Holidays in Andalusia, Costa de la Luz
Beaches and culture, flamenco and bull fights, fresh fish and Fino (Sherry) - Andalusia certainly has a lot to offer for an entertaining holiday. The main cultural centres of Seville, Granada and Córdoba are exhaustively described in the available travel guides. Therefore this booklet focuses the province of Cádiz, and especially the area around Conil, Vejer and Barbate, also called La Janda, where you find traces of ancient history, wide empty beaches, natural reserves with unique flora and fauna and traditional villages with their friendly inhabitants.
We would like to point out that our recommendations are only a brief sample of what this region has to offer. All the time new restaurants, shops and bars are opening and closing. Our tips are based on personal knowledge and recommendations from clients and friends.
Useful information for your holidays in Andalusia
Travel Information
All citizens of the European Community need an identity card to travel to Spain. For a trip to Morocco or Gibraltar a passport is absolutely necessary.
Telephone
To the UK: 0044 + area code without 0
From the UK to Spain: 0034, then the complete number. If you are already in Spain, without 0034. You always have to dial the area code i.e. 956 for the province of Cádiz or 91 for Madrid.
Spanish mobile phones always begin with a 6, the service numbers with 902.
Emergency Numbers
Local police (Policia municipal): 092
National police (Policia nacional): 091
Fire brigade (Bomberos): 080
General Emergency: 112
Ambulance: 061
Guardia Civil: 062
The phone numbers of the local police stations and health centres are found in the chapters on Conil, Vejer and Barbate in this booklet.
- Policia Municipal is responsible for the city area
- Guardia Civil for the countryside, villages and the coast.
In case of theft, burglary or car accidents contact the police immediately and ensure everything is recorded so your insurance company can refund any loss.
Info on the internet
www.casa-andaluza.com * www.spain.info * www.conil.org * www.andalucia.org * www.placerdetrafalgar.com * www.red200.com/spain * www.andalucia.com
Tourist information
Cadiz: Av. Ramón de Carranza s/n 956 25 86 46
Conil: C/Carretera, 1 956 44 05 01
Jerez: C/Paus, s/n 956 33 11 50
Vejer: C/Marqués de Tamarón, 10 956 45 17 36
Barbate: Av. José Antonio, 23 956 43 39 62
Airports
Jeréz: 956-150 010, Sevilla: 954-449 000, Málaga: 952-048 804
Doctors / Health
In the local Centro de Salud (health centre) or Cruz Roja (the Spanish Red Cross), you can get basic medical care after presenting your personal ID i.e. passport. Do not forget to bring your new E-111 form or your travel health insurance policy. Usually the bill is sent later to your home address, where you pass it on to your health insurance provider. Private doctors are paid in cash or by credit card.
Dentist in Conil: Clínica Dental "Doctor Chamorro", C/Laguna, 9A, 956-441 235 or 628-828 058 (English spoken)
Private clinics with English speaking staff:
Clinica Novo Sancti Petri, 956-49 50 00, www.clinicanovo.com
Centro Médico San Sebastian, C. Vendemiadores - Conil. Tel: 956-44 26 19
Public Health Care:
Centro de Salud - public medical service in Conil, Av. Gonzalo Sánchez Fuentes,1 (very close to our office). Tel: 956-442 745. 24-h emergency service.
Physiotherapy: Clinica Fisioterapia Conil, C/Gonzalo Sánchez Fuentes
Natural Health Care (English spoken):
Naturavid, health and beauty center in El Colorado (massages, physiotherapy, natural medicine, yoga...) 956-445 239
Osteopathy, chin. medicine, accupuncture: Barbara Holley Jacobowski, La Muela, 956 448 559
Homeopathy and natural medicine: Anne Bernabeu, C/Ancha, 45 in Barbate. Tel. 956-431 555
Hospital: Hospital Puerto Real, N-IV km 65, 956 005 000
Bank / Opening Times
Opening times: Mo-Fr 8.30-14.00. Conil, Vejer and Barbate have many banks with ATMs in the main streets. Maximum 300 - 600 Euro. Credit cards with photo id, ie passport are generally accepted in larger supermarkets, restaurants and shops.
Going out to Eat
The Spanish and especially the Andalusian rhythm of life differs a lot from the middle European one. Breakfast (desayuno) consists mainly of coffee and tostada (toasted white bread) with olive oil and tomato or butter, marmalade and/or honey. Lunch (almuerzo) is served from 14.00 until 16.00, this being the main meal of the day. Ask for the "menu del día", an inexpensive 2-course meal accompanied by bread and wine, then dessert and coffee. Dinner (cena) is not served before 20.30 and in summer the restaurants start filling up from 22.00. It is common to find yourself around the dinner table until long after midnight.
Travelling with pets
Dogs are usually not allowed in restaurants or hotels and can be taken to beaches only during low season. In high season it is only allowed very early in the morning or at sunset. 
You are required to pick up your dog's excrement, in towns and cities it is an offence to allow your dog to foul in public places.
Smoking
This is forbidden since January 2011 in all public buildings, bars and restaurants.
