Altea

Currency

Spain’s official currency is the Euro often signified by € or EUR.  One Euro is divided into 100 cents.   Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change and major hotels, but banks give the best rates.  All major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops.   ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.  The Euro is used in 12 members of the European Union.  Countries and territories using the Euro include: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, The Vatican, Martinique, Guadalupe, Reunion, Montenegro, and Kosovo.

Altea Climate

Summers in the Costa Blanca are guaranteed to be hot and sunny, with temperatures reaching between 27-40C for holidays in July and August.  The intense heat is tempered by the coastal breezes, and with 12 hours of sunshine a day, the sandy beaches in the Costa Blanca are the best place to be.  When temperatures really start to soar, many locals and tourists alike choose to stay indoors during the afternoons, when the sun is at its strongest.  For those looking for milder weather, the autumn is an ideal time to visit, when the average temperature is 25C and the region still receives 7-9 hours of sunshine a day.  In spring, the temperatures are a little lower, ranging from 21-24C and it is during this period that the Costa Blanca can sometimes see some rainfall - usually between March and May.

Time

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Language

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 or 225 volts, 50Hz. 
European-style two-pin plugs are standard.

Tipping

Hotel and restaurant bills usually include service charges, but additional tips are welcomed for services rendered.  In established restaurants tips of about 10% are expected.  Drivers of metered taxis expect small tips and it is customary to tip usually 5-10% for most services, including guides.

Communication

The international access code for Spain is +34.  The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom).