Currency Information

The Island uses the single European currency, the euro €.  For a rough and ready conversion reduce the euro € price by a third to convert to sterling £.

Money - Cash

The denominations for the Euro bank notes are 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 euros. Coins are 2 and 1 euros. Smaller coins are 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centimes.  There are 100 centimes in 1 euro.

Bank notes are designed to help any body with visual impairment, with large numbers, different sizes and touch differences.

The notes are universal for all the counties using the euro. Coins are the same on 1 side for all countries but are different on the other side and bear the counties name. They are accepted in all euro counties.

Travellers Cheques

We have a Currency Converter link on our Expedia page

The denominations for the Euro bank notes are 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 euros. Coins are 2 and 1 euros. Smaller coins are 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centimes.  There are 100 centimes in 1 euro.

Bank notes are designed to help any body with visual impaiment, with large numbers, different sizes and touch differences.

The notes are universal for all the counties usoing the euro. Coins are the same on 1 side for all countries but are different on the other side and bear the counties name. They are accepted in all euro counties.

Travellers Cheques are safer than carrying large amounts of cash, and are easily changed in Banks, Cambios (Money change offices) and hotels.  Banks give the best exchange rate but may not be as convienient.  If comparing prices take into consideration both exchange rate and commision charged. You may need you passport to change travellers cheques.

Credit Cards / Debit Cards / Bank Cards

A very popular way of handling you money. Usually you get the best exchange rate using these cards.

Please note that if a charge is made for using an ATM it is usually a fixed charge per tranaction, therefore small and often withdrawals can be expensive.

Shopping

Shop Opening Times

Gran Canaria boasts an extensive network of shopping areas in the island’s main urban and tourist areas.

Most shops open Mon - Sat 09:00 / 10:00 - 13:00 / 13:30

then                                     16:00 / 16:30 - 20:00
Some shops may open only for the morning on Sat
Sun and Bank Holidays Closed

Souvenir shops and shops in tourist areas tend to open for longer hours and often 7 days a week

Pharmacies

Similar to shops. Usually closed Saturday afternoon.

Check the window for sign re Emergency supplies.

Commercial centres (Centro Commercial)

Commercial centres are generally areas of concentrated shops, bars, restaurants supermarkets and nightclubs. Commercial centres are usually have CC after there name on maps. The ones near the town centre are very tourist oriented, towards the towns outskirts they are oriented towards the Spanish population, and usually goods are cheaper . This cheaper price difference which is very noticeable in supermarkets catering mainly to the locals, but Spanish brands will be less known and labeled in Spanish so a little harder to find what you want if a United Kingdom tourists.

Duty Free

Unlike mainland Spain Tenerife and the Canary islands are duty free. To generalise duty free goods are alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco and perfumes. It is cheaper to buy these goods from supermarkets than in the airport duty free shops.

On returning to the United Kingdom you are restricted in the amount of duty free products that you bring back.

The Island has a sales tax (VAT) of 4.5% making it one of the cheapest destinations in Western Europe

Visas, Passports and Requirements

Visitors from the UK

• Require a British Passport for up to 90 days visit. Longer visits require a "permiso de residence" (EU residence permit) valid for a year, extendable. Apply at the nearest police station to your intended residence.
• Require a Return or onward Ticket
• Driving Licence if you wish to drive.
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Check latest information with the Spanish Embassy.
20 Draycott Place,
London SW3 2RZ

Tel 020 7581 5921

 

Drinking Water

The tap water in Gran Canaria is drinkable but has a strong salty taste due to high mineral content. Therefore most tourist prefer bought bottled water the supermarkets. The cost of a 5 litre bottle is around 60p.

• "Agua con gas" is sparkling mineral water
• "Agua sin gas" still water.

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