Essential information for Costa Blanca

When to go

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, you can enjoy hot summers and mild winters on holidays to Costa Blanca. Average temperatures in July and August are 25°C but across the summer the temperature will often rise above 30°C. Even in the summer, low humidity and gentle sea breezes make the hot mid-afternoon temperatures bearable.

Enjoying a warm and dry Mediterranean climate, there is little rain and what rainfall there is generally falls during the winter months. While winters aren’t too cold, averaging around 17°C, many water parks and tourist venues will shut down, making it quieter but with less to do. This is the prime time for booking cheap holiday to Costa Blanca, when the weather has cooled but the sun still shines!

Costa Blanca’s climate means you can enjoy the outdoor life all year round, from relaxing on the beach to making the most of its great golf courses or spending evenings out partying.

Health and safety

As with any holiday, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and family on your trip. It’s also a good idea to apply for a free European Health Insurance Card – EHIC – before leaving the UK, as this entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Spanish nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment.

If you’re visiting Costa Blanca specifically to take part in sports or watersports, including hiking, you should make sure your travel insurance covers this. 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 enter 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

Flights ground at Alicante airport and for those enjoying a cheap holiday to Benidorm it is approximately a one hour transfer. To get to Moraira and Denia takes 10 minutes more. Most tour operators include transfers as part of a holiday package, whether you’ve opted for an All Inclusive Costa Blanca holiday or Self Catering, so getting to your resort is easy. If you prefer to arrange your own travel, the airport taxi rank is located outside the arrivals hall. It costs approximately 65 to get to Benidorm by taxi from the airport. There are a number of companies that run bookable bus transfers to Benidorm from the airport, costing around 8 one way. Or if you are willing to travel into Alicante city centre, the bus fare from here is cheaper – around 4 in total.

Public buses around the towns are frequent in Costa Blanca, providing a cost-effective way of travel. Benidorm and Denia are particularly well served. There is a regular train service that runs from Alicante to Denia via Benidorm and Altea, which present a great opportunity to explore the area. For a more fun and altogether more scenic train ride, there is a narrow gauge railway which runs from Alicante through Villajoyosa, Benidorm, Altea and Calpe to Denia – a pleasant way to admire the beautiful coastline. The railway also stops at Terra Mitica theme and waterparks, and the big clubs in Benidorm.

Taxis are a relatively cheap way of getting round your resort as short hops usually cost little more than a few euros. There are taxi ranks throughout all of the main resorts and your hotel can help you book one in advance, so you can avoid the language barrier.

A hire car is a great way to see the area if you plan on moving around and taking in the main sites, as well as some of the more remote villages and beaches that will not be accessible by public transport. There are many car hire companies to choose from, all offering a similar level of service and price. There is a good network of roads across Costa Blanca, linking the main towns and resorts as well as some scenic coastal routes that are more winding but still easy to navigate.

Advice for travellers with children

In general, Costa Blanca is very family-friendly and most Spanish restaurants and bars welcome children. There are a host of All Inclusive options for Benidorm holidays, which can really take the stress out of travelling with little ones.

It’s also the closest to the airport so may be the best for families with young children who aren’t so good at travelling. Denia and Moraira offer quieter bases where you can enjoy the towns and beaches without so many crowds to disturb the peacefulness you’ll find here.

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.

British consulate

If you are a victim of crime, affected by a crisis overseas, or if something happens to a relative or partner, contact the British Consulate. It is open to the public from 08:30 to 13:30.

Address: Edificio Espacio, Rambla Mendez Nunez 28-32, 03002 Alicante Email: spain.consulate@fco.gov.uk Telephone: (from within Spain): 902 109 356 Telephone: (international/alternative number) (+34) 913 342 194

Hospitals

Orihuela Orihuela Vega Baja/San Bartolome Hospital Ctra. De Almoradi, Orihuela Telephone: +34 965 877 500

Torrevieja Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja Carretera CV-95 s/n, 03186, Torrevieja, Alicante Telephone: +34 965 721 200

Useful links

Round Town Times – Known as the Benidorm Bible, the Round Town Times has everything you need, from where to eat and drink to travel tips and local news.

Costa Blanca Directory: Things To Do in Costa Blanca – The Costa Blanca Directory is a valuable guide for those visiting the region, offering recommendations on things to do from those in the know.

Benidorm All Year Round – A bright and colourful site, packed full of news and information on the lively city of Benidorm.

Benidorm Seriously – managed by people who actually live in the city, Benidorm Seriously is one of the most comprehensive guides to Benidorm and the surrounding area.