Gran Canaria isn't in the EU Customs Union which means low prices on most things but also low duty-free allowances. Here's what you can legally carry home per person.
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco.
One litre of spirits over 22% or 2L spirits under 22%.
Two litres of sparkling wine and two litres of any other wine.
60 ml of perfume or 250 ml of eau de toilette.
We advise you to buy your cigarettes, alcohol and perfume in local shops rather than in the airport. They are almost always cheaper.
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.
Save money and avoid rip-off bank charges while in Gran Canaria by paying in euros when using your credit or debit card.
Many bars and restaurants in Gran Canaria, and in almost all European holiday destinations, give you the option of paying in euros or in your home currency. Opting for your own currency, while it may seem like the safer option, can add as much as 5% to the bill as it triggers dynamic currency conversion.
DCC basically means that the exchange rate is calculated at point of sale rather than by your bank. It allows you to see the total cost of the transaction in your own currency but adds up to 5% to the total because it uses a terrible exchange rate.
Since the extra money is shared between your bank and the merchant, some places will automatically bill you in your own currency and hope you don't notice. You have the legal right to refuse and void the transaction should this happen.
The same applies when taking money out of ATM machines in Gran Canaria (and anywhere in Europe); Always choose the local currency option to avoid losing money to poor exchange rates.
If you opt for the local currency option, using bank ATMs is often the cheapest and safest way of getting euros in Gran Canaria. It's far safer than having a big pile of euros hidden in your room or tucked into your shorts.
More details in this Daily Telegraph article.
We have 4250 guests and no members online