summer season (May 1 to September 30) to access the visitor center building and surrounding trails.

The visitor center gets VERY busy at peak times. During our visit, it was shoulder-to-shoulder busy. I found it way too crowded to enjoy the experience.

It might not be that busy during your visit, but prepare yourself for crowds, just in case. 

Wide paved path in front of the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center allows visitors to easily explore the area.

Above – View from Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.

On a clear day, you can see Nugget Falls in the foreground with the glacier rising behind it. We lucked out with weather that day, as you can see in the photos.

It’s often gray, overcast and/or raining in Juneau, so you might not get a good view of the waterfall from the visitor center. 

Holland America Excursions for Mendenhall Glacier

You can book shore excursions through the Holland America website or onboard the Koningsdam. The main Juneau excursions are:

• Mendenhall Glacier Explorer: This is the most straightforward option. It’s offers round-trip transportation and an approximately two-hours to explore the glacier area. 
• Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Quest: Combine two iconic Alaskan experiences in one full day. This tour includes time at the Mendenhall Glacier, plus a separate boat tour in Stephens Passage, a renowned feeding ground for humpback whales. 
• Mendenhall Glacier Native Canoe Adventure: For a more active and intimate experience, this small-group tour involves paddling a stable, traditional Tlingit-style canoe across Mendenhall Lake to get close to the glacier face and Nugget Falls.
• Mendenhall Glacier & Glacier Gardens: This option pairs the glacier visit with a trip to the unique Glacier Gardens, where upside-down trees covered in flowers create a unique display.
• Dog Sledding & Glacier Adventure by Helicopter: This tour combines a scenic helicopter flight over the Juneau Icefield with a landing on a glacier to visit an authentic dog sledding camp.
• Taku Lodge, Feast & Five Glacier Seaplane Discovery: Classic de Havilland seaplane flight over five glaciers is followed by an Alaskan feast at the historic Taku Lodge.
• Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest: Waterjet-powered catamaran to Stephens Passage in search of humpback whales, killer whales, sea lions, and bald eagles.

For longer shore excursions, make sure you have enough time in port. If you book an excursion through a third party tour operator (not your cruise ship), you run the risk of not making it back to the ship in time. An option to book through a third party tour operator would be Viator.

Related post – Visiting Skagway on an Alaska Cruise

Related posts about cruise ship travel

• Food and Dining on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam cruise ship
• Thinking about a European River Cruise? Here’s what you need to know. 
• 15 Reasons you should visit Portugal’s River of Gold
• Watch our video about the Celebrity Eclipse here. 
• The Magnificent Hubbard Glacier in Alaska

Do you have questions about an Alaska Cruise?

Leave us a comment below. We’ll do our best to answer your questions.

Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska – is it worth visiting? is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Things to know before you travel to Nice, France

Are you planning to travel to Nice and looking for some quick travel tips? Great! We wrote this post with you in mind. Rather than write another post about the top things to do in Nice, we thought we’d share a few of the things we learned instead.

The purpose of our trip to Nice was to attend the Rugby World Cup in France. We decided to make Nice our home base for one week, to avoid a lot of packing and unpacking.

During our visit to the French Riviera, we made a day trip from Nice to Monaco and an overnight in Marseille to watch a game. Because of this, we really only had a few full days to explore Nice. 

We hope these Nice travel tips will help you plan your Nice vacation. 

The beach is rocky. Bring water shoes. 

As you can see in the photo above, the beach along the famous Promenade des Anglais is rocky. This iconic beach stretches close to 7 km in length, so you’ll be able to find a spot.  

Bring water shoes, sandals, flip flops or thongs. Preferably shoes you can wear directly in the water without them easily falling off.

There is a slope from the beach to the water that makes it challenging to get out of the water . It’s actually pretty comical to watch people try to get back to beach from the water. Envision a wabbly dance with flapping arms – the opposite of graceful. 

The rocks are not sharp, they’re smooth. Some people call it a pebble beach. Regardless, these stones are not easy to walk on. Avoid using bare feet. 

Many shops near the beach sell inexpensive beach matts to sit on. Get one. You’ll be glad you did.

There is a small patch of sandy beach. 

While most of the beaches in Nice are rocky, there is a small sandy section at Ponchettes Public Beach (Plage des Ponchettes). It’s located at the eastern end of the promenade, near Vieux Nice and Castel Hill.

If you crave the sand, head to this beach. But be warned, this beach is one of the most popular public beaches in Nice, France.

