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0871 423-5051
Only £25 deposit per booking
Although the Canary Islands are not officially part of the European Union, they generally follow the same line as mainland Spain. No visas needed here, just an up-to-date passport (check the passport office weblink right for renewal details). Other essentials for the smaller West Canary Islands of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro include obtaining a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This recently replaced the old E111 form and is easily obtained online (link right) or by filling in a form from the Post Office.
The currency in La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, like all the Canary Islands, is the Euro. Just a small supply of euros will suffice, as more are easily obtained from banks and cashpoints in all the main resorts of Valle Gran Rey, Playa Santiago and San Sebastian in La Gomera, Puerto Naos and Los Cancajos and other major towns including Los Llanos on La Palma, and in Valverde the capital of El Hierro. Order Euros online via the safe and secure Currency weblink to the right. Tap water in La Gomera is safe to drink - unlike many of the other Canary Islands, La Gomera's water supply is mostly natural courtesy of Garajonay and the Laurisilva which act as water sponges and deposit large amounts of water in water springs and streams on the island.Camping is forbidden on the island accept on designated campsites at El Cedro, La vista - there's a restaurant here too. Likewise, the water supply on La Palma and El Hierro is mostly from natural sources.
On La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro siesta periods are taken pretty seriously, so you can expect most shops (except petrol stations) to close during designated siesta times. Opening hours for shops tends to follow Spanish opening times and fit in with the hot climate, avoiding the hottest part of the day - open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9am to 13.00/1pm then after an afternoon siesta break they reopen again from around 16.00pm/4pm for a few hours, sometimes up until 22.00pm/10pm in the evening. For individual attractions and museums around the islands it's best to check each individually. The siesta closures are generally much more strictly applied on La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma than in the resort areas of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. Petrol stations (of which on El Hierro and La Gomera there are only a small selection) tend to stay open all day.
The telephone code for La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro is the same as Tenerife - 922. (On Canaries phone codes you'll note that the code for Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro is 922, whilst for Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote the code is 928. It's significant because it's an indicator of the way local government functions on the Canaries. The western Canary Islands are administered by the central administrative hub - Santa Cruz de Tenerife, whilst the eastern Canary Islands answer to the administrative hub of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - the rather false dicotomy of competition here generally keeps them busy).
For phone calls home to the UK public phone boxes are dotted around the main towns of the west Canary Islands. Two or three euros gives you a good 5-10 minutes. Put your money in first, then type in 00 44(UK code) then the regional code omitting the first 0 then the number. It's well worth using the public phone boxes and booths rather than phoning from your hotel room - the mark ups are horrendous on these!
Holiday travel insurance cover for La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma holidays is a must as there are many accidents, incidents and emergencies that could occur during your holiday, for example lost luggage or stolen passports. In the event that your holiday is cancelled or shortened because of illness or injury, or if your money is stolen Travel Insurance is an imperative back-up. You'll need to check the small print on all travel insurance policies to see exactly what you are covered for.
A range of Canary Islands Travel Insurance policies are available, (check the Holiday Travel Insurance weblinks right for details and booking online). Double check you've the right travel insurance policy to suit you and your family. Cheap travel insurance is not always best, although most will opt for it. If you're undertaking a wide range of sports available on La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro including diving, and walking and hiking check you're covered for all possible risks or accidents. Check the weblink right for cheap holiday insurance with 'Insure and Go'.
Huge costs have been incurred to individual holidaymakers who have discovered that cheap travel insurance policies did not cover particular accidents and emergencies. If you're planning to undertake challenging walking and hiking, ensure you're covered for such activities in the event of an accident (the company providing the rides is likely not to have inclusive insurance cover. Holiday makers have been caught out here, thinking the 'Spanish' document they sign before the ride covers them for potential accidents. It's more likely to be an indemnity document saying you agree that the company has no responsibility should you injure yourself!).
The EHIC health card will only cover you for basic health care, not for things like repatriation or air ambulances if needed. You could end up with a health care bill of £20,000 or more. The risk isn't worth it! Check the health advice for travel weblinks to the right for advice on travel insurance cover, and additional health insurance cover. The NHS 'Fit for Travel' website is particularly useful for health travel advice, and taking out travel and health insurance. Phone iknow-holidays booking line on 0871 423-5056 for advice and guidance if needed.
All British Citizens with UK passports travelling to La Gomera and the Canary Islands will need one of the new European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC). These have now replaced the old E111 form! EHIC cards are free, and very easy to obtain, either online via the weblink right, or by obtaining an EHIC form from your local post office. EHIC entitles UK travellers to emergency medical treatment whilst in Spain (or in Spanish territory which the Canaries fall under) on the same terms as Spanish nationals. However, the EHIC will not cover things like on-going medical treatment, medical repatriation or non-urgent medical treatment. The Department of Health (see weblink right) advises additional comprehensive medical and travel insurance alongside obtaining your EHIC.
