The Cunning Canary

Gran Canaria holidays? Bliss. We all enjoy holidays to Gran Canaria but what’s it like actually living here?

 
Photo By Szeke

There are pros and cons to living anywhere and many people who come to Gran Canaria or any of the Canary Islands on holiday and fantasise about living here one day. You can break the group down into:

1. Young people in their teens and early twenties who dream about working in a bar (with free alcohol thrown in, of course) at night and laying on the beach all day.

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Many people want to rent a car when they’re on holiday in Gran Canaria. The island is called the “miniature continent” and if you’re happy to lie by the pool by day and drink in the hotel bar by night, that’s fine. But what if you want to explore the island? The best way to do it is to hire a car - or a jeep! Or even a buggy: http://driveforcegc.com/buggy_tour.html 

You can either hire a car at the airport or from a car hire company in the resort. I’ve done both. Here is a quote form for airport car rentals: http://www.spanish-airport-guide.com/gran-canaria-car-hire.html

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The busiest times in Gran Canaria tend to be for two weeks over Christmas and from the end of June until September. But now it’s more like a ghost town! That might be good news for people who like more than a square foot of sand at the beach to themselves and a distinct lack of queues in the bars and restaurants. If you like beach holidays Gran Canaria is always a great destination because we have 365 warm days a year, most of which are sunny. But does it matter when you visit?

Photo By Fotofill

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The nightlife in Gran Canaria is quite varied and you can choose from quiet harbour bars and restaurants to large nightclubs which are open until the small hours. I used to work as a DJ so I know a few of the clubs (I also like a beer now and then so I know the bars pretty well too!!!!)

Me, attempting some karaoke!

Nightlife in Puerto Rico 

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I really love walking and have found some nice routes around the island. I live in the South so most of my walking Gran Canaria tours take place there (either to and from work or to and from the shop!) With this climate, you can usually count on sun and almost always on warmth. When you are walking up and down the steep hills (another reason why walking is preferable to cycling here) you will appreciate a soft breeze on your face too! There is some information on other Spanish hiking routes on here: http://hikingblogs.thesocksite.com/location/international/spain/ 

Photo By FotosDeLasIslasCanarias

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It’s a good idea to find out where the nearest doctor’s surgery is when you arrive… just in case! There are English speaking dentists and doctors around the tourists resorts of Gran Canaria and they are all qualified to the European standard. If you are looking for a pharmacy, there are quite a few. Just look out for the green cross. There is a list here of all the pharmacies on the island and when they are open.

Photo By Elrudojulio

Insurance and E111 Cards 

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I did a dolphin trip last week when my family was over and it was really good so I thought I’d share it with you! You can book dolphin trips in Puerto Escala (Puerto Rico) - just ask for Kevin or Nina. There is a tour guide on the boat called Ronnie. He speaks English, German, Spanish and Dutch and he will look after you.

How Much Does it Cost? 

This trip is 24 euros for adults and 12 euros for kids, which isn’t bad because if you don’t see dolphins or whales you can repeat the trip! You can buy drinks and snacks on board and don’t worry - there is a loo!

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Gran Canaria is a great place for a holiday for several reasons. First of all, you are pretty much guaranteed warm sunshine! If you visit in June, July, August or September the weather can be pretty hot - expect temperatures up to a sweltering 40ºC. The coolest months are December, January and February but the temperature rarely drops below 15ºC and the daytimes are usually sunny enough to chill out in a bikini or a pair or shorts.

Photo By PhotoPhob

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More and more people want to “get away from it all” when they come on holiday. And that doesn’t mean lying by a pool where kids are dive-bombing in, splashing you every 10 seconds, babies are screaming and people are shouting at each other. It doesn’t mean walking down the busiest tourist street on the island, hearing “you want dinner here?” or “buy a camera, only 10 euros” or “looky looky sunglasses” every minute or so. Actually those things can be fun and remind you that you are actually on holiday but what about if you could still enjoy the sun and still enjoy what the island has to offer but be even more away from it?

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Fuerteventura is known as the windy Canary Island, but in the Summer when it’s 40ºC you’ll be grateful for some breeze, I promise! You can either spend a week (or more!) in Fuerteventura or take the ferry or a plane over for a day or so, if you are staying on another Canary Island.

There is plenty to do, including fishing, boat trips, quad hire, shopping, golf, scuba diving and walking. If you just want to relax, Fuerteventura offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands.

Photo By Capitan Patata

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