Visitors
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General Information
Transport
Security & Health
Services
Shopping
Eating Out & Nightlife
El Rincon Del Golf
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There is a new Andalucia tourist office in Ayamonte, at Calle Huelva 27 (it has moved from the Casa Grande), and whilst there are many signposts around town, it is currently quite discrete with only small Andalucia signs.
To find it go to the roundabout in town near the town marina, and walk towards the square known as Plaza La Ribera. Opposite the pedestrian crossing, go up the street between two restaurants. The one on the right is called “El Faro”, and its name is on the front of its awning. The one on the left is called “El Cocedero de Ayamonte”. The street is Calle San Juan but the only sign is at the top of the street. At the top of the street, turn left, and the Tourist Office is a green tiled building just up on the right.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10.30-13.30 & 17-20.30 and Saturdays 11-13.
And do have a look at the tourist section on the Ayamonte Council's web site, which has a range of information for tourists in English.
There is a Portugese tourist office just after the bridge as you cross into Portugal. It is reputed to have a good selection of information, though on the one occasion we visited, it was hard work to obtain information. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday (Portugese Time) 8.30-13.30 & 14.30-16.30. There is an Andalucian tourist office just before you get to the bridge opposite the above Portugese one. In July 2005 it was showing no signs of being open, and may have been replaced by the one in Ayamonte.
Its worth mentioning that there’s an excellent Tourist office and information in Huelva. Its got an excellent range of maps and information. For further information see details under Huelva in Out and About in Spain.
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Spain is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
The clocks go forward by one hour on the last Sunday in March and back by one hour on the last Sunday in October, as per the U.K.
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For most of the year the monthly average temperature in Ayamonte is around 8-10 degrees C higher than London, though in the summer this reduces to only 4-6 degrees higher.
Monthly rainfall is historically around the same as London from October to March, though much drier for the rest of the year. In fact its been almost worryingly dry over winter 2004/2005.
Click here for a comparison of monthly average temperatures and rainfalls,
and get todays temperature in Ayamonte by clicking here.
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Spain is an hour ahead of the UK but Ayamonte is roughly on the same longitude as Dublin, so the sun appears 20/30 mins later than London.
Click here to get a chart of sunset and sunrise and daylight hours contrasting Ayamonte and London.
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When you've been to El Rincon Del Golf once, it’s straightforward to find it the second time. To assist “first timers” Click here to download a Word document with an illustrated route from Faro airport.
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Available from Hotel Riu Atlantico at the marina, and probably at all other hotels. They are also available from Isla Canela Tours overlooking the Beach Marina, facing Punta Del Moral. Half day 7€, full day 12.5€, Tandem 22€.
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Damas is the main public transport company in the region. It operates from the Bus Terminus on the way out of Ayamonte, just past the Galp petrol station. Their web site has a timetable of departure times but no arrival times or prices.
Interestingly in the bus station, there are even timetables from Ayamonte to Marrakech via the ferry from Tarifa to Tangiers.It is said to provides a service for Morrocan workers in Portugal on their way home.
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We've been trying a number of different companies and it always seems worthwhile to shop around.
Here are 2 companies which offer car hire with no excess.
All Inclusive Car Hire
Economy Car Hire
and a number of companies which have XS charges, though you can buy them out.
Spain Car Hire
Car Jet
Whizz Car Rental
Car Rental Faro
Autos Abroad
Cheap Car Rental
But it is important to ensure you're comparing like with like. Especially check whether there is a charge to take it to Spain (some companies charge 15E) and also whether all the drivers you require are free (again some charge 15E per driver for more than 2 drivers). And also November to February/March is OK without Air Conditioning but if you're doing a few long journeys, say Seville, Aracena etc.. at other times of the year, it might be worthwhile considering it.
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If you took a transfer from Faro airport then cars can be hired locally. Autos-Golf, based in Avenida de las Garzas at the Beach on Isla Canela, provide a full range of cars from Fiat Puntos to Renault Megane Estates and Renault Espaces to Mini Buses with 9 seats. Tel No 0034 959 477 009 or 0034 620 916 526.
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Ferry to Portugal
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Operates from near Plaza de la Laguna, every 40 minutes Oct-May, then every 20 mins June-Sep. Costs 1.2E per person each way. Its helpful to purchase tickets on landing in Vila Real to maximise your time in Portugal. And when checking times for the return in Portugal, remember the times are given in Portugese time which is 1 hour earlier.
