Gran Canaria information - General information
Bank information
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 09:00-14:00
Sat 09:00-13:00 (No Sat opening Jun-Oct)
General bank information
Outside these times you can usually change money at your hotel or apartment, or at Cambio de Change. Note: The exchange rates may not be as good as the banks.
You will require your passport to change Traveler's cheques. More Traveler cheque information
Major credit cards are accepted at most shops, hotels and restaurants.
Beach Safety
Always supervise children when near water and obey the beach warning flags
Red Strong currents do not swim
Yellow Strong winds and turbulent sea conditions take care.
Green Safe to swim.
Health Info.
Insurance information
Ensure you have adequate insurance to cover Medical Expenses and dental treatment
UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
Ensure you takea European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), obtainable FREE online & lasts for 5 years. Beware of unofficial websites, which may charge if you apply through them.
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.
Does not cover dental treatment.
The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it.
Medication information
- Take your prescription medication with you. This should be pharmacy labeled with your name. Also take your written prescription couterfoil with you in case there are any customs queries.
- Popular over the counter medication is available from pharmacies.
Any medicines prescribed by a local Doctor may have to be paid for. - Asking a hotel for assistance with a health problem will mean that you end up with private pay for system
- Call the Emergency telephone number 112 & ask for an ambulence to take you to the nearest public hospital.
- If you need to call out a doctor in an emergency, make sure you have an in date GHIC or EHIC and ask for state-funded healthcare.
Hospital information
Sun Burn
Gran Canaria is at the same latitude as the Sahara desert and 700 miles nearer the equator than the UK. The sun is powerful even in mid winter. Beware a coolish wind can lead you into a false sense of security - the suns rays are still there.
Sun Burn Prevention
Prevention is better than a cure.
- Keep covered up and use wide brimmed hats.
- Sit in the shade.
- Use high factor sun screen lotion.
- Limit your sunbathing sessions, especially on the first few days.
- Don't sun bathe mid day, especially for children.
Currency information
The Island uses the single European currency, the euro €. For a rough and ready conversion reduce the euro € price by a third to convert to sterling £.
Money - Cash
The denominations for the Euro bank notes are 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 euros. Coins are 2 and 1 euros. Smaller coins are 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centimes. There are 100 centimes in 1 euro.
Bank notes are designed to help any body with visual impairment, with large numbers, different sizes and touch differences.
The notes are universal for all the counties using the euro. Coins are the same on 1 side for all countries but are different on the other side and bear the counties name. They are accepted in all euro counties.
Travellers Cheques
We have a Currency Converter link on our Expedia page
Travellers Cheques are safer than carrying large amounts of cash, and are easily changed in Banks, Cambios (Money change offices) and hotels. Banks give the best exchange rate but may not be as convienient. If comparing prices take into consideration both exchange rate and commision charged. You may need you passport to change travellers cheques.
Beware or a trick used by some money changers. They offer a very good interest rate on placards outside the premises, but this is only if you are changing a large amount of money. Always check the rate for the amount of momey you wish to exchange.
Credit Cards / Debit Cards / Bank Cards
A very popular way of handling you money. Usually you get the best exchange rate using these cards. Check with your bank about the rates. Some of the different cards offered by the same bank can be more advantageous than others.
Many Banks may require you to inform them if using a card abroad.
Please note that if a charge is made for using an ATM it is usually a fixed charge per tranaction, therefore small and often withdrawals can be expensive.
Shopping
Shop Opening Times
Gran Canaria boasts an extensive network of shopping areas in the island’s main urban and tourist areas.
Most shops open Mon - Sat 09:00 / 10:00 to 13:00 / 13:30, then 16:00 / 16:30 to 20:00
Some shops may open only for the morning on Sat
Sun and Bank Holidays Closed.
Souvenir shops and shops in tourist areas tend to open for longer hours and often 7 days a week.
Pharmacies
Similar to shops. Usually closed Saturday afternoon.
Check the window for sign re Emergency supplies.
Commercial centres (Centro Commercial)
Commercial centres are generally areas of concentrated shops, bars, restaurants supermarkets and nightclubs. Commercial centres are usually have CC after there name on maps. The ones near the town centre are very tourist oriented, towards the towns outskirts they are oriented towards the Spanish population, and usually goods are cheaper. This cheaper price difference which is very noticeable in supermarkets catering mainly to the locals, but Spanish brands will be less known and labeled in Spanish so a little harder to find what you want if a United Kingdom tourists.
Duty Free
Unlike mainland Spain, Gran Canaria and the Canary islands are duty free. To generalise duty free goods are alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco and perfumes. It is cheaper to buy these goods from supermarkets than in the airport duty free shops.
There is no VAT to pay but there is a sales tax of 7% making it one of the cheapest destinations in Western Europe
On returning to the United Kingdom you are restricted in the amount of duty free products that you bring back. 200 cigarettes, 1 litre spirits ect.
Gran Canaria Local Markets
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Vegueta Craft Market:
Plaza del Pilar from 11am - 3pm except July, August & September.
Municiple Flee Market
Ramblas Alcalde Juan RodriguezDoreste
Sundays 8am - 1:30pm
San Lorenzo Farmers Market
San Lorenzo
Sundays 8am - 1:30pm
Other Town Markets
Galder
Thusdays 8am - 2pm
Santa Maria de Guia
Tuesdays & Sundays 10am - 2pm
Moya
Sundays 8am - 2pm
Arucas
Saturdays 8am - 2pm
Teror
Sundays 8am - 2pm
Valeseco
Sundays 8am - 2pm
Santa Brigida
Fridays 6pm - 8pm, Saturdays 2am - 8pm & Sundays 7am - 2pm
Valsequillo
Sundays 8am - 2pm
Telde
Saturdays 8am - 2pm
Ingenio
First Sundays of the Month 9am - 3pm
Aguimes
Thusdays 9am - 2pm
Vecindario
Wednesdays 8am - 2pm
Santa Lucia
Sundays 8am - 2pm
San Frrnando de Maspalomas
& Saturdays 8am - 2pm
Arguineguin
Tuesdays 10am - 2pm
Puerto de Morgan
Fridays 8am -2pm
San Mateo
Saturdays 8am - 8pm & Sundays 6am - 2pm
Visas, Passports and Requirements
Visitors from the UK
- Require a British Passport for up to 90 days visit. Longer visits require a "permiso de residence" (EU residence permit) valid for a year, extendable. Apply at the nearest police station to your intended residence.
- Require a Return or onward Ticket
- Driving Licence if you wish to drive.
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Check latest information with the Spanish Embassy.
20 Draycott Place,
London SW3 2RZ
Tel 020 7581 5921
Drinking Water
The tap water in Gran Canaria is drinkable but has a strong salty taste due to high mineral content. Therefore most tourist prefer bought bottled water the supermarkets. The cost of a 5 litre bottle is around 60p.
- "Agua con gas" is sparkling mineral water
- "Agua sin gas" still water.
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Sun Burn Treatment
Remove the heat by applying cold water to the effected part. a long cold shower is ideal if sun burnt all over.
Asprin or Paracetomol can ease the pain. Do not give Asprin to children under 12. Follow the doses provided.
Calamine lotion or after sun may help.
Consult a doctor if severe.
Language
The local language is Spanish, but English is widely spoken in the resorts.
Island Size
Gran Canaria is approximatly 50km across at the widest point and 50km North to South and just a little under 2000 square kilometre .
Tourist Offices
Taxes
The Island has a sales tax of 4.5% making it one of the cheapest destinations in Western Europe.
Transport
See the transport page
Timeshare
Gran Canaria has it's share of timeshare touts. The first question will always be "do you speak English?". After that you may be asked to help them with a holiday questionnaire on behalf of the Spanish tourist board, or the more common scratch card. These scratch cards are all winners. Prizes may be 3 days car hire, water park tickets, duty free packs or the star prize of £1,000. Unless you want to sacrifice 1/2 day of your holiday to a relentless hard sell, do not go with them to collect your prize! Remember, only the foolish or greedy will really believe that they are getting something for nothing
Tipping
It is normal to leave a tip of around 10% of the total bill in Gran Canaria.
Police
The free emergency telephone number is 112
