Maspalomas is the oldest touristic town in the south coast of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Maspalomas is part of the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Cheap holidays and flights to Maspalomas are available from most UK airports. The place is famous for tourism, its hotels, beaches, dunes, apartments and other facilities including restaurants, bars, taverns, shopping centres, souvenirs and businesses.

Region - Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.
Country - Spain.
Capital City - Madrid.
Language - Spanish, English widely spoken.
Religion - Roman Catholic.
Visas - Valid UK passport.
Currency - Euro, about €1.45 = £1.
Credit Cards - Widely Accepted in Maspalomas.
Time Difference - GMT.
Flight Time UK - About 4 hours.
Maspalomas Airport - LPA ( Las Palmas).
Distance from Maspalomas Airport - 19 Miles.
Taxi Fare from Maspalomas Airport - About €42 (£29).

Driving in Spain - In Maspalomas they drive on the right. EU compliant three-part pink document or international driving licence required.
Electricity in Spain - In Maspalomas it is 220v, adapter required.
Spain International Dialing Code - 00 34.
Maspalomas Public Phones - Maspalomas International booths accept coins and phonecards, as well as credit cards .
Maspalomas Mobile Phones - All major networks in Maspalomas.

Spain Emergency Numbers - Maspalomas emergency number is 112 (police, fire and ambulance).
Maspalomas Health Risks - None.
Maspalomas Safety & Security - None.

Shop Opening Times in Maspalomas - Maspalomas Banks open 09.00-14.00 Mon-Fri, 09.00-13.00 Sat (except summer). Maspalomas Shops open 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00. Maspalomas Department stores and commercial centres 10.00-21.00. Office hours are 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00. .

Public Holidays in Maspalomas - Maspalomas Public Holidays for 2007 are - Jan 1, 6, March 25, May 1, Aug 15, Oct 12, Nov 1, Dec 6, 8, 25.

Maspalomas Accommodation - Accommodation in Maspalomas is registered and inspected by regional authorities. Maspalomas Hotels are classified from one to five-star. Hostels/pensions in Maspalomas are classified one to three-star. Other accommodation in Maspalomas includes apartment-hotels, hotel-residencies and villas.

Eating Out in Maspalomas - In Maspalomas there are a number of good quality restaurants. There is a wide variety of good dinning available in Maspalomas from local speciality restaurants to more international cuisine. The prices are not too diferent to what you would pay in England for the equivelant meal, but there are the full range of budget establishments updwards. The many resaturants in Maspalomas offer a wide varety of cuisine. There are a number of good fish restaurants in Maspalomas. .

Food in Spain - In Maspalomass, Grand Canaria seafood forms a major part of the cuisine of the Canary Islands along with number of local dishes. These include 'Gofio amasdo' (a bread substitute) and 'Papas Arrugadas' (wrinkled potatoes). In Maspalomas and the major tourist resorts of Grand Canaria many restaurants serve 'International' dishes, fast food is generally available along with 'British Pubs'!.

Tipping in Maspalomas - In Maspalomas service and tax are usually included in hotel bills, but tip chambermaids, porters and waiters. Maspalomas restaurants often include service, so a gratuity is discretionary, normally 10%-15%. Taxi drivers expect 10%-15%.

Maspalomas Standard of Living - In Maspalomas a bottle of beer (330ml) - €1 (70p), mineral water (1L) - €0.90 (62p) and three course meal with drinks - €12 (£8.25).

What to do in Maspalomas - In Maspalomas, Grand Canaria there are an aray of sporting activities to enjoy away from the relaxation of the beach. Maspalomas offers Golf, Horse Riding, Rock Climbing, Air Sports and not least water sports to include Sailing, Windsurfing, Bodyboarding and Scuba Diving.

Where to Visit in Maspalomas - Maspalomas is one reason to visit Gran Canaries, Maspalomas is renowned worldwide for its rolling sand dunes, and offers the best beaches in all the islands. .

Local Festivals in Maspalomas - The annual carnival in the resort town of Maspalomas, on Gran Canaria, features a drag queen competition, a parade and a show, as well as many other events. There are fiestas everywhere in town, although the main venue is the Yumbo Shopping Centre in Playa del Inglés. This year highlights are the election of Queen of the Carnival (Gala de la Reina) on 24 February, the election of the the Carnival Princess (Gala de la Reina infantil) on 25 February and the election of the Drag Queen on 2 March. The Grand Parade is on 3 March and the funeral of the Sardina concludes the festival the following day. .

Maspalomas Climate - Maspalomas has fantastic holiday weather all of the year round with only 6°C temperature difference between summer and winter. There is very little rain during the summer and not a great deal during the winter.

Tourist Information on Maspalomas
For further tourist information on Maspalomas and Gran Canaria go to www.apartmentspain.co.uk

Disclaimer
Whilst every effort has been made to give accurate and up-to-date information, no liability is accepted for any injury, loss or damage in respect of any information supplied.

To apply for a passport go to the Passport Service, for the latest Government advice and information on visas go to The Foreign Office

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