Holiday makers can enjoy all sorts of watersports in Puerto del Carmen on the beach, from banana boat rides to jet skiing and sailing. Windsurfing is particularly good due to the strong regular winds. Deep-sea fishing is also excellent and can be arranged through a couple of operators. Scuba diving schools take trips to local wrecks as well as offering lessons. For land-lovers there is tennis and squash within the resort and golf and horse riding nearby. Boat trips go from the harbour and from Puerto Calero. Further afield visitors can explore the dramatic landscape of the Timanfaya National Park. Most activities can be organised through the tour operator reps, though it is sometimes cheaper to book directly.

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.

Spain's official currency is the Euro (EUR). One Euro is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change and major hotels, but banks give the best rates. All major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.

Whilst water is safe for cleaning teeth and washing food, it is very high in mineral content and can cause bad stomachs. Bottled water should be used for drinking. There are lots of people trying to sell tourists everything from trinkets to timeshare apartments; if you are not interested avoid getting into a conversation.

Puerto del Carmen is the main nightspot on the island and its population swells most evenings as tourists from other holiday resorts come to enjoy its bars and clubs. There are loads of good English, Irish and Scottish bars in thee New Town along The Strip. The Centre Atlantico has a number of cocktail bars and can be a good spot to start the evening. The Hippodrome is also here but more serious clubbers may prefer Caesars. There are also several live music venues and karaoke bars, while the Star Bar provides great family entertainment.

There are hundreds of restaurants to suit all holiday makers' tastes and wallets in Puerto del Carmen, the most popular being La Bottega Della Pasta, Casa Bodeco's, Bodega and Chiquito. Most restaurants are on The Strip, serving everything from local cuisine to fast food, as well as Chinese, Mexican and Indian food. There are many fine restaurants near the harbour in the Old Town. Those wanting to get out of Puerto del Carmen for the evening can take a taxi to the old capital, Teguise. It has a lovely atmosphere in the evening and a few good restaurants.

Puerto del Carmen is stuffed with shops of all kinds, from duty-free electrical stores and stalls along The Strip targeting holidaymakers, to the excellent clothes shops and boutiques in the Old Town. The Sunday Market in Teguise is worth a visit; as well as the usual tourist tat and holiday souvenirs visitors will find a variety of locally produced goods from pottery to tablecloths. It is around EUR14 each way by taxi.

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT +1 in summer).