Benicassim 2013!

[radder5]

Hi,

I went last year and thought I'd too share some tips for what it is worth (bear in mind though I'm an old git at 46!)

Beni 2012 was first time for me and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone (whatever age).

Travel,

I went all the way by train - Eurostar to Paris, Paris to Barcelona (overnight sleeper), Barca to Beni local train.

http://www.raileurope.co.uk/ had some good links to where could buy tickets from but couldn't book all in one go in advance as each leg of the journey had different lead times - 4 months for first, 3 middle bit and 2 for local trip, so had to book each leg separately to guarantee a place. Top tip - definitely book the Barca -> Beni journey and return early as does get booked up. Also, the lead time is from the return journey so if like me you weren't going immediately at the end of the festival you can book a single for the outward then book the other later. Pretty nice trip all in all, but the Spanish trains can be a bit unreliable. If you are trying to catch a flight on the way home from Barca I would leave plenty of time as our train just didn't show up on the way home but the next one did so all way good.

Book directly with http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html for local Barca to Beni but I found the online booking didn't work when using the English version of the site, so I stepped through the English version until the end just so could understand the process then went to the Spanish version to actually book. Could try http://www.spanish-rail.co.uk/ which purports to be UK agents for Renfe, but they wanted something like 10 euros per person for the booking which I politely told them to f.o.

Going again this year, but flying - booked way early so www.skyscanner.net which had some really good prices. Don't know about now though.

Arrival

We arrived Monday about 12:30 - absolutely rammed. Rush to get off the train first as we farted about putting sun cream on and were the last to leave the station and therefore at the end of a very long queue. This was the shitty part of the whole experience. Took ages to get wristband then even more queuing to get a pitch. We are going Wednesday this year but it looked like folks were arriving still so hopeful won't be in too crap a place. Didn't pay for VIP site was quite happy to slum it in the basic site.

Camping

Really packed, but toilets were clean enough, showers busy but usually didn't wait too long. No queue generally for a piss (boys). Tent pitch a bit of a lottery - really stony ground so need a lilo or similar. Don't bother with sleeping bags - too hot. We used duvet covers as sleeping bags but didn't use them either, put them on the lilos. Most of site had large covers suspended between metal frames so shade was good, but make sure where the sun is cause it can poke between the metre gaps and you could be unlucky to get full sun on tent first thing in the morning. Naf all room between tents and impossible to bang pegs in - don't bother, just put some rocks in corners of tent and tie guy ropes to nearby stuff. Very cosy but part of the experience. Noisy, but what do you expect? There is a party going on. We even had an annoying twat deliberately waking others up with a ukelele at 8 in the morning, but even that you had to smile at - it wasn't malicious and mildly amusing. Great atmosphere, but don't expect to get much sleep. I generally came back about 4am and all was still rocking. Couldn't sleep much past 8/9am but wander down to beach (about 40mins in flip flops and hangover) and crash under trees on beach - really lovely site - just follow the crowd.

Festival

Difficult to get drink in - allowed water bottles - uncapped I think but that may have just been one particular bouncer - to be fair I wasn't much interested in water!! If you are enterprising enough though I guess you could get alcohol in, but the norm appeared to be drink enough cheap local supermarket drink before hand (1lt vodka 4 euros).

Drink inside not too expensive - premuim Heineken 7,5 euros / litre - have to buy with tokens purchased beforehand though. Good service and really nice and cold beer. Food quite expensive and not brilliant - although after a few litres of lager got better!

Bands started about 7 (I think) - that's earliest I got in. But recognisable UK acts started from 8.30 at earliest, headliners usually 1/ 1.30am - 3am. Not fussed about the headliners really although Stones were amazing, as there are so many other acts on the 3 stages, there is plenty to see and do even if headliner doesn't float your boat. Would recommend some comfy shoes (did I really just say that!!!), but I wore cheap canvas shoes with very little in the soles and my feet were killing by the final night. Trainers for me this year with some good padding in soles - I might look more of a twat but no price on comfort (wait til you get to my age)!

Town

Really friendly bars and restaurants. More expensive along the front but if you have the budget try the lunchtime menus - tend to be much better value (and sometimes there are tourist menus that are basically sausage and chips or paella) but there is often a normal menu which is much better. If on a really tight budget the two local supermarkets (one Lidl, other unknown) to buy bread and stuff which suited most I think.

That's it really.

