Portray of the Destination
First of all, Lanzarote is an astonishing island. Successive volcano eruptions, some of them during the 19th century, changed the island shape but, instead of distorting, it became even more attractive, offering amazing sceneries.

Not for nothing, 41% of the island is a protected area and the whole island was listed by Unesco as Biosphere Reserve in 1993. The tourist devotion of this sunny and welcoming island is reflected on its many attractions and the wide range of facilities it offers. This is why Lanzarote combines magnificent beaches (such us Costa Teguise or Playa Blanca) and bucolic sea sceneries, natural reserves, parks and volcanic landscapes (Timanfaya).

We would like to thank the “Patronato de Turismo” of Lanzarote for the information and pictures provided.

Geography
Like the rest of the Canary Islands, the origin of Lanzarote is volcanic, hence its moon-line landscape. It is 58 km (36 mi) long and its highest peak is 670 m (2198 feet) –Penas del Chache-. Its perimeter measures 213 km (132 mi) and the coastline features several beaches as well as some small rocky isles like Alegranza, Roques del Oeste, Montaña Clara, Graciosa and Chinito.

Map



Climate
The wind is warm and dry arriving from the Sahara which blends with the humid features of the Mexican Gulf current. Anyway, as rainfalls are scarce, climate is usually dry (86 mm/year).

When to go
The average temperature is 20ºC (68ºF) during almost the whole year and there are no big temperature oscillations and continuous rainfalls. From June till August days are longer so there are more sunshine hours to enjoy.

History
Like the rest of the Archipelago, the conquest of the island by the Castile Crown began in 1402 when captains Jean de Bethencourt and Gadifer de la Salle got there. Then, settlers from La Mancha, Andalusia and Portugal arrived and started to sow the fields and established the first villas.

Curiously, the name of the island dates back to one century before the conquest, when the island was visited by a Genoese seafarer called Lancelotto Malocello. The economic growth of the island has always been blocked by the lack of water due to its orography and climate. Therefore, salt flats and lime production were the island main resource.

During the 18th century, grapevines were introduced in the island and fishing activities developed. Nevertheless, the 19th century was really adverse due to the presence of plagues, a long drought and a volcanic eruption which took place in 1824. Then, a long period of emigration lasted until the mid 20th century when the tourism industry arose and took prosperity to the islanders.

Traditions
The most important festivities in Lanzarote are: Virgen de los Volcanes (Our Lady of the Volcanos) and St. Ginés. The first one dates back to 1780 when a procession carrying the image of Our Lady of Dolores achieved to stop the lava flow threatening to reach the village of Tinajo. Since that miraculous event, the image of this Virgin has been the island patron saint and great folkloric and traditional celebrations take place in September.


The festivity of St. Ginés, during the middle of August, is held in the capital of the island, Arrecife. It is a celebration linked to fishing and seamen.

Carnival is also an important feast as it takes place in the main island towns at the same time: parades, floats, street bands, etc.

Finally, there are two other feasts, worthwhile to mention: the Corpus Christi celebration in Arrecife where salt carpets are made; and the festivities of St. John (23rd and 24th june) which marks the beginning of the summer and many bonfires are lighted.

Gastronomy
This land of volcanic eruptions marked natural produce. This is why seafood has always been its main ingredient. Nevertheless, fruit and grape plantations as well as lentils, onions and chickpeas were included in the cooking of the island. In fact, a unique malmsey wine is elaborated here. Tasters have discovered that behind its golden, peachy and warm colour, a deep flavour is hidden which turns it into the perfect accompaniment for fish recipes.

There are a wide range of tuna fish, “sama” (snapper), gilthead seabream, salema and “vieja” (parrotfish). The latter with coriander and “papas arrugadas” (boiled potatoes with a lot of cooking salt) is a very typical dish. Other way of tasting it is letting it dry under the sunshine and the sea breeze.

Goat is the only local meat in the island together with its by-products like the excellent cheese. Another delicious meat is the rabbit which can be cooked in many ways.

