Essential information for Costa De La Luz

When to go

Andalusia experiences 300 days of sunshine a year and summer temperatures regularly top 30 degrees. If that’s too hot, you might prefer to opt for Costa de la Luz holidays in spring or autumn when temperatures are in the lower 20s.

The ocean you’ll swim in on holidays to Costa de la Luz is cooler than the Med because the coast faces the Atlantic. Similarly, the coast can get windy, making it a great base for windsurfers. Resorts get very busy in the summer with both European and Spanish visitors, but the abundance of protected areas of natural beauty nearby mean that it’s always possible to get away from the crowds.

Health and safety

Before jetting off you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and your family on your trip. If you don’t already have one, you can apply for a free European Health Insurance Card – or EHIC – before leaving the UK as this entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as the Spanish receive.

It won’t, however, cover you for ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment. If you are visiting Spain specifically to surf, kitesurf or windsurf as many people do, you should make sure your insurance covers this. The same applies for diving. See our holiday extras page for more information and for the latest health and safety information visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/health.

Passports and visas

British citizens don’t need a visa to holiday in Spain but must have a valid passport. By law, you must carry your passport with you and may need to show it when paying by credit card. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements.

Getting around

Many flights to Costa de la Luz will actually drop you off in Portugal (Faro) – but don’t worry – it’s right next door and closer than the Spanish airports. Other airports include Jerez, Granada and Seville. More visitors rent cars in Spain than any other European country and car rental is some of the cheapest in Europe too, due to there being so much competition. That’s great news for visitors who can pick up a hire car from any Andalucian town, or at the airport. Taxis are reasonable but not always metered, so agree the price before getting in. Don’t expect the drivers to know as much English as other areas of Spain though.

Advice for travellers with children

While Costa de la Luz attracts many golfers, couples and lone travellers from Europe, local Spanish holidaymakers certainly bring children in their hordes, and it’s a great area to holiday with the family. Be aware of the distance between the main sights and have plenty to entertain kids in the car if you plan to travel around.

The well-maintained beaches in the main resorts are better suited to families than the windsurfing beaches further down the coast, and there are plenty of options if you want to travel to Costa de la Luz All Inclusive to take the stress out of planning your trip.

Electricity

Connector type: Generally round two-pin plugs

Voltage Info: 220 volts AC, 50Hz

Emergency information

Call 112 for all emergencies and the operator will put you through to the police, fire brigade or ambulance service. The line is operated in five languages including English. This European emergency number is valid in all EU member states and is free of charge.

British Consulate

If you are a victim of crime or affected by a crisis overseas, or if something happens to a relative or partner you should contact the British Consulate.

Malaga: Calle Mauricio Moro Pareto, 2. Edificio Eurocom, Bloque Sur 29006

Email: spain.consulate@fco.gov.uk

Tel: (in Spain) 902 109 356

Tel: (Outside Spain) (+34) 917 146 300

Hospitals

There are major hospitals in both Cadiz and Huelva.

Garcia-Vargas Machuca Rafael, Huelva 20180

Avda. Ana de Viya 21, Cadiz 11009

Useful links

All About Andalucia – A handy insiders guide to the Andalusian coast, including news and features on the Costa de la Luz region.