You do NOT need to rent a vehicle

Most Nice tourist attractions are located near the old town, Vieux Nice. It’s a very walkable city, with several pedestrian only streets. 

Parking in the city is challenging. There are limited parking lots and finding available street parking is like winning the lottery. Renting a vehicle will create unnecessary headaches. And, you’ll likely spend most of your time walking around the city anyways.

Use the public transit system to explore the city. Grab an Uber if you have a specific place in mind (like the impressive St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral). Take the train if you want to visit nearby cities and towns, like Monaco and/or Menton. 

Take advantage of public transit when you travel to Nice.

Consider the French Riviera Pass

If you like to visit museums and tourist attractions, you might want to consider the French Riviera Pass. With your French Riviera Pass, you get free access to most of the essential sites of the Côte d’Azur. 

It’s a cost-effective way to explore the top Nice attractions. Choose between 24, 48 and 72 hours. 

Some of the attractions included with the pass are Massena Museum, National Museum of Natural History, Marc Chagall National Museum, Musée de la Photographie, Saint-Nicolas Cathedral, free guided tour of Le Vieux-Nice, and Nice Grand Tour open-deck bus, to name a few.

Click here to see the price of the French Riviera Pass

Take the Nice Tramway from the Airport to your HOTEL

If you’re staying at a hotel, the Nice tram is convenient and inexpensive. You can catch the tram at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport.

Depending on when you arrive, the traffic in Nice can be quite congested. And there are lots of stop lights and one way streets, making it a slow drive for taxis and ride-shares.

View the Nice tramway stops here. 

You will need to purchase a ticket at vending machines located on the tram platforms. Click the British Flag for English and follow the prompts.

If you plan to use the tram multiple times on your Nice vacation, it might make sense to get the Multi ticket. It’s 10 Euros for 10 tickets (on one card). You can use these ‘tickets’ for multiple people, just make sure you validate the ticket for each person when you get on the tram. 

View an interactive Nice tramway map here.

Organize a Private Transfer if staying at APARTMENT rental

Yes, I am somewhat contradicting the above statement. The main difference is HOTEL vs APARTMENT.

There is a difference. Let me explain. 

Hotels are much easier to find because there is a big sign on the building. While the tramway is convenient and easy to navigate, the streets of Nice are not.

There are many apartment rentals in Nice, and most are in old buildings on one way streets.

Even if you are able to find the correct street intersection, you still have to the find the correct building and apartment number. It can be confusing (and frustrating) for a first time visitor.

We stayed at an apartment using Booking.com. The apartment is a 15 minute walk west of the Old Town. After making the reservation, we received contact info from the property manager. He gave us his Whatsapp to communicate with him via text.

He also gave us the Whatsapp number to a taxi driver that he recommends. We contact the driver and give him our flight info. The driver is waiting at the airport gate with our name on a sign. Then, once in the taxi, the driver texts the apartment manager and lets him know we are on the way.

I cannot imagine trying to find this building and apartment number without the assistance of this friendly driver.

Fortunately, the property manager was available to greet us. Even when we were buzzed into the building, we had trouble finding the room number. It’s an old building that did not have floor or door numbers. 

After a long travel day, it’s nice to have a plan in place. We paid about 50 euros for this private transfer; which is not cheap. But we think it’s worth it, especially with two kids.

Make sure you visit Vieux Nice (Nice Old Town)

Okay, so this is a no-brainer. If you travel to Nice, you must explore the cobblestone streets of the Old Town.

Did you know that Nice recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021? 

If you’re just starting to research the many things to do in Nice, put Vieux Nice at the top of your list. The charming Old Town is a maze of narrow streets with incredible architecture. Embrace the labyrinth and discover its many shops and cafes, but be cautious of pickpockets in crowded areas.

Stay close to Nice’s Old Town (and beach)

The Old Town is the place to be. It’s home to hundreds of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and tourist attractions. It’s the heart of the city. 

When researching where to stay in Nice, look for properties within walking distance to the Old Town. And the beach, if possible. After all, you didn’t travel to Nice to stay at a budget hotel near the airport, did you?

I’m all for saving money. Except, if it means staying far away from the action. The last thing you want to do is take public transit to and from dinner. 

If you have to choose between Old Town vs Beach, I would lean towards the beach. But that depends on what you like doing and how much you like the beach. 

Use the Promenade de Anglais as your compass

Nice is a very walkable city and the famous Promenade de Anglais is the easiest and most enjoyable way to get around the city. Use it as a marker to navigate the city. 

Interesting fact – this celebrated promenade was originally financed by the British in the 1820s. Promenade des Anglais means ‘Walkway of the English’.

