With travel just starting back up after Coronavirus lockdowns all over Europe, lots of people are asking if it is a good idea to travel to Gran Canaria on holiday. For many people summer and autumn of 2020 are an excellent time to come on holiday to Gran Canaria.

The beaches are quiet in a good way, hotels are relaxed and not crowded, plenty of shops and restaurants are open and more open up every day. 

Real visitor experiences from summer 2020

Members of our Gran Canaria Facebook Group have already arrived in Gran Canaria and shared their experiences. They are almost all completely positive...

 "Dont be put off coming here, we flew from Luton yesterday, the flight is actually alot more pleasent with restrictions in place, more space on the plane & the staff are extra helpful.
Everyone has been welcoming in Mogán and we've been greeted with open arms, restaurants are table service (which i prefer) the beaches are open, shops are open as long as you wear a mask inside, restaurants a mask isnt needed. If i was you id get over here while its still quiet to be honest its been amazing".

"Here for almost two weeks now. Its very relaxed, not many tourists yet. If you like to go wild and searching for nightlife think you may be at the wrong spot at this moment.And the mask wearing is very good to do. Just follow the rules and its all ok. More things opened the last few days, so that good progress" 

"Places are slowly opening up, some hotels restaurants and bars. The weather is very hot and it's good to see people arriving on the island again"

Ok, but what about all the problems?

Let's have a look at some of the main concerns about travelling to Gran Canaria in 2020

My insurance isn't valid: Many insurance companies have changed their terms and conditions so it is definitely worth checking that yours covers Coronavirus-related issues. There are insurers that offer decent coverage. ASDA in the UK seems to offer a good policy at the moment. 

You have to have a Covid-19 test? At the moment all you need to visit Gran Canaria fill in this online form and download or print the QR code it generates. Do it within 48 hours of travelling. 

Flights keep getting cancelled: Ryanair, EasyJet and WizzAir seem to be following their schedules well but there have been some cancellations. These will get rarer as the travel industry gets going agian. 

Traveling by plane is dangerous: There is little evidence that people catch Covid-19 on planes. They have high-quality air filters and airflow that prevents droplets from spreading within the cabin. 

Spain has lots of Coronavirus: Parts of Spain was hit hard by the initial wave of the virus but it reacted well and levels are now low and dropping all over the country. In Gran Canaria the virus never really got into the population and the island always had one of the lowest Covid-19 levels in Europe. 

We'll need to wear masks all the time: You only have to wear masks in Gran Canaria when you can't stay more then 1.5 metres from other people. Basically this means that you only have to wear them in shops, supermarkets and indoor areas of hotels where people tend to gather. You don't have to wear them around the pool, by the beach or walking around outdoors. Read our a guide to evefrything you need to know about masks and distancing in Gran Canaria. 

Nothing is open in Gran Canaria:  Half the hotels in the Canary Islands will be open in August and many apartment and bungalow complexes are already open. Shops are mostly open and more restaurants and bars open every day. You won't be wandering around a ghost resort because the locals are taking advantage of the summer to visit, and tourists are now flying in every day. Hotel swimming pools and beaches are open. 

My accommodation isn't open: This is a genuine concern as some places shut down completely and aren't answering their email. Some travel agencies are also struggling to contact the places they have booked guests into.  We've put together a list of places that we know are open and suggest that you try to contact your hotel or bungalow via Facebook, email and the telephone. As places get ready to open they start top check their emails and answer the phone. If you plan to book, contact the hotel or apartment before you book via a travel agency as some are taking bookings without checking opening dates. 

If you are after a party-holiday with dancing until dawn, you should probably wait for a year or so before coming to Gran Canaria. But if you want a relaxing holiday in the sun with plenty to see and do, it might just be the best time ever to visit Gran Canaria. 

When do you have to use a mask in Gran Canaria? 

Outdoors: Masks are necessary in outdoor public places where you can not maintain a DISTANCE OF 1.5 metres FROM OTHER PEOPLE (excluding the people you are living/staying with).
So with consideration it is possible to move around in many areas WITHOUT a mask on.

Indoors: Masks are now obligatory in all indpoor public places even if you are alone. Places like shops, restaurant toilets, malls, receptions areas, offices, etc.

Alway carry a mask with you when you go out as you never know when it might be needed.

If you end up in a situation where you should have on a mask but are not wearing one, the fines start from 100 euros up to 30,000 (Ley de la Seguridad Cuidadana - and yes there have been over 600,000 sanctions issued under this law since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in Spain for 'disobedience or resistance of authority').

Recommended masks can easily be purchased in a pharmacy and in some supermarkets. Prices start from under 1 Euro.
Fabric masks (those that provide the same level of protection as the recommended masks) can also be purchased and used but also check they fit correctly (firmly) around your mouth and nose.

Mask are mandatory for everyone six years or older and are recommended for 3 to 5 year olds. Under 3 years not required.

If for medical reasons you can not wear a mask you must carry with you a medical exemption letter from your doctor.

An option for those people may be a face visor, not ideal but better than nothing for the wearer and the people around them. Also before travelling check with your airline about thier in-flight mask requirements. I only looked at Easyjet and thier FAQs said "If you are unable to wear a face mask for medical reasons you will be exempt from doing so as long as you have a medical exemption letter from a doctor stating that you cannot wear a face mask (which must be available on request for airport staff and crew to see) and also that you are fit to fly".

