Monday, 27 July 2015 10:45

25 Reasons Why You Should Never Visit Gran Canaria

There's nothing in Gran Canaria but tourists There's nothing in Gran Canaria but tourists

Some people think Gran Canaria is a spectacular destination with everything from the world's best beaches to jaw-dropping landscapes and a vibrant local culture and food scene. They are completely wrong and here are 25 reasons why you should never visit the island.

 There is nothing in Gran Canaria except resortsDune dawn at Maspalomas

 

Nothing, zip, nada, it's all one big tourist ghetto 

Puerto de las nieves harbour

 

Made of cement and old bottles of sunscreen held together with mankini straps

The Maspalomas lighthouse at sunset

 

All the palm trees are plastic

Guayedra valley in west Gran Canaria

 

And because it never, ever rains

Agaete Valley rainbow and palms

 

It's so hot and dry that there are no flowers

Arguineguin tree with flowers and table

 

And because nobody lives here, the only food comes in packages

Authentic tapas in Gran Canaria

 

And we don't mean this kind of package

bananas growing in Gran Canaria

 

There are, of course, no local towns or villages

Carrizal de Tejeda hamlet in Gran Canaria

 

And therefore, no local fiestas or culture

La Rama fiesta in Agaete, Gran Canaria

 

There is definitely nothing to see in Gran Canaria

Roque Nublo Sunset

 

No mountains, no forests, no landscapes. You might find a rock to sit on, but only if you're lucky

West coast road in Gran Canaria

 

So, just in case you're still thinking of visiting Gran Canaria

Las Palmas city and Las Canteras beach

 

The beaches are always packed

Montaña la Arena beach

 

The resorts are dated and crowded

Gloria Palace San Agustin Chill Out bar at sunset

 

Even the weather isn't what it's cracked up to be

Las Canteras beach and water

 

Only 320 days of sunshine each year and average temps barely above 20ºC? Pfff!

Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria

 

It's not good enough, especially when the palm trees get shade all over the beach

Las Marañuelas beach in Arguineguín, Gran Canaria

 

And somebody put boats on the sand instead of loungers

Burrero beach

 

Ridiculous

Las Palmas carnival on the beachfront

 

Nothing to see here

Sardina town and beach

 

 No no no!

Maspalomas Princess pool

 

Coffee comes in jars

Coffee growing in Gran Canaria

 

The sea is behind you. Get in it!Surfers on Las Canteras beach

 

There you go, it's all over; Gran Canaria has run out of sunshineRoque Nublo Stars

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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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