Currency in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is part of the archipelago of the Canary Islands. It delights with its unique nature and excellent climate, which is why for years holidays in Gran Canaria have been very popular among tourists from almost all over the world. What is worth knowing before traveling to this place? What currency to take with you and can you also pay on the island by card?
Where is Gran Canaria located?
Gran Canaria is the third largest island in the archipelago. The Canary Islands are administratively part of Spain, while geographically they are part of Africa. The archipelago also includes Tenerife, La Gomera, Fuerteventura, La Palma and several smaller islands – some of which are not inhabited at all. The capital of the island is Las Palmas, other important tourist destinations include Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Ingles, San Augustin, Puerto Rico, Taurito, Puerto de Mogan, Telde, among others.
Due to its original landscape, Gran Canaria is often called “the continent in a nutshell”, because in addition to sandy beaches, there are also majestic mountains, gorges, lush vegetation, dunes, rock formations, caves, plus atmospheric towns and beautiful architecture. The highest peaks in Gran Canaria are Pico de las Nieves (1949 meters above sea level) and Roque Nublo (1813 meters above sea level) – they are part of a mountain massif of volcanic origin.
The easiest way to get to Gran Canaria is by plane – the international airport is located near Las Palmas. You can get around the island by public transportation or by rented car.
What currency to take to Gran Canaria? Which ones are accepted?
The entire archipelago of the Canary Islands belongs to Spain and, at the same time, also to the European Union.For this reason, in Gran Canaria the valid currency is the Euro. Many Europeans, therefore, do not have to bother with exchanging money, while the rest of the travelers can buy euros before they leave for their vacation or already on the spot.It is advisable to take as much cash as you plan to spend during your stay on the island, but if you run out of it, it’s not a problem – there are plenty of ATMs in Gran Canaria, and many places accept credit cards. ATMs can also be found in smaller villages. What should I take to Gran Canaria to make payments?Visa, Visa Plus, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, Cirrus, among others, are accepted. Banks in the Canary Islands are open Monday through Friday, usually from 8:30 am to 2 pm.
Where can you exchange money in Gran Canaria?
You won’t have any trouble exchanging foreign currency for euros. There are quite a few currency exchange offices in tourist destinations, and you can get the necessary amount of euros at any bank, airports, tourist agencies and selected hotels. Although cards are accepted, it is always a good idea to carry some cash in euros just in case, especially if you plan to shop at local markets.
1 euro is about 1.12 U.S. dollars, 0.9 British pounds, 121 yen or 1.1 Swiss francs. Before you leave, it’s worth checking the current exchange rate, as you may find that buying euros in your own country will be cheaper than in Gran Canaria. The second important issue is the cost of currency conversion when paying in foreign currency – each bank has its own table of fees for such services.
Are there any problems with ATM withdrawals in Gran Canaria?
ATMs are plentiful in Gran Canaria, and not only in Las Palmas, but also in small towns. It is best to look for them in the center or near tourist attractions.ATMs are available 24 hours a day, and even in high season tourists have no problem withdrawing cash in the amount they need.
However, it is important to keep in mind the fees for withdrawing money, as taking cash out of an ATM will not always be free for the user. The amount of fees depends on the ATM operator and the bank to which the card belongs.High fees can be avoided by choosing ATMs of a specific network or by making a special currency card before your trip.Information on commissions and additional ATM fees can be obtained from your bank branch.
Is it possible to pay by card in Gran Canaria?
Card payments in Gran Canaria, as in the other islands of the archipelago, are widely accepted. You can pay by card in almost all hotels and in most stores or restaurants. In many resorts the card is also useful for paying for various services, such as beach chair rental.The card can even be used to pay for public transportation.
Where the service is charged by a vending machine, you will most often need a card, as the machine does not support cash payments and you will not be able to complete your transaction. Some points may have a payment limit for the card, such as 10 euros, and if the bill is lower, cash will already be required.
Is it possible to pay in Gran Canaria with a currency other than the Euro?
In the vast majority of cases, payment will only be possible in the official currency, the euro. Dollars or pounds are not accepted, except at a few points serving international customers.
Look: Gran Canaria advices
Is it worth having a currency card in Gran Canaria?
Currency cards will come in handy for those tourists who come from countries outside the Eurozone. You can get a multi-currency card at most banks, usually for free. With such a card you can avoid currency conversion fees, which can be quite high – the condition, however, is that there must be enough money in the account to which the card is connected. A multi-currency card supports not only payments in euros, but also in other currencies, such as dollars, pounds sterling or Swiss francs.
What is the official currency of Spain?
If a trip to Gran Canaria is combined with a stay in mainland Spain, such as Madrid or Barcelona, there will be no need to exchange currency, since the rest of the country pays the same way in euros. One euro is divided into 100 cents. There are seven banknotes in circulation, with values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. In addition, there are also coins with denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros. You can see what all the euro coins and bills look like on the European Central Bank’s website.
