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Passports • Opening Hours • Banks • Telephone Numbers • Physically Impaired • Getting around • Taxis • Buses • Keeping in Touch • Useful Spanish Words • Electrical Power • Duty Free •
Places to See • Golf

Los Cristianos also has a very comprehensive bus station with buses regularly departing for the Capital Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz in the North of the Island and Los Gigantes on the western coast. There are also many free buses to local resorts and attractions. A bus from the station at Los Cristianos to Santa Cruz takes about an hour and cost approximately 8 euros* each way.

About a mile, just past the capital Santa Cruz, is a wonderful beach called Playa de las Teresitas, so why not combine a spot of shopping with sightseeing and then sunbathing? Sounds like heaven!

Many boat trips can be taken from Los Cristianos, there are whales and dolphins to be seen,the hydrofoil and cruises to other Canary Islands originate here, as well as trips to its nearest Island, La Gomera, which is just approximately 75 minutes away. This extremely picturesque island is still unspoilt, has many unusual plants and beautiful flowers growing there.

Tenerife may be a long way from Spain, but it is still Spanish territory and therefore all passport requirements are the same as on the Spanish mainland. A valid Passport is required. UK visitor passports are not acceptable. All non-EU nationals require a full valid Passport.

If you wish to stay longer than 90 days you will need to apply for a Residency Permit during the first month of your stay.

You currently don't require any special vaccinations to visit the Canary islands, EU citizens can obtain a refund of most medical costs by using form E111, which are available from Post Offices, Health or Social Security offices in your country. However, this should not replace your own travel insurance, merely be used in addition to that. NOTE: Don't forget your E111 card or form which must be stamped and signed by the post office or you will not be able to use it.

The shops are generally open Monday to Saturday between 09.00 hrs and 13.00 hrs, except during Bank Holidays. Many then close for a long 'Siesta' until approximately 16.00 hrs or a little later. However, many of the supermarkets surrounding the complex do not follow this general rule and stay open all day, including most bank holidays. Many Governmental offices will open only in the mornings. Apart from the major tourist resorts, shops are generally closed on Sundays, however there is a great Sunday Market to visit which is on until 2/3pm.

It is best to check the opening times of Museums and Churches, as they can be very varied.

You will always require your passport to change money and banks will always charge a commission fee. Most hotels,travel agents and Exchange offices 'Cambio' will also change your money. Shop around, the rate may vary and you will nearly always get a slightly better rate in the country rather than changing your money before you go. There are several places to change money around the complex.

Travellers' Cheques are safe and easily cashed at Banks and exchange offices throughout Tenerife. Credit/Debit cards are widely accepted by shops and restaurants. There are several cash dispensers with walking distance of the complex and in the resort centre itself. These are easy to use and display the instructions in English. Alternatively some apartments have their own safes or you can hire a safety deposit box from the Owners Office at the top of the complex.

For any emergency call: Tel 061.
National Police: Tel: 922 72 54 00
Airport: Reina Sofia, South: 922 75 95 10
Chemists:
Duty Chemist 24 hrs: 922 28 24 24
Las Américas: 922 79 44 28
Los Cristianos: 922 79 08 47
Hospitals:
Las Americas: 922 75 00 22.
Clinica San Eugenio: 922 79 10 00.
International MEDSERVICE: 922 79 05 63.

Although our apartments are on the ground floor and access to them are easy, the complex is situated in a slightly elevated position which may not be ideal for wheelchair users. There are many steps on Royal Palm as you will see from the pictures so if you have difficulty 'getting about' ensure you choose an apartment which is on the ground floor. Having said that the complex does have some ramps to help make access possible virtually everywhere.

The actual resort of Los Cristianos, happily, has good facilities for the physically impaired as does the airport. We have seen many wheelchair users on the promenade area of the resort as again there are plenty of ramps and slopes. For more information please contact
(RADAR), The Royal association for Disability and Rehabilitation, who publish a guide called 'Holidays & Travel Abroad: A Guide for Disabled People'. It includes info on Spain and
the Canary Islands with plenty of contact details. (Tel: +44(0)20 7250 3222).

They drive on the right hand side of the road in Tenerife and seat belts must be worn at all times. You must hold a standard valid driving license and you have to be at least 21 years old. Breath tests are carried out randomly and non-residents are subject to 'on the spot fines'. Motorcyclists must wear crash helmets on bikes of 125cc or above.

In Tenerife most taxi drivers are honest and we have found them to give good service, most of them charge the same price, however you may wish to check the price before the journey. An average price from the airport is between 20 and 25 euros - if unsure, just check with your driver before starting out on your journey.