Can't comment on shuttle bus to local towns or taxi availability but on the last Monday don't bother trying to get a taxi on spec, as the queues were massive. If you are looking for a reasonable hotel, try Hotel Intur Orange http://www.hotelinturorange.es/en/ or Boneville or Azur. We are staying there after festival (again) this year and is now taking bookings for about £100 - £120 / night double room. Free cancelation policy so might be worth booking then cancelling later if find something better/ cheaper etc. Can cancel up the week or night before (but it is late).

Anything else - let me know - particularly you oldies out there considering this - you will be the oldest by a country mile, but everyone is so friendly it doesn't matter - it is fantastic!!!

Conrad

[HaSTUken]

Its my 4th year in a row for Beni this year, vamos July! ME and my mates have camped for the first three years (free & Villa) and have decided to take a week in a villa instead. There was a mention above about reliability of villas (ive also wondered) but does anyone know of any decent places to book them? All I get from Google are sites that only have a few options, and Beni is full of villas. Any help would be great! I've found one that sleeps six, but we're ten, any ideas if we can get away with that (sofas/blow up beds) or is better to sneak the other 4 in?

Also, any chances of Alex Clare getting announced? What do you reckon?

Also some good advice is not to bring too much stuff with you for camping, there are a few Chinese pound shops that me and mates get all our gear in for the campsite for cheap, and you'll be throwing it all anyway as it will probably get trashed.

@Rock123 They are really strict with ID so be warned. Be careful about slipping the under 18 band off, last year I asked them not to have it too tight on my wrist and spent every evening after getting cross checked by every security guard that checked it.

[gedkelly]

Hi,

I went last year and thought I'd too share some tips for what it is worth (bear in mind though I'm an old git at 46!)

Beni 2012 was first time for me and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone (whatever age).

Travel,

I went all the way by train - Eurostar to Paris, Paris to Barcelona (overnight sleeper), Barca to Beni local train.

http://www.raileurope.co.uk/ had some good links to where could buy tickets from but couldn't book all in one go in advance as each leg of the journey had different lead times - 4 months for first, 3 middle bit and 2 for local trip, so had to book each leg separately to guarantee a place. Top tip - definitely book the Barca -> Beni journey and return early as does get booked up. Also, the lead time is from the return journey so if like me you weren't going immediately at the end of the festival you can book a single for the outward then book the other later. Pretty nice trip all in all, but the Spanish trains can be a bit unreliable. If you are trying to catch a flight on the way home from Barca I would leave plenty of time as our train just didn't show up on the way home but the next one did so all way good.

Book directly with http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html for local Barca to Beni but I found the online booking didn't work when using the English version of the site, so I stepped through the English version until the end just so could understand the process then went to the Spanish version to actually book. Could try http://www.spanish-rail.co.uk/ which purports to be UK agents for Renfe, but they wanted something like 10 euros per person for the booking which I politely told them to f.o.

Going again this year, but flying - booked way early so www.skyscanner.net which had some really good prices. Don't know about now though.

Arrival

We arrived Monday about 12:30 - absolutely rammed. Rush to get off the train first as we farted about putting sun cream on and were the last to leave the station and therefore at the end of a very long queue. This was the shitty part of the whole experience. Took ages to get wristband then even more queuing to get a pitch. We are going Wednesday this year but it looked like folks were arriving still so hopeful won't be in too crap a place. Didn't pay for VIP site was quite happy to slum it in the basic site.

Camping

Really packed, but toilets were clean enough, showers busy but usually didn't wait too long. No queue generally for a piss (boys). Tent pitch a bit of a lottery - really stony ground so need a lilo or similar. Don't bother with sleeping bags - too hot. We used duvet covers as sleeping bags but didn't use them either, put them on the lilos. Most of site had large covers suspended between metal frames so shade was good, but make sure where the sun is cause it can poke between the metre gaps and you could be unlucky to get full sun on tent first thing in the morning. Naf all room between tents and impossible to bang pegs in - don't bother, just put some rocks in corners of tent and tie guy ropes to nearby stuff. Very cosy but part of the experience. Noisy, but what do you expect? There is a party going on. We even had an annoying twat deliberately waking others up with a ukelele at 8 in the morning, but even that you had to smile at - it wasn't malicious and mildly amusing. Great atmosphere, but don't expect to get much sleep. I generally came back about 4am and all was still rocking. Couldn't sleep much past 8/9am but wander down to beach (about 40mins in flip flops and hangover) and crash under trees on beach - really lovely site - just follow the crowd.

Festival

Difficult to get drink in - allowed water bottles - uncapped I think but that may have just been one particular bouncer - to be fair I wasn't much interested in water!! If you are enterprising enough though I guess you could get alcohol in, but the norm appeared to be drink enough cheap local supermarket drink before hand (1lt vodka 4 euros).

