Hi folks!! My name is Victoria and I moved to sunny Gran Canaria almost 10 years ago. Wow, doesn’t time fly!
I started off writing some tips about moving here for a friend that was thinking along the same lines and thought… why not make a website about my experiences to help others who want to visit? So… here it is!
Before moving over, I had been working in an office in London but I really fancied a change. I had no ties and thought why not go for it? I had always wanted to live somewhere sunny so I took a risk. I handed my notice in at work, sold most of my possessions, said tearful goodbyes to my friends (whom I suspected would be out to visit me soon!) and boarded the plane.
I can honestly say I have never looked back. Gran Canaria is an awesome place to either live or visit. I started out being a waitress and it was a disaster! I had never waitressed in my life and can hardly carry a tray! I went through about 20 waitressing and bar jobs in a couple of months then decided to try my luck elsewhere. I made CDs for DJs in the bars and big clubs and after a while I thought… well, if I know what they want to play, why am I not DJing myself?
The fact that I would be one of the first female DJs on the islands was not off-putting. I just saw it as a challenge. I taught myself to DJ by offering my services for free in one of the big disco bars. I was pretty useless to start and it took a week to summon up the courage to say “er… h-hello” on the microphone but after 2 weeks I was more comfortable. My DJing career lasted a couple of years before I got fed up with spinning the decks until 7am, then sleeping all day and missing out on all the glorious sun!
I now work as a freelance writer and my life is great. In my spare time, I scuba dive, go sea fishing, lie on the beach and explore the island. I also sell sea fishing trips (so you know who to ask for advice!)
Gran Canaria is known as ‘the miniature continent’ because you can find plenty here – lakes, mountains, beaches and even a pine forest. The weather is generally warm and sunny with clear blue, cloudless skies. There are hundreds of great places to visit, regardless of your age and interests, and many people return to Gran Canaria year after year because they fell in love with it on their first visit.
Whether your idea of a good holiday is visiting the country vineyards and sampling homemade wine, horse riding and parascending, dancing the night away in the discos or just relaxing and enjoying the many beaches and sights, Gran Canaria has something for everyone.
Hope you enjoy the blog! Feel free to ask any questions about Gran Canaria – I’ll move them if they’re in the wrong place 🙂
All the best,
Victoria
Wow, what a story! More should do like you did – follow their heart!
Inspiring!
Thanks for all the answers your blog has given me about Gran Canaria!:)
Thanks Leo! 😀
Yes, here we are… Everything is OK!
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog! With that I found a way to visit your blog! I am so thrilled to have found your site! Will be reading for more! (yes, I have a penchant for exclamation points!)
Thanks Grace!!!!!!!!! (Was that enough exlamation points for you?) 🙂
Great blog! I’ll make sure to bookmark it for my future trips. And hey, stay away from my bf. 😉
Anna
Hi, Victoria!
Your blog is really great, we are going to Gran Canaria in April for 5 days and I am sure I will use a lot of information I have found here.
I wonder if You know any websites or places with info for backpackers and campers?
It is a pity that getting permission to camp in most places is quite difficult – since we are coming just for a short time, it is a big problem.
We would be really thankful for any advice 🙂
Take care!
Darek
Hi Darek, you can have a look here:
https://www.cunningcanary.com/534/camping-in-gran-canaria/
Apart from that you’ll need to do a Google search since I don’t have any more information about camping. Be glad you’re not there this week though, it hasn’t stopped raining for days!!!
If I find out anything which might be helpful, I’ll let you know. Have fun! 🙂
Victoria
Hi Victoria!
I was looking for diving jobs here and there and somehow got on your blog. It looks really impressive, you are putting a lot of effort into it. I mean you have covered loads of aspects.
I was wandering if you know anything about applying for a job at the diving centre. So far I have found websites that you have to pay in order to see address on the job offer. Do you know any websites? Not necessarily Grand Canaria, general.
