Friday, 13 February 2015 09:54

Gran Canaria Shopping: What To Buy & Where

Shopping in Gran Canaria Shopping in Gran Canaria

Almost everything you buy in Gran Canaria is cheaper than in Europe thanks to our low sales tax and lack of luxury item taxes. Low prices and a great range of shops make the island a top shopping destination. 

 

Here's a selection of the things that are almost always cheaper in Gran Canaria than back at home.

Buying electronics in Gran Canaria

Cameras and high-end phones are often 10-20% cheaper in Gran Canaria and come with the same legal guarantees as they do at home. For camera equipment, we recommend pro photo specialists Duke Fotografia in Las Palmas. Don't buy electronics in small south Gran Canaria shops. Instead, go to Media Markt or Carrefour as they both sell quality phones, electronics and equipment at excellent prices. 

Buying tobacco in Gran Canaria

Cigarette prices in Gran Canaria are amongst the lowest in Europe: You pay just over three euros for a pack of 20 Marlboros (and that's in a machine in a bar). It's almost always cheaper to buy you ciggies in local supermarkets or shops than to wait for duty-free in the airport.

Buying alcohol in Gran Canaria

There's no added alcohol duty in the Canary Islands so prices are low. Branded spirits are great value and Spanish wine is almost free. Look out for local rum (La Aldea from La Palma is excellent) and even vodka (Blatt) and Gin (Macaronesia). Here's detailed info on Gran Canaria duty-free limits for when you head home. 

Buying perfume in Gran Canaria

With no luxury tax and low sales tax, Gran Canaria is a fantastic place to stock up on perfume and cosmetics. Shops like Fundgrube sell all major brands at great prices. 

Perfume in Gran Canaria is such a good deal that we've written a specific perfume buying guide

Clothes shopping in Gran Canaria

All the main European brand shops are in Gran Canaria and the island even has a couple of its own brands that are catching on. Prices are often lower than in Europe and you get slightly different ranges of clothes. Look out for Lenita XTG branded swimwear in the shopping centres and shopping districts. This local swimwear, underwear and sportswear brand is turning into the island's first fashion brand.

See our Gran Canaria clothes shopping guide.

Buying Aloe vera in Gran Canaria

Aloe vera grown in the strong Gran Canaria sunshine is known for its potency. Look out for lotions and cosmetics made with the local stuff as they are way better than the imported products. Aloe vera loses most of its benefits if it's over-processed and stored for too long. The best products are local brands made with the minimum of additives. 

Buying local Produce in Gran Canaria

Gourmet Canarian produce makes a great gift to take home. Look out for coffee and extra-virgin olive oil from Gran Canaria, palm syrup from La Gomera and salt from La Palma. Canary Islands wine has improved no end in the last 10 years ; it's now so good that we have our own wine section with reviews and tasting notes for many of the best and easiest to find bottles. 

Souvenirs

Here's our guide to ditching the (plastic) bull and finding authentic Gran Canaria souvenirs. Look out for artisan weaving, pottery, knives and jewellery at local markets and craft shops like the FEDAC

Published in Shopping

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Tip of the day

  • 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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