Due to its mild climate and location between the Mediterranean sea and the Alps, Nice became the winter destination for British aristocrats and upper-class families. In an effort to make Nice a more attractive winter destination for foreigners, the promenade was built. 

Nice is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as Winter Resort Town of the Riviera. The Promenade des Anglais is a big reason for this recognition. 

History lesson aside, this promenade is a must-visit. We walked up and down this path multiple times, every day. Have a seat in one of the iconic blue chairs and enjoy the beach views. 

English is spoken, but French is preferred (and appreciated)

French is the official language, obviously. And, while many locals speak English, it’s always appreciated if you try a few basic phrases. A simple “Bonjour” (hello) and “Merci” (thank you) will do. 

Our boys speak French, sort of. Being in France gave them the perfect opportunity to practice their French. When locals heard them try to speak French, they instantly smiled and helped them with certain words. 

Generally speaking, it’s always a good idea to practice the local language. 

Get the best views of Nice at Castle Hill

The promenade starts/ends at Castle Hill, so you will inevitably find yourself here at some point. The Castle of Nice (Château de Nice) was a military citadel built in the 11th century. It offers the best views in the city. 

There are several viewpoints at Castle Hill, so let your curiosity guide you. Check out the waterfalls and continue to Colline du Château Viewpoint of Port Lympia. 

The view from Castle Hill is the most photographed landscape in Nice. 

The main lookout point is at Bellanda Tower, picture above (on the left). The umbrellas in front of the beach are a part of Castel Plage, a popular restaurant and beach club. 

There is an elevator at Castle Hill 

We did not know this, so we walked up the stairs. The stairs are fine, but it was a hot and sweaty afternoon. And we didn’t have water with us, which was a mistake. 

If you have mobility issues, or you just hate walking up lots of stairs, use the elevator instead. 

Dinner happens after 8:00 PM

Admittedly, we are early eaters. Since having kids, our dinner time is typically between 5:30-6:30PM. Naturally, our stomachs start to rumble at this time. 

As we wandered the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, we noticed many of the restaurants looked empty. Our first instinct is that the food or service is not great. Why else would this perfectly located French restaurant be empty at 5:30PM? 

Don’t let this lack of guests fool you. Many of these same restaurants hit capacity by 8:00 PM. In some cases, you have to wait for over an hour to get a table.

Keep this in mind when planning dinner. If you have kids and you want to dine early, some restaurants might not be open for dinner yet. And, if you wait until later, you might not get a table at popular restaurants. 

If there’s one thing we can all learn from the French, it’s how to enjoy eating and drinking. Sit back, relax, and soak up the evening atmosphere. 

Cheer for the home team in France!

The French are fanatics for football (soccer). Our boy is a mild fan of Paris Saint-German (PSG). He likes a few players, but he isn’t a real fan and I doubt he’s watched a full game from start to finish. 

One evening, we visited the Old Town to watch the France Rugby World Cup game. 

To our surprise, the rugby game was not televised. Instead, the Ligue 1 match between OGC Nice and PSG was on the outdoor big screens.

That’s fine we us. We like to watch sports with the locals. So we found a chair and decided to watch the soccer game instead. 

Sitting directly behind us was a group of PSG fans. I’d guess they were 20 years old. Young men.

When PSG scored a goal, the out-of-town fans cheered. Within seconds, about 30 fans of the home team (pictured above) turned around and started shouting. They rushed the PSG fans and things almost got out of hand.

Two guys almost knocked over our youngest boy as they confronted the PSG fans. 

Things cooled down, briefly. But we noticed many of these young men strategically changed tables in order to surround these unwelcomed PSG fans.

We were right in the middle of it. At that point, we decided it was time to leave. Fortunately, our boy did not cheer when PSG scored! 

The lesson – if you watch a soccer match in France, make sure you cheer for the home team. 

Splurge and eat a French Macaron

When you travel to Nice, you must indulge in its culinary delights. And what better indulgence then the simple and elegant macaron. 

There are not a cheap treat, but they are oh-so-good and worth the splurge. 

Do it! You know you want to. 

How cute is this little shop in Vieux Nice? I might travel to Nice just for the macarons. 

Watch your step!

Some of the old streets in Nice are in poor condition. In fact, most of the streets and sidewalks are in need of repair. We expect this in the old town, but it’s common throughout the city.

Watch for uneven surfaces that can trip you. It happened to us multiple times. 

Also – watch out for dog poop!

