Gran Canaria Info - Info

The Spanish AEMET weather service has confirmed that summer 2016 was a hot one and that it expects autumn in the Canary Islands to be warmer than normal. 

Gran Canaria-based TV Mucho brings high-quality and completely legal UK TV to everyone around the world with a television set and an internet connection.

Published in News

19.09.2016: If you're in Gran Canaria you may have noticed the grey to the south and east of the island yesterday. That was a wet front that never quite made it to land (it just touched Fuerteventura and Lanzarote).

16.09.2016: A cloudy start to today although the sun will out in south Gran Canaria from around midday. 

So, local property and construction firm Lopesan has bought a 50% stake of Anfi del Mar timeshare resort for €40 million. Why so cheap?

Published in News

12.09.2016: There's a tropical system heading towards Gran Canaria from the south that may cause a storm today. It was forecast for the afternoon but could well arrive earlier.

09.09.2016: Temperatures drop by at least 5ºC over the weekend as winds from the Atlantic Ocean cool the island down.

For a real taste of Gran Canaria's wine, olive oil and local cuisine, a bespoke tour with a local guide is the way to go. 

05.09.2016: The fierce heatwave scorching south and western Spain this week won't affect the Canary Islands. Instead, Gran Canaria gets standard September weather; hot sun and a few gusts of wind.

Las Palmas has an exciting restaurant scene but adds to its foodie credentials with regular food and drink events. Here's our pick of the ones you can't miss if you're in Gran Canaria on the right date.

Published in Las Palmas

Tunte is south Gran Canaria's biggest hill town and an obligatory stop on a tour across the island.

Published in Resorts & Places

Ron miel is Gran Canaria's most famous liqueur, but it's not the only one. It's not even the tastiest. We recently tracked down the story behind a fantastic local liqueur that's only made in one place in Gran Canaria.

29.08.2016: South Gran Canaria is currently on Orange alert (until 19.00) for high temperatures with the rest of the island and the Canarian archipelago on yellow alert. The Canarian Government has also announced an alert for maximum temperatures. 

Want to walk across Gran Canaria with a fun bunch of people, stay in hotels along the way, and raise money for a great cause? The Gran Canaria Long Walk is for you.

Published in News

24.08.2016: The last week of August will be hot and sunny across the whole of Gran Canaria with no extreme weather or heat.

Papas con mojo just came top of a nationwide vote to find the seven gastronomic wonders of Spain. Wrinkly potatoes with mojo sauce was chosen by voters from all over Spain and the world along with jamón Iberico, tortilla de papas and paella (BTW, it's pronounced paeya, not paela).

Published in News

22.08.2016: Yesterday's rain was unexpected but we can't rule out more of it during the week. There will be plenty of sunshine too. 

Wednesday, 17 August 2016 08:33

Minitrain Proposed For Playa de Mogán

16.08.2016: Traffic in Playa de Mogán is now so bad that the mayor is considering a huge out-of-town car park linked to the marina and beach by a mini train.

Published in News
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Tip of the day

  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

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