Basic Dictionary
YES: si. NO: no. HELLO: hola. GOOD BYE: adios. GOOD MORNING: buenos días. GOOD AFTERNOON: buenas tardes. GOOD NIGHT: buenas noches. PLEASE: por favor. SORRY: lo siento. THANK YOU: gracias. DOCTOR: médico. PHARMACY: farmacia. NUMBERS: 1: un. 2: dos. 3: tres. 4: cuatro. 5: cinco. 6: seis. 7: siete. 8: ocho. 9: nueve. 10: diez. 11: once. 12: doce. 13: trece. 14: catorce. 15: quince. 16: dieciséis. 17: diecisiete. 18: dieciocho. 19: diecinueve. 20: veinte. 21: veintiuno. 22: veintidós. 30: treinta. 40: cuarenta. 50: cincuenta. 60: sesenta. 70: setenta. 80: ochenta. 90: noventa. 100: cien. 1000: mil. DAYS OF THE WEEK: MONDAY: lunes. TUESDAY: martes. WEDNESDAY: miércoles. THURSDAY: jueves. FRIDAY: viernes. SATURDAY: sábado. SUNDAY: domingo. COMMON WORDS: BIG/SMALL: grande/pequeño. HOT/COLD: caliente/frío. OPEN/CLOSED: abierto/cerrado. GOOD/BAD: bueno/malo. NEW/OLD: nuevo/viejo. PUSH/PULL: empujar/tirar. ENTRANCE/EXIT: entrada/salida. LADIES/GENTLEMEN: señoras/señores. FAR/NEAR: lejos/cerca. LEFT/RIGHT: izquierda/derecha. TAXI: taxi. BUS: autobús. MEALS: BREAKFAST: desayuno. LUNCH: comida. DINNER: cena. MENU: menú. WINES: vinos. DESSERT: postre. THE BILL: la cuenta. COMMON SENTENCES: DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?: ¿Habla inglés?. I DON'T UNDERSTAND: no entiendo. WHERE IS IT?: ¿donde está? HOW MUCH IS IT: ¿Cuánto es? WHAT TIME IS IT: ¿Qué hora es? COULD YOU HELP ME: ¿Puede ayudarme?

Currency
The official currency is the Euro. There are banknotes of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Euros and coins of 1 and 2 Euros and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Foreign currencies may be exchanged in exchange offices, though exchanging in banks is more profitable.

Currency Exchange
1 EUR (Euro) = 1.20 U$D (United States Dollar), 1 EUR (Euro) = 0.66 GBP (Sterling Pound)

Prices
In comparison with other European Union countries and, probably, due to its tourist vocation, Spain is one of the cheapest countries for travelling. Obviously, prices depends on the season. The peak season is summer and the off-peak one winter. The isolation of the islands from mainland implies higher prices due to the cost of transportation.

Useful Info

Official name
Lanzarote
Country
Spain
Time Zone
0 GMT
Official Language
Spanish
Surface area
846 sq. km (326.6 sq. mi)
Population
109,042 inhabitants
Political Regime
Constitutional Monarchy
Public holidays
1st January: New Year; 6th January: Epiphany; 1st May: Labour day; 30th May: Day of the Canary Islands; 15th August: the Assumption festivity; 15th September: Our Lady of Dolores; 12 October: National Day of Spain; 1st November: All Saints Day; 6th December: Day of the Constitution; 8th December: Day of the Immaculate Conception; 25th December: Christmas day.

Religion
As in the rest of Spain, Lanzarote is mainly a Catholic territory and this can be appreciated in the festivities calendar.

Religion
90% Catholics, 8% Muslims, 2% Jews
Arrival / Departure
Lanzarote can be accessed by air or ship. There are many ship companies operating between the islands. There are also many domestic and international flights to/from the Airport of Lanzarote.
Safety
Taking into account the importance that tourism has in Spain, the security of tourists is a true priority for the country. However, some general recommendations are given to visitors like carrying the required money when going out and not the total amount taken for the holidays, also precautions need to be taken in busy places to prevent possible thefts.
Visa
European Union tourists do not need visa to enter Spain. Neither those citizens of the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and the rest of the Latin American countries, though a return ticket must be bought. Travelers from Australia, Anguilla, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, South Korea, Hong Kong, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Israel, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Saint Helena, Singapore and Turk & Caicos do not either need visa provided that they do not stay more than 90 days in Spain.
Clothing
As the weather is quite mild, warm clothes are not needed, just take a light coat for the night breeze.