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Be aware that petrol is more expensive in Portugal than in Spain. Generally its 10-20 cents cheaper in Spain than Portugal, and Portugal is around 10 cents cheaper than the UK.
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Nearly all parking in Ayamonte is free, though the Darsena car park along the front facing the town marina with a regular blue P sign, open 9.30-21.00 (22.00 in summer) charges 1€ per hour.
However, you'll often find that you are beckoned into parking spaces by individuals who have taken it upon themselves to “help” you, with an inevitable expectation of a “tip”. The current market rate is 50 cents, with anything less generating a bit of a complaint.
1€ is an early Xmas bonus!
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There is a taxi rank in Ayamonte on the front near the marina alongside Plaza de la Ribera. Despite no meters that one can see, the fares seem quite consistent - 6E to get back to El Rincon Del Golf. The telephone of the taxi rank is 959 471 282, with a second option of 959 321 284.
One taxi owner, Miguel Rosales, operates using a mobile 667 571 766
But do note that Taxis generally aren’t available after 23.00.
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Two contacts who charge 55 euros per vehicle for one way transfers to/from Faro airport.
JPTur (N.B. This web site works better in Internet Explorer than Netscape Navigator!) have a car or mini bus for 55 euros. The mini bus is handy for extra luggage. They were used recently with no problems, and collected by a man waiting with a sign. A very good service plus full legal cover as as they are a tourist company in Monte Gordo, and will also organise trips and excursions, where Joao Pena is the manager. Replies quickly to emails.
Tel: 00351 281518033 Fax: 281518035 Email: jptur@portugalindex.com
Second contact is Harry and Sandy who look after a few apartments on Isla Canela. They meet & greet, do minor repairs, cleaning etc., and generally only too pleased to help with local information.
Tel 00 351 281531 057.
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Hope you don’t need them! When we needed them to report a car break in at the marina they were very helpful and patient as we filled in the necessary forms for our insurance company.
Spain has three main types of police.
* The Policia Nacional (National Police Tel 091) cover cities and bigger towns, some of them forming special squads dealing with drugs, terrorism and the like. A further contingent is to be found shuffling paper in bunkerlike police stations called comisarias.
* The Policia Local (Local Police Tel 092,), also known as Policia Municipal, are controlled by the city and town halls and deal mainly with minor matters such as parking, traffic and bylaws. They wear blue-and-white uniforms.
* The Guardia Civil (Civil Guard; Tel 062), green-uniformed, whose responsibilities include roads, the countryside, villages and international borders.
If you need to go to the police, any of them will do, but we found the Policia Local were very approachable.
One Policia Local is on the right hand side of the road from Ayamonte towards Isla Canela on the corner at the 3rd roundabout from the town marina. They are open 24 x 7.
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No vaccinations are needed. There is no free tourist medical service but EU citizens can obtain a refund of the cost using the form EHIC (available from local post offices in your own country before you visit). See below.
Medical insurance is still advisable. Remember to keep all of your receipts for making a claim.
At the Chemist (Farmacia) there are fully qualified staff who can deal with all minor ailments. If the chemist is closed there is expected to be a list on the door telling you where to find the nearest one that is open. Farmacia de la Avenida opposite the roundabout by the Ayamonte town marina keeps a rota of the farmacias on duty in the window.
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Again, really hope you don’t need one!
There is said to be an English speaking dentist in Almancil – Portugal tel: 089 95453, though we have no direct experience.
Also the following Danish dentist advertised in the Portugal News in early 2006.
Clinica Dentaria Peter Nielsen
Danish Dentist
First Consultation free.
Horta da Figuras Lt. 33, Faro
(Close to Forum Algarve/Jumbo)
Phone 289 865 530
For more information and price list:
www.farodental.com
Spanish details to be added as and when we find one.
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No vaccinations are needed. There is no free tourist medical service but EU citizens can obtain a refund of the cost using the European Health Insurance card, or EHIC - the replacement for the E111. (available as described below). Medical insurance is still advisable. This section tells you how to get medical treatment abroad, including information on the You must obtain the EHIC before travelling, which enables you to get free reciprocal medical treatment in the EU.
The UK Government web site Applying for an EHIC form advises how you can either apply online, order one over the phone or get one from your local Post Office. To apply by post, pick up the EHIC form and pre-addressed envelope from the Post Office. Your card will be delivered within 21 days. There is space for up to four dependent children on the application form. If you apply online or by telephone, you can apply on behalf of more children.
