Well, you're probably OK without reservations in May, but if you have definite preferences as to price, don't count on your wishes coming true. IMO it always pays to reserve ahead if you've got certain expectations; otherwise, you end up with "what's available at the last minute," which may mean crappy rooms or high prices.

On our 4 trips to that area, we only had reservations on the day of landing and the night before takeoff.

Otherwise, we'd go to the TI (tourism office) (often marked with a big I sign in the centrum of a town) and ask for a pension (pronounced pen-see-own) about 3 in the afternoon. We'd start looking at the high end of the selection and work our way down. We always enjoyed the pension owners, and often it was in conjunction with a good restaurant. I recall only one bad night out of maybe 30.

Depends to some extent on your sleeping habits; if you don't get out of the room until 11:00, that doesn't leave much time to sight-see, or drive to the next town. If you're out by 8:00, you could see things or drive, and get a room by 2, leaving time for further touring before dinner.

Hi J,

>For this trip, we'd prefer to stay in places for $80 a night or less.<

So would a few hundred thousand other people.

What do you think you should do?

With a budget that low - and expecting a private bath I think you absolutely must reserve now - and hope there are still places available. Flying by the seaat of your pants can be done - but you have to have fexibility in terms of amenities (private bath, elevator vs stars, AC) and budget (at least not rock bottom) to make it work.

PS,

A friend likes to wing it. He just arrives at an airport, calls a hotel and has a taxi take him there.

Last year he decided that he would stay in San Sebastian and take a day to run with the bulls.

So, upon arrival he began calling hotels. He was able to book a suite at the Maria Christina for about $550/nite.