Ibiza: Dangerous Areas, Emergencies, Hospitals, Currency, and ATMs

Despite its reputation as a hedonistic island, Ibiza is relatively calm and safe, but like any tourist destination, there is always a pickpocket ready to take advantage of distractions. The most common crimes are the classic ones that tourists fall victim to: theft and pickpocketing, especially on the beach, on public transport, and in the many nightclubs on the island. Here are some tips to avoid ruining your vacation and enjoy the best attractions in Ibiza.

Pickpockets mainly strike in public places when jackets, wallets, phones, and cameras are left unattended. Be sure to secure your bags, especially on crowded beaches like Playa D'en Bossa. At restaurants, especially fast food places, do not leave bags unattended on chairs or tables. Beware of the 'bird poop' tactic: someone approaches you and says you have bird droppings on your shoulders. They offer to help you clean, and then they go off with your wallet. Be wary of gypsies trying to sell you red roses. In Ibiza venues, especially nightclubs, there is a lot of drugs circulating and there are lines of dealers offering it. It's better to avoid ingesting pills and other substances offered in crowded bars and nightclubs.

Do not leave anything visible in your car. If you have a flat and someone offers to help, tell them to go away. Be cautious in the rest areas of highways leading to the city and along provincial roads, especially in the evening. There have rarely been recorded attacks by 'car pirates' who take your vehicle. There are many bicycle thefts and everything you leave beside your bicycles, especially at night. The Ibiza police are well aware of the habits of young tourists when it comes to drugs and alcohol, so they always set up in strategic locations: Playa D'en Bossa, the roads leading to Pacha and Amnesia, and towards KM5 or Blue Marlin. Fines, arrests, and confiscations of vehicles are a daily occurrence. We recommend reading the page on the laws to respect in Spain.

• Avoid showing all the cash you have and divide it into different denominations to keep separate.
• When at a restaurant or sitting at a café table, do not hang your bag on the chair; do not leave your bag unattended in fitting rooms while trying on clothes.
• Do not place your phone and wallet on tables or counters in public places; do not put them in an outer pocket of your bag or pants.
• Make sure you have securely closed doors and windows of your car, do not leave phones, cameras, wallets, and bags in sight even if they are empty: someone might be tempted to force the lock or break a window of the car.
• Bring a photocopy of your ID that you will leave at your hotel in Valencia. In case of loss: if you've lost it, contact the consulate; if it has been stolen, file a police report as well.

The Spanish National Police can be reached at 091 while the local police can be reached at 092. For medical emergencies call 061 and the fire department can be reached at 080.

Most likely, they will respond in Spanish, so if you do not know this language, hand the phone to a Spanish speaker who can help you ask for assistance.

In Spain, the law regarding drug possession and consumption is quite unique. For several years, every Spanish citizen can grow up to 2 cannabis plants in their apartment for personal use. Alternatively, one can 'delegate' the cultivation to Social Clubs, non-profit associations that we discuss in the next paragraph, where they can consume cannabis. However, purchasing drugs from criminals remains a punishable offense with imprisonment. Possession of drugs for personal use is allowed up to a maximum supply for 10 days, or about 25 grams. Beyond this limit, significant fines are imposed, and one can be charged with trafficking.

Cannabis Social Clubs are organizations where one can go to smoke cannabis and other substances. They are very similar to Amsterdam's coffee shops, but with stricter rules. They are not businesses, so the purpose is not to make money but to give members a protected space to consume drugs. In Spain, there are about 500 clubs, some of which are in Ibiza. To access the club, you must be at least 21 years old, be introduced by someone, and pay a membership fee of about 10 euros. In reality, access is often much easier if you meet the right promoter of the association.

Some social clubs in Ibiza:

Ibiza Kush Address: Via Romana 14 Ibiza

Blue Mota Address: Fray Vicente Nicolas 8 Costa de Can Muntaner, 10, L2 07003 Palma de Mallorca

Asociacion Cannabica Qunubu Address: Carrer del Progres 34 c Sant Antoni de portmany

As in many other European countries, prostitution is legal in Spain, but all collateral activities, particularly facilitation and exploitation, are prohibited. Brothels are also legal, usually referred to as Eros Centers or Clubs where prostitutes work and are organized as a cooperative or business. Street prostitution is almost completely absent.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST ADULTS AND MINORS.

Remember that those who commit offenses against minors abroad (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) are prosecuted under Italian law upon returning to our country.

Speed limits

In cities, the limit is 60 km/h and on highways is 90 km/h. On motorways, the speed limit is 120 km/h.

USE OF LIGHTS

It is mandatory to use low beam headlights in tunnels and in case of poor visibility.

DRINKING AND DRIVING

In Spain, there are 3 limits for blood alcohol content, with a bit of tolerance for tourists.

Tourists 0.25 mg/l Professionals 0.15 mg/l New license holders 0.15 mg/l and it is not permitted to drink before driving.

It is mandatory to undergo a test if requested by authorities. Refusal is considered a very serious offense.

Child seat: children under the age of 3 must use a seat suitable for their size. From 3 to 12 years old, they may travel in the front seat with an appropriate child seat or in the back seats with an adult seatbelt.

