The largest resort on Gran Canaria, Playa Del Ingles is a great destination for families that want it all. Relaxing in the warm weather is easy to do, as this sunny resort experiences great weather throughout the year. If you just want to kick back and relax at the beach, the golden fine sand and crystal waters are some of the most inviting in the Canary Islands.
Holidaymakers who are looking for more than just a beach getaway won’t be disappointed either. There is plenty to do on Playa Del Ingles holidays –from riding the waves on a jet ski to sipping sangria in one of the many nightclubs.
The Canary Islands 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.


The climate of Gran Canaria is considered to be among the best in the world - year-round warm weather with constant sunshine. Boasting a number of different micro-climates, this volcanic island experiences diverse conditions and terrain, from tropical forests to snow-capped peaks, with the south of the island, home to the major tourist resorts, seeing the sunniest driest weather. The moderate temperatures in each region hardly fluctuate from season, with the variance between summer and winter being only 6C.
Dry and sunny most of the year-round, and with constant spring-like conditions, Gran Canaria is an ideal climate for all holidaymakers, from sun-worshippers to nature-lovers alike. Temperatures through the spring and summer can range from 23C to 27C, with the average temperature for both seasons being 25C. Gran Canaria does not experience excessive high temperatures during the summer, and the trade winds that blow across the island certainly help to temper the heat. The island sometimes sees the very hot summer winds coming up from the Sahara, known as the 'sirocco', bringing higher temperatures as well as a cloud of fine sand from the desert. Sea temperatures remain very pleasant throughout the year, ranging from 22C in the summer to 18C in winter.
The Canary Islands are in the same time zone as the UK. Local time is GMT in the winter (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Spanish is the official language, but
English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists.
Electrical current is 220 or 225 volts, 50Hz.
European-style two-pin plugs are standard.
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.
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).
There is a fine choice of shops in Playa del Ingles wherevi sitors can indulge in some duty free delights, including cheap electrical shops and stalls selling imitation designer wear and African curios. The shopping is mainly confined to the dozen or so Commercial Centres rather than spread out along the roads and each centre has its own distinctive character. Yumbo is the biggest and most popular and also houses the Tourist Information Centre. Five minutes away are the Kasbah and Metro centres, but the widest selection of quality designer wear is in nearby Plaza Maspalomas. Be aware that some salesmen can be quite aggressive: haggle hard and remember that the shop next door probably sells the same thing.The San Fernando Market is held every Wednesday and Saturday morning offering all the same sort of stuff.
Playa del Ingles is packed with bars, pubs and clubs, especially in the Kasbah centre, which is home to the famous Cream and Pascha nightclubs, both of which pump out the best in dance music until the early hours. China whites is also immensely popular. Also in the Kasbah is the Hippodrome, Havana and, next door, Sugar a small cocktail bar that is a good place to start the evening. The English and Irish centres are also lively and entertaining. The Yumbo centre is orientated towards the gay scene at night and Rickys Cabaret Bar has regular drag shows; the centre is also popular with families looking for a less hectic evening. There are quieter bars along the promenade and a casino on the edge of town.
For those who have had enough of the beach there is loads of entertainment and activities for all ages, including amusement arcades, mini-golf, tennis, golf, scuba diving, sky diving, waterparks, go-carting, horse riding and camel riding. Water sports in Playa del Ingles include jet-skiing, windsurfing and banana boat rides.
There is a wide choice of places to eat in Playa del Ingles, from fast food (including McDonalds), Chinese, Italian and local cuisine, and rows of restaurants serving something with chips. One of the favourites is an Irish bar/restaurant called 'Finnegans', near the Yumbo Centre, and offers good British home cooking and does great breakfasts and Sunday roasts. Koala Burger in the Kasbah has good hotdogs and chips and nearby Bei Leo, although German, offers good English food. There are a selection of restaurants on the Avenida de Tirajana and Avenida de Tenerife, including the Harley Rock Café - a lively American-style diner. Those looking for some authentic local cuisine should try Casa Vieja in Calle de Fataga.
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