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If you need medical assistance while on holiday, the Medical Centre in the local hospital is situated on the left hand side of the dual carriageway on the way into Ayamonte, near the Eroski Supermarket.
To find it go to the roundabout by the Eroski Supermarket, and drive round as though you are driving to Isla Canela. If its between 8-14, you can drive in over the kerb and through the gate in the iron railings, and park at the front or round the side. Alternatively, turn down the road, Calle Extremadura, just before the iron railings, where there is a blue Parking sign P-> and immediately follow the road round to the right into Calle Cordoba where there is a small amount of parking.
They are open from 8-14 Monday to Friday for consultations, and Accident & Emergency which is open 24 hours a day Monday to Sunday.
Inevitably it will be in Spanish, but they seemed very helpful when obtaining this information.
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Dr. Popken (not yet checked out)
Rua Jornal do Algarve
Vila Real do Santo Antonio
Fellow of American College of Physicians
00351 282 356 034
00351 282 356 995 (fax)
Appointment only – Monday, Wednesday, Friday midday
Speaks Portugese, Dutch, English, German, & French
Does anticoagulant clinic in Caverio on Tuesday & Thursday afternoon & in Vila Real do Santo Antonio on Friday by arrangement.
This came from a plaque in Vila Real but no direct experience.
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There are a lot of ATMs in Ayamonte and also on the road going into Ayamonte from Isla Canela. One option is to buy an adequate number of Euros at the best deal in the UK using ATMs for any supplementary cash. All ATMs give you the option of having instructions in English. But do watch the information all the way through. Just before dispensing the cash, they tell you what you will be charged for the transaction. Whilst many charge 0.5€, some go up to 2.5€, and if its too much, you can always cancel and walk on. The ATM on the same side as, and just past Ayamar y Sierra on Calle Trajano going away from Plaza de la Ribera only charges 0.5€ though that might be dependent upon your bank.
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Dry Cleaning can be done at Tintoreria La Calandra next to Bar Restaurant Rancho near the roundabout by the town marina. Mon-Fri 9.30-13.30 & 17-20 & Sat 09.30-13.30.
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220V AC. Sockets take the two circular pin plug.
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TodoaPC overlooking the town marina in Ayamonte, next to Restaurant La Cigala de Oro, provides a good internet service between 10.00-22.00 Monday to Friday and 10-14 on Saturdays at 1.5€ per 30 mins. They also do 5hr & 10 hr cards. They will all speak English.
There is also a small internet café at Hotel Riu Atlantico by the Marina, on the right as you go in the main entrance before you get to the small shop. They appear to be available 24 x 7 and charge 1E for 10 minutes
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Aya Fotos overlooking the town marina have a machine where you can print individual digital photos, and provide a full range of 1 hour printing services. As an example, 13.20€ is charged to process a standard 35mm 36 photos in 1 hour with free film and photo album.
Open Mon-Fri 10-14 & 17-20.30 & Sat 10-14
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Located in the yellow office "Correos" on a corner of the road overlooking the Guadiana river, opposite the petrol station, from 8.30-14.30 Monday to Friday & 9.30-13 Saturday
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There’s a UK service from a company called Ratebuster which enables you to call Spanish landlines from the UK for only 2p per minute.
All you do is dial their prefix 08449767676 at which point an over the top American greets you with "Welcome Mortals .....".
You then dial the full landline number, followed by #, e.g. 0034959477nnn#. It will appear on an itemised bill as a call to 08449767676.
They also have a similar service to call Spanish mobiles for 18p per min by calling 09116575757 followed by the full mobile number from the UK e.g. 0034nnnnnnnn and #
However be careful if you dial these numbers from mobiles from the UK, as the mobile operators may add their own charges. ‘3’ charges 10p per min for 08449767676, and £2 per min! for 09116575757.
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Generally you can be sure that shops will be open between 10-13.30 & 16.30-20.30 Mon-Fri & 10-3.30 Saturday, though several will be open earlier and/or later. However apart from the supermarkets, shops don’t open on Saturday afternoons, apart from the BELGIAN CAKE Shop – see below.
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The supermarket closest to Isla Canela is Eroski, by the 4th roundabout into town, which has a useful car park underneath, and lift for trolleys (for which you need 50 cents or 1€) from the car park. Hours are Monday to Saturday 9.30-21.30. In summer, they also open 10.30 – 14.30 on a Sunday.
There are several other supermarkets in Ayamonte, with slightly differing ranges, and they all open the same days and roughly the same hours, though one or two close at lunchtime.