It’s everywhere. I’m sure that most people are responsible dog owners (right?!). Therefore, I’ll try not to point the finger.

But beware – the streets of Nice (and Marseille) are covered with dog poop. 

And there’s a lot of human urine puddles, too. Most public washrooms have a fee (1-2 euros), which pushes people to pee outside on the street (especially drunk or homeless people).

Watch your step!

Take a day trip to Monaco (or Cannes, Antibes, Èze, Menton)

No trip to the French Riviera is complete without visiting the glamorous microstate of Monaco. After spending the day in Monaco, we can confirm that a day trip to Monaco is enough time to see the sites and get a feel for the city.

It’s not very big, geographically speaking, so you can see a lot in a short period of time. 

If you have time, visit some of the smaller villages and towns near Nice. Antibes, Villefranches, Èze and Menton are nearby cities worth a day trip.

Italy is also a short train ride away. We ate breakfast in France, lunch in Monaco, and dinner in Italy, which is three countries in one day. The train system is efficient and convient. 

Related post – Things to do in Monaco for first time visitors

Book your train tickets on the app

The above photo shows you the most hated machines in France. The train ticket vending machines. These old machines are confusing and frustrating. And there is typically only one person, if that, available to help. 

To avoid waiting in the painfully slow lines, download the app and book your tickets ahead of time. 

Train tickets won’t work until 30 minutes before departure time

We arrived at Gare de Nice-Ville an hour early. The gates require QR codes on your phone or tickets from the vending machine. We attempted to walk through the gates but the QR code would not work.

We were confused. And there is no human to speak with. 

A friendly person could see our frustration. She informed us that we should speak into a small yellow box located beside the gates. A small camera and microphone allows you to speak with a customer service person. It’s very impersonal and, in my opinion, poorly advertised/communicated.

This is a train station, after all! Hundreds of thousands of uniformed foreigners will travel to Nice and may need assistance. And we were visiting during the rugby world cup.

We were informed that the QR codes and tickets only become active 30 minutes before departure time. That’s why it didn’t work. Sure enough, the codes did work when used at the appropriate time. Duh!

However, this was not communicated when we purchased the train tickets.

The lesson – don’t arrive at the train station too early. There is limited seating and you can’t access the passenger area until 30 minutes before departure. 

Avoid the peak season, if possible.

The summer months are considered peak season for tourists (June to August). France is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and the French Riviera is its most popular beach vacation region.

Avoid visiting during public holidays in France because that’s when locals also visit the region. 

In general, travel to Nice during the shoulder seasons in the spring (April & May) and fall (September & October) should bring less tourists and milder temperatures. However, even in slower tourist seasons, it’s still a bustling city. 

Hopefully you found these Nice travel tips helpful.

We enjoyed our time in Nice and can see why it gets its reputation as a top European travel destination. If you choose to travel to Nice, we hope these simple tips will help your trip planning. 

Bon voyage!

Read more blog posts from Europe:

• You can’t go to Ireland and not see these top 10 Ireland attractions
• 30 Photos of Porto Portugal that we can’t stop looking at
• Things to do in Stockholm, Sweden in the summer (with Kids)
• 12 days in Norway: A Perfect Norway Road Trip Itinerary  
• Thinking about a European River Cruise? Here’s what you need to know
• Things to do in Monaco for first time visitors

Are you planning to travel to Nice, France?

Leave us a comment below if you have questions. We’ll do our best to answer.

20 Things to Know Before you Travel to Nice, France is a post from: Traveling Canucks

What we learned on our trip to French Polynesia

As we reflect our our trip to French Polynesia, we want to share some of the things we learned on this family vacation to Bora Bora and the South Pacific. The idyllic island of Bora Bora is the star attraction in the Society Islands archipelago, so the focus of this post is Bora Bora travel tips. 

However, given that most visitors to French Polynesia will arrive via Tahiti, we’ll also share some general travel tips for exploring the islands.  

We spent a total of 14 nights in French Polynesia:

• 2 nights in Tahiti at Te Moana Tahiti Resort (read our review here)
• 4 nights in Mo’orea at Manava Beach Resort (read our review here)
• 6 nights in Bora Bora at Hotel Royal Bora Bora (read our review here)
• 2 nights back at Te Moana Resort before departing home. 

We were only supposed to stay 1 night at Te Moana Tahiti Resort on the back end, before flying home. However, our return flight on Air Tahiti Nui was cancelled. It was stressful sorting out the new flights, but also nice to spend one more night in paradise.

Read about what happened here (scroll to the bottom of the post). 

