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| Essential Local Info page 1 |
Canary Islands are often described as the 'islands of eternal spring'. That is quite true. Tenerife is a year round destination and you can really come at any time without disappointment.
Of course during winter it does get a little cooler, but compared to central and northern Europe it is still pure paradise. Inevitably, the warm winter does tend to draw the bulk of tourists and December to February can definitely be considered 'high season'.
Not quite so busy, but certainly also a high season are the months between May and October. The cool sea breezes can be very refreshing compared to the 'scorchers' associated with mainland Spain. Click here to see the average annual temperatures.
Airfares are most attractive between November and mid December, also from March to May with the exception of Easter that is very popular indeed.
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Our best advice to you is 'bring only the bare necessities'. You can buy almost anything you might need and probably a lot cheaper than in your country.
A backpack is surely one of the most useful items and comes in very handy for the day trips, shopping sprees and walks. A 'zippable' backpack is a safe way to carry your belongings but a concealed money belt or shoulder wallet will certainly keep your money and documents safe from pickpockets.
Even though coastal temperatures are mild throughout the year, if you venture inland you may need a light sweater to keep you warm. For the Northern slopes some wet weather gear could save you from a surprise soaking.
If you are heading to the Night Clubs, Discos and finer restaurants, do take a set of smarter clothes. Beachwear and trainers will not be accepted.
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Think about bringing the following useful items:
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Worth buying when you arrive:
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Concealed money belt
Spanish Phrasebook
First Aid Kit & Headache tablets
Electrical plug adapter
Torch
Alarm Clock
Sun block and Sunglasses
Towel and Soap
Personal medication
Driving License
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Toilet Paper
Mineral Water
Sunhat
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Although Tenerife is a long way from Spain, it is Spanish territory and therefore all passport and residency rules are the same as on the Spanish mainland.
European Union citizens can travel to Tenerife with national ID cards alone.
If your country does not issue identity cards, then a valid Passport is required. UK visitor passports are not acceptable.
All non-EU nationals require a full valid Passport.
Carry your ID card or Passport with you at all times. The police may ask to see it. As a backup, make photocopies of all your valuable documents and leave copies in your hotel accommodation as well as at home.
Nationals of the EU as well as Norway and Iceland do not require a Visa for a stay of up to 90 days. If you wish to stay longer than 90 days you will need to apply for a Residency Permit during the first month of your stay.
You will not require any vaccinations to visit the Canary islands, unless you are coming from an infected area. The most likely infection being 'Yellow Fever'. Make a point of checking with ourselves or local Spanish Embassy if in any doubt.
EU citizens can obtain a refund of most medical costs by using form E111, which are available from Post Offices, Health or Social Security offices in your country
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The euro is the currency of the Economic and Monetary Union and was adopted by 11 State-members from the European Union on the 1st of January 1999: Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Austria and Finland. In 2001, Greece also adopted the euro.
The symbol of the euro currency is an "E" crossed by two parallel lines. It is inspired on the representation of the Greek letter epsilon, calling up the birth of the European civilization and the first letter of the word Europe. The two parallel lines represent the internal stability of the euro.
The circulation of the euro starts on the 1st of January with 7 different bank notes and 8 different coins: bank notes of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euros, and coins of 2 and 1 euros and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 centimes. Although the coins have both a European common side and a specific national side, they are accepted in all the countries that joined the euro currency, and the same is applied to bank notes.
Both bank notes and coins were also conceived for people with visual disabilities. Therefore, the bank notes - besides having different sizes - count on elements that allow the identification of the different notes through touch.
Banks are open weekdays between 09.00 hrs and 14.00 hrs, however between June 1 and October 31 they close 1 hour earlier on Saturdays. You will always require your passport to change money and banks will always charge a commission fee. Most hotels, travel agents and Exchange offices 'Cambio' will also change your money but at a lower rate than the bank.
Travellers Cheques are safe and easily cashed at Banks and exchange offices throughout Tenerife. Remember that you should keep the Bank receipt listing the cheque numbers separate as well as those that you have already cashed. If your cheques are stolen this will be of great help.
Credit / Debit cards are by far the best way to organise your funds. You don't have large amounts of cash to worry about and you have access to your money at all hours. The exchange rate is also often the best. You pay a charge for each cash advance and ATM transaction - so don't withdraw small amounts often.