Do you need a mask in bars and restaurants? 

People don't need to wear masks when 'eating and drinking' in bars and restaurants. You do have to wear then when you head to your table and while ordering your first drink or food. When it arrives you can take the mask off. 

You still need to use a mask in common areas such as the corridor/toilets (where you can't maintain the 1.5m distance).

People will need use hand sanitizer at the entrance of a bar or restaurant and to wait to be seated (their table cleaned before they sit down). Table service - bars and restaurants have to operate 'table service'. 

Menus - Traditional format menu cards are not currently allowed. You may find 'QR codes' to access the menu online, printed menus on disposible place mats or, menus displayed on the wall. Some restaurants also provide throwaway meus on paper. 

Do you need a mask in shops and supermarkets? 

Generally they require wearing of mask and use hand sanitizer when entering a shop, office, bank, pharmacy, shopping centre or supermarket.

Many shops do not allow clothes to be tried-on in the shop, but do allow items to be returned if not suitable.

Supermarkets - Some are very strict and have expectations of how there customers will behave.

You MUST wear a mask.

You MUST wear the supplied disposible gloves when handling fruit and veg.

At the checkouts only one person served at a time. It will something like:
- Queue with the required distancing.
- When it is your turn, i.e. only after the person in front of you's shopping has been scanned. Put your trolley or basket by the END of the conveyor belt and unload it from there.
- Do not move forward until the person in front of you has completely finished and taken away thier bags. Then go right through to the other end and load your bags. They prefer payment by card (contactless or with pin).

Banks - Check opening hours, many have only limited times open to the public, the remainder of the day will be 'by apointment'. ATM machines are working as normal.

Distancing and mask use on the beach and by the pool

On the beach - Check and respect the rules of each municipality, and keep a 1.5 metre distance between you and other people/groups. Any equipment/sunbeds must be cleaned before and after each use. Popular beaches have information boards posted by the entrances with specific rules. 

Hotel and Community pools - will have limited capacity and rules to follow in addition to the 1.5m rule. Make sure you know the rules if you use them.

Distancing and mask use in hotels and apartments

Each will have its own internal rules. Ask for them when you arrive. Wear a MASK in busy common areas such as reception and lifts.

CAPACITY LIMITS:

All establishments have a capacity limits of the number of people allowed.

If full to capacity, you will be asked to wait. Although I have not happen very often.

Mask use on Gran Canaria buses and in taxis and cars

Masks must be worn on all public transport and in taxis and private buses. Also in all Spanish airports and bus stations.

Cars - If you own or hire a car and if any person in that car is not staying in the same accomodation, then everyone in the car must be wearing a mask and you must sit yourselves in seats with the maximum distance possible between each other (these seating rules also apply to passengers in a taxi)

Airports - In the Spanish airports there are no baggage trolleys. The shops and cafes inside the airport are mostly closed. Duty free and one cafe may be open.

Car hire desks are open. ATMs are working. Toilets are open.

There are vending machines for water and snacks (taking cash or cards).

Social distancing rules in Gran Canaria 

If people from different households gather together, they must all wear masks. Any organised events will have special arrangements for distancing. Many local fiesta events have been cancelled

When directly talking face to face with anyone who is a stranger/cashier/official, they WILL expect you to be wearing your obligatory mask.

Respecting the local way in Gran Canaria

Many residents are concerned about visitors arriving and not following all of these current health based rules. Rules that are there for the benefit of everyone, resident or visitor.

Despite the rules there is every opportunity to welcome people here to have a lovely safe holiday in the sun.

So, PLEASE PLEASE, ALL VISITORS RESPECT THESE RULES. They are there to keep everyone healthy and virus free.

Residents have just spent 3 months living with very tough strict 'Spanish Lockdown Rules' and now the virus is under control here.

It would be so unfair to see all that effort ruined by visitors not following these current rules that do allow you to move around freely and safely.

Even if you see someone else not wearing a mask. Please don't think it means that it is not necessay, because the status of this island as a safe place to visit and to live will very quickly deteriorate.

Thank you Amanda Ockwell for the considerable amount of work that went into writying this guide and thank you again for letting us share it. 

That was a great move and we're really happy to have you on board!

We have resetted this form on october 26, 2020. Places had opened up, and closed down again. So a fresh start was needed to be able to offer you accurate information.

 A question that pops up a lot of times per day is "I can get some flights to Gran Canaria, however, is this and this restaurant/hotel open now?". After a complete shut down of tourism in Gran Canaria thanks to the Corona virus Covid-19, this whole situation in the south of Gran Canaria is new and confusing. Places do want to open up, but without a certain amount of tourists this means losing money. Tourists do want to come, but they don't want to be in a place where no restaurant or hotel is open. Let's make it easier for both parties to find each other.

Our goal is to provide a "live" list with businesses on Gran Canaria that are open. Especially in the south. In Las Palmas more businesses are open, as they depend a lot less on tourism.

But we can't do this on our own, we need your help! 

Do you know a hotel, or an apartment complex, a restaurant, or a bar that is open in the south of Gran Canaria?

First, check if your place is already on the list. If it's not, please let us know by filling out this simple form.

The form to add a business:

Open this form in a new window.

The results:

Open the results in a new window.

Thank you very much!