What you need to know about travel to Bora Bora

There are several Bora Bora travel tips that we learned on this trip to French Polynesia. 

First, Bora Bora is a very expensive travel destination. The rumors are true. We’ll share a few thoughts on the average cost of a trip to Bora Bora below. 

Second, all international flights arrive via Tahiti International Airport (Faa’a International Airport in Papeete). This means you will need to organize a connecting Bora Bora flight from Tahiti. More on that below. 

Third, the languages spoken in Bora Bora are Tahitian and French. However, due to tourism, English is widely spoken and understood. We did not have any trouble communicating. 

Fourth, there are no all-inclusive resorts in Bora Bora. Some Bora Bora vacation packages include flights, hotel, transfers and breakfast, but all meals and drinks are NOT included. 

The currency of Bora Bora is the French Pacific Franc (XPF and CFP Franc). Although exchange rates will vary, it’s approx. 100 XPF to $1 USD. You will need cash, but credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants. More on that below. 

The main island only has one true public beach. If you’re staying on the main island, consider a hotel that’s located close to Matira Beach (pictured above). This is arguably the nicest beach in Bora Bora. 

Finally, all visitors who arrive at Bora Bora Airport will need to take a ferry. The luxurious resorts have private boats that depart from the airport. However, if you’re staying on the main island, you will take the free public ferry from Bora Bora Airport to Vaitape, the largest city of Bora Bora. 

Related – What does it really cost to travel to Bora Bora with kids?

Above is a photo of Bora Bora Airport. It’s a small airport that’s accessed by ferry or private boat transfer. 

The big Bora Bora luxury resorts provide private transfers for guests. When you arrive at Bora Bora airport, you check-in at the booths pictured above. 

The top luxury resorts in Bora Bora are:

• Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
• InterContinental Bora Bora Resort (Thalasso Spa)
• The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort 
• Conrad Bora Bora Nui 
• Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts 
• Hotel Maitai Polynesia 

Related post – Swimming with Sharks and Stingrays in Moorea

The Air Tahiti ferry from Bora Bora Airport to Vaitape is pictured above (left).

The ride takes 15 minutes. You will take this ferry if you fly to Bora Bora on Air Tahiti.

View of the airport from the outdoor upper deck of the ferry. 

Seats inside the Bora Bora ferry to the airport. It’s a comfortable air-conditioned cabin with an outdoor viewing deck. 

Bora Bora ferry approaching Vaitape. We then caught a transfer from the ferry terminal to our hotel, the Hotel Royal Bora Bora. This was an additional charge (not included with hotel price). 

What is the best month to go to Bora Bora?

This is arguably the most common question – when is the best time to visit Bora Bora and the islands in French Polynesia?

There are conflicting answers. And, the answer depends on your travel style and budget.

If you’re looking for deals, avoid the peak season, which is considered May to October. This is the ‘dry season’. Peak season means peak prices and peak volume of visitors. This also means less availability for flights, hotels and activities.

To avoid the crowds and save money, consider the low season, which is from November to April. 

So, if the question is actually what is the cheapest month to visit Bora Bora, then the answer would be November and April. These are the shoulder season months.

Or, if the question is what is the best time to travel to Bora Bora for perfect weather conditions, the answer would be May to October. This would coincide with North America’s summer months.

We visited in April. It did rain during our visit. At least once or twice per day, but the rain only lasts for 15-30 minutes. Then the sun comes back out and it’s hot again. 

Is there ever a bad time to visit Bora Bora? I don’t think so. 

How many days is enough in Bora Bora?

This is probably the second most commonly asked question. There is no right or wrong answer. However, it’s important to note that Bora Bora is the most expensive island of French Polynesia.

We spent 6 nights on Bora Bora’s main island. It’s more budget friendly to stay on the main island, when compared to the fancy 5 star resorts on the outer islands. 

Is 4 days in Bora Bora enough?

Yes, 4 days is enough time to experience Bora Bora. This will give you time to enjoy the resort and do a few excursions, like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and/or exploring the island by jeep. 

Generally speaking, most people spend 3-4 nights in Bora Bora. When you include an overnight in Tahiti upon arrival, plus one more night in Tahiti before departing home, plus the flight time – this would be a typical one week vacation. 

What are the best all-inclusive resorts in Bora Bora?

This one is a bit confusing because Bora Bora’s most popular resorts are NOT all-inclusive. 

If you search for Bora Bora All Inclusive Vacation Packages or Top All-inclusive Resorts in Bora Bora, you will get results that show all-inclusive options. 

