Mallorca: Dangerous Zones, Emergencies, Hospitals, Currency, and ATMs

Mallorca is a relatively quiet and safe island, but like any tourist destination, there are always some pickpockets ready to take advantage of distractions. The most common crimes are those classic ones targeting tourists: theft and pickpocketing, especially near crowded monuments and on public transport. Here are some tips to avoid ruining your vacation in Mallorca.

Pickpockets particularly strike in public places, especially when jackets, wallets, phones, and cameras are left unattended.

Secure your bags tightly, especially around the Cathedral of Palma and in the Parque del Mar area.

In restaurants, especially fast food places, do not leave bags unattended on chairs and tables.

Be cautious of the bird poop trick: someone approaches you saying you have bird droppings on your shoulders. They offer to help you clean up and then walk away with your wallet.

Watch out for women trying to sell you red roses.

In Mallorca's venues, especially nightclubs, there is a lot of drug activity and lines of dealers offering substances. It's best to avoid ingesting pills or other substances offered in busy bars and clubs.

Do not leave anything visible in your vehicle. If you have a flat tire and someone offers to help, tell them to leave. Be cautious in parking areas of highways leading into the city and along provincial roads, especially in the evening. There have rarely been registered incidents of 'car pirates' stealing your automobile. There are many bicycle thefts and everything left near bicycles, especially at night.

Avoid displaying all your cash and divide it into various denominations to keep separate.

When you're in a restaurant or seated at a café table, do not hang your bag on the chair; do not leave your bag unattended in fitting rooms.

Do not place your phone and wallet on tables or counters in public places; do not put them in an outside pocket of your bag or pants.

Make sure your car doors and windows are securely closed. Do not leave phones, cameras, wallets, or even empty bags visible; someone might be tempted to force the lock or break a window.

Bring a photocopy of your ID that you will leave at your hotel in Valencia. In case of loss: if you lose it, contact the consulate; if it has been stolen, also file a report with the police.

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

They will most likely respond in Spanish, so if you do not speak this language, pass the phone to a Spanish speaker who can assist you in requesting help.

In Spain, the laws regarding drug possession and consumption are quite unique.

For several years now, every Spanish citizen can cultivate up to 2 cannabis plants in their own apartment for personal use.

Alternatively, they can 'delegate' the cultivation to Social Clubs, non-profit associations that we will discuss in the next paragraph, where cannabis is consumed.

Buying drugs from criminals, however, remains a punishable offense with imprisonment.

Possession of drugs for personal use is allowed up to a maximum supply for 10 days, which is about 25 grams. Exceeding this limit results in heavy fines and can lead to being charged with trafficking.

Social Cannabis Clubs are associations where one can go to smoke cannabis and other substances.

They are very similar to coffee shops in Amsterdam, but have stricter regulations. They are not businesses, so the aim is not to make money but rather to provide members with a safe space to consume drugs.

There are about 500 clubs in Spain, some of which are in Mallorca. To access a club, you must be at least 21 years old, be introduced by someone, and pay a membership fee of about 10 euros.

In many cases, access is much simpler if you meet the right promoter of the association.

Some social clubs in Mallorca include:

CANEM Llevant Address: Carrer del Mar, 42 07580 Capdepera (Mallorca) Phone: 606 13 88 06

Asociación Mallorquina para la Información del Cannabis (AMIC) Address: Costa de Can Muntaner, 10, L2 07003 Palma de Mallorca Phone: 971 72 04 12

Movimiento Asociativo Mallorquin de Cultivadores y Usuarios de Cannabis Address: Palma de Mallorca Phone: 653 47 87 81

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

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST ADULTS AND MINORS.

It is important to note 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 it's 90 km/h. On motorways, the speed limit is 120 km/h.

USE OF HEADLIGHTS

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

DRINKING AND DRIVING

In Spain, there are three limits on blood alcohol content, with some tolerance for tourists.

Tourists: 0.25 mg/l Professionals: 0.15 mg/l New drivers: 0.15 mg/l and it is prohibited to drink before driving.

It is mandatory to take a test if required by authorities. Refusal is considered a serious offense.