It’s worthwhile knowing that the Intermarche in Vila Real do Santo Antonio in Portugal, near the railway station, is also open on Sundays, and will also be open on Spanish holidays, (providing it's not also a Portugese holiday!). Hours are Monday to Sunday 10.00 to 21.00.
And now a Carrefour hypermarket has opened near Cartaya, which is considerably larger than any around Ayamonte. To find it, take the motorway to Sevilla, and come off at Junction 105, and follow signs to Cartaya. Overall it takes around 30 mins. Hours are Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 22.00.
Its useful to remember that outside these hours and on Sundays, you can get basics from motorway service stations or petrol stations. The B.P. Station on the way out of Ayamonte to the motorway has a small range of basic items, drinks, bread, pastries etc. and is open 06.00 to 24.00 and sometimes may be open 24x7.
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If you find yourself arriving after the shops have closed but want some food for breakfast the next morning, without the hassle of doing the hunter/gatherer bit first thing the next morning (especially if you arrive on a Saturday night or when the next day is a Public Holiday) consider buying some basics from either the Motorway service stations or the petrol stations in Ayamonte. The opening hours for their shops will follow in due course.
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Situated at Felipe Hidalgo, 30, between the Tourist Office & Casa Grande. It sells a delicious range of decadent cakes, overindulged with both cream and calories. They have a couple of small tables and a coffee machine, but especially important they are open all day Saturday & Sunday. Tue-Fri 10-14.30, 17-20.30. Sat & Sun 10-20.30.
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The closest bread shop and open on Sundays is located just over the bridge. Go to the 2nd roundabout after the bridge and turn right into Calle Jaen, then go to the roundabout and turn right into Calle Jacinto Benavente when its about 50 metres on the right. A little way up the same road is a frozen food shop.
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Prices in Spain often appear to be the same in Euros as we pay in Pounds, so 30% cheaper.
Olives are a real steal in the market at 3E per kilo – compare that to the prices in the UK, where they’re often £3 per 250 grams.
Ground coffee for cafetierres is around 1 to 1.5 E per 250 grams compared to £1.5 -£2.5 for 250 grams in the U.K..
Olive oil, Fish and Meat are also good value.
The low prices of wine, beer and spirits could lead to serious health damage!
Some of the less expensive shoes seem very good value.
And do have a look at the many accessory shops, which have lots of good value scarves, hats, bags and necklaces.
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The Mercado de Abastos (Produce Market) is situated between calle Medico Rey Garcia (which is the first street in from the road running by the Marina in Ayamonte) and calle del Pez. It's open 08.00 to 13.00 from Monday to Saturday, and has a good range of fish, meat and vegetables and is often noticeably cheaper than in Supermarkets, though fresh fish is limited on a Monday!
And do take a minute to look at the Cebo Vivo dispensing machine in the North East corner opening onto Calle Prudencio Gutiérrez Pallares, and ponder what its selling
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Many of the towns will have a 'market day', and the Tourist offices will tell you where and when. Remember however that they're proper markets, for local people, and on the one hand will have lots of authentic 'feel' and atmosphere, equally they can be quite basic and limited. At the very least they give you an excuse (if you needed one) to visit another town, see another church or interesting site, try out a little local cuisine, and generally just to enjoy the ambience and townspeople going about everyday life.
Here’s the current list -
Monday Bollulos Par del Condado & Punta Umbria
Tuesday Islantilla (summer only)
Thursday Isla Cristina, Villablanca & Moguer
Friday Huelva & Almonte
Saturday Ayamonte, Lepe, Valverde del Camino
& Olhao - Portugal
3rd Sunday of each month Cacela - Portugal
13th of each month Flea market Vila Real do Santo António
27th of each month Flea market Monte Gordo
The weekly Market in Ayamonte on Saturdays (called Rastro in Spanish - track presumably because its where the train track used to be?) operates from 10-14. It's just past the Damas Main Bus Terminal, as you drive out of Ayamonte. It tends to focus on less expensive clothing, shoes, bags and fabrics.
The Villablance market was quite small in April, though if you’re running short of reading material they do have a stall with English paperbacks where you can swop your paperbacks for 1E with all proceeds going to restoration of the local church.
Occasionally there are markets in Villa Real de San Antonio, which have a wider variety of products especially housewares.
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For those who need their daily fix of hardcopy English news, newspapers are available in the main hotels by the beach and marina at around 16.00. They appear around the same time at Papeleria Julia by the roundabout near the marina. If you want them earlier, they're available in Vila Real from around 11 Portugese time, despite being printed in Spain.