And other thing – diving cv, have you ever heard about such thing?
Thanks for the comments 🙂 With diving you have to go around the dive centres asking. You don’t need a CV but you will need to have your licence (are you divemaster or instructor? Both would be fine for teaching here). There are about 5 dive centres I can think of or more in the north of the island if you speak Spanish. A second languages is always preferred because the dive centres get international customers. Try the PADI website if you’re a member. They advertise diving jobs all over the world.
Victoria
Hello Victoria!
I would like to spend some time in Gran Canaria in May (7-10 days). And visit some interested places on the island and maybe take a ferry to Tenerifie. What public transport do you have on Gr.Canaria? Or is it better to rent a car? Please advise. 🙂
KRgds
Liz
Hi Liz, it’s up to you. The bus service is pretty good or you can rent a car when you arrive. The car rental places are cheaper in the resorts than at the airport. Which resort are you staying at? The ferry to Tenerife costs about 80€ more if you take a car so you might want to do an organized trip with that.
Victoria
Victoria,
My partner and I are arriving in Gran Canaria March 18th, 2011 and staying for ten days. We are visiting from the USA and it is our 7 year anniversary. I like to dance the night away and sleep on the beach. He likes to go fishing, skydiving and would love the wine exploration. We are staying at the Hotel Neptuno. I understand the Carnival is going on during this time as well. Not much into nudity, but it seems like most of the gay bars and underwear or naked??? Where is the best spot to be to enjoy the Carnival, in fact the entire island??? Thanks for the help!!!
Hi Victoria,
I am looking for some help. We are staying in Tenerife for 10 days and need to travel to Gran Canaria on 11th October to stay at Anfi for 1 week before flying home to Glasgow. I can’t find any ferry availability on this day!! Do they only operate on a Fri night? We have 2 adults and 2 kids in the group. Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.
thanks
Carole
@William: Not all the gay bars are like that but some are. Head to the Yumbo Center (it is huge) and you’ll find everything from dungeon/darkroom type bars to family-type ones and everything in between. There are lots of other activities you can enjoy on the island too and you can get lots of info from the hotel reception. Enjoy the carnival from the street right outside your hotel – you will get a fine view of the procession from there. Rent a car while you’re over too, so you can explore the island’s mountains, pine forests and rugged northern shoreline.
@Carole: The ferries are once a week I think but what about flying? I once flew from Tenerife to GC because it worked out cheaper than the ferry!
Have a look here: http://www.tenerifeisland.com/en/maritimo_en.html and here: http://www.canaryforum.com/betweenislands.html
Great web site, Victoria!
I love to come to GC when the weather is at its coldest and gloomiest back in the UK.
Usually the start of January seems a good time, even more relaxing knowing that most other people are back at work after their Christmas break.
Hello Victoria! Where is the best place on the Island for Morris dancing? Thank you.
Er……. I don’t believe that particular trend has made it to the Canaries yet, Helga!
Hi Victoria
I am moving to gran canaria in april and
I was wondering is it possible to bring all my furniture and personal things into gran canaria via the ferry from cadiz.
regards
john rafferty
You mean using a van and putting the furniture etc in that? That would work and I know people who have done it. I’d check the price of that against the price of using a moving company and see what works out best for you. Depends how much furniture you have. Also you might have to pay taxes to import it if it’s a lot and if you don’t have a Canarian residency number. You won’t be able to rent a van from Spain to the Canaries of course, since technically it’s going between 2 countries.
I have quite a lot of furniture.The removal companies i contacted have all quoted approx 5,000 euros which i thought was a little expensive so i wanted to look at the option of hiring a van.however if its not possible to hire a van then i probably dont have much choice as i dont want to buy one. also with the possibility of being stopped and asked to pay taxes on everything it may be wiser to just pay the removal company.
thanks for the advice
john
5000 euros?! Wow. Luckily when I moved over I didn’t have any furniture.
