Digital Nomad’s Guide to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
The Canary Island of Las Palmas is a rising hub for digital nomads in Europe. It has pleasant weather, a tonne of great coworking spaces, and a lot of networking opportunities for remote workers. Trust me, go no farther than Las Palmas if the cost and weather have been preventing you from working and living in Europe!
Las Palmas ought to be your next trip if you enjoy bright, windy weather. With scorching summers, moderate winters, warm autumns, and springs, it is truly regarded as having the best climate in the entire globe.
Plus, the beloved Spanish culture is present on the island as a result of its proximity to Africa and ties to Spain, but with year-round beautiful weather and a dash of uniqueness. Expats and digital nomads move to this island for its favorable climate, wealth of natural beauty, laid-back atmosphere, and welcoming residents.
If you're just starting out in the world of remote work or are a seasonal digital nomad, Gran Canaria is one of the greatest places to base yourself. Likewise, let's say you and your family are thinking of relocating here.
If so, you'll have plenty of company as many foreign families have settled on the island.
What Are the Visa Requirements?
Obviously, your nationality will determine whether or not you require a visa to relocate to Gran Canaria.
Without a visa, EU residents can reside and work there. Nonetheless, they must initially register their residence with the appropriate authorities.
Spain is a member of the Schengen Agreement, and this includes the Canary Islands. As a result, citizens of the United States and many other countries are eligible for visa-free stays in Gran Canaria of up to 90 days every 180 days. A 90-day tourist visa is issued to several nationalities upon admission.
For correct information on visa requirements, it is preferable to contact the Spanish or your country's embassy, particularly if you intend to stay in Gran Canaria for an extended period of time. You can benefit from a number of visa efforts to get a temporary residency permit.
living Expenditures: A Quick Breakdown
Your lifestyle will determine how much it costs to live in Gran Canaria, just like everywhere else on the globe. If you decide to live in a tiny apartment and prepare the majority of your meals at home, it might be seen as "affordable" and "quite low".
The cost of living in the Canary Islands is greater than in certain well-liked locations for digital nomads in Southeast Asia or South America, but lower than in most large cities in Europe and the United States.
For a place in Europe, Las Palmas is very inexpensive. A studio apartment in the city's core will run you about $506 per month to rent if you dig around. Airbnb is quite a bit easier but will run you higher. I stayed in a beachfront apartment with balcony facing ocean for about $1500.
Although many coworking spaces provide free coffee to sate your caffeine cravings, a cup of coffee costs roughly $2.25. The cost of living is relatively low for an urban area in Europe.
How Is Public Transportation In Las Palmas?
Almost every island in the world has remote areas that are either inaccessible or can only be reached by car. Nonetheless, there are several transit options available if you want to hop between the most popular areas on the island (i.e. Las Palmas to the South).
It takes less than 30 minutes to walk practically anywhere in Las Palmas, especially in the northern portion of the city. If you'd rather ride a bike, you can rent one for a relatively low cost.
A reliable bus system connects the various areas of Gran Canaria, and you can utilize it to travel to the airport. If you don't feel like walking, Las Palmas also offers a local bus service.
Renting a car or a scooter is another inexpensive means of getting around on your own. The Canary Islands accept the majority of foreign driver's licenses.
Cabs are another option for transportation. They are secure and furnished with taxi meters, which will undoubtedly increase your sense of security.
Overall Culture of Las Palmas
Gran Canaria is mostly a tourist island, although it also has a large local population.
You may get a terrific sense of Spanish and Canarian culture in Telde and Las Palmas. Although English is widely spoken in the Canaries, the native tongue is Spanish and they have long had contact with English-speaking visitors.
You can eat classic foods like paella and tapas when it comes to eating. There is a large assortment of seafood, grilled meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables, much to the joy of foodies. Perhaps as a result of the island's proximity to Morocco, several meals have an African flavor. I was surprise by how many great restaurants we found in Las Palmas! Even some of the beachfront promenade options were good (so often prime locations = bad food so I was pleasantly surprised).
Don't forget to sample the Canarian potatoes (papas arrugadas), which are typically served with a fiery mojo sauce, as well as the sancocho soup.
One of the occasions where you'll find locals and visitors from other countries celebrating life together is the Carnival of Las Palmas, one of the most well-known Spanish carnivals held every February. If you want to really appreciate the sense of community, think about volunteering.
It is widely believed that Canarians are quite welcoming, laid-back, and open-minded. Locals rarely rush, like to spend time with their loved ones and close friends and enjoy dancing and singing.
When I was there between June-July, I also encountered a couple festivals that were fun and festive - such as Night of San Juan….where everyone flocks to the beach at night for fireworks and a midnight swim (in the nude lol). Also Carnaval - which is kind of like Halloween - where everyone dresses up and joins a parade throughout the streets!
Best Food Options in Las Palmas
The influences from different continents are what distinguish Canarian cuisine from other cuisines.
Due to the island's close proximity to Morocco, some cuisines have an African flavor. Others have a preference for Latin America that can be traced back to the Guanches, the Canary Islands' initial occupants.
But I think the cuisine influence that surprised me the most to see - was TEX-MEX. Lol. Apparently there are a lot of Canadians who moved to San Antonio and so Tex-Mex establishments have popped up as a result. I’m from Texas so this intrigued me immensely. Can’t say I tried any of them, so cannot speak to their quality haha.
Naturally, some meals are only found in Gran Canaria. Canarian potatoes will probably be the native dish that you encounter most frequently.
You may possibly describe this dish as the Gran Canaria equivalent of the Spanish potato snack known as Patatas Bravas, which is available throughout the rest of mainland Spain.
