|
Tips for Spain
(Espana)
Contents:
Tips for
the Traveler
Visas Health Issues and Risks
Time
Electricity,
Weights and Measures
At a Glance...
Capital City People
Climate
Language
Religion
Government
Helpful Tidbits...
Links... |
 |
Tips
for the Traveler |
| |
Visas : |
South African visitors need a visa.
Other nationals can stay up to 90 days as a tourist
without a visa. Requirements are subject to change |
| |
Health
issues and risks: |
Rabies. |
| |
Time: |
GMT+1 |
| |
Electricity: |
220V, 50Hz. Round 2-pin plugs. |
| |
Weights
& Measures: |
Metric |
|
|
At
a Glance... |
| |
Capital city: |
Madrid |
| |
People: |
Basically homogeneous, ethnic groups
only separable by language. Gypsies comprise a semi-nomadic
minority. |
| |
Climate: |
Best visited between April and
September, when it is hot and dry. The south is hot all
year, but milder between October and May. The north is
cool and rainy from October to March, and fairly dry at
other times. |
| |
Language: |
Officially Castilian Spanish but
also Catalan, Galician and Basque. |
| |
Religion: |
Roman Catholic majority. |
| |
Government: |
Constitutional monarchy. |
|
Helpful
Tidbits... |
 |
Long distance travel is expensive,
so avoid it if traveling by a budget. |
|
Spain is one of Europe's more
affordable countries. If you are particularly frugal it's
just about possible to scrape by on US$20-25 a day. |
|
Mains water is normally chlorinated,
and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal
upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the
first few weeks of the stay. |
|
In restaurants the law requires menu
prices to include service charge, and tipping is a matter
of personal choice - most people leave some small change
if they're satisfied and 5% is usually plenty. |
|
Markets and cheap hotels are the
only places in Spain where you are likely to bargain. |
|
The Spanish rail system is one of
the cheapest in Europe and various discounts are
available. |
|
Eating out in Spain is often cheap
and meals are substantial rather than gourmet. One of the
best ways to sample Spanish food is to try tapas,
or snacks, which are served at any time of day in local
bars. |
|
Normal social courtesies should be
observed when visiting someone's home. If invited to a
private home, a small gift is appreciated. |
|
|
Links |
| |
Travel
Diseases |
- a helpful
guide to all travel diseases |
| |
Destination Spain |
-
a fantastic guide to travel in Spain |
| |
Spain Travel Guide |
-
a complete guide to traveling in Spain |
