Telephone Numbers | Timetables | Island Statistics | Tourist Information

Banks and Money Exchange
Opening times of banks vary: the general opening hours are from 09.00 am to 1.30 pm Monday to Friday. Most banks are closed Saturday afternoon and all day Sundays. Most banks will provide cash on a Visa card, your limit allowing.

ATM - there are various ATM machines in the resort. Usually you will be charged a fee for this transaction.

Post
Always ask for stamps when you purchase your postcards, most shops and supermarkets will not sell them separately. The assistant should be able to advise you as to the cost of the post within Europe.

The main post office is for Lanzrote is in Arrecife, the capital,, this is situated along the main sea front road and is open from 09.00 hrs to 14.00 hrs and for telegrams only until 20.30 hrs.

The post office in Puerto del Carmen is situated on the roundabout between the old and the new town (in front of the Guardia Civil and next to the Biosfera shopping centre). Opening Hours: 08.30 hrs to 14.30 hrs weekdays, Saturday mornings from 09.30 hrs to 13.00 hrs. Post office is 'Correos' in Spanish. Stamps (sellos in Spanish) can usually be purchased from shops & supermarkets selling postcards, however these shops will only sell the stamps with the postcards and not seperately.

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Phones & Internet
Telephone
The local telephone boxes are situated every few hundred metres around the tourist areas. Most accommodation receptions have public telephone boxes too. Please be aware that these are usually more expensive than those you will find in the street. Boxes will accept coins or cards.

Cheap rate when calling the abroad is after 10.00pm Monday to Friday and after 2.00pm on Saturday. Cheap rate applies all day Sunday.

Mobile Phones
Many mobile phones connect with the Spanish networks automatically. If your telephone asks you to select a network, the networks in Lanzarote are Movistar or Airtel (Now owned by Vodafone). To call a local landline number from your mobile the code is 00 34, however if you have pre-arranged a ‘Roaming’ facility with your mobile provider you should be able to dail Spanish numbers direct and be charged at a local rate.

Internet
More and more internet cafes are opening throughout Lanzarote & Fuerteventura.Many of then double as telephone shops such as Telefoni's Movistar businesses.

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Medical Services
Chemists
Look out for the sign 'Farmacia' and the green Maltese cross. Outside normal opening hours, all chemists display the address of a chemist open 24 hours.

Clinics
There are many private clinics on both islands, and they are generally quite expensive, charging up to 100 euros for 1 visit. The main private hospital for Lanzarote is in Puerto del Carmen caleed Hospiten, Freephone 900 700 7777. (24-hour assistance)

Lanzarote's state hospital is situated on Calle Terra, San Bartolome, this is just off the main road or circunvalacion to Arrecife. Tel no 928 801636 or 928 800163. More medical service contact numbers including for Fuertenetura are listed on this site - click here

Dentist
The British Dental Clinic is situated in Tias, just outside Puerto del Carmen.
Tel: 928 833 573 Please note: dental costs are quite expensive and generally not covered by your holiday insurance

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Transport
Taxis
Taxis run a regular service, the price of a journey within the resort is reasonable, if you are travelling further, then the fares become more expensive. All taxi fares will be shown on the taximeter at the end of the journey, to avoid dispute later on, you should ask for an approximate price at the beginning of the journey.

If you are travelling out of your resort, tell the driver before you set off, as the rate per kilometre will be less. There are several taxi ranks around the resort: taxis can also be hailed in the street, look out for an illuminated green light, which will indicate the taxi is available for hire. You can also ask your accommodation receptionist to call you a taxi. Taxi telephone numbers are listed on this site - click here

Bus Service
There is a regular bus service, which runs from Puerto del Carmen to Arrecife every 20 minutes, Playa Blanca to Puerto del Carmen limited to 4 or 5 a day and Costa Teguise to Arrecife every 20 minutes. The bus stops are clearly indicated on the roadside and fares are not much more than one euro wherever you wish to go.

To return to Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca from Arrecife you have to wait for the bus by the beach near the Arrecife Medular. The bus service tends to be rather erratic so don't be surprised if the bus does not arrive on time.

On Sunday there is a local bus service to Teguise market from Puerto del Carmen which leaves the resort at 09.00 and 10.00, returning 12.00 and 13.30.
There are bus routes to other parts of the island, but you will first have to find your way to the bus depot in Arrecife, the services are limited to 1 or 2 buses per day.
See bus timetables for more detail.

Car Hire
This is the most popular form of transport; if you would like to hire a car there are many car hire companies around the island. Cars can be delivered to your accommodation and may be left at the airport if you wish.

When driving in both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, you need to carry your driving licence at all times. If your driving licence does not have a photo, you also need to carry your passport as ID. The use of seat belts is compulsory. The use of mobile phones while driving is strictly prohibited unless they are totally hands free. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Do not throw any object out of the car that could produce a fire or cause an accident.

Speeding fines are on the spot and range from approx 90 euros to 1,500 depending on the seriousness of the offence. Also in most built-up areas parking is pay and display, the blue lines in the parking areas denote this, costs are reasonable, but beware if cars are left without displaying a valid ticket you will get a parking ticket or they may be towed, incurring large fines. If you get a parking ticket, this can be cancelled at the machine.

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Shopping
The normal opening times of the shops in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are as follows:-
Monday to Friday 09.00 to 13.00 and 16.00 to 19.00; Saturday 09.00 to 13.00
Most shops are closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Invariably you will find some shops that stay open during the Siesta Periods mainly in the resort areas.

There is a new shopping centre in the old town of Puerto del Carmen called Biosfera, with a selection of shops from clothes, shoes, jewellery and perfume etc. Another shopping centre is Deiland in Playa Honda, situated close to the airport. Here you will also find a children's play area, a small bowling alley and a cinema which only shows Spanish films. Across the road from Deiland, opposite the airport you will also find several hypermarkets if you want to stock up with your shopping.

Arrecife the capital also has many shops, the main shopping street being 'Leon y Castillo' which has smaller streets leading off. All shops close for the siesta period from 13.00 until 17.00.

Best buys on the island are duty free items such as alcohol and cigarettes, perfume, watches and some electrical items. Don't forget to haggle over the prices of leather items from the Moroccan bazaars, and the Canarian lace tablecloths.

Please note for travellers from EU countries, your duty free allowance is:
200 Cigarettes or 250g tobacco or 50 Cigars.
1 Litre of spirits or 2 Litres fortified wine,
60 cc perfume or 250cc toilet water.
Gifts per person allowed to the value of £132.00. (approx. 190 Euros)
N.B. when using credit cards whilst shopping you will need to provide photo identification. Eg passport or driving license.

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Local Cuisine
Whilst on holiday in the Canary Islands, why not sample some of the local cuisine. Below you will find some explanations of what you may see on menus in Canarian restaurants throughout the island.

Papas Arrogadas Small new potatoes cooked in their skins and boiled in salt, served with the local mojo sauce.

El Gofio A traditional staple food, which is a mixture of toasted cereal and grains.
Chorrizo Pork sausage highly seasoned with paprika and garlic.

San Concho Fresh stew served with the mojo sauce and papas arrogadas.

Sama Fresh fish caught locally, baked in sea salt and served to the table on a trolley (still encased in salt!).

Vieja Fresh fish boiled in its scales and seasoned with oil.

Tollo Dried fish served with mojo and other sauces.

Jamon Serrano Cured ham, thinly sliced.

Tortilla Traditional 'Spanish omelette' made with potatoes and onions (sometimes chorizo as well), normally served cold.

Paella Spain's most famous dish, a combination of rice, boiled with saffron and a variety of seafood - squid, mussels, shrimps, clams etc.

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Safety First
Electrical Appliances
Please remember that it is dangerous to use electrical appliances when wearing a wet bathing suit or with bare feet on wet floors. For your own safety, please exercise proper caution when handling electrical appliances and supervise children. Please report any electrical defects in your accommodation to your reception.

All electricity on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura is 220 volts; you will need an adapter to use your personal appliances. In most accommodation properties there is a trip switch system on the wall, all trip switches should be in an upright position to obtain electricity. Power cuts occur occasionally. When there is a power cut it is possible that there will be no water as some accommodation uses water pumps operated by electricity. If this happens, contact your reception.

Balcony Safety
If you are travelling with young children, make sure that they are not left unsupervised on balconies. Keep balcony furniture away from the railing so that they are not encouraged to climb up.

Sun beds/Deck Chairs
When using sun beds/deck chairs, please ensure that they are properly set up before use. Please also avoid placing sun beds next to perimeter walls as children could use them to climb over walls.

Smoking Materials
Please take care when discarding matches, cigarettes etc. Always use ashtrays provided. Please do not smoke in bed.

Bathroom Safety
As bathroom floors are tiled and you will be using a bath or shower tray, please take extra care to ensure you do not slip.

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Personal Safety and Security
The same need for security applies abroad as at home, please be security conscious at all times. Lock all doors and windows when you go out and do not leave valuables on show with curtains open. We recommend the use of safety deposit boxes.

In the event you have something stolen, you will need to make a police report. Contact your reception or resort representative who will put you in touch with a translator to make a report at the local police station. Please note: there is a charge for this service but it is generally covered by your insurance policy.

Loss of Credit Cards
If you loose your credit card please call your credit card emergency number. For Travellers Cheques see the numbers below. You need to identify yourself to the operator, so make sure you are well equipped with any personal details or pin numbers. In the case of travellers cheques they will need to know where you are staying in order to send you your new ones.
Travellers cheque companies (in case of loss)
American Express - Spain 900 994426
Mastercard - Spain 900 994403
Thomas cook 0044 1678 720050
Visa - Spain 900 974445

Sunbathing
A healthy colour makes us all feel better, but taking too much sun can be both painful and dangerous. Build up your tan gradually by minimising your exposure during the first few days of your holiday. Always cover yourself with a high factor sunscreen lotion offering good protection. Never stay in the sun until your skin turns red- the damage has already been done. Take particular care with children, who should always wear sunscreen of at least Factor 20. Very young children should cover up with a sun hat and loose cotton clothing.

Remember the suns rays are at their strongest between the hours of 11.00 and 15.00 hours.
Remember you can still burn in the shade, when it's cloudy or when you're swimming. Wind and water intensify the suns effect, while you may feel cool, you could be burning.
If you do burn; Apply cold water, then cover the area with light gauze that lets the skin breath, but protects from germs. If there's any sign of infection. Seek medical advice.

Heat Stroke: - Drink plenty of water; this will combat the dehydration, which is responsible for the sick feeling and dizziness associated with heat stroke. Avoid alcohol, this will dehydrate you further.

Alcohol
Some of us like to indulge especially during our holidays, but there are times when alcohol is best avoided. Do not drink before swimming or sunbathing this will dehydrate you. Never drink when driving the drink-driving laws are very strict on the islands, they are no different to the laws at home.

Beach Safety
Playing and swimming in the sea can be great fun. However, when the sea is rough, dangerous currents may be present. We recommend that you follow the flag warning signals available on most beaches and swim in the designated areas. Be especially careful if you have small children.
Flag Warnings:
Green/White flag = Ok to swim
Yellow = turbulent, swim at your own risk
Red = dangerous, don't swim

Here are a few tips on beach safety:-

Children’s Safety
Given the natural curiosity of children on holiday, you will probably need to be very aware of what they are up to. Remember that young children should never be left unsupervised, particularly when around the swimming pool, on the balcony or near stairs. Make sure that your children always know where you are and please stress to them the importance of staying close by.

Boat & Ferry Services

Tide Times - August 2007