This is misleading because none of the Bora Bora hotels include all meals and unlimited drinks. 

You will find resorts that do include food. For example, the Four Seasons Resort has the option to include breakfast (additional fee) and hotel transfers. And Intercontinental Resorts can include breakfast and dinner (for additional fee, not including alcohol).

However, not all food and drinks are included. You will pay extra for lunch, dinner and drinks. And these menus are not cheap. 

You will need to carefully select what you want included with your Bora Bora hotel. Some Bora Bora vacation packages will include the inter-island flights plus hotel, breakfast and transfers. And many of these resorts will include activities and equipment, like kayaks, snorkel equipment and paddleboards.

BUT – is it really an all-inclusive resort if not all food and drinks are included? We don’t think so. 

This is the same in Tahiti. Many of the Tahiti resorts advertise as being all-inclusive, but do not actually include all food and drinks. 

How much does it really cost to go to Bora Bora?

This is another tough question to answer.

Generally speaking, a trip to Bora Bora will cost between $5,000 to $15,000+.

It depends on where you stay (budget vs luxury), how long you stay (3 nights vs 6 nights), and what you want to do on your Bora Bora vacation (cost per activity). 

How much is a 7 day vacation to Bora Bora?

Let’s put flights to Bora Bora on the side for a moment, because the price for airline tickets will impact the total cost of your Bora Bora trip. Not surprising, many visitors to French Polynesia travel from France, which is much more expensive than traveling from New Zealand or Australia. 

Although the overwater bungalows are bucket-list worthy, the price is typically $1,000+ per night.

You can save money by staying in a garden suite or the main building at the resort. Rates for these rooms range from $300-$1,000 per night, depending on the resort and time of visit. 

Even if your Bora Bora resort includes breakfast, you will still need to pay for lunch and dinner. I would estimate at least $250-$500 CAD per day for food and drinks. More if you like to drink a lot and/or you have expensive taste. For example, a pint of beer inside a resort is $15-$20 CAD.  

Other items to include in your budget are the costs for daily excursions. This expense is highly variable, depending on what you choose to do. Budget $500-$1,500 for activities. 

Families of Four (or more) might need TWO hotel rooms!

You read that correctly. Most hotels in Bora Bora have a 3 guest maximum rule. Even if the 4th person is a child under the age of 10 years old. 

We spent hours and hours researching Bora Bora hotel prices and availability. For us, it’s important that the hotel has a pool, because our boys love swimming on vacation. Adding the pool requirement reduces the number of available options, including vacation apartment rentals.

We searched the main online booking engines, like Hotels.com, Booking.com and Expedia.com. We had very few options to book 1 room with 4 people. And the few we found were over $2000 per night. Initially, we thought it was a glitch with the booking engines.

So, we reached out to the hotels directly. The hotels we contacted confirmed that their rooms have a 3 person maximum.

This meant we had to pay for 2 rooms (each night) to find a more affordable rate. 

Fortunately, we found a good deal at Hotel Royal Bora Bora. We spent approx. $250 per night x 2 rooms = $500 per night total. We will write a full review about our experience this hotel soon. Spoiler – it’s good value and we enjoyed our stay.

Our hotel includes a breakfast buffet, which helps save a lot of money. We would go for breakfast later in the morning, around 9:00 am. Then we would skip lunch and have an early dinner. This saved us at least $150 per day. 

Do you have to stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora?

Building on the above, you do NOT have to stay in an overwater bungalow.

Yes – these bungalows are dreamy and fancy. And, yes, they are a bucket list experience. BUT, if you don’t have the budget to splurge on an expensive overwater bungalow, don’t let that stop you from visiting Bora Bora.

There are budget-friendly hotels in Bora Bora and the other French Polynesia islands.

However, you might need to shift your definition of budget-friendly when you visit French Polynesia. It’s still going to be expensive, but less expensive. 

Consider staying at Hotel Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora which does offer cheaper overwater bungalow options (they were sold out when we went) or Hotel Royal Bora Bora. Both are located on the main island.

Or, consider a vacation rental (like this one) located on Matira Beach.

Related post – Review of Manava Beach Resort Moorea

Do you need cash in Bora Bora and Tahiti?

Yes, you will need some local currency for your Bora Bora vacation. 

Most taxis require cash (there is no Uber) and many of the food trucks and small vendors prefer cash.

The French Polynesia currency is the CFP Franc (XPF). The CFP Franc is used in Tahiti and other French Polynesian islands, including Bora Bora and Moorea.

The exchange rate is fixed at 1 Euro = 119.33 XPF. At the time of writing, $1 US = 108 XPF and $1 CAD = 82 XPF. Check your currency conversation here.

If you’re an organized planner, consider purchasing XPF at home before you depart for Tahiti. Otherwise, use the ATM when you arrive at Tahiti International Airport.  

Bora Bora travel tips – Visa, Mastercard and AMEX are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops in French Polynesia.

How Much to Tip in Bora Bora?

The short answer – it depends.

Tipping is not a customary or expected in French Polynesia. Gratuity is appreciated, but not required.

Many hotels and restaurants include a service charge. Check your bill before adding gratuity.

As for how much to tip in Bora Bora – that’s a personal choice. There is no standard tip amount in Bora Bora. You can tip whatever you feel is appropriate based on the service you receive, similar to how it works in Europe.

How to save money on food in French Polynesia

Food is very expensive in French Polynesia. Many items have to be shipped, so this increases prices.

The easiest way to save money is to purchase food at the small grocery stores. However, if you’re staying at one of the luxury resorts on the private islands, you don’t have a lot of options besides the hotel restaurants. 

Tiare Market (pictured below) is located between Hotel Maitai Polynesia and Hotel Royal Bora Bora. It’s a 5 minute walk from these hotels.

Every day, Tiare Market offers fresh pastries, bread and baked goods. And they sell prepacked meals and sandwiches, along with snacks, cold drinks and alcohol. If you like to drink beer and wine, you will save a lot of money by purchasing these items from the market instead of the hotel restaurant bar. 

Another option is eating at food trucks, called roulettes. These vendors are popular with local residents. They give large portions and are typically cheaper than restaurants. We often shared meals with our kids because the portions are large.

Also – consider booking a hotel that includes breakfast. Our hotel did include a nice breakfast buffet, which saved us a lot of money. We would grab a few croissants and apples for the road. 

What is the best way to visit different French Polynesia islands?

There are two airlines that offer flights to the different islands: Air Moana and Air Tahiti.

Air Tahiti is the more established brand, because it’s been around for many years.

Air Moana is a new airline that started in 2023. They have newer planes but are still getting their operations going.

We used both Air Tahiti and Air Moana. Both are good airlines. 

For direct flights from Tahiti to Bora Bora, Air Moana is a bit cheaper than Air Tahiti. 

It is important to book your flights once you know your schedule. Flights do sell out. Once you’ve confirmed your trip, it’s wise to book your inter-island flights ASAP in order to get the days and times you want. Don’t put this off until later, otherwise you might be disappointed.

Bora Bora travel tips – when flying from Bora Bora to Tahiti, get the window seat on the RIGHT side of the plane. Here’s why! 

Above – Air Moana plane at Bora Bora airport.

Below – Air Tahiti plane at Moorea airport. Here’s a video from our flight.

Consider purchasing the Air Tahiti Multi-islands Pass

Air Tahiti offers an Air Tahiti Multi-islands pass. It’s a better deal than buying individual flights separately. This is the way to go if you plan to visit multiple islands in French Polynesia.

Learn about the flight passes here.

The most popular option is the Bora Bora Pass.

Read the rules carefully as the Air Tahiti Multi-Island Pass does come with a few restrictions and rules.

It’s possible Air Moana might offer a similar pass in the future. However, we did not find this option available at the time of writing this post.

Can you take a ferry to Bora Bora?

Yes, there is a ferry that travels from Tahiti to Bora Bora and the other islands. 

We took a ferry from Tahiti to Moorea. It was the 45 minute fast ferry. The swells made our kids feel sea sick. We’ve read comments about the Tahiti ferry experience. Many people shared similar stories of big swells and sea sickness. 

There are ferry options that take you to different islands in French Polynesia. They are cheaper than flying. However, the ferries don’t run every day, unless it’s a popular route like Tahiti to Moorea.

If you’re tight on time, it’s best to fly from Tahiti to Bora Bora.

Terevau is a fast ferry that goes from Tahiti to Moorea multiple times a day. View the schedule here. 

Aremiti runs two ships (Aremiti 2 and Aremiti 6) from Tahiti to Moorea multiple times a day. View schedule here. 

Apetahi Express offers ferries between Tahiti, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a and Bora Bora. The ferry takes approx. 7 hours from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Check the timetable here.

The ferry price depends on the time of year and departure time. Average price for walk-on passengers for a round-trip from Tahiti to Bora Bora is $155 CAD ($117 USD / $106 EUR). 

Maupiti Express II has service to Bora Bora, Taha’a and Raiatea. More information here.