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It may be worthwhile knowing that quite a range of food in restaurants is available in raciones (a full portion), media racion (half portion) and tapas (which generally equates to a quarter portion)
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Whilst restaurants may be open all day on the beach and in many restaurants around the plazas, generally it’s the Spanish way not to get there before 20.30, partly because the shops will still be open. Generally those who are eating earlier are either tourists or Portugese. And frequently the restaurants won’t start to get busy till 21.30 or 22.00, and groups will often roll up at 23.00 or later.
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There’s a whole range of restaurants and bars around Ayamonte and Isla Canela. Prices are broadly similar, though the beach bars (Chinguiritos) can be a little more expensive than in town, and tapas bars can give you a filling meal at what often seems a knock down price. For more details see Dining
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Generally 10% seems to work O.K., and so far service does not seem to be included anywhere.
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The clubbing street is Calle Medico Rey Garcia from Pedro Alvarez to the river.
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You might think that the Teatro Cine on Calle Medico Rey Garcia would show movies but its actually a theatre. Lepe has the nearest cinema, though generally dubbed into Spanish.
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There are 2 DVD rental shops in the small group of shops on the right hand side as you go into Ayamonte between roundabouts 2& 3 after the bridge.
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As a community we employ 3 staff.
Adolfo is our concierge. His main responsibilities include
* Control access of suppliers
* Maintain the pool
* Be the first line contact on any issues or problems within the community, and take necessary actions, calling in Playa Managering assistance when required.
* Provide gardening assistance as available and required.
* Maintaining cleanliness of roads and footpaths.
* Maintaining equipment.
Jose Antonio is our gardener. His main responsibilities include
* Agreeing the overall development and improvement of the gardens.
* Actioning the main gardening tasks
* Directing Adolfo’s gardening activities
* Obtaining gardening supplies and plants
* Managing timing and performance of the irrigation system
Isabel is our cleaner. Her main responsibilities include
* Cleaning all staircases, passageways, and doors.
* Maintaining a log of problems in the areas being cleaned.
The concierge and gardener’s hours vary over the year and their current hours are displayed at the office. When the pool is open, one of them will also be in attendance at each day over the weekend. The cleaner works Monday to Friday, starting at the same time as her colleagues.
When owners and visitors have any queries, they should in the first instance contact the concierge. If this does not result in action within a reasonable period of time and following up with the concierge, then contact should then be made with our agents, Playa Managering.
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They are the agents for El Rincon Del Golf community and are the day to day representatives of the Board, and provide services including
* assistance to the concierge on incidents
* monitor correct functioning of services and pursuing claims
* monitor costs for services and ensure payments are made
* charge owners in line with approved charging formula
* summarise costs and charges against budget
* arrange and manage Annual and other meetings as required
If owners have any queries on issues or charges, they should contact Playa Managering at Avenida Alcalde Narciso Navarro, 79 which is on the right just after the first roundabout after the bridge into Ayamonte.
Telephone number is 959 321 503 or by email to David@playam.com. They are open Mon-Thu 9-14 & 16-19, Friday 9-15.
Sonia Muniz is available 9-14 each day to handle queries in English.
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The collection point (Basura) for the rubbish is next to the entrance security gates. It’s a good idea if you put the rubbish out last thing at night as the bins are emptied at about midnight.
If you’re into recycling bottles, then deposit them in the green domed bins you’ll see around the streets entitled ‘vidrio’, generally associated with yellow & beige or blue plastic mini skips.
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The swimming pool is sufficiently large that a lifeguard is required during the opening hours of 12.00 - 20.00. At other times, there will be a notice that the pool is closed.
The key rules are
* Maximum 130 persons
* Do not use pool when infectious
* Do not enter the pool area wearing street clothes
* No animals
* Eating & drinking forbidden
* No glass or sharp materials
* Shower before swimming
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There are 7 pages of rules and regulations for the Owners Association, but the principal day-to-day rules which impact visitors (in addition to those for the swimming pool) are:
* Respect the communal facilities
* Allow entry for maintenance to apartment or chalet as required
* Avoid excessive noise, especially from 24.00-09.00
* Do not dry items outside or shake items over balconies
* Ensure rubbish is bagged up, and is only left in the appropriate area.
* Do not unleash animals or let them become a nuisance
* Use only the car parking space as designated for the apartment or chalet
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