Travellers to the Canaries with particular medical conditions are advised to take out additional health cover, to insure health cover for all eventualities. Check the NHS 'Fitness for Health' website (to the right) which offers excellent advice on things like taking care in the sun and dehydration and the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. For advice on lost or stolen passports whilst in the Canary islands, and what to do in an emergency check the British Consulate weblinks right.
Don't think you won't need sun protection on the less oppressive climate wise La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Even if you're walking on the peaks, surrounded by mist you'll need it! If you do happen to incur some sunburn whilst on the islands- try some Aloe Vera gel or pure juice (easily accessible in most pharmacies) - it works!
In La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro your nearest British Consulat is - British Consulate, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Plaza Weyler 8, 1, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 38003. Telephone: (34) 922 28 68 63, 28 66 53. Open Mon-Fri: 0800-1530, July and August: Mon-Fri: 0800-1430.
Embassy of Spain, 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB. Tel: 020 7235 5555. (weblink is to the right)
In the unlikely event that your passport is lost or stolen whilst in the Canary Islands an Emergency passport will be issued by the British Consulate nearest to you (in this case the contact above in Santa Cruz de Tenerife). All you will need to do is fill in the form - LS01 - Lost and Stolen passport form (available from the Consulate), as well as a C1 Passport form. You'll need to present these forms to the Consulate together with two passport photos plus a Police Report called a Denuncia. If you are involved in any accident or assault incident whilst in Spain including the Canaries you'll need to report this to the Police. Check the British Consulate advice on the weblink to the right for further details. The fee for Emergency Passports permitting one return trip to the UK is around 70 Euros. For useful advice on what to do in the event of lost or stolen passports, check the excellent advice on the 'Online Travelsafe' weblink to the right.
La Gomera's visitors generally prefer to visit between September to May rather than the peak summer months. Temperatures rarely drop below 18 degrees centigrade, with Spring temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees centigrade, and winter temperatures from 23 to 30 degrees centigrate. The peaks within Garajonay National Park are covered by almost a perpetual mist - it's crucial for the survival of the ecosystem providing important extra moisture (the Laurisilva are like absorbant sponges). Highland temperatures are obviously lower, with an average of 14 degress centigrade. Be prepared clothing wise for the temperature drop in the heights. The more misty zone in the north of La Gomera has an average 1800 hours of sunshine per year, whilst the sunnier south has 3200 hours. Quite a contrast!
There's a variety of climate types in La Gomera. annual rainfall ranges from 200mm in the more arid south to above 900mm in the rainy highland areas. Conditions year round are perfect for walking holidays. Temperatures and water temperatures do tend to be just a few degrees lower than the south of La Gomera and obviously in winter the higher mountains in the centre are much cooler than the coast. Even when walking in the summer months it's worth taking waterproofs, and of course all year round good walking boots.
La Palma weather again is a microclimate mix, mostly sunny and hot near the coast and in low lying resorts such as Los Cancajos and Puerto Naos, but as you enter the interior the mists and clouds are frequent at higher altitudes, and temperatures are lower. Don't expect guaranteed hot weather all year round on La Palma - it's certainly mild as compared to Northern Europe, but the mountainous areas are cooler especially when the sun disappears behind clouds. You're looking at generally less sunshine on La Palma than in the Southern resorts of Tenerife for example. Walkers and activity holiday seekers heading for the Canaries will appreciate the milder temperatures on La Palma. Watch out for changeable weather up in the Caldera and be prepared with good waterproof clothing. Mean temperatures for La Palma are still mild though, at 20 degrees centigrade, getting upto the mid-20s frequently.
El Hierro weather again is mild all year round, with temperatures on the coast ranging between 19 to 23 degrees centigrade. At higher altitudes though expect lower temperatures, particularly around elevated Valverde the capital which does get the cloud and mist. The mists often descend on the heights of El Hierro - essential in the preservation of the ecosystem here, and not a particular problem for walkers. Sunseekers though might prefer the all year round guaranteed sunshine of the southern resorts on Gran Canaria and Tenerife, or indeed Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Watch night time temperatures on El Hierro too. Clear skies at night here often mean cooler temperatures. Even in the summer months come prepared with jackets and waterproofs!
Another holiday essential you may want to consideris pet sitting services for your pets whilst you are abroard. Pet sitting services are becoming extremely sophisticated, to the extent of not just pet sitting but also offering other services such as taking care of your business whilst you're on holiday, a live in pet sitting service and keeping an eye on burst pipes and other household emergencies. Absentia Pet Sitting Service is an excellent pet sitting company choice (see their website link to the right). They offer individually tailor-made pet sitting packages to suit your needs and requirements. For advice on pet travel, obtaining pet passports and general advice on taking your pet abroad check the DEFRA pet travel weblink right.
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