The time in Lanzarote is the same as GMT. Summer time is GMT + 1 which is from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.
Weather
Winters (November to February) see average daytime temperatures of between 20°C and 25°C. Rainfall peaks in December and January, with between 135mm and 250mm. In summer months (June- September) temperatures reach between 30°C and 35°C.
Language
Spanish is the main language but English and German are widely spoken.
Flight Time
The approximate flight time from London to Lanzarote is 4 hours and 10 minutes.
Airports
Lanzarote airport has many facilities including; duty free shops, coffee shops and fast food stands in both arrivals and departures. There are car hire facilities, a bank, ATM's a Bureaux de Change, 24 hour medical service, pharmacy, children's play room.
Currency
The official currency is the Euro (EUR). One Euro is divided into 100 cents. Banks are open 6 days a week (closed Sunday) from 08:30 to 14:00 (09:00 to 13:00 Saturday). Outside these hours the Cambio de Change or your hotel Reception can change money, there is sometimes a charge for this. Remember to have your Passport with you if you are changing Travellers cheques or Euro cheques. Banks give the best rates when changing money. 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.
Telephone Services
International telephone calls can be made from almost anywhere on the island. The distinctive blue booths are easy to find. You have the choice of using coins, phone cards (tarjetas telefónicas) and sometimes even credit cards. Phone cards are available from local newsagents, post offices and tobacco shops.
Country dialling code: 34
Outgoing code: 00 + your country code (UK = 44, i.e. 00 44)
All major mobile phone companies have roaming agreements with the Spanish operators, such as the worldwide group Vodafone or Telefónica MoviStar. Before you come to the island make sure you have activated this service, otherwise it won't work (unless your company provides automatic activation of the roaming service). Once in Lanzarote you can switch your mobile phone to automatic selection or you choose manually the company you want to operate with. Ask your service provider about the price of the calls, as you tend to pay not only for the calls you make, but also for those you receive.
Passport Information
A passport is required to enter Lanzarote and must be valid for 3 months after date of departure; however it is recommended that your passport is valid for at least 6 months.
Visa Information
EU passport holders do not require a Visa.
US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Israeli citizens may enter Lanzarote as tourists without a visa and stay up to 90 days.
Health & Safety/Vaccinations
You should not require any specific immunisations to travel to Lanzarote but do make sure your current vaccination against tetanus is up to date. There are no specific diseases endemic to Lanzarote - you have as much chance of catching something there as in the UK - but it would probably be worth your while being immunised against hepatitis A, especially if you are going to be eating a lot of shellfish. Discuss this with your practice nurse, who will be able to provide your immunisation. Health facilities are generally of a good standard.
EHIC (old E111)
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you're in Lanzarote. This is a free card that you should submit about 6 weeks before you plan to leave to allow the card to reach you on time. Travel insurance is also required on top of this to cover all situations and emergencies.
Embassy
There is no British Consulate located on the Island of Lanzarote. The closest one is located on the Island of Gran Canaria. Details below:
E-35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Tel.: + 34 928 262 508
Fax: + 34 928 267 774
Tourist Offices/Information
Tourist office in the UK 0207 486 8077
Tourist office in Lanzarote: Tel. +34 928820704
Fax +34 92882070 Lanzarote's main tourist office is located on the Avenida Generalisimo Franco in Arrecife, there are also smaller tourist offices spread around the island in the many tourist resorts.
Duty Free
For guidance, goods are considered to be for your own use if you have no more than: 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, 1kg of tobacco, 10 litres of spirits
20 litres fortified wine, (such as port or sherry), 90 litres of wine (of which, a maximum of 60 litres of sparkling wine) and 110 litres of beer
The price you pay includes VAT and duty, since these vary from country to country, you may be able to pick up some cheap goods. Shops at airports and on ships may also provide some tax free bargains.
Electricity
The electricity supply is 220V although UK (240V) appliances will still work.
A travel adaptor is always a necessity. There are power sockets if you want to use a lap-top or phone charger etc. European-Style two-pin plugs are standard.
Tipping
It is customary to tip taxi drivers 10% of the fare. Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill; you can leave a little more change if you like.
Food & Drink
Tap water is distilled directly from the sea, it is better not to drink it. Specially treated bottled water is cheap and readily available for drinking, either still (sin gas) or fizzy (con gas). Like in all countries different products may be used when preparing foods, to be on the safe side ensure vegetables are cooked and fruit peeled. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot.
Postal Services
Post boxes are yellow in colour but the service is quite laid back. If you have important or urgent mail, we recommend you use one of the international courier companies. Stamps can be bought in post offices and shops which are also situated around the island.
Driving in Lanzarote
In Lanzarote, you drive on the right hand side of the road and overtake on the left. On roundabouts, you give way to traffic coming from the left and at crossings, unless indicated otherwise; traffic from the right has priority. The use of headphones or mobile phones while driving is strictly forbidden, unless they are totally hand-free operated. It is also prohibited to throw anything out of the windows. Buses and taxis always expect you to give way to them and it's a good idea to do this if you like driving safely! Parking anywhere around the island is easy to find and often free. You could be hunting for a while for a free space. If you want to hire a car you will need a driving license and your passport. Most companies require the driver to be 21 years old and have over one years driving experience and a clean driving license. Petrol is quite cheap.
Public Holidays
- 1st January: New Year's Day
- 6th January: Epiphany
- 13th April: Maundy Thursday
- 14th April: Good Friday
- 1st May: International Labour Day
- 15th August: Assumption
- 12th October: National Day
- 1st November: All Saints Day
- 6th December: Constitution Day
- 8th December: Immaculate Conception
- 25th December: Christmas Day
- 26th December: St. Stephen's Day
