Air service

Inter-island flights are available from the neighbouring islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, the Spanish mainland and from numerous European airports by charter. British tour operators offer flights to the island on most days of the week from various UK airports.

Banks

The banks usually open Mondays till Fridays between 8.30am and 2.00pm. Long queues should be expected. It might be easier and faster to use the cash points draw cash. You can find the cashpoints in front of every bank and in front of a lot of shops.

Car driving

Traffic control is adapted to the EU regulations, means we are driving on the right side, also at roundabouts. Traffic signs are identical. Seatbelt is obligatory. Drink driving law is the same as in UK.

From the main streets there are no turns to the left, except there is a separate track. Stopping at Stop-signs is very important, because all vehicles use the mainroad fast, mostly too fast, and expect the other drivers to really stop at the signs.

Towing is absolutely forbidden, even if your car stuck in the dunes of Corralejo!

Those who don't really mind the traffic rules, should always have enough money with them, because there are a lot of controls by the Guardia Civil – with on the spot fines in cash. If necessary, they will drive with you to the next bank and wait until you got enough money to pay.

Small traffic offences:
not putting the belt on, wrong parking (at the yellow line), rollstop, driving without light in the twilight, no or wrong indicator
==> 91 Euro

Bad traffic offenses:
overtaking where it's forbidden, driving over the safety line, parking on the pavement, at a waterhydrant or on the opposite side of the street.
==> 92 to 301 Euro

Very bad traffic offenses:
driving drunk or on drugs (soon there shall also be used drug detectors), refusing the test, speeding, using the telephone while driving, etc...
==> 302 to 602 Euro

Car rental

"Alquiler de coches" in Spanish. Prices are comparatively low. Independent and experienced travellers may find that hiring and returning a car at the airport is often cheaper, as taxis are relatively expensive. The minimum age for car rental is 21 and having held a driving licence for at least 3 years. There are several car rental agencies in Caleta de Fuste.

Also see Traffic below.

Children

Most holiday resorts offer children’s pools. Larger complexes like San Jorge,
Barceló or Elba Sara additionally offer playgrounds and special children’s entertainment and care.

Climate

The special sea climate and the sun make the Canaries very attractive for patients, who suffer from respiratory problems, such as asthma or chronical bronchitis. Canaries also offer a very recommendable climate for patients with skin diseases.

Clothing

In general standard summer clothing is sufficient, but please take a pullover or windbreaker for the evenings or winter months.

And please: you wouldn't go in a restaurant or a supermarket in your bathing clothes at home, would you? So please don't do it here either.

Eating and drinking

Make sure that you drink enough water. The need of liquid is much higher than at home because of the climate. Lack of liquid will cause a lot of problems, such as headache or constipation.

Usually the canarian food is low in calories and easy to digest. But those who do not use Olive oil at home or only a little bit, should start here with small quantities as well.

Caution with the combination of alcohol and sun!

Electricity

Voltage 220V AC

Fiestas

Can be public festival or a family ceremony. There is no need to be in time; delays up to 1 hour are usual. Fiestas in the evening do usually not start before 11pm. Locals dress traditionally, they appear together with their whole family and there is always plenty to eat and drink.

Foreign exchange

As everywhere in Spain, the currency is Euro (€). Money can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices and in most hotel receptions. Rates of exchange and commission charges vary, so do compare one with another. You can withdraw cash from cash points with your Switch card (Maestro or Cirrus) or any credit card.

Identification cards

Only passport or identity card needed. Approved driving licences: Germany, Austria, UK, Sweden and Switzerland.  

Medical care

Medical care is on European level. In Puerto del Rosario you will find a modern hospital with all medical facilities. Numerous private doctors situated in Caleta de Fuste speak English. An agreement between Spain and several European countries has been made so that every patient under medical treatment will be covered by their travel insurance.

Night life

There are a lot of small pubs, bars and restaurants in Caleta de Fuste. Hotels and bars within the commercial centres offer live entertainment almost every evening.

Opening hours

Timetables are pretty relaxed in the big tourist centres, so that shopping can also be done in the late evening hours. "Usual" opening hours are from Monday to Friday 9am - 1pm and 4pm - 8pm and Saturday 9am - 1pm.

Pharmacies

„Farmácia“ in Spanish, recognised by a green cross. Opening hours mostly correspond to usual business hours. Staff are generally well qualified and a doctor’s prescription is not always necessary. The pharmacy in Caleta is closed on Saturday afternoons and on Sundays.

The pharmacy at the airport, only 5min away by car, is open every day from 9am until 9.30pm.

Post Office

The post office of El Castillo opens Monday to Saturday 9am until 11am. It's not easy to find at the outer edge near the coastline at the corner of the Hotel San Jorge.

Seasons

Due to the excellent climate, the island is popular with visitors the whole year round. As with most holiday destinations, Christmas, Easter and July/August are the busiest periods.

Sun

Fuerteventura is 1500km nearer to the equator than Mallorca!
Because the sun rays have a shorter way through the atmosphere and arrive with more power on the earth. Sun has to be regarded with special care, already because one undervalues its intensity because of the steady light winds. At the beginning of your holidays do not spend more than 20 minutes unprotected in the sun, sunburn and sunstroke might be the result. Sunprotection with a high proctetion factor might cause allergies, so they should also be used carefully.
The best would be to accustom your skin slowly to the sun by extending the time in the sun daily about 5 - 10min. Around midday, between 12 and 4pm you should not sunbatheat all.

Please do not forget that kids are extremely susceptible to sunburn. The still don't have their own body protection mechanisms against excessive sunrays and should not be exposed to the direct sun. Sunburns on kids can cause critical longterm damages. It is a fact that skin cancer can frequently be noticed at persons who suffered as kids from heavy sunburns. But in the meantime, more and more types of UV-safe childrens clothing can be found, the clothing stays UV-safe also when it is wet.

Swimming

Swimming is possible all the time in the sheltered bay at Caleta de Fuste. Do not swim on the west coast, due to extremely strong currents, even at low tide - mortal danger! The same is to be said about the North coast at the strait between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Telephone

To the UK:     00-44- omit the "0" from your area code

From the UK: 00-34-928- local number

Mobile without any problems.

Time-Difference

The local time is the same as in the UK.

Tip

Informal: 10 % is typical if you are happy with the service.

Vaccinations

As there are no tropical diseases on the Canary Islands, no vaccinations are needed.