Banks
Banks are open Monday / Friday from 08:30 to 14:00 hours. ATMs are marked with "tele banco".
Casino
Casinos are located in Hotel Tamarindos - San Augustin or in Costa Meloneras –Meloneras. Roulette, blackjack and baccarat are the most popular games. Stakes are from € 1, - to € 1000, - Open 09:00 to 04:00. Take a passport, identity card or driving license with you.
Children – playgrounds
Waterpark Agualand in Maspalomas guarantees a day full of fun. For the little ones, there is a turtle island. Palmitos Park is located in a beautiful area with all imaginable kinds of birds and also crocodiles, monkeys and an aquarium. Sioux City is a real cowboy town in San Agustin. Mini - Kart racing at the Aero Club near San Agustin. The leisure centre Holiday-World Maspalomas has a bowling alley and a fun fair. Crocodile Parc in Los Coralillos. Low budget zoo/rescue centre for wild illegal imported animals. You contribute to their care. You can even feed the chimpanzees with bananas (to buy at the counter). The Angry Birds Park at Puerto Rico, great playground for children! Or the park near football fields of San Fernando, for free!
Climate
The average temperature in Gran Canarias hovers around 22 º C throughout the year. The humidity is 65 %. The sun's rays are very strong and we advise you to be careful: wear sunscreen with a high factor. Between 12:00 and 15:00 the sun is strongest, and it is advisable to avoid direct sunshine.
Dentist (dentista)
For a visit to the dentist, you’d better go to a private clinic. These can be found mainly in Playa del Inglès. C. Lanzarote, 41, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Las Palmas Telephone number: + 34 928 76 32 80 There is a 24 hours service in Las Palmas : CLinica Dental Geo: C. León y Castillo, 280 Esquina, 35005 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas + 34 928 23 00 02 or mobile phone: +34 66155 10 03
Doctor (médico)
I would highly recommend to go first to see a doctor in a small clinic before you to a private hospital. I can recommend Clinica Caceres, Avenida de España 13, Playa del Inglés. 24 - hours service. Home visits are possible. Phone: 00 34 928 76 12 92
Electricity
Gran Canarias uses 220 volts. However, you may need an adapter plug that can be obtained from the supermarkets. In Spanish it is called "enchufe ". Please use electricity economically. Do not leave the air conditioning or unnecessary lights on when you leave.
Emergency
REMAIN CALM.
The emergency number in Spain is 112 (fire, police ambulance etc.). (See also doctor or hospital)
Excursions
Excursions are the best way to get to know the island. We have created a wide range of excursions on land, at sea and in the air. Check this blog for more information.
Health
In Playa del Inglès in Gran Hotel Costa Meloneras and in San Augustin - Gloria Palace there are centres for wonderful thalassotherapy. Massages and special treatments by appointment.
Holidays (local)
January 1st: New Year's Day
January 6th: Epiphany (3 Kings, The biggest bank holiday in Spain, a lot of things will be closed!)
February Carnival
February 2nd: Candlemas
March 19th: San Jose ( father´s day )
March / April Semana Santa, Holy week before Easter
May 1st: Labour Day
May 30th: Day of the Canary Islands
July 16th: Day of Carmen ( patron saint of Mogan )
July 25th: Day of Santiago ( patron saint of Spain )
August 15th: Assumption Day
August 24th: San Bartholome ( patron saint of San Bartholome de Tirajana )
September 8th: Day of Nuestra Señora del Pino (patron saint of Gran Canaria )
October 12th Day Hispanidad
November 1st: All Saints' Day
December 6th: Constitution Day
December 8th: Immaculate Conception
December 25th: Christmas Day
Please note that banks, post offices and most shops are closed on public holidays. Besides the above, there are also local Holidays for each village, and dates may change.
Hospital
In case of need you can go for treatment to the following private clinics, but I advise you to first see a doctor (see above):
Santa Catalina, Las Palmas, Tel. 928 23 41 22
Clínica Roca, San Augustin, Tel. 928 763362 ( English speaking staff )
Hospital San Roque, Maspalomas, Tel. 928 01 26 00 ( English speaking staff )
The state hospitals are :
Hospital Insular, Tel. 928 444 500
Hospital Doctor Negrín, Tel. 928 444 000
Loss
If you are robbed or have lost your bankcards, important papers like your passport, then you should report this to the police. CONTACT YOUR BANK TO BLOCK THE CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS!!!
Markets
In Las Palmas there is a daily market with fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, etc. A nice farmers market takes place in San Mateo or Teror on Sunday mornings, Friday mornings in Puerto de Mogán, Tuesdays at Arguiniguin, Wednesdays and Saturdays in San Fernando, all from 9:00 to 13:00 hours.
Medical Assistance /Doctor (médico)
I would highly recommend to go first to see a doctor in a small clinic before you to a private hospital. I can recommend Clinica Caceres, Avenida de España 13, Playa del Inglés. 24 - hours service. Home visits are possible. Phone: 00 34 928 76 12 92
Money
ATM’s: working 24 hours a day. Sometimes with bank holidays, on Sunday ATM might be empty!
Pharmacy (Farmacia)
Identifiable by a signboard with a green cross. Open Monday / Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and 16:30 - 19:00 hours. For weekend services use this web site, or marked on the door of every pharmacy, is where to find the chemist with the weekend shift.
Police
The general emergency number is 112. (See also theft.).
Return
Be at the airport 2 hours before your departure. With a delayed departure, consult Ilse whether you can stay in your accommodation till departure time.
Shops
Shops are open from 09:00 to 13:00 hours and from 16:00 to 20:00 or even 22:00. Local people have siestas. On Sundays and holidays, shops are closed, but some supermarkets will remain open. In larger malls, shops will be open from 10.00 till 22.00 Hrs. You can find a nice shopping mall in Vecindario, bus 90 or taxi (€ 25,-). Or shopping center Las Arenas in Las Palmas near the beach. Bus 30, than taxi.
Sun
Do not stay too in the sun too long and use a good sun screen. The sun here is 25 % stronger than in mainland Spain and about 50 % stronger than in the UK. We do not want you to go home looking like a cooked lobster. Parents: please think about the children; protect them well, even if it is cloudy.
Swimming
There is a water park in Maspalomas; “Aqualand". The use of the pool at the villa / finca is at your OWN RISK. Swimming in the sea is also possible, but note the colour of the flags that hang from the Red Cross posts. The colour can be:
RED: don’t go into the sea: undercurrents, very dangerous.
YELLOW: be careful, don’t go too far into the sea, there can be dangerous undercurrents
GREEN: the sea is calm
Note: it is very dangerous to swim at night.
Theft
Watch out for pickpockets in the busier shopping centres and other venues. If you are a victim of pickpockets, report it. This can be done by telephone in English or German under number 902 102 112. Afterwards you’ll need to collect the declaration from the "Policia Nacional" in Euro Center, within 48 hours.
CONTACT YOUR BANK TO BLOCK DEBET/CREDIT CARDS!!!
Time
Gran Canarias is at the same GMT-time. It also uses BST.
Tipping
When you are satisfied with the service, you can give a tip of 10%.
Tourist
Tourist information can be found at Avda de España in Playa del Inglés (Yumbo Shopping Centre). Opening hours on weekdays from 09:00 till 21:00 hours; on Saturdays from 09:00 till 13:00.
Water
Tap water is not suitable for consumption, it is water with an “extra". Buy bottled water for drinking water. Of course for showering, washing hands, brushing teeth etc. tap water can be used.