by Riley Maguire

Alcohol
Alcohol will be one of those necessary staples and the best place to pick up beer, wine or kalimotxo will be at the nearest convenience store. Several are located just off the main plaza (Plaza del Castillo) and you will find more on Calle San Gregorio.  Of course, you can also find your provisions at local bars.  Usually for less than two euros you can have a glass of wine or a caña (draft beer).  A katxi (big plastic cup of whatever) runs about 7 euros depending on where you go.  You can get a litre bottle of San Miguel beer for half the price at a convenience store.  The cheap move is to use the bars only for the bathroom (and be ready for long lines and the most unique smells San Fermin can offer).

Food
The same budget principles apply to eating during San Fermin.  The convenience stores will be sure to have Bocadillos or Bocatas (sandwiches), chips, and other easy food for much less than you’ll find them elsewhere.  Expect to pay 3 or 4 euros for a ham and cheese sandwich and if you’re on a tight budget, you shouldn’t be thinking of much else.  You’ll also find some other walk-up eating options (like crepes) on Calle San Gregorio. Restaurants and pincho bars will have better quality and higher prices.  Stay away from the food court that sets up in Parque de Antonuitti if you are eating cheaply.  You will find many grocery stores if you head to the newer neighborhoods (San Juan or Iturrama are closest).  Look for an Eroski supermarket.

Sleeping
Its hard to plan ahead for this part of the trip.  Hostels are usually booked months ahead and other options on the internet may look kinda spotty.  The good news is that if you are a bit flexible, there are plenty of ways to get some rest upon arriving in Pamplona.  Some of the people hawking cheap beds in their apartments at the bus and train stations are very much worth listening to.  Many natives of Pamplona will go this route, but you should be ready to pay a lot for that kind of comfort.  Here is a list of hotels, hostels and campgrounds in Navarra with contact info.   Also, check out the message boards!

The classic low budget move is to sleep in the park and Pamplona is full of green sleeping options.  If you are here to party all night, you’ll probably find some shade to sleep in the day anyway.  Safety is in numbers and you will not be alone if you catch some shut eye in The Ciudadela, Pamplona’s central park.  A word of warning however: stay with people you know!  Yamaguchi Park is also a very open, landscaped park, a bit father away from all the crowds.  Some other places like the Parque Media Luna (behind the bull ring) or The Taconera are very beautiful spots, but get these get pretty dark at night.

Entertainment
The streets of Pamplona during San Fermin are their own free entertainment.  With Bull Runs, rockets firing, water and wine pouring down from the windows, and people jumping off of fountains in all degrees of intoxication, there is no shortage of things to see here.  At night don’t miss the fireworks that are lunched from the Ciudadela 11pm nightly.  Every night a different pyrotechie group will try to outdo each other in a competition that is always impressive.  After fireworks there are usually free concerts in the Plaza del Castillo and sometimes at the Plaza de los Fueros.  Things are usually a bit more calm during the day and there are many activities planned for local families (like Los Gigantes and the Toro de Fuego).