Reflective safety vests: You will not be fined for not having one on board, but it is still mandatory to wear one when getting out of a vehicle stopped on the road outside urban areas.

Using a phone while driving is prohibited.

Fines and sanctions

In Spain, fines for foreigners must be paid at the time of the offense. If you are unable to pay at that moment, there is a real risk of vehicle confiscation until the fine is paid.

If you arrive in Ibiza by car or intend to rent one locally, you can drive with an Italian license. To circulate, you do not need a Green Card; just the vehicle's registration document. If the car is not yours, it's best to have a driving authorization signed by a notary. Seat belts are mandatory on all equipped seats.

Italians traveling to Ibiza for study, vacation, or work have the right to healthcare as they do in Italy. To obtain it, however, it is necessary to carry the Italian Health Card issued by their local health authority. The card covers all normal emergency services and reimbursement of medical expenses incurred. Private doctors and hospitals in Spain do not accept the European Health Card. If you wish to receive medical assistance in such facilities, you will have to pay the costs or take out a health insurance policy. The Italian health card does not cover the costs of any emergency transport back to Italy. Spanish healthcare facilities are of excellent quality, in line with European and Italian standards.

The Ibiza Emergency Room can be reached at the European number 112, which can be called free from all cell phones and payphones. This is the number to call in case of accidents or various emergencies. Most likely, they will respond in Spanish or English, so if you do not know these two languages, hand the phone to a Spanish speaker who can help you ask for assistance.

Here are the hospitals in Ibiza to contact in case of emergencies:

Can Misses Corona, 32-36 Can Misses Phone 971 397 000** **

Pharmacies in Ibiza are indicated with the sign Farmacia and a green cross. Ibiza pharmacies are stocked with all the medications available in Italy. They sell over-the-counter drugs without a prescription and medications with a prescription, which you will need to bring from Italy. If you use particularly rare medications, it's a good idea to bring them from Italy.

The address of the night pharmacies is posted on the boards of those that are closed. Here is the list of pharmacies that are always open.

In the port area of Ibiza city, there is a 'Pharmacy Street,' so named for its high concentration of stores. You can always find one open, day or night. Official streets are Via Annibal and Antoni Palau.

In case of emergency, the quickest and safest way to ask for help is to call 112, the single emergency number active throughout Europe. This number is available for all cases of danger, including road accidents, fire, or crime. Other reference emergency numbers are listed on the page Emergency Numbers in Ibiza.

Spain has an excellent mobile phone network in line with European standards, so you will have no trouble calling and receiving calls even with your Italian cellphone. As soon as you arrive in Ibiza, your phone will connect to one of the providers active in Spain. Before leaving, however, it's best to inquire about all the costs, asking your provider about the rates for calls and messages.

The electricity is the same as in Italy, at 220 volts. The most common outlets are round holes. Bring along adapters because many outlets, especially in older houses and hotels, may not match your devices. Normally, hotels have various adapters to lend to their guests.

To call from Ibiza to Italy, you need to enter our international code +39 followed by the landline or mobile number. To receive calls from Italy to Spain, the code they need to enter is 0034. For mobile phones, there are no issues. As soon as you enter Spanish territory, your operator will automatically connect to the Spanish one with which it has commercial agreements.

The official currency used in Ibiza and Spain is the Euro, so you can use the banknotes and coins you use in Italy. Like in our country, there are 7 banknotes and 8 coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents; 1 and 2 Euros and banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 Euros.

In Ibiza, the most common credit cards are widely accepted. Before entering a store or restaurant, always check for the logo of your credit card on the door. For payment with cards, showing a passport or ID is required. To withdraw Euros in cash, you can use the ATMs (cash machines) available day and night all over Ibiza.

Banks are open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM or 2:30 PM. Some branches open on Saturday mornings.

Compared to the rest of Spain, which remains one of the most affordable European nations, prices in the Balearic Islands are higher, especially during the high season (between June and August), which is also the period of super crowded beaches. Remember that some locations in Ibiza are exclusive and expensive, attracting VIPs. The vast offer of hotels, resorts, and apartments allows for finding a place to stay even if you move late, but be prepared for high costs when booking too late. The advice is to act in good time and book in advance to catch the most convenient opportunities.

Ibiza offers an extraordinary array of accommodations of all types. Prices start from 40 € even for a bed in a hostel or low-category hotel. Major global tour operators include Ibiza in their catalogs, so it is not difficult to find flight + hotel packages for 3-500 euros per person for 7-10 nights in the height of summer. If you are looking for a hotel in Ibiza, we recommend Booking.com. About 450 hotels with photos, amenities, prices, and comments from previous guests. Visit Booking.com.

If something goes wrong in Ibiza, there is the Italian Consulate to turn to.

Honorary Consulate in Ibiza Constituency: Islands of Ibiza and Formentera Address: C/ Diputado Jose' Ribas, s/n - 07800 Ibiza Phone: 0034 971199915 Fax: 0034 971191746 e-mail: ibiza.onorario@esteri.it