Enjoy a San Augustin holidays

The third largest but most developed of the seven islands in theSpanish-administered Canary archipelago, Gran Canaria has beenbilled as a 'miniature continent' because of the variety ofclimates and landscapes that it offers, from the big city bustle ofthe capital, Las Palmas, to the serenity of its lush woodlands.The Canaries lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 125 miles (200km)from the African coast and almost 800 miles (1,250km) from theclosest European port of Cadiz. Gran Canaria is almost circular,with a diameter of about 32 miles (50km), and is characterised bydeep ravines that radiate out from the centre down to the coast.

The north of the island is humid, boasting green valleys andvolcanic craters, while the south is arid and desert-like with vaststretches of beach. The capital, Las Palmas, lies on the northeasttip of the island, between two long beaches, Las Caletas andAlcaravaneras. The interior of Gran Canaria has steep highlandsdotted with small villages, sporting white houses with red roofs,banana plantations and orchards bursting with tropical fruits.Tourists generally favour the southern coastline, flocking tothe well-known beaches of Playa del Inglés or Maspalomas,where the sea washes soft sands and empty dunes stretch formiles.

Currency:

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.

San Auguston Climate:

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.

Time

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).

Language

Spanish is the official language, but
English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists.

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.

Communications

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).

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