The Camino de Santiago is known for its spirit of friendliness, generosity, and sharing. Donativos, stops along the route that offer pilgrims some sort of goods, service, or place of rest for a small donation, embody these values and help give the Camino this reputation. In order to exist, donativos rely on generosity from pilgrims and donativo owners alike. The owners give up their time and effort to create a restful environment for pilgrims. However, in return, pilgrims are encouraged to donate a sum of money at their own discretion as recompense for what they have taken and support for future pilgrims passing through. Unlike a shop or supermarket, this money comes from a place of generosity instead of necessity, furthering the giving spirit and camaraderie that pilgrims are already experiencing throughout their journey.
Donativos come in all shapes and sizes and can offer anything from food and drink to a place to sleep for the night. On the way from Rabanal to Molinaseca, we passed a donativo that was simply a very small trolley on the side of the dirt path containing juice boxes and muesli bars. 
There was no one actively tending to the donativo, only signs with directions and inspirational quotes. On the other hand, some very active owners make their donativos their livelihoods. On the road from Hospital de Orbigo to Astorga, we came across a donativo deep in the hills owned by a man named David.
David talking to a student
He had lived there for 8 years tending to the donativo attached to his house. It was overflowing with fresh fruits, cakes, cookies, drinks, and peanut butter, which he was very proud to tell all of the Americans.
One of the most elaborate donativos I have seen along the Camino, however, was an entire Albergue funded by the generosity of pilgrims. The Albergue Guacelmo in Rabanal asked for a donation of whatever you could or wanted to give in exchange for clean beds, warm water, and tea and cookies in the evening.
(David’s Donativo)
Despite the lack of assurance that all of their goods and services will be fully reimbursed, donativos continue to be an example of altruism and integrity for travelers along the Camino. As many lost pilgrims search for themselves on the journey to Santiago, they can always be certain to find two things at each donativo: a generous heart and a full stomach.
