BEFORE YOU GO ..... (Page 3)
LeisureZone holiday hints, tips and general information - (arranged alphabetically)
Language Spanish is the native language, but with a distinctive Canarian twist! True Spanish as spoken in the peninsula pronounces the letter "s" as a "th". People from South America pronounce the "s" and an "s" ...... but the Canarians sometimes don't pronounce it at all - it becomes a silent letter, which can make the word sound completely alien and unrecognisable. Example "Dos cañas" (2 beers), becomes "Do caña" The good thing is, whatever style of Spanish YOU speak, you will be understood by the Canarians - but you may not understand their replies! English is widely spoken in the resort areas, as is German and Italian. Most people appreciate the fact that you try to speak their language, even if you get it wrong, so have a go and add a new dimension to your holiday!
Mosquitos Mosquitos are prevalent ALL YEAR, although they appear less active in the cooler winter months. Wear long trousers and sleeves when out and about in the evening. Close all windows and doors BEFORE you switch the lights on in your accommodation. Use plug-ins if you feel they are necessary. Take body sprays containing citronella - they just don't like it!!!!
Personal Safety Common sense prevails - don't go out alone late at night in any of the barrios (housing estates) in the main cities Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura and Arrecife, Lanzarote - the resort areas tend to be safer.
Keep all valuables safe and be sure to close and lock all windows and doors when leaving your apartment, even for a short time as most theft is opportunistic. Fishing rods have been known to be used to get small valuables, so keep everything well out of reach. Where fitted, put all valuables in your apartment safe, or use those on offer at your hotel.
You may want to take a small torch with you so that you can see your door lock as evening street lighting can appear quite dim compared to other European countries.
Pharmacies and Chemists There are different types of pharmacies in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. All pharmacies have neon signage which flash a green cross symbol when they are open.
A normal dispensing chemist is called a FARMACIA. Normal working hours apply, with pharmacies in a local area taking turns to cover Sunday mornings - check the local press of current details. A pharmacy specialising in health foods and supplements is called a PARAFARMACIA and has a red flashing cross.
For DOCTORS - please see this page
Postal Service The Correos (Post Office) service has offices throughout the islands and sells postcards etc so you can keep in touch with your friends back home. Hours generally are 08:30 - 14:00 Monday - Saturday. Post Offices close for Bank Holidays and Fiestas
Rubbish/Recycling There are many large rubbish collection bins situated throughout the island. These are emptied on a daily basis, normally between 03:00 and 06:00 in the morning (be aware you might be disturbed by the noise in your apartment). There are colour-coded recyling bins for plastic, paper, bottles etc which are emptied on a regular basis.
Shop Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 10:00 - 13:00/13:30
& 17:00 - 21:00/22:00
Saturday 10:00 - 13:00/13:30 (Supermarkets close at 20:00)
Sunday 10:00 - 15:00 (Supermarkets)
Some shops open during Siesta, and ALL supermarkets are open right through. You will be asked to leave large bags etc in the lockers provided - they take a refundable 1€ coin. Trollies are also available with acceptable coinage 50c - 1€ - 2€
Sunscreen Is NOT AN OPTION but an obsolute necessity! Both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote benefit from a breeze all year which can feel quite cool in the winter, but lovely in the summer - DON'T BE FOOLED - you are still being pounded by UV rays even though you feel totally comfortable, and you will also get WINDBURN which can affect you even on overcast winter days!! We have seen many "lobsters" walking around after the first few days of their arrival.
BABIES & CHILDREN - Use as high a UV protection factor as you can and make them wear hats. Protect the shoulders by making them wear T-shirts when they are playing, especially in the sea.
If you do need an aftersun treatment, try some of the locally produced soothing aloe vera products to help with skin irritation of all sorts.
Telephone You can obtain phone cards everywhere. The dialling code into Fuerteventura and Lanzarote is the same as the rest of Spain (Country code: 0034). Be sure to activate your mobile phone for "roaming" BEFORE leaving your home country if you intend to make or receive calls. Texts should be ok. Your mobile will automatically search for a Spanish network which may not have an equivalent to your home country. You may find yourself using Movistar or another provider. Check with your home provider before leaving so that you don't receive any nasty pricing surprises!
Time Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are on GMT and clocks go back and forward with the seasons.
Tipping Some people tip, others don't. Our personal rule of thumb is to leave a tip if you are happy with the product and service received. 10% of the bill is sufficient.
Please let us know if you would like us to add anything else, or if we have missed something off the list ..... info@leisurezone.es