Child safety seats: children under 3 years must travel in a suitable child seat. From 3 to 12 years, they may travel in the front seat with a certified child seat or in the back seats with adult seat belts.

Reflective safety vests: you will not be fined if you do not have one on board, but it is mandatory to wear it when exiting the vehicle stopped on the roadway outside urban areas.

Use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited.

Fines and Penalties

In Spain, fines for foreigners are paid at the time of the offense. If you cannot pay at that moment, there is a real risk of vehicle seizure until the fine is paid.

If you arrive in Mallorca by car or plan to rent one on the spot, you can drive with your Italian license.

You do not need a Green Card to drive, just the vehicle registration document. If the car is not yours, it's better to have a notarized delegation of authority to drive. Seat belts are mandatory on all equipped seats.

Italians traveling to Mallorca for study, vacation, or work are entitled to healthcare just like in Italy.

To receive it, however, it is necessary to carry the Italian Health Card issued by your local health authority.

The card covers all standard emergency services and reimbursement of medical expenses incurred.

Spanish private doctors and hospitals do not accept the European Health Card. If you wish to receive medical assistance in these types of facilities, you will need to pay the fees or take out a health insurance policy.

The Italian health card does not cover the costs of emergency transports back to Italy.

Spanish healthcare facilities are of excellent quality, in line with European and Italian standards.

The Mallorca emergency services can be reached by dialing the European number 112, which can be called for free from all cell phones and phone booths. This is the number to call in case of accidents or various emergencies. They will most likely respond in Spanish or English, so if you do not understand either of those languages, pass the phone to a Spanish speaker who can assist you in requesting help.

These are the hospitals in Mallorca to contact in case of an emergency:

Son Espases Carrer de Valldemosa, 79 07120 Palma Phone: 0034 971 218 787

Son Llatzer Palma - Manacor Phone: 0034 971 202 000

Manacor Hospital Manacor - Alcudia Phone: 0034 971 841 000

Inca Mallorca Hospital Carrer de Llubi 07300, Inca Phone: 0034 971 888 500

Health Centers There are about 20 health centers in Mallorca where you can seek normal basic medical assistance.

Pharmacies in Mallorca are marked with the word 'Farmacia' and a green cross. They are stocked with all the medications that can also be found in Italy.

They sell over-the-counter medicines without a prescription, and prescription medications, which you must bring from Italy. If you use particularly rare medications, it is a good idea to bring them from Italy.

The address of nighttime pharmacies is posted on bulletin boards of those that are closed. Here's a list of always-open pharmacies.

• Palma de Mallorca: Avenida Joan Miró, 186
• Palma de Mallorca: Calle Aragón, 70
• Palma de Mallorca: Calle Balanguera, 15

Spain has an excellent mobile phone network in line with European standards, so you should have no trouble calling and receiving calls with your Italian cell phone. Once you arrive in Mallorca, your phone will connect to one of the providers active in Spain. However, it is advisable to inquire about all costs beforehand by asking your provider about call and message rates.

To call from Mallorca to Italy, you must enter the international prefix +39 followed by the landline or cell number. To call from Italy to Spain, the prefix they need to enter is 0034. There are no issues with cell phones. As soon as you enter Spanish territory, your operator will automatically connect to the Spanish operator with which they have business agreements.

The electricity is the same as in Italy, at 220 volts. The most common plugs are round. Bring along adapters as many sockets, especially in older homes and hotels, may not suit your devices. Typically, hotels have various adapters to lend to their guests.

The official currency used in Mallorca and Spain is the Euro, so you can use the banknotes and coins that you use in Italy. As 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, and 500 euros.

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

In case of loss of cards, here are the numbers to call in Mallorca:

Visa: 900-99-1124 American Express: 800.263.92.279 MasterCard: 900-97-1231 Maestro Card: 0039.02.34980132 Diners Club: 0039 02.3216.2656

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

If something goes wrong in Palma de Mallorca, there is the Italian Consulate to turn to.

Honorary Vice Consulate in Palma de Mallorca Address: Calle Baro de Pinopar, 11 esc.B 1o- 9ª puerta - 07012 Palma de Mallorca Tel: 0034 971097013 Fax: 0034 971570402 Email: maiorca.onorario@esteri.it