You could try this: http://www.freight-calculator.com/canary%20islands.htm or this: http://www.shipit.co.uk/International_Removals_Spain/Canary_Islands.htm
This: http://www.canaryforum.com/forums/showthread.php?544-Moving-Furniture might also be helpful
Or ask these guys about vans: http://www.mylocalvanhire.co.uk/vanhiretospain.php but I don’t expect they’d let you take it across to GC
thanks again for the info,much appreciated.
regards
john
hello victoria, me & my partner (female) are on holiday in playa de ingles (23may 2011) for one week, can we get married there in that time, we dont want any fuss, just the two of us, thank you for your trouble
Have a look here: http://www.canary-islands-weddings.com/
Hello Victoria, i live in England and Iam trying to organise my wedding, I have contacted a few venues but now I need to find a catholic church in Puerto rico or Playa de el ingles, do you have any information to help me please. I speak fluent Spanish so if you know the name of a church in that area, I could ring them.
Thank you,
Angie.
Hi Angie, everything I know is in the above article and comments. I don’t know the legalities of marrying in a church in the Canaries. Good luck with it. Sorry I can’t offer you more help; I don’t want to give you incorrect advice. Victoria
Hi, I’m so pleased I’ve found your site, it’s been really helpful so far. However I have a few questions (sorry to be a pest) We are coming to Puerto Rico and staying in the Cala Nova from the 23rd July for 2 weeks. There will be myself, my husband, a spotty, moody 14yr old boy, our 9 yr old daughter (going on 21!!) and a 9mnth old baby. Now to my questions….we’ve never travelled Gran Canaria before or gone abroad with a baby before so I want to have a good idea of things to do, what to avoid, day trips, shopping venues and places that are child friendly for food, drinking etc. Basically we’re not the sort to spend 2 weeks by the pool but as we have the baby we can’t just up and decide what to do on a whim or go trawling for hours. Sorry to be such a pest…i’m a bit of a control freak….Thanks for your help. Sarah xx
Hi Sarah, I also have young children and thats why we always travel to Gran Canaria, is a lovely safe and faily friendly place. Try Amadores beach is great for kids and teenagers, there is also a water park by Puerto Rico called aqualand, Gran Canaria for shopping is not the best, we usually hire a car and go to Las Arenas shopping mall, is on the motorway on the way to the airport.
Have a great holiday.
Houses and cars are expensive and not everybody is able to buy it. But, credit loans are created to support people in such kind of situations.
Hey Victoria, came across your site while looking for info on Mogan. I’m visiting Puerto Rico the first week in September and I was just wondering would you know which bus to get from the airport into Puerto Rico? and how much does the bus cost or a taxi cost? sinead.
Sorry for the late response, Sinead. I was on holiday. You can find the info you need here: https://www.cunningcanary.com/1266/how-to-get-from-gran-canaria-airport-to-puerto-rico/
Hi Victoria, I’m coming to Gran Ganaria for a solo holiday in september and stopping in Puerto Morgan. I understand this is a quiet relaxing resort which is how I will be wanting to spend most of the week. However, I’ll be wanting a couple of nights out on the town, is Puerto Rico my best bet? If so, can you suggest any good places for single travellers? Apologies if you get asked this question hundreds of times a day. Adam
You’re right, Puerto Mogan is comparatively quiet. Your best bet is to get the bus into Pto Rico. There are 2 main shopping/commercial centres there, the biggest of which is right opposite the bus stop. Just wander around. All the bars are in the centre and most are friendly and welcoming. You won’t have a problem meeting people to chat to.
Hello all. Can some one tell me how the Diving is in the Canary Islands? I am going there in Spring 2012.
