Thursday, 09 February 2017 14:51

5 Of The Most Beautiful Tropical Flowers In Gran Canaria

Most of the world's most beautiful tropical flowers grow in Gran Canaria's gardens Most of the world's most beautiful tropical flowers grow in Gran Canaria's gardens photosgrancanaria.com

Gardeners say that almost anything grows in Gran Canaria as long as you keep it watered. Here are five of the beautiful flowers you'll see as you walk around in the Gran Canaria sunshine.

If you find a tropical flower in Gran Canaria that isn't on this list, check our Tropical Flowers of Gran Canaria guide written by world-famous botanist Dr David Bramwell. 

Bougainvillea

flowers Gran Canaria 3Bougainvillea is originally from tropical South America but is now grown all over the world as a garden plant. In Gran Canaria it festoons the arches in Puerto de Mogán, climbs the famous Casa de Colón in Vegueta and grows in every hotel garden. Be careful, as some bougainvilleas have sharp thorns. The flowers are actually small and white while the colourful 'petals' are in fact just leaves. Bougainvillea flowers can be white, pink, red, purple and orange.

Hibiscus

flowers Gran Canaria 1Another tropical classic that grows all over Gran Canaria's parks and gardens. It can form a big shrub but is often pruned into hedges (pruning makes it flower more). The typical hibiscus in the photo has red flowers but you see a wide range of colours and sizes in Gran Canaria. Hibiscus is originally from tropical China. 

Bird of Paradise

flowers Gran Canaria 4

 The bird of paradise flower or strelitzia is a South African plant that grows so well in Gran Canaria that lots of people think it is native. The fleshy flowers last for weeks and are a great way of taking a bit of the sunshine home with you.

Blood trumpet

Flowers Gran Canaria 3The blood trumpet is a climber that produces long, scarlet flowers over 10 cm long. In the wild, in Mexico, the long, tubular flowers are pollinated by moths but in Gran Canaria the plant never sets seed. That's just as well as it can grow really fast and grow stems up to 25 metres long. Blood trumpets grow in parks and large hotel gardens and look best over a pergola. 

Flame Vine

flowers spring gran canaria 027

The flame vine is originally from Brazil and tropical South and Central America. It's a vigorous climber that produces clumps of bright orange flowers that cover the whole plant. It's common in Gran Canaria in parks, gardens and hotel grounds and you really can't miss it if it's flowering. 

For more info about the many tropical plants and flowers that grow in Gran Canaria's gardens, we recommend the Tropical Flowers of Gran Canaria guide; written by world-famous botanist Dr David Bramwell.

Published in Alternative Tourism

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  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

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