Check: Gran Canaria in November
Is it necessary to pay tips in Gran Canaria?
Tipping is not required in the Canary Islands, but in some places a tip is automatically added to the bill – if the establishment follows this practice, the value of the added tip appears on the receipt issued. However, it will be good practice to give small tips in restaurants, cabs and hotels – the amount of the tip is 10% of the price of the service or €1-5, depending on the customer’s discretion.
Is there a tourist tax in Gran Canaria?
Spain introduced a tourist tax many years ago, but it does not apply throughout the country; moreover, each region determines the rates charged on its own. The tax is in effect in Mallorca, Ibiza and Catalonia, among others, and the amount depends on the date of the stay (off-season is cheaper) and the standard of the hotel where the tourist books.
The tourist tax in Gran Canaria has not yet been introduced, as well as in Lanzarote, Tenerife and Fuerteventura. Regardless of the standard of the hotel and the date of the vacation, only the daily rate is paid, with no additional taxes.
How can you pay for shopping in Gran Canaria?
There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Gran Canaria. What to buy in Gran Canaria during your vacation? There are both small grocery stores and large shopping malls, boutiques of well-known brands, handicraft and sports equipment stores, bazaars, drugstores, art galleries. Most of these places allow tourists to pay by card, but cash is also honored.With the exception of a few places, payments are only in euros.When going shopping, it is worth remembering the siesta. It lasts from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, although, of course, selected outlets may be open all day, without a siesta break.
How to pay for medical assistance in Gran Canaria?
There is public health care in Spain. It is free for both Spaniards and other European Union citizens, provided they carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Tourists who do not have such a card must pay out of their own pockets for any expenses related to a doctor’s visit or hospital stay. The EHIC is not valid in private offices and clinics – private treatment is always payable, for everyone, including EU citizens. Prices for medical services not covered by insurance are quite high, from €100 and up.
Check: wher is Gran Canaria?
How much money to take to Gran Canaria?
The size of your budget depends on your travel style.All-inclusive vacations cover most of the basic expenses, i.e. flight, accommodation, food, resident care, while when planning a trip on your own you have to pay these costs yourself – traveling on a budget it will be about 50-100 euros a day, with higher standard hotels the rates obviously increase and one day’s stay on the island costs at least 200 euros.
Additional expenses include transportation, shopping, going out to bars and clubs, visiting the attractions of Gran Canaria, doing water sports, optional excursions.
The cost of living in Gran Canaria is not very high, but on vacation you usually spend more, which is worth keeping in mind.
Is it cheaper in the off-season in Gran Canaria?
In the Canary Islands, good weather persists throughout the year, but it is noticeable that there are nevertheless fewer tourists during the winter season.As a result, holidays in Gran Canaria in winter come out cheaper and it is easier to book accommodation in the most attractive locations. During the winter months, you can still visit the famous dunes at Maspalomas, climb mountains, see ravines, walk through nature reserves and national parks, and relax on beaches covered with fine sand. There is less tourist traffic, which will be a big advantage for many tourists.
How much money to take to Gran Canaria?
The size of your budget depends on your travel style.All-inclusive vacations cover most of the basic expenses, i.e. flight, accommodation, food, resident care, while planning a trip on your own you have to pay these costs yourself – traveling on a budget it will be about 50-100 euros a day, with higher standard hotels the rates of course increase and one day of stay onHow to keep your money safe during your stay in Gran Canaria? Money should only be exchanged at licensed bureaux de change and banks, and after exchanging it, you should always convert the amount withdrawn and check the receipt.
It’s better not to keep all your money in one place, and unless necessary, there’s no point in carrying large amounts of cash. Hand luggage and the rest of suitcases are good to secure with a special lock, and for walks, excursions and trips to the beach, a bag with a solid closure is useful. Hotels in Gran Canaria often have the option of renting a safe for valuables, which is worth taking advantage of. It is also advisable to check your account regularly online so that if there are any suspicious transactions, your bank can respond right away.
How much do popular tourist attractions in Gran Canaria cost?
There is certainly no way to be bored in Gran Canaria. The island is mainly associated with fabulous beaches and the ocean, but you can spend your vacation here much more actively. There are plenty of water sports centers all over the island, in addition, there are excursions on the Atlantic, swimming with dolphins, diving. Group tours cost an average of 50 euros per person, private expeditions are even several times more expensive.
Admission to nature reserves costs an average of 20-30 euros. Tickets to amusement parks up to about 10 euros, but there are also more expensive places. For a round trip around the entire island, with a guide, you need to pay a minimum of 80-100 euros. It is worth looking for price bargains on the Internet, as there are often last minute promotions or special offers.