Most Taxi drivers take great care of their vehicles and they are generally in good condition.They are unwilling to take you if you are extremely drunk or covered in sand!!!

The Royal Palm complex has a number of International telephone booths and calls can be made from almost anywhere in Tenerife. The blue booths are extremely distinctive and are plentiful. There is normally a choice of coin operated, phone card or sometimes credit card. Alternatively, there are metered booths called 'telefónica' where you can make your call and then pay when you have finished the call.

The Post offices are open from 09.00 hrs to 14.00 hrs and close an hour earlier on Saturdays. There are no telephones in Post Offices! However they do sell stamps, but so do tobacconists and other shops that sell postcards. You will also find you will be able to purchase these from the small office on the complex. Post-boxes are yellow in colour but the service is quite slow.

The electrical current used in Tenerife and throughout the Canary islands is 220 Volts AC 50Hz and plugs have two round pins as found on the European continent. It is therefore advisable to bring an adapter or two with you.

Your allowance per person is:-

TOBACCO
200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 cigars OR 250g tobacco

ALCOHOL
2 litres of still table wine
1 litre of spirits/strong liqueurs over 22% volume OR 2 litres of
fortified/sparkling wine/other liqueurs OR an additional 2 litres of still
table wine

PERFUME
60cc/ml and 250cc/ml toilet water

OTHER
£ 36 of other goods including gifts and souvenirs

SIAM PARK
Tenerifes newest attraction

Whilst on holiday this Christmas we couldn't wait to try out this long awaited and unique attraction. Located in the south, just a free 5 minute open-top bus ride from the complex, and we certainly were not disappointed. We paid an entry fee of €28* per adult and €18* for the children, and we decided to take our own picnic and drinks.

We caught the free bus from the shopping complex just outside Royal Palm, and two stops later arrived at Siam Park at 10am - just as the park was due to open. We were one of the first in that day, and we headed straight to the beach, a good place to make camp. As we had taken a picnic, we hired one of the lockers close by. The sunbeds were free for the day as were the umbrellas and rubber rings.

We found the Park offered a diverse choice of attractions, including 5 bars and restaurantsand a few places to buy souvenirs. There is something for everyone of all ages, from those seeking a real adrenaline rush, an adventure world for smaller children and those wanting to relex in comfort.

	Siam Park has added a whole new dimension to the leisure offerings in south of Tenerife and we are sure it will amaze visitors with its diverse attractions and exotic setting. We thoroughly enjoyed our day out and can't wait to return!

Some of the Attractions include:- The Tower of Power Not for the faint hearted! This is definitely a ride of people looking for that adrenaline rush - climb to the top of the tower, get into position and plunge, almost vertically as you ''free fall' to the bottom, as you gather speed, entering the glass tube, surging through the aquarium full of tropical fish and Mississippi Alligators, before emerging triumphantly into the finish pool!

Loro Parque

Although we have been going to the Island for many years, two years ago we decided to visit Loro Parque, and why did we wait all that time!!!! Maybe one factor could be that it is situated on the north side of the Island, so we decided to go on a organised coach trip. However, I think next time we will drive there ourselves as all the roads were main ones.
We had fantastic views of the volcano Mount Teide on route, and I know by car it would be much quicker, however, having said that, the coach was very good, and air conditioned, and we felt we had plenty of time to explore the park. It opened in 1972 and they say that more than 19 millions have passed through it's doors. It is open every day of the year, and we did not find it overcrowded at all. We managed to get into see all the shows, and there was plenty of places to stop and eat/drink. Parrots from the park can be seen in some of the larger hotels in the resort performing their tricks. Apparently there are over 3,000 parrots which include 300 different species and sub species. In 1994 the whole collection was donated to Loro Parque Foundation, who aim to preserve the endangered species of parrots and raise funds for field studies, research and conservation projects, eventually introducing these rare parrots back into the wild. The children found Planet Penguin extremely enjoyable, a slow moving walkway takes you around the world's biggest Penguinarium, where you can get really up close to these comical birds. It is a large replica of the Antarctic, with a chilled pool and an icy centre point, you can even see the snow falling!!! *There are shows regularly throughout the day, including a lovely Dolphin show, and an extremely entertaining Sea Lion show, and now you can see the Killer ORCA Whales in action, don't be fooled into getting too close for a better view, you will get soaked! You can even go through an 18.5m long glass tunnel under the pool and see the sharks from a completely different perspective!