Electricity
220 volts, 50 mhz. The most common sockets have two round pins.

Radio and Television
TV channels: TV1, TV2, Antena 3, Cuatro, Telecinco, Televisión Canaria.
Radio stations: Radio Nacional de España, 40 principales, Onda Cero.
Telephone
The Spanish phone code is 34 and the Lanzarote code is 928. To make a phone call to another country you must first dial 00 and then the international code of the country you would like to call to and finally dial the subscriber's phone number. For phone calls within Spain a special code is not required. The most important mobile phone operators are Amena – www.amena.com-, Movistar/Telefónica Móviles -www.movistar.tsm.es- and Vodafone-www.vodafone.es-.

Telephone booths are very common along the streets and they work with coins or phone cards. There are also the called locutorios, they are establishments with many phone booths, where coins or cards are not needed, just pay in cash the phone call after the conversation. In many of this kind of places it is also possible to send and receive faxes and there are computers with internet connection as well.
Police
112
Ambulance
112
Fire Brigade
112
Tourist health care services
112
Newspapers and Magazines
Regional papers: Canarias 7, Diario de Avisos and El Día. Voz de Lanzarote is a local newspaper.

Postal Service
The postal service is efficient. The mail sent within Europe take between 3 and 5 days to reach to their destination. A registered post costs 2.50 Euros minimum. Opening hours are: 8:30 to 20:30 and saturdays from 8:30 to 13:00h.


The post office is Arrecife, the capital of the island, is in Calle La Marina 8 (tel. 928 800 673). There is also an office in San Bartolomé (Avenida Tirajana, 37. Tel. 928 762 341). Other addresses can be searched in www.correos.es.


Health Care Services
The Spanish health system is good. There is no alert whatsoever. The health assistance quality in the islands is good.
Airport
The motorway connecting Arrecife and Yaiza is the road that leads to the airport taking the way out of the km. 4. There is also a bus service that costs 0.90 Euros (Tel. 928 846 001).
Public Transport
There are no railway nor underground services, but the bus network links all the main municipalities in the island.

Bus
Arrecife Bus (Teléfono: 928-811-546, 928-811-473. www.arrecifebus.com)
Lanzarote Bus (Teléfono: 928-812-432).
Car
Lanzarote’s road network is quite effective, linking the main municipalities and towns of the island. In order to drive you should have an international driving license. Take into account that you should drive by the right side of the road and safety belt must be used.
Car Rentals
Car rental offices:
Hertz:
Avenida De Canarias s/n, Lanzarote Park, Local 5. Tel.: 0928-517-773, fax: 0928-821-1290.
Costa Teguise: Avenida Islas Canarias. Tel.: 0928-590-790.

Europcar:
Airport of Lanzarote, Terminal 2. Tel.: 922-372-882, fax: 922-371-874.
Costa Teguise: La Olita Shopping Center, Local 8.

Avis:
Airport of Lanzarote. Tel.: 928-846-245.
Costa Teguise: Avenida Jablillo, Apartamentos Océano Local 9. Tel.: 928-592-210.
Puerto del Carmen: Centro Comercial Faraones. Tel.: 928-514-466.


Ship
Ship transport is the main connection with the rest of the archipelago. There are two shipping companies linking the Canaries:
Fred Olsen (tel. 902 100 107 reservas@fredolsen.es, www.fredolsen.com) and Naviera Armas (José Antonio Primo de Rivera 90, Arrecife. Tel. 928-824-930, 928-811-174 www.navieraarmas.com
Destination Tourism Office in Spain
 
Spanish embassy in the destination
 
Taking pictures
 
See climate
www.worldweather.org
Currency converter
www.xe.com/ucc
A dinner
From 20 EUR
A coffee
1 Euros
The Bus
From 1 EUR
The taxi
As from 1.40 Euros/km