Have a look here Ramon: https://www.cunningcanary.com/265/gran-canaria-scuba-diving/
Hi Victoria, I love your site. I am booking a trip to your area for spring 2012 and want to be there for Maspalomas Carnival but havinga hard time pinpointing the dates of it. Right now I am looking at 3/5 -3/12/12. Does that sound right to you. Also, any thoughts on Riu Waikiki as far as closenss to yumb0 centre. I am a gay male travelling solo and want to stay in a mixed setting that is close to good night life. I have had good luck with other Riu properties in Caribbean. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks for the compliments, Ray. This might be what you’re looking for: https://www.cunningcanary.com/1302/when-is-carnaval-2012-in-gran-canaria/ Riu Waikiki isn’t too far from the Yumbo and the night life is good there. I used to work in one of the Yumbo bars as a DJ and it’s one of the better centres. Usually chilled out and fun and it’s a mixed setting too. The Yumbo is quite large and the bars are varied, including gay only, only lesbians and gay men, gay friendly and everyone incl families so you can find whatever you like.
Hi Victoria. Great site, very informative. I’m thinking of moving over to GC next year. Would be very grateful of some advice/help if you have any free moments!
Amy, you will find some answers here: https://www.cunningcanary.com/735/relocating-to-gran-canaria/ and here: https://www.cunningcanary.com/480/can-you-live-permanently-in-the-canary-islands/ and here: https://www.cunningcanary.com/246/gran-canaria-from-tourist-to-resident/
Thank you so much for your help. It sounds like it is easy to travel around the island no matter where you stay. Is that right? We would like to go scuba diving but with two little ones it is hard. Do you know if there are any babysitting services that we can use so we can go dive? I am trying to book a hotel that offers that service.
It’s pretty easy to get around, assuming you’re based in one of the resorts not in the middle of the island. There are buses and taxis.
Scuba diving is possible from Puerto Rico. There are other places in Maspalomas and Taurito too, and probably in Mogan although I’m unfamiliar with those. Top Diving in Puerto Rico is who I did most of my scuba dives with when I was into diving and I can recommend them.
As the for babysitting, you can call Mary at the British Medical clinic – (0034) 618 709 362. I’m sure she will be able to help; she has a help agency including a qualified nurse and NVQ auxiliary carers so she will be able to provide someone suitable I’m sure. If you’re in Puerto Rico you can visit the British Medical Clinic in person and enquire in there.
Or you can email. The email address will be on here somewhere: http://www.britishmedicalclinic.com
Dear Victoria:
Nice to meet you.You seem to be a very brave woman and if you love GC we share something.I like your blog and as more than often I am in a hurry I ask you please do change the order of posts from first one to last one , as it is now,to just the op.I am sure your visits will increase.
afternoon victoria,
my wife and I are seriously considering living in gran canary after the sale of our house. what areas do consider a no go and what areas would you recommend we look at. we don’t mind quiet but not too remote. any suggestions???
regards
colin
@Ramon – I took a look at your blog and it doesn’t even have any posts at all, so I don’t think you should be dispensing (wrong) advice. I get a lot of visitors daily.
@Colin – sorry it took a while to get back to you. I would suggest San Agustin, Maspalomas or Arguineguin. Puerto Rico is too loud and touristy, as is Playa del Ingles. If you speak Spanish, Las Palmas or Vecindario are other options. If not you would feel a bit isolated there. I suggested a long holiday there (if you haven’t already) so you can spend time checking out the various towns.
Victoria – do you know how many km the road circumference of GC is? We only have 3 days but I’d like to drive around the whole island. Also I can’t find any smaller, quaint hotels, just mega-resorts. we like character and don’t need a pool. Smaller town is fine. Thoughts? Thanks
Hello James, I have answered your questions here: https://www.cunningcanary.com/1443/best-rural-retreats-in-gran-canaria/ Victoria 🙂
Hi Victoria, We are moving to Gran Canaria Jan2013 and we are both retired. The one thing that does worry me is the medical. Do they have an NHS type system or do we need to buy insurance? We get all our medications free here. Does they same exist for OAP’s there? If there’s anything you think I should know I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks