The heat and the sun are already being felt strongly throughout the Canary Islands, with recent heat waves bringing Gran Canaria temperatures of 40°C last week. With the summer travel season approaching full-scale, Spanish Civil Security has issued a series of safety advisories to tourists planning to visit the Canary Islands. With 243,181 British tourists reportedly arriving in Gran Canaria alone in the first quarter of the year, an increase of 13.2% compared to the same period in 2024, this advice proves to be extremely valuable to many British tourists set up to visit the Spanish islands this summer to visit the Canary Islands peak tourist season.
One warning issued to tourists involves being cautious about strangers who provide unsolicited help, such as pointing out stains on your clothes or claiming that there is a problem with your car, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported. These are tactics to distract you and allow you to steal your belongings.
This technique is often used to deflect tourists to seize opportunities to steal valuables such as wallets, mobile phones, and passports.
Another risk highlighted is related to personal belongings. Police have urged tourists to pay attention to your personal belongings, especially in busy areas such as markets, busy streets and public transport.
Bags, wallets and electronic devices are the main targets of pickpockets, so it is important to keep these items safe and in sight.
When heading to the beach or swimming pool, make sure you bring only essentials with you to avoid unattended valuables such as mobile phones, cameras, and money.
If you rent a car, please do not show your personal belongings inside. If you are in a restaurant, do not place your phone on the table.
Retracting money from cash should ideally be done in a bright or safe place. Don't withdraw large amounts of cash at once. Also, always protect your code when you enter it in public.
Once checked in, please use the hotel's safety deposit box if available. Also, do not leave money, jewelry, keys or important documents in the room.
If you notice or feel uncomfortable with suspicious activity, don't hesitate to contact your local law enforcement or hotel security.
Summer is the busiest season for the Canary Islands, and according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE), 4.2% more in 2024, it appears to be on track for a record summer with a staggering 5.7 million tourists.
