The Canary Islands have never had the glamourous celebrity visitors of Ibiza or the Cote d'Azur. Nor have they suffered from the horde of reality TV celebs that plague the Costas. However, the celebrities that have dropped in over the years have left some fascinating myths and mysteries behind. Here are the juciest.

Published in Guide

These are the posts that got most attention last week on our Facebook page. Posts that were shared & liked most. If you're not a fan yet, please consider hitting the "Like" button on our page. Thanks!

Here's the very best post first:

 

La Fiesta del Charco, today in La Aldea, at 17:00.Fun fun fun. Don't miss it! ;)

Posted by Gran Canaria on Friday, 11 September 2015

 

 

Good morning :-)

Posted by Gran Canaria on Sunday, 13 September 2015

 

 

Mondays are better in Gran Canaria :-)

Posted by Gran Canaria on Sunday, 13 September 2015

 

 

Good morning :-)

Posted by Gran Canaria on Wednesday, 9 September 2015

 

 

Photos of Gran Canaria posted in the GCI Facebook Group :-)

Posted by Gran Canaria on Sunday, 6 September 2015

The vast Parque del Sur urban park in Maspalomas Campo Internacional is a huge green space perfect for walking and jogging.

Published in Tip of the day
Thursday, 10 September 2015 06:15

11 Things You Never Knew About Bananas

Bananas don't grow on trees and won't exist in 20 years. The plants hate growing alone and wander about in their fields. Here are ten surprising facts about the happy yellow fruit that you never knew. Watch the video right to the end for the talking banana.

Thursday, 10 September 2015 05:38

The Best Canary Islands Wines To Drink With Curry

Canary Islands wines have the intensity and fruit to stand up to a good curry so if you feel like a takeaway, then look out for these bottles in the shops. 

Published in Wine
Thursday, 03 September 2015 06:29

Free And Cheap Things To Do At Anfi Beach

Anfi beach is a strange blend of cheap and expensive; The beach is free and the sun loungers and beds are reasonable (Most shops and services are priced for the resort’s timeshare guests (who have already proved that they don’t mind paying top dollar for things), but some are great value.

Published in Arguineguín

The 2.5 kilometre coastal path that connects Las Marañuelas beach in Arguineguín and Anfi beach to the west is due a revamp and it looks like it may finally get one.

Published in News

How many of these quirky rules of bungalow holiday life have you noticed? Are they only true in Gran Canaria or do they apply the world over? 

Published in Guide

Gran Canaria's plan to use its reservoirs as a giant battery to store wind energy is expected to generate 60% of the island's electricity needs within five years.

Published in News

There's no shortage of local events in Gran Canaria with a village romeria (fiesta) or six every weekend but what about international events? Well, here's our pick of the top Gran Canaria events that tourists and visitors have to attend.

Published in Guide

Save money and avoid rip-off bank charges while in Gran Canaria by paying in euros when using your credit or debit card.

Many bars and restaurants in Gran Canaria, and in almost all European holiday destinations, give you the option of paying in euros or in your home currency. Opting for your own currency, while it may seem like the safer option, can add as much as 5% to the bill as it triggers dynamic currency conversion. 

DCC basically means that the exchange rate is calculated at point of sale rather than by your bank. It allows you to see the total cost of the transaction in your own currency but adds up to 5% to the total because it uses a terrible exchange rate. 

Since the extra money is shared between your bank and the merchant, some places will automatically bill you in your own currency and hope you don't notice. You have the legal right to refuse and void the transaction should this happen. 

ATMs too

The same applies when taking money out of ATM machines in Gran Canaria (and anywhere in Europe); Always choose the local currency option to avoid losing money to poor exchange rates.

If you opt for the local currency option, using bank ATMs is often the cheapest and safest way of getting euros in Gran Canaria. It's far safer than having a big pile of euros hidden in your room or tucked into your shorts.

More details in this Daily Telegraph article.

Published in Tip of the day

The Catholic church rather than the local tourist authorities still decides when to open church doors in Gran Canaria. This means that some of the island's prettiest churches, such as the Puerto de las Nieves hermitage, are often closed during the day.

Published in Tip of the day

Gran Canaria's east coast beaches are a mixed bag with everything from windswept pebble beaches to sheltered coves with golden sand. Salinetas beach is the prettiest and most accessible of the east beaches.

Published in Tip of the day

A recent draft law released by the San Bartolomé de Tirajana town hall (Ayuntamiento) has generated widespread confusion and worry in Gran Canaria. However, there is little to be concerned about as the situation is being hyped up for political reasons. Here's a concise summary of what's going on and what it means.

We have updated this article to take into account the important effects of the 1995 Ordenación del Turismo de Canarias law.

Published in Property

Taxis in Gran Canaria's capital city Las Palmas are amongst the cheapest in Spain, according to a recent survey.

Published in News

The trouble with ordering big beers in Gran Canaria is that they often warm up before you get to the end.

Published in Tip of the day

With Gran Canaria car rental you get what you pay for and if you pay the absolute minimum, what you get is a headache and a ruined holiday.

Published in Tip of the day

While papas con mojo and seafood get all the attention, Gran Canaria's delicious doughnuts are a daily treat that you have to try.

Published in Tip of the day

Arriving late in Gran Canaria and want to stock up on a few things for the morning? Now you can do it at the airport.

Published in Tip of the day

The freak weather in the Canary Islands for the last week is fading away, according to the Spanish weather authorities.

Published in News
Page 5 of 21

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Tip of the day

  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

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