Airport Lanzarote only has one airport called Arrecife (ACE). There are flights to and from the UK most days now and these take between 3.5 to 4.5 hrs. Tel: +34 928 846 000
Banks Banks generally open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am until 2pm. Money can be exchanged at banks but you may get a better rate from the many shops that will have currency exchange advertised. Do check the amount you are receiving though as often the rate outside is not the rate they end up giving you!
Car Hire Car hire is very reasonable in Lanzarote. Petrol is also significantly cheaper than in the UK.
Chemists Chemists are called Farmacia and the signs are usually in green with a cross. Often a prescription isn't needed and prices are generally lower than in the UK.
Climate Lanzarote has an average of more than 300 days of sunshine each year, and 6-11 hours of sunshine per day and has a low annual rainfall of 125 – 150 mm per year. Temperatures rarely drop below 14 degrees at night in winter (Dec-Feb) and in the summer day time temperatures average 29 degrees, evenings 20 degrees.
Currency The currency in Lanzarote is the Euro. There are seven notes, values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. Coins are in the following denominations: 10, 20 & 50 cents and 1 & 2 Euro con). Exchange rates between Sterling and the Euro will fluctuate. Currently the Euro is worth about 85 pence or 1EUR : £1.18
Doctors The medical centre located next to El Guachinche restaurant, just down from the petrol station as you enter Playa Blanca offers free medical advice to those with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Take your passport as well.
Drinking Water Tap water in Lanzarote comes from the sea via a desalination process. This allows it to be used safely for cooking or brushing your teeth, but we do not recommend it for general drinking. Bottled water can be purchased in the supermarkets relatively cheaply.
Driving is on the right hand side in Lanzarote. International traffic regulations apply. Seat belts are compulsory and on the spot fines can be issued if caught driving without one. Fines can also be issued for too many people in a vehicle, not using a child seat, driving under the influence of alcohol (prison sentences for serious offences).
Duty Free The Canary Islands enjoy a special Duty Free status, making Tobacco, Perfume and Alcohol much cheaper than elsewhere in the EU. Prices are often much better in the resorts than in the Airport. Tobacco allowance is 200 Cigarettes OR 250grms Tobacco OR 50 Cigars. Alcohol Allowance is 1 Litre of Spirits OR 2 Litres of Sparkling or fortified wine PLUS 2 litres of still wine. 60cc of Perfume OR 250cc of Eau de Toilet.
Electricity Connector type: Generally round two-pin plugs; Voltage Info: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Emergency Services For Fire, Police or Ambulance Dial 112
Ferries to Fuerteventura If you fancy a trip to Corralejo in Fuerteventura there are three ferry companies that operate between the islands. Cheapest but not carrying cars is Lineas Romero (tel: +34 928 842 055). Or to book Fred Olsen which is faster and more expensive (tel: +34 902 100 107) or slightly cheaper and slower Naviera Armas (tel: +34 902 456 500). All can be booked in person at the ferry office by the harbour
How big is Lanzarote? The island covers a square area of just 846 km. This makes it possible to drive from one end to the other in around an hour.
Markets Playa Blanca: Wednesday & Saturday at the Marina Rubicon 10am-2pm; Teguise: Sunday 10am-2pm
Nudism Topless sun bathing is accepted in most tourist areas, however nudism is not generally allowed other than at specific beaches such as Papagayo Beach, Airport Beach between Playa Honda & Matagorda, Famara Beach.
Shop Opening Hours There are no set opening hours, however it is worth noting that a lot of shops will open from Monday to Saturday 9am-1pm, close for lunch and reopen 4pm-9pm. Generally shops are closed on Sundays. Supermarkets now tend to stay open all day.
Sun-bathing The sun strength in Lanzarote can be deceptive particularly with the breeze. Please be careful and use plenty of sun cream.
Taxis in Playa Blanca dial +34 928 524 222
Telephones When dialling the UK from Lanzarote the international code is 0044. You then need to omit the first digit of your normal std number i.e. if your code is 0113 for Leeds you should dial 0044 113 ******. This is the same when dialling from a mobile. If you are ringing a Lanzarote telephone number you need to add the code for Spain 0034
Transfer Times It takes 30-40 minutes to drive from Arrecife airport to Playa Blanca.
Time Zone The time is the same as in the UK.
Water Desalinated water is expensive to produce - please use water sparingly.