Drink inside not too expensive - premuim Heineken 7,5 euros / litre - have to buy with tokens purchased beforehand though. Good service and really nice and cold beer. Food quite expensive and not brilliant - although after a few litres of lager got better!

Bands started about 7 (I think) - that's earliest I got in. But recognisable UK acts started from 8.30 at earliest, headliners usually 1/ 1.30am - 3am. Not fussed about the headliners really although Stones were amazing, as there are so many other acts on the 3 stages, there is plenty to see and do even if headliner doesn't float your boat. Would recommend some comfy shoes (did I really just say that!!!), but I wore cheap canvas shoes with very little in the soles and my feet were killing by the final night. Trainers for me this year with some good padding in soles - I might look more of a twat but no price on comfort (wait til you get to my age)!

Town

Really friendly bars and restaurants. More expensive along the front but if you have the budget try the lunchtime menus - tend to be much better value (and sometimes there are tourist menus that are basically sausage and chips or paella) but there is often a normal menu which is much better. If on a really tight budget the two local supermarkets (one Lidl, other unknown) to buy bread and stuff which suited most I think.

That's it really.

Can't comment on shuttle bus to local towns or taxi availability but on the last Monday don't bother trying to get a taxi on spec, as the queues were massive. If you are looking for a reasonable hotel, try Hotel Intur Orange http://www.hotelinturorange.es/en/ or Boneville or Azur. We are staying there after festival (again) this year and is now taking bookings for about £100 - £120 / night double room. Free cancelation policy so might be worth booking then cancelling later if find something better/ cheaper etc. Can cancel up the week or night before (but it is late).

Anything else - let me know - particularly you oldies out there considering this - you will be the oldest by a country mile, but everyone is so friendly it doesn't matter - it is fantastic!!!

Conrad

[ConnorTheDevine]

Hi guys,

First time going this year, what's the situation involving lockers, to keep passports in etc?

[HaSTUken]

You can rent them daily, although not sure if you can for longer, Beni website will tell for sure. Not sure about passport, we kept ours on us at the beach and guarded our bags or hid them under our tent

[MartynCleary]

Hi guys,

First time going this year, what's the situation involving lockers, to keep passports in etc?

[Sarge009]

@radder5 - just thought I'd say that Hotel Orange definitely doesn't have a free cancellation policy.

[ezzy5050]

To the lad who was worried about his mate who wouldn't be 18, don't! There was only me and my friend last year, and we were both 17. They check your passport on entry, so you do get an under 18 wristband- there's no getting around it, but apart from the fact they're not as pretty as the normal ones, it doesn't cause any problems whatsoever (but we did meet some lads who referred to them as complete "c***blockers" so maybe they're more irritating for boys then they are for us girls haha.) But we got served in the arena absolutely fine- its not worth trying to use sleeves or anything to cover it, as its too hot for sleeves and the bar staff don't care and are absolutely lovely.

As two 17 year old girls we were a bit worried that we'd feel a bit anxious at times but it was literally the best week of our lives, and not once did we feel unsafe/completely harassed.

Everyone was lovely, the atmosphere is perfect- ridiculously relaxed during the day, so you can just nap on and off all day until you sleep off the drink... then with the music starting so late the party atmosphere is amazing, but not overwhelming. One of my favourite things about Beni in comparison to Leeds (which I also love) is the crowd for the music. My experience of UK festivals has been great, but I've found with the crowds unless you're in the first 25% closest to the stage, whether or not you're surrounded by people who want to dance/sing/get into it is a bit hit and miss, whereas with Beni we found ourselves close to the back a lot of the time, but the energy is still amazing, and everyone is really into it wherever you are (especially for Stone Roses last year, can't describe how brilliant it was.)

Personally really happy with the line up so far, hoping Foals are going to be there and there's still a tiny little bit of me praying for Blur (even though I'm sure it won't happen.) But with Arctics, QOTSA, Killers and Jake Bugg- so far so good!

See you in July!

[gedkelly]

Oi !! Mr Efestivals , not alot on the rumour , strong rumour , to be confirmed front this year chap , whats occuring ?

[HaSTUken]

I agree gedkelly! anyone know of any other sites for line ups? Really want Alex Clare announced!

[HaSTUken]

When is the next announcement?

Edited January 16, 2013 by HaSTUken

[gedkelly]

i've pestered the people on this site for a few years now but generally they had good info ,just seem a bit lacking this year , time yet though

[Nesser]

One thing you should know it's Beni and Primavera Sound are the biggest fests here in Spain, and they don't get along very well, so the faster you forget seeing Blur at Beni the better.