Papas arrugadas are essentially boiled potatoes with the skin on that have a distinct, wrinkled exterior, a pillowy inside, and a salty flavor. It's a straightforward yet wonderful dish, which pretty much sums up Canarian cuisine as a whole.
Although meat and seafood are common and traditional dishes, vegetarians and vegans can still enjoy the island's delectable cuisine.
Menus are starting to include more vegan and vegetarian alternatives. Moreover, Las Palmas is home to a few excellent vegetarian eateries and cafes.
Best Tourist Attractions
Gran Canaria is well-known for its white sand beaches and black lava. Any visitor will be delighted with the beaches in the south, which include Beach del Inglés, Puerto Rico, Puerto de Mogán, and San Agustin. The northern port of Las Palmas is a popular stop for cruise ships. Or if you’re feeling really adventurous - try Skydiving onto the Sand Dunes with iJump!
To make your trip to Gran Canaria even more unforgettable, be sure to stop by Roque Nublo, Agaete Valley, and Mirador Paseo La Cornisa. There are several locations where people who enjoy water sports with a rush can snorkel, dive, and surf. I actually got my PADI certification done in Gran Canaria!
The other Canary islands are also easily accessible via ferry or flight. Go to the adjacent island of Tenerife, where you'll find Teide National Park, home to Spain's tallest mountain if you're feeling daring and seeking a distinctive experience. Teide can be climbed via cable car or on foot through Monta Blanca in two different methods. It takes roughly 7 hours to complete the 9-kilometer hike.
Or my personal favorite island - Lanzarote. Here you can scuba dive to an underground sculpture museum, sample unique Lanzarote wines, visit various unique architectural wonders from famed inhabitant Cesar Manrique, awe over the volcanic rock landscape, encounter an amazing cacti garden, and much more!
Gran Canaria Healthcare
Gran Canaria is home to the Insular Hospital and the Hospital Dr. Negrin. There are also a lot of dentists and medical facilities that speak English. The medical standard is on par with that of the rest of Europe, so health care is generally good.
There are no particular health dangers or diseases that Gran Canaria is particularly prone to.
Yet, several pharmacies are fully equipped with necessities. Several pharmacies are open 24/7, and you can identify them by the green cross sign they will have outside. Some medications, including antibiotics, can be purchased from pharmacies without a prescription.
If you're an EU citizen, you can use your EHIC health card here, but it's still recommended to have travel insurance with health coverage. While EHIC cards are intended for visitors, you could not be insured if you try to use one after six months of residing in Gran Canaria.
Travel insurance with adequate health coverage is a requirement if you are not an EU citizen.
While buying prescription drugs from a pharmacy and going to the doctor is not expensive, things could quickly become very expensive if you end up in the hospital with a serious illness. Due to Gran Canaria's membership in the EU, you are already protected if your current insurance plan covers the continent.
Here, dial 112 if there is an emergency. Everywhere on the island, you can dial this number to ask for medical, rescue, or police assistance.
How Are the People of Gran Canaria?
These days, Gran Canaria is home to a diverse population of locals and visitors. 2,153,389 people are living in the Canary Islands, of which 36,516 are foreigners, according to a 2019 data report.
Yet, this figure only covers the registered foreigners and not the constant carousel of digital nomads. Thus, the number of immigrants in the Canary Islands is probably much larger.
The natives of Gran Canaria (and the other Canary Islands) are descended from the indigenous Guanche people and Spanish invaders.
The Canary Islands first-known inhabitants, the Guanches, were well-known for their love of music and dance. They were incredibly kind and had a strong sense of family. They also had a great deal of respect for their elders.
Gran Canarians prioritize their families above all else, but they also place a high value on friendships. Families in the Canary Islands frequently eat a leisurely meal together in neighborhood restaurants without any special reason other than to enjoy life. They undoubtedly enjoy eating, drinking, and living. We had a local offer to lend us their car after knowing us for like an hour - so I can personally vouch for how warm and wonderful these people are!
Here, people live fairly laid-back lives that are generally stress-free. The majority of foreigners who settle here do so because they want a laid-back neighborhood to call home. The residents seldom hustle.
Like the rest of Spain's mainland, locals here frequent the beach on the weekends, but they stay away from the tourist destinations.
Nightlife Scenes of Las Palmas
Canarians enjoy going out to eat and socializing at pubs and restaurants, many of which stay open late, particularly in Las Palmas. In the resorts, there are clubs open till the wee hours of the morning where you may have fun. In addition, Gran Canaria has frequent intriguing festivals and performances.
Although this has substantially changed since the COVID-19 outbreak, clubs in resort areas typically don't close until 6 a.m.
Yet, the island never lacks festivities at normal times, with festivals, parades, and performances frequently occurring. The nightlife in Las Palmas is laid back, but if you want a rowdy party head to the party scene in the South.
Digital nomad resources
There is a Slack community for Las Palmas and I recommend joining the Nomad Vibes Las Palmas WhatsApp thread as well. You’ll find weekly nomad meet ups and events quite easily.
In terms of cowering spaces, you’ll find a handful in Las Palmas to choose from. A conveniently located option near the promenade - and well rated - is Tallares Palermo.
Final Thoughts
Due in large part to its year-round pleasant weather, numerous natural attractions, laid-back lifestyle, hospitable locals, varied culture, and well-developed infrastructure, especially in the capital Las Palmas, Gran Canaria is becoming more and more popular with lone remote workers and even digital nomad families.
So, I definitely suggest this destination as the next one for all your nomadic escapades!