TAXI TRANSFERS; from the airport take only ten minutes. The queue can be long but it is police controlled and moves quickly. Only local taxis are allowed on the rank unless the queues are very long, with many more taxis waiting up the road. The fare is approx 13 euros. Taxis carry four people and normal luggage. If you have large items or there are more than four people, private hire minibus can be arranged.

THE WEATHER; Take little notice of internet forecasts, they are based on Gran Canaria or the airport, which is exposed, windy, often cloudy and has a broken thermometer! For accurate ‘live’ weather google 'Lanzarote webcam' Add 2-3 degrees to the Arrecife temperature. Use suncreams….you WILL burn, especially when it is overcast or you are on the beach. Drink lots of WATER to avoid dehydration and headaches. Late evening it can drop to about 15 degrees in winter, 20 degrees in summer!

BEACHES; The small bays hidden behind the casino (accessed by the pathway to ‘the place’) are usually peaceful except for Sundays. Not a lot of room when the tide is in. The nearest main beach is a few minutes to your right, with good facilities (toilets, showers, bars. Sunbeds etc) Poccillos beach is fifteen minutes walk to your left, an enormous sand beach and a nice walk along the new promenade when you get there. This area can get windy, a blessing when it is hot. Further down is a small centre with bars restaurants and the like. The beach goes on for another four miles! You can catch the bus back from the Jameos hotel, Matagorda, Playa Honda or Arrecife if you walk that far! There are some wonderful beaches on the island, only accessible by car. The far coastline is very dramatic with big breakers, surfing etc. There are also black volcanic beaches with often very rough seas. If it is windy, the Famara bay area is good with surfing and often big breakers onto a vast, sand blown beach. It is not recommended for deep water swimming.

EATING OUT; There are hundreds of restaurants and we have not tried them all! A large part of the fun is to find your own ‘favourite place’. The best breakfast we have found is at ‘', a full English is only three pounds. Three minutes walk.
At night, look for restaurants frequented by the locals and resident Brits, these are busy at ten thirty as locals always eat late. If a restaurant was busy with locals at six......they would just be finishing lunch !

For Italian, try ‘AT’. The fresh pasta is superb and fillet steak wonderful. Not that expensive, very laid back. If you want attention simply ask, if not, you are left alone to relax. Spirit measures are very large, the house red very good. Gets very busy with locals after nine, book a table for your next visit. Our favourite, less than 10 minutes walk.
Steaks are usually under cooked in Spanish restaurants, order one up from usual. Vegetables can be poor in all but the better restaurants, consider salad.
There are superb restaurants in the old town or inland for special meals. Please ask us for details.

BARS AND ENTERTAINMENT; Drink local beers and spirits, generally cheaper. There are hundreds of bars on the front, quiet and noisy, live entertainment etc. Nightclubs (they do not call them this here....different meaning !) are generally small. There are a few 'speciality' and novelty bars, watch out for the drag bar, you could be seriously shocked if you don't know! but a good night out. The Casino is not Las Vegas, but it is open until four in the morning. All bars in residential locations must be closed by 1.00am. On the seafront there are no restrictions and some are open until 4.00am.

SUPERMARKETS; Three are within three minutes walk. Most foods are available. Bread is OK if fresh baked. If you have a car and plan to eat in a lot it is worth doing a shop in Tias or Hyper (by airport). Keep as much food as you can in the fridge, it avoids attracting ants. Freeze small water bottles to use as ice blocks in picnic cool bags. You get cold drinks when they thaw!

SIGHTSEEING; Read the guides in the apartment to see what appeals. Beware, one tour company is very cheap, atlanta, but gives a detour for ‘a buying opportunity’. Better and cheaper to hire a car for a couple of days and pick what you want to see. If you don’t fancy driving, the short south tour takes you to the volcano, grape region etc and is good for a short day out.

CURRENCY; Tobacconist/off licence (metro) two doors before the 'AT' offers the best rate, usually 4-5c better than at home. Beware of charges and 'slight of hand' cons at some others. Lots of cash point machines around.

CAR HIRE; This is much cheaper booked through our contact in advance, collect at the airport and save on the taxi fares.
If only required for two or three days, use ' ' once in PdC, best prices with FULL insurance and no excesses. Ignore billboard offers….insurance and tax more than doubles this and the cars are often poor.

SHOPPING; Make a note of prices before you travel. Do not but photographic or electronic goods in Lanzarote, cheaper at UK duty free, guaranteed and genuine. If you have a specific question….ask us…if we do not know we can find out before you travel.

LAUNDERETTE; If you really feel the need !! Ask us for directions, only 300 yards from the apartment. Long stays (2 weeks plus) have the use of our washing machine in the one bedroom apartment.

BOOZE, CIGS AND PERFUME; MUCH cheaper than duty free, do not buy at the UK airport or on the plane going out. The tobacconist/off licence (metro) is usually best overall. Beware, some Asian shops sell fakes and Russian copies!

TOUTS; Timeshare touting is illegal here, but there is occasionaly a few touts selling ‘holiday clubs’, don’t get involved for a few cigs and a bottle of booze. If you are approached with scratch cards etc…it’s a timeshare of some sort.

CRIME; There is little crime here compared to home and it is generally very quiet. The few petty criminals will prey on careless holidaymakers, UK thieves take holidays as well!! You would not go out at home leaving doors and windows open, nor would you wave your handbag about or leave valuables on the beach while you went swimming. Take the same precautions as you would at home.
You will see lots of police driving around, far more than you could ever hope for at home!. This is NOT a reflection on the island, Lanzarote is a training area for Spanish policemen. The 'local' police and the ‘guardia’ have no sense of humour when it comes to abusive drunks, vandalism or speeding.

LANZAROTE AIRPORT; DO NOT PUT ALCOHOL, LIQUIDS or PERFUME ETC IN YOUR HAND LUGGAGE...IT WILL BE SEIZED.

The desks open two hours before departure. If you are early and your flight is not shown, ask at the information desk (at end of hall by desk 42), they know which check-ins will be used. (join the back of any previous queue) Departure lounge is modern with good facilities. Shops and food outlets are VERY expensive. If you sit outside check the departure screens regularly, there are no announcements.

UK CUSTOMS; UK customs look hard for booze and cigs, they are very active (and often hidden) and will stop those who push the limit. We know!! Suitcases are checked before you get them. Allowances are as for non EU, do not be told different! Exit through GREEN. Use blue and you will be stopped