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Shops are open Monday to Saturday between 09.00 hrs and 13.00 hrs. They open again after a long 'Siesta' from 16.00 hrs or a little later for another 3 or 4 hours (although most stay closed in the afternoon/ evening on Saturdays).
The big supermarkets and department stores will do a 9 am to 9 pm stretch 6 days a week.
Many Governmental offices will open only in the mornings. Apart from the major tourist resorts, shops are closed on Sundays.
Museums have very varied opening times and churches are totally unpredictable.
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The cuisine of the Canary Islands combines traditional Spanish recipes with African and Latin American influences.
There are some mainland-imported meals, but the original is to be found in the Canary Islands specialities. Away from the standard Spanish food, and the many tourist-oriented "international" style restaurants in the hotels, there is a genuine local cuisine. It is much easier to find a real British pub or a fast-food restaurant than a 'Canarian tipico', usually distinguished by a short menu of soups, stews and grilled fish dishes.
The basis of Canarian cuisine is a variety of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish, generally light meals, more digestible in a warm climate. Meat usually features as part of a stew and steaks, mostly imported from Spain or South
America and are for tourists only.
The traditional island food is gofio, a sort of flour made from toasted cereals, often a substitute for bread.
Also, being one of the best-known dishes, try the Papas Arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes).
This last dish consists of potatoes boiled and salted with their skin. But, their real taste comes from the mojos (sauces), usually two olive oil-based sauces: the mojo picón (spicy sauce) and the mojo verde (green sauce). If you like fish, you will feel in paradise on those islands. Among the most typical regional recipes are Caldereta and Sancocho Canario, salted fish in a Mojo sauce. You will find a wide variety of international recipes of fish and seafood, too.
Among vegetarian dishes Potaje de Berros, a hot pot of chickpeas, is perhaps best known.
The most typical dessert is bienmesabe, a mixture of honey, almond cream, eggs and rum. Besides that, you have a wide choice of tropical fruits, like mangoes and paw paw. Platanos Fritos, fried bananas, are in great demand. Not to be missed at all, is the local goat cheese, which is invariably good.
The Tapas concept is one of the most important Spanish contributions to the world of gastronomy. A Tapa is a light and small piece of food that Spaniards have either before lunch or dinner, always with a glass of wine or beer. The Tapas custom allows one to have several wines or beers before lunch or dinner, it hides the appetite (tapa el hambre). The Tapa can be presented in several ways: as a pincho (with a stick), as a mini-dish of a traditional recipe, as a canapé, etc....
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Any emergency: 061.
Police
Arona: 922 76 63 62.
Adeje: 922 78 04 29.
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Hospitals
Las Americas: 922 75 00 22.
Clinica San Eugenio: 922 79 10 00.
International MEDSERVICE: 922 79 05 63. Ambulances
Ambulances: 061.
Las Américas: 922 78 07 59
Los Cristianos: 922 79 05 05
Puerto de la Cruz: 922 38 38 12
Santa Cruz: 922 28 18 00
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Civil Guard
Tel: 922 79 14 14.
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National Police
Tel: 922 72 54 00.
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Chemists
Duty Chemist 24 hrs: 922 28 24 24
Las Américas: 922 79 44 28
Los Cristianos: 922 79 08 47
Puerto la Cruz: 922 37 06 55
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Airports
Los Rodeos, North: 922 25 79 40
Reina Sofia, South: 922 75 95 10
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Red Cross
Playa Américas: 922 78 07 59
Los Cristianos: 922 79 05 05
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Happily, there are good facilities for the disabled at all the terminals of the international airports in the Canaries. Playa de las Américas and Puerto de la Cruz have several wheelchair friendly hotels and more are being built.
There actually exists a purpose built centre in Los Cristianos called 'Mar y Sol Resort'. But that is the end of the good news!
Throughout the rest of the islands, facilities are lacking or do not exist at all. There are hardly any adapted toilets and you won't find disabled friendly hire cars (maybe an automatic) or public transport. The British based Royal association for Disability and rehabilitation (RADAR), publish a guide called 'Holidays & Travel Abroad: A Guide for Disabled People'. It includes info on Spain and the Canary Islands with plenty of contact details. (Tel: 0171 250 3222).
Also, the British 'Holiday Care Service' can be requested to send you a fact sheet for the Canaries with very useful information. (Tel: 01293 774 535).
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