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Wednesday, 18 November 2015 07:46

Getting The Most Out Of Your Mobile Phone In Gran Canaria

Using your phone in Gran Canaria Using your phone in Gran Canaria www.photosgrancanaria.com

With roaming charges to be phased out completely by June 2017 and cut by 90% in April 2016, your mobile phone is set to become a whole lot more useful when you visit Gran Canaria.

Here's how to get the most out of your mobile during your holiday.

Chargers

Bring a good quality charger and an adaptor if needed. Gran Canaria uses two-pin plugs so you'll need an adaptor if you come from the UK. Others need to check and make sure that their adaptor plug is compatible. Another excellent option in Gran Canaria is a solar battery charger. These are available online and a good quality one charges up fast enough in the Gran Canaria sunshine for you not to need a mains charger.

Mobile phone care

Be extra careful with your mobile on the beach as sand and salt water can break it within seconds. Be careful when plugging in headphones and chargers on the beach as sand in the sockets causes chaos.

A good top for the beach is to bring a zip-lock bag and keep your phone in it. This may sound excessive, but we can't tell you how many people we've seen shaking out flooded phones that the tide swamped. 

Also remember that mobiles aren't designed to be left in the sunshine; High temperatures can ruin batteries and screens so keep your mobile in the shade. 

Mobile phones are tempting targets for opportunistic thefts so keep you iPhone or Galaxy out of view if you go for a swim, and don't leave it on cafe and restaurant tables. Theft is rare in the Canary Islands, but it does happen.

Finding your way

With roaming fees still in place this year, you can still use your mobile and Wifi to download maps and directions with the My Maps mobile application for Android. You won't get live directions, but you can still see the instructions and view maps in details.

Alternatively, walkers can use a walking app that works offline. A good example is the Gran Canaria walking app.

Avoiding fees

To be 100% certain that your mobile isn't building up data roaming charges, just switch off mobile data while you are in Gran Canaria. You'll still be able to make and receive calls and SMS messages (although you'll pay high rates for them) and will still be able to access the internet via wifi. Using free wifi, Skype and Whatsapp rather than making calls and sending SMS messages can save you a ton of money over a two week holiday. 

Back-up

We advise everyone who comes to Gran Canaria to back up their mobile phone information before they leave just in case the worst happens. 

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Tip of the day

  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

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