Next Wednesday Primavera's line up is revealed so it'd be likely to have an announcement before that day, just guessing. Anyway, day tickets should be available by the end of January so you can expect the last headliner (and maybe a few bands if we're lucky) to be announced soon.

[rug568]

i've pestered the people on this site for a few years now but generally they had good info ,just seem a bit lacking this year , time yet though

[gedkelly]

I swear last year there was nothing.

[carlysummer]

Hi guys, me and my boyfriend are looking at going to beni this year and just want to know a few things so help me out if you can please!

anyone whos been before or know if it is worth buying the villacamping for an extra £80 on top of ticket?

Is the normal camp shaded and is the ground as bad as some people are making out(stoney) and are the shower and toilets okay in the normal camp?

also, which is the best place to fly to and then get a train to beni from, atm looking at man > alicante morning, around £150pp for the 14th, staying at a hotel that night, then an early rise for traveling to beni early for a good space, or do we even have to worry about spaces?

would people recomend taking food and alcohol with us are the supermarkets cheap enough?

and lastly any little tips for camping in the heat? only ever been to UK festivals!

please help guys, it will be much appreciated!

[carlysummer]

Genuinely can't wait to go back - hoping for a few acts I've yet to see, anyone from Purity Ring, SBTRKT, Foals, or Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs would be sweet and not completely beyond the realms of reality.

*And I can't recommend EU Fest enough for airport transfers. Great value.

[MartynCleary]

Hi guys, me and my boyfriend are looking at going to beni this year and just want to know a few things so help me out if you can please!

anyone whos been before or know if it is worth buying the villacamping for an extra £80 on top of ticket?

Is the normal camp shaded and is the ground as bad as some people are making out(stoney) and are the shower and toilets okay in the normal camp?

also, which is the best place to fly to and then get a train to beni from, atm looking at man > alicante morning, around £150pp for the 14th, staying at a hotel that night, then an early rise for traveling to beni early for a good space, or do we even have to worry about spaces?

would people recomend taking food and alcohol with us are the supermarkets cheap enough?

and lastly any little tips for camping in the heat? only ever been to UK festivals!

please help guys, it will be much appreciated!

[MartynCleary]

Hi guys, me and my boyfriend are looking at going to beni this year and just want to know a few things so help me out if you can please!

anyone whos been before or know if it is worth buying the villacamping for an extra £80 on top of ticket?

Is the normal camp shaded and is the ground as bad as some people are making out(stoney) and are the shower and toilets okay in the normal camp?

also, which is the best place to fly to and then get a train to beni from, atm looking at man > alicante morning, around £150pp for the 14th, staying at a hotel that night, then an early rise for traveling to beni early for a good space, or do we even have to worry about spaces?

would people recomend taking food and alcohol with us are the supermarkets cheap enough?

and lastly any little tips for camping in the heat? only ever been to UK festivals!

please help guys, it will be much appreciated!

[radder5]

@radder5 - just thought I'd say that Hotel Orange definitely doesn't have a free cancellation policy.

[carlysummer]

I can't help you with the villacamp question but I found the facilities available in the free camping area to be of quite a high standard compared to the one other festival I'd been to (Oxegen, in Ireland)! I wouldn't fork out an extra £80 for some shade, save that for booze!

Why not just use the festival coaches, they can pick you up from the airport and also drop you off! (http://www.eufest.com/festivals/beni/transport/) I used them last year and they were great!

Camping with the heat is a given, the only thing I can suggest is maybe string a tarpaulin over your tent or one of those metallic sun shields, don't take a sleeping bag either, no point! What I did was buy a tent with a sort of lobby in it with two entrances, had good cover from the sun and a lovely cross-breeze!

Hope that helped!

Oh also, try www.skyscanner.net for some cheap-ish flights!

[Habylab]

Food is shit. And I mean really shit. Expensive and awful quality.

Some of the bars beside the beach are ok, although alcohol is so cheap from the supermarkets it's probably better to buy your own. You can get these massive bags of ice, so you can have cool drinks.

[HaSTUken]

Yeah the food is pretty bad! Like everyone said the best bet is going to mercadona the supermarket, and eating at camp. We managed to get two bottles of vodka in each night, in those squeezey yoghurt packs with screw lids, under boobs and balls, then used out tickets for red bull. Kinda cheeky but the drinks are too expensive

[CP9]

Is there a McDonalds? Hahaha

[davywalsh7]

Any rumours?? Been strangely quiet on the rumours this year