Finding the perfect spot where nature and the digital
world could meet is not that difficult these days. With the way technology is
reaching faraway places, you can now work on your laptop even if you are lounging
by the beach. If this is your aim, one place you might consider going to for a
long-term travel or permanent residency is Gran Canaria.
Gran Canaria is one of the seven main islands that make
up the Canary Islands in Spain. It covers an estimated 1,560 sq. km. of land
area that is surrounded by sea. The central part of the island, however, is
mountainous and boasts of pine forests. Its immense variety of sights,
activities, and offerings has enthralled past visitors and some have decided to
stay for good. To know more about what to expect on your visit there, here is a
brief description of the kind of environment and lifestyle that awaits you, as
well as other surprises that Gran Canaria has in store for you.
Climate
Gran Canaria enjoys mostly warm weather year round,
except for the occasional rains or snow in the mountainous areas. Summer starts
in May and ends in November. During this season, locals and tourists will
experience temperatures that reach as high as 26oC in midday, but
the night wind usually cools down the surrounding to a comfortable 17oC.
Even the winter in Gran Canaria, which lasts from
December to April, is very tolerable. The temperature during the day drops to
22oC, which then lowers to 14oC in the evenings.
Environment
As mentioned, Gran Canaria is surrounded by the sea, so
expect lots of beaches, wide shores covered with white sands, amazing resorts,
and dramatic sunsets in this place. If you would love to see more sun
throughout the year, it is best to stay in the southern part of the island.
Here you can find the Palmitos Park, a botanical garden that covers a land area
of 20 hectares. It showcases a vast variety of plants and animals, some of
which can only be found in this island.
The most famous beach in Gran Canaria is in Maspalomas.
This is also located in the southern part of the island and is very famous for
its long stretch of soft sand and its lighthouse, which was built in 1861.
Today, this area is bustling with activities, as most resorts and hotels have
converged here due to its ideal location, fantastic scenery, and comfortable
weather.
If you think you have had enough of the sea, you can
also visit Gran Canaria’s other treasures, like its dense pine forests. Try
visiting the Parque Natural de Tamadaba to get a sight of the preserved forest,
ravines, and slopes that truly make up Gran Canaria’s reputation of being a
“miniature continent”.
Culture
As much as its geography and weather are diverse, so are
its people. Gran Canaria has become a host to millions of travelers and
seafarers through the years. Hence, it will not be a surprise if you see their
imprints left behind and showing through the food, music, and architecture.
The people in Gran Canaria are generally warm. Communicating
with the locals should not be much of a problem since most can understand and
speak English, especially those working in the tourism industry.
Being surrounded by the sea, expect a lot of water
activities here, like surfing, diving, and sailing. You may also enjoy trekking
and hiking in the mountainous areas and parks. If you are an avid golfer, you
will be glad to know that you can enjoy your game in the many golf courses that
you can find here. In fact, the first golf course in Spain was built in Gran
Canaria.
Do you love festivals? The most popular of which in
Gran Canaria is the Carnaval, which happens every February in Las Palmas de
Gran Canaria. During this festival, everyone can enjoy the outdoors to watch
parades, cultural shows, and various forms of entertainment.
Internet
Despite the need to isolate yourself, you will always
want to get in touch with the outside world to communicate with family or to do
your work. Internet access is not a problem in Gran Canaria. Most hotels,
resorts, and shops offer Wi-Fi access to their customers. Another option would
be to buy your own subscription. Some companies that offer this are Telefonica,
Ya.com, and Orange. You can buy a weekly or monthly subscription, depending on
your needs. However, since only a few companies offer this service there,
expect a slightly higher fee for a broadband connection. Telefonica has offered
a 10-Gb monthly subscription for €49, but it is still best to check if their
rates have not changed.
Cost of Living
Fortunately, you do not have to lose an arm and a leg
in order to stay in Gran Canaria for longer periods. The accommodations there
are very affordable. Transportation and food costs are also cheaper there
compared to other countries in Western Europe. In fact, your €100 is enough for
a day of accommodation, food, and transportation.
Speaking of transportation, you can further save if you
take the public transport. There are regular buses that will take you anywhere
in the island and the fares are very cheap. To get to Gran Canaria, several
airlines travel straight there and there are ferries that will take you to the other
islands in that archipelago.
Visas
European nationals and passport holders of Norway,
Switzerland, and Iceland do not need a visa to get to Gran Canaria. Those from
the US, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Argentina, and Canada can also
travel to Gran Canaria without a visa as long as they do not stay longer than 3
months. Passport holders from all other nations would need a Schengen visa to
enter Spain. This can be applied for in the Spanish embassies located in your
countries. Requirements vary from each country, so it is best to consult with
the embassy to get a clear list of the documents needed. For those planning to
reside permanently in Gran Canaria, you would have to apply for a residence
visa, which has to be renewed after a year. You may then apply for a permanent residency
visa, which is renewable every 5 years.
Concerns
One thing that you may not like while living in Gran
Canaria is the occasional dust storm that usually happens in February or March.
This is due to the islands proximity to North Africa. Asthma sufferers should
be ready for this and expect delays in flights due to low visibility. Aside
from this minor inconvenience that seldom happens, Gran Canaria proves to be an
ideal place for leisure or as your permanent home.
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