Teide National Park

Acantilados de los Gigantes

The Cliffs of the Giants (Acantilados de los Gigantes) are remarkably sheer rock walls that plunge into the ocean a quarter of the way down the west coast of Tenerife. Massive cliffs drop almost sheer into the sea from a height of 500m and 800m in some places.Across the small bay lies the little port and resort town of Los Gigantes and, virtually linked to it, Puerto de Santiago.*The only way for you to get closer to these amazing cliffs is by boat. Once there, you will get the real notion of the greatness within those walls and maybe understand why ancestors considered them sacred. See, they thought the world ended here and who can blame them?

Castillo San Miguel

We arrived by coach to an Authentic Castle, which was only about 15 minutes drive from the complex. Upon arrival each coach were given different coloured ‘bibs’ to wear. We were then greeted by knights on horseback, footmen, a drawbridge and a Count and Countess!! We then entered the main hall area where the show began. Six knights testing their skills in a fast paced competition, including javelin throwing, flag tossing and jousting in our honour!! This was served with a medieval ‘style’ meal consisting of soup, bread, chicken, potatoes, and ice cream, washed down with plenty of bottles of white or red wine (not too bad!!), water, and fruit juices for the children.

It’s a great atmosphere and you find yourself getting carried away cheering for ‘your knight’ to win!!! Even Tom (a dedicated Newcastle fan) was seen shouting in his loudest voice ‘Come on you REDS!!!!!!’ Will he ever live it down!

Following this we were then taken to another part of the castle, and back to the twentieth century. There was a live band, lots of seating and dance floor. ‘The Drifters’ (not sure if they can be the original ones!!!) then performed some of their old hits from the sixties to round off the evening.

You can pick up the coach from just outside the complex, and it is normally on *Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings.
Pirate Night

Just a short ride away from the complex, towards the rear of Playa de Las Americas, is the venue for The Pirate Night. We were welcomed by a number of selubrious looking characters :) We were shown to a table which was colour coded according to which Pirate you had to cheer for! *The meal was adequate and consisted of chicken, chips and coleslaw followed by ice-cream. However, the kids were thoroughly entertained with a variety of acts including a clown, jugglers and acrobatic dancers. The parents too, were entertained with the *free bar!

As this event only happens on *Monday nights,and only certain times of the year, so it is likely to be very busy and you will need to book in advance. You can check if it is running at several local booking places (Owners Office, Oasis Money Change or any of the other offices which are scattered around the complex and town centre.

Aquapark – Playa De Las Americas

This is set just a the back of Playa De Las Americas, in an area called 'Adeje'. There is a free bus which picks up from the *Paradise Park at approx 9.30am, 10.30am and 11.30am most days. (You will be able to check with the driver for times returning).

This Park used to be known as Octopus Park. There’s plenty of rides and slides there to keep most ages happy, ranging from a Kamikaze, (hold on to your bikini bottoms!!!), a boomerang ride introduced in 2004, Waterfall Pool, Children Slides, Slalom, the Rapids, a Twister and a much more sedate ‘Lazy River’!!!

You will find sunbeds and umbrellas there (although there was a charge for these.) They are also charging for the rings to enable you to access the rides more quickly. There are plenty of places to get something to eat and drink, and lockers should you wish to take your own and have a ‘picnic’.

Not to be missed is the Dolphin Show! There are performances twice daily. A tip! The show involves a number of children. However, these are chosen from a designated area. To sit in this area, there is a fee of around 50 Euros*.

Again, we caught a free bus, which picked us up from just outside the complex, near the *Paradise Park. They leave every hour from about 9.35am returning on the hour from about 2.00pm. It is set just at the back of Los Cristianos, quite high up, in the mountains. We saw a great BIRDS OF PREY SHOW, as well as a show with some EXOTIC BIRDS.

The kids (and us!!) enjoyed the jungle raid, which takes you over some of the park through suspended rope bridges and rope tunnels.

We saw a lovely White Lion, apparently there is only about 27 left in the whole world, together with tigers, monkeys, flamingos, alligators, to name but a few. Again a few restaurants and snack bars which will enable you to get drinks and something to eat.

* (All prices and information are correct at the time of press)

There are 6 Golf courses on the Island of Tenerife and 5 of those are around the resort of Los Cristianos!!

With an array of established courses ready to challenge players of all levels of ability Tenerife is fast joining the list of the world’s elite golfing destinations.

To avoid disappointment we suggest you contact the golf course you wish to use before you leave England to check availability and costs. Tenerife is becoming extremely popular for golfing holidays and we have found at Peak Times that some of the courses are booked up well in advance. Speaking from experience we know it’s a long way to carry a set of clubs and not be able to use them!!!!