Don’t trust the Tahiti weather apps

Prior to booking our trip to Tahiti, we read that it’s a good idea to look at the weather apps. Given that we visited in April, at the tail end of the ‘wet season’, we were concerned that our beach vacation would be impacted by the rain. 

We opened the weather app while sitting in the airport before our flight from Seattle to Tahiti. It showed thunderstorms and rain EVERY day, for the entire 2 weeks of our vacation.

Not a good start. We started to second guess our timing. 

However, when we arrived in Tahiti, we realized that the weather apps were not accurate.

Yes, it would rain, but only for 15-30 minutes. Then it would be all sunshine and hot temperatures. Watch this short video from our trip. 

The lesson – don’t get too worried if you see rain or thundershowers on the weather apps, regardless if you are visiting in the dry season or rainy season. The timing of the showers might impact an excursion or delay a tour, but don’t let that rattle you. The rain will pass soon enough. 

Should you fly Air Tahiti Nui to Tahiti?

We flew Air Tahiti Nui from Seattle to Tahiti. It’s a non-stop direct flight that takes about 9.5 hours. Read about our experience here.

At the time of publishing this post, there are no direct French Polynesia flights from Canada. Air Tahiti Nui offers weekly direct flights from Seattle to Tahiti, Papeete.

However, if you’re flying through Los Angeles or San Francisco, there are more flight options on other airlines, including French Bee, Air France or United.

A downside to flying with Air Tahiti Nui is that it has a small fleet of planes. Therefore, if there’s a delay or mechanical issue with one of its aircraft, this will have a significant ripple effect. It happened to us. 

Related – Our experience on the new Air Tahiti Nui flight from Seattle to Tahiti

Bora Bora travel tips – Air Tahiti and Air Tahiti Nui are two separate airlines. It’s unnecessarily confusing. 

Arriving at Tahiti International Airport

Another one of our Bora Bora travel tips is to pack an easily accessible change of clothes in your carry-on bag. Before you disembark the airplane, change into lighter clothes – shirt, shorts, etc.

The line for immigration moves slow, and it’s very humid and muggy in the line. There is no air conditioning in this area of the airport, so you will get sweaty. 

Is it safe to walk around Bora Bora?

In short – yes. It is safe for tourists to walk around Bora Bora. It’s actually one of the safest holiday destinations in the world. Being only 12 square miles in size, and with a population of about 11,000 people, Bora Bora has very low crime levels.

Can you drink tap water in Bora Bora?

You can drink tap water in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora and at most international resorts. It is usually fine in family hotels but it’s recommended to you ask your hosts for confirmation.

What to pack for Bora Bora vacation

One the best Bora Bora travel tips is to pack light. You will not need as much stuff as you think. You don’t need multiple jackets, sweaters and jeans/pants.

It’s very hot and humid in Tahiti, so you really don’t need a lot of clothes. Even if you’re staying at one of the fancy resorts, you’ll likely be in a bathing suit most of the time. 

Below are a few essentials for your Bora Bora packing list:

• Reef shoes – protect your feet and the coral reef. Also note that stonefish (highly venomous fish) are found here. Wearing reef shoes will help in the event that you accidently step on one.
• Snorkel set (full face or regular) – you’re likely to be in the water a lot. It’s nice to have your own snorkeling equipment so you can go in the water whenever you like. Plus, who wants to use a community mouth piece?
• Reef safe sunblock – some hotels provide reef safe sunblock for free, but you will want your own for excursions. Help protect the ocean by using reef-safe sunblock. 
• After sun – The sun is hot in Tahiti. It’s best to have something to put on for accidental sunburns
• Bug spray – went visited in April and got bitten by mosquitos.
• Sun shirts / swimming shirts – the sun is very hot so you will want a water shirt for snorkeling.
• Multiple sun glasses and hats – in case you loose a hat or break your sun glasses.
• Multiple bathing suits – you will need a few.
• Underwater camera – to capture reef sharks and the amazing underwater world.
• Universal adapter with multiple USB ports – most hotels have few outlets and some require European plugs. We use this one and it works great.
• Towel – most hotels provide towels, but we do like to bring this light weight towel for excursions.

Related – Where to stay in Tahiti? Review of Te Moana Tahiti Resort

Did you find these Bora Bora travel tips helpful?

Leave us a comment below if you have questions about these Bora Bora travel tips.

Read next – Swimming with Sharks and Stingrays in Moorea

Bora Bora travel tips: What we learned on our trip to French Polynesia is a post from: Traveling Canucks