Important information for your holiday destination
Pharmacy
You can recognize Spanish pharmacies by a green cross. Normal opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 16 p.m. to 19 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m. If you need medication outside of these times, you will find a notice in every pharmacy with the address of the nearest emergency pharmacy.
If you have taken out health insurance abroad, get a receipt for all medication, which you can submit to the insurance company in Germany.
Doctor
Of course we hope that you will not get sick during your vacation, but for your peace of mind and information we would like to tell you what to do in the event of illness. You can reach a doctor at the reception. In order for the international health insurance certificate you have brought with you to be valid, you have to visit a health insurance company - you no longer need to exchange your health insurance certificate.
Guests with additional travel health insurance can be given a receipt for all medical treatments, which they submit to the insurance company in Germany. We recommend other guests to contact the health insurance company with the invoice in Germany. You will be reimbursed the normal cash rate in Germany. If you have serious complaints, you should contact your tour guide immediately.
Baden
In the Atlantic there are ebb and flow of tides. Due to dangerous water currents, caution should always be exercised when swimming. Please note the warning signs and flags placed on the beach:
Red = bathing prohibited!
Yellow = be careful!
Green = bathing without dangers possible!
Banks and currency exchange
In the summer months, the banks are open from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) from 9 a.m. to 14 p.m. and in the winter months also on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m. Many have a Cajero Automatico where you can withdraw money with your EC or credit card.
Interpreter
Please understand that our tour guide is not allowed to carry out any official translations. Your tour guide will be happy to help you contact an interpreter.
shopping
The Canary Islands are duty free. Cigarettes and alcohol are cheaper than at home. But be careful with cameras and hen! There are many imitations that you do not recognize as such at first glance. Many products are poorly made and if branded items are offered significantly cheaper than in Germany, you should think twice about buying them. Quality comes at a price everywhere, a large price difference always indicates that something is wrong with the product. Let the dealer give you an international guarantee booklet to protect yourself.
You should definitely bargain in the markets and bazaars. The dealers have already taken into account the price advantages that you can achieve by trading. There are no fixed prices - despite price tags in the shop window. Only buy devices that come in their original packaging and open them before purchasing. There are no special duty-free shops at the airport.
Filming and photography
The island's landscape and wildlife offer an infinite number of great subjects. Filming and photography are often tolerated in religious sites. Nothing is as fascinating as foreign cultures and faces.
Just one request: some people are very sensitive to cameras. Ask if you can take a picture, respect people's privacy! Most of the time, you will be allowed to take pictures. However, state officials such as traffic police, military and national guardsmen are not allowed to be photographed!
Business hours
Monday-Friday 9am-13pm and 16pm-20pm
Saturday 9 a.m. - 13 p.m
In the tourist centers, the opening times are usually continuous.
Consulate
The consular mission for Germany and Austria is in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.
Office hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
German consulate
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
Tel. +928 491
Swiss consulate
MADRID
Tel. +914 363
Austrian consulate
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
Tel +928 76 13 50
tap water
Tap water is suitable for cooking, showering and brushing your teeth. However, it is not recommended as drinking water, so it is better to buy mineral water.
Regular bus service
Regular buses run all over the island. Bus timetables are available from reception or you can find out about them directly at the bus stop. Since departure times are constantly changing, it is best to always find out about the times before a planned excursion. Don't forget that there are limited timetables on Sundays and public holidays. The bus stops are marked with yellow and blue lines.
Post
Main post offices are located in all main towns. The post offices are always very crowded, so you have to expect waiting times. You can also get stamps at the hotel reception, but then usually only together with the postcards. Send your holiday greetings in good time, a postcard can be on the way for up to two weeks. Due to the different transport systems, please hand in your postcards where you bought the stamps.
Sunbathing
Many guests misjudge the sun. Find a shady spot under the parasol for the first few days. You tan in the shade too, the tan lasts much longer and your skin thanks you for it. Use sun protection with a high sun protection factor, because the UV rays on the Canary Islands are stronger than on the mainland or the Balearic Islands. Even if you're not a big fan of hats, protect yourself from sunstroke with a hat. Parasols and deck chairs can be rented for a fee at almost every beach.
Electricity
As in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the voltage is 220 volts. If the plugs on your electrical appliances do not fit, you can get the appropriate adapter at reception or in supermarkets.
Taxis
The hotel reception will be happy to call a taxi for you at any time. If you want to travel longer distances by taxi, you should set the price beforehand. The taxis are bound by the legally regulated tariff lists that taxi drivers must always carry with them. Make sure you have enough change as the taxi drivers sometimes cannot give change. Almost all taxis are equipped with taximeters.
Phone
Local and long-distance calls can be made directly from your room or from the telephone booths. This is how it's done in the phone booth: insert coins (€ 0,20 / 0,50 / 1,00 / 2,00).
Germany: 0049 + area code without the zero + telephone number
Austria: 0043 + area code without the zero + telephone number
Switzerland: 0041 + area code without the zero + telephone number
Tip
A tip is gladly accepted as a thank you for a good service. For your orientation we give you an example: Housekeeping approx. € 3 per week, waiter approx. 10% of the invoice amount.
This regulation is voluntary. Tip whenever and wherever you want.
Traffic
The maximum speed is 90 km / h. 40 km / h applies within built-up areas, unless otherwise indicated. The seat belt must be worn at all times. Driving on the beaches / dunes or in open terrain is prohibited, violations can result in high fines. Only a few petrol stations are open on Sundays and public holidays.
Valuables
As everywhere, it also happens here that people are stolen. Keep valuables and papers in the hotel's rental safe. Otherwise, the same precautionary measures apply as at home: do not leave any money in the room (except in the safe), keep an eye on your bag wherever there is a crowd, only take as much money with you as necessary, do not put your wallet in your pocket in the back pocket and do not leave any objects visible in the car. Should you still lose something, report the loss to the local police. You will need a police report for any claims with your insurance company. Neither the hotel nor the tour operator are liable for stolen items in the room.
Customs
Spain is part of the EU, but the Canary Islands have a "special status". The EU regulations only apply to the mainland and the Balearic Islands. You can find detailed customs regulations on this website.