Hopefully if you are interested in a round or two of golf the general information below is of use to you.

Golf Las Americas (approx 2 kilometres away)

This is the closest course to our apartment, at just 2 kilometres away; it sits on the edge of Playa de Las Americas. It is an 18 hole par 72 course, designed by John Jacobs Golf Association Ltd. Water comes into play on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th,12th, 13th, 17th and 18th holes. The 13th a par three has a peninsular green surrounded on three sides by water. The par five 16th follows a slight dogleg right offering a sea view behind the slightly raised green.

The clubhouse is located next to the practice area and looks out on tees 1 and 10 and the greens of holes 9 and 18. It has board Bermuda grass fairways which are form the shape of an amphitheatre. This gentle rolling golf course also boasts lakes and abundant, lush vegetation.

Handicap Ladies 36
Handicap Gentleman 28

Telephone +34 922 75 20 05
Fax +34 922 79 52 50
Email golfame@correo.step.es

Golf Costa Adeje (approx 7 kilometres away)

Situated just outside Playa de las Americas, this course was designed by Pepe Gancedo, and is a 27 hole par 72 course. The views from the course take in the island of La Gomera, the mountain range of Adeje, Playa de la Américas and the sea. The greens are generally large and there are a number of doglegs. Another of the eye-catching features of this course is the integration of approximately 1,000 square metres of stonewalls from former banana plantations.

Handicap Ladies 36
Handicap Gentleman 28

Telephone +34 922 71 00 00
Fax +34 922 71 04 84
Email golfcostadeje@interbook.net

Golf Centro de Golf los Palos (approx 6 kilometres away)

This course is just five minutes from the centre of Los Cristianos, and was opened in 1994. Los Palos is the perfect golf facility for those wishing to golf for an hour or so plus there is the added bonus a children's play area which leaves parents free to play a worry-free round of golf. It was designed by Integral Golf Design and is a 9 hole par 3 course which is ideal for beginners or perfectionists.

Don't be fooled into writing it off because it is a short course, it is certainly not a pitch and putt and there are plenty of challenges to be encountered over its 914 metres: five holes are affected by water and others require very accurate hitting.

Telephone +34 922 16 90 80
Fax +34 922 16 92 38
Email golflospalos@jet.es

Golf Amarilla (approx 10 kilometres away)

This is a 18 hole par 72 links course designed by Donald Steel. There is an excellent practice area and pro shop, and golf classes and horse riding are also available. It has spectacular par 3 hole with the sea as the fairway, forcing you to play the wall over the water!

Handicap Ladies 36
Handicap Gentleman 28

Telephone +34 922 73 03 19
Fax +34 922 78 55 57
Email amarilla@rebkbs.com

Golf del Sur (approx 10 kilometres away)

Just 10 kilometres away, this 27 hole par 72 course designed by Pepe Garcedo opened in 1987. It is an extremely attractive course with striking black sand bunkers and wide fairways lined with over 8,000 palm trees.

Particularly difficult is the 3rd hole on the north course. To the right of the wide fairway is a water hazard, behind which lies an impressive ravine with an ochre-coloured rock face, while to the left is a gaping bunker of black sand.

Another notable hole is the 2nd of the southern course, par 3 of 193 metres whose green is surrounded by another immense bunker of black sand. It has been the location for several PGA European Tour Competitions.

Handicap Ladies 36
Handicap Gentleman 28

Telephone +34 922 73 81 70
Fax +34 922 73 82 72
Email golfdelsur@arrakis.es

Don't forget that it is perfectly feasible to combine a morning round of golf in one of the 6 Southern courses with eighteen holes in the North that afternoon.

Real Club Golf Tenerife (approx 70 kilometres away)

This is the further away from the apartment, situated in the North of the Island, located just sixteen kilometres from the capital city Santa Cruz. It is the second oldest club in the Canary Islands and its maturity is emphasised by the well-established trees. It is a private 18 hole par 71 course. Non-members may have to make reservations from Monday to Friday (08:00 to 13:00) on working days only.

The course runs north to south, up and down towards Teide and back towards the sea.
Its gentle slopes are surrounded by spectacular views of the Canary Island pines with
Mount Teide forming the backdrop. It opened in 1932 and retains a certain British style.

Handicap Ladies 36
Handicap Gentleman 28

Telephone +34 922 63 66 07
Fax +34 922 63 64 80
Email reservas@realclubgolftenerife.com

*Please check excursions and offers at the time of booking as these can be subject to change

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