🏥 Canary Islands Emergency & Safety Guide
Your essential companion for staying safe across the archipelago
Having spent years exploring these beautiful islands, I can tell you that whilst the Canaries are incredibly safe, knowing who to call and where to go in an emergency gives you real peace of mind. Whether you're a resident or visitor, this guide has everything you need to handle any situation confidently.
🚨 Critical Emergency Numbers
These numbers work across all the Canary Islands. Save them in your phone now, you'll hope you never need them, but you'll be glad they're there if you do.
🚑 General Emergency
All emergencies: police, ambulance, fire brigade. English spoken.
👮 National Police
For crimes, theft, lost documents
🚔 Local Police
Local issues, parking, noise complaints
🚒 Fire Brigade
Fires and rescue services
⚕️ Medical Info
Non-emergency medical advice
🏥 Red Cross
Medical assistance and transport
🏥 Major Hospitals by Island
The healthcare system here is excellent. These are the main public hospitals (Spanish health card accepted), plus key private options.
| Island | Hospital | Location | Phone | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | Hospital Universitario de Canarias | La Laguna | 922 678 000 | Public |
| Tenerife | Hospital del Sur | Arona (near Los Cristianos) | 922 757 000 | Public |
| Tenerife | Hospiten Sur | Playa de las Américas | 922 750 022 | Private |
| Gran Canaria | Hospital Doctor Negrín | Las Palmas | 928 450 000 | Public |
| Gran Canaria | Hospital Insular | Las Palmas | 928 444 000 | Public |
| Gran Canaria | Hospiten Roca | Playa del Inglés | 928 063 600 | Private |
| Lanzarote | Hospital Doctor José Molina Orosa | Arrecife | 928 595 000 | Public |
| Fuerteventura | Hospital General de Fuerteventura | Puerto del Rosario | 928 531 799 | Public |
| La Palma | Hospital General de La Palma | Breña Alta | 922 185 000 | Public |
💊 Finding Pharmacies (Farmacias)
Pharmacies are everywhere and incredibly helpful. Look for the green cross, it's lit up when they're open.
What You Need to Know
Normal Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-13:30 and 16:30-20:00, Saturday mornings only
24-Hour Pharmacies: Major towns have rotating duty pharmacies (farmacia de guardia). Check the rota posted on any pharmacy door or search online for "farmacia de guardia" + your town.
Useful Apps: "Farmacias de Guardia" shows nearest open pharmacy with GPS
No Prescription Needed: Many medications available over the counter that would need prescriptions elsewhere
🌊 Common Issues & How to Handle Them
Sunburn & Heat Issues
The Canary sun is stronger than you think, even on cloudy days. I've seen too many lobster-red tourists who learned this the hard way!
Smart Sun Protection
- Use factor 50 sunscreen, reapply every 2 hours and after swimming
- Early signs of heatstroke: dizziness, nausea, rapid pulse, get in shade immediately
- Drink water constantly, not just when thirsty
- For bad sunburn: cool compress, after sun lotion, ibuprofen. If blistering or fever develops, see a doctor
Ocean Safety
The Atlantic can be unpredictable. Always check the beach flag system before swimming.
| Flag Color | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Green | Safe to swim | Go ahead, but stay aware |
| 🟡 Yellow | Caution | Swim near shore, avoid inflatables |
| 🔴 Red | Dangerous | Do not enter the water |
| ⚫ Black | Beach closed | Absolutely no swimming |
Rip Current Safety
- If caught: don't fight it, swim parallel to shore until free, then swim back
- Jellyfish sting: rinse with seawater (not fresh water), apply vinegar if available, seek medical help for severe reactions
Theft & Pickpocketing
The islands are safe, but tourist areas attract opportunistic thieves. It's about being smart, not paranoid.
Prevention Tips
- Never leave valuables on the beach, even "just for a minute"
- Car break-ins are common at hiking spots, take everything with you
- Crowded markets and buses: keep bags in front, zipped shut
- If robbed: call 091 (National Police) immediately for report, needed for insurance
Lost Passport
Don't panic, this happens more than you'd think.
Action Steps
1. Report to National Police (091), get a "denuncia" (police report)
2. Contact your embassy/consulate immediately
3. UK Citizens:
• British Consulate Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 928 262 508
• British Consulate Las Palmas (Gran Canaria): 928 262 508
• Plaza Weyler 8-1, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Open: Monday-Friday 08:30-14:00 (08:00-13:30 July/August)
4. Most embassies can issue emergency travel documents within 24-48 hours
Stomach Issues
Tap water is safe but heavily chlorinated, can upset sensitive stomachs initially.
Quick Fixes
- Stick to bottled water first few days if needed
- Pharmacy remedies: "Fortasec" (anti-diarrhoeal), "Omeprazol" (upset stomach)
- If severe or lasting 24+ hours with fever: see a doctor
🏨 Tourist Medical Centers
These centers cater specifically to visitors with multilingual staff and familiar with travel insurance.
| Location | Center Name | Phone | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playa de las Américas | Médica Sur | 922 797 612 | EN, DE, ES |
| Puerto del Carmen (Lanzarote) | British Surgery | 928 514 274 | EN, ES |
| Playa del Inglés | International Medical Center | 928 771 962 | EN, DE, ES, NL |
| Costa Teguise (Lanzarote) | Lanzarote Medical Center | 928 827 967 | EN, ES, FR |
📋 Essential Phrases
A little Spanish goes a long way in emergencies:
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | ¡Ayuda! | ah-YOO-dah |
| I need a doctor | Necesito un médico | neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh |
| Call an ambulance | Llame una ambulancia | YAH-meh OO-nah am-boo-LAN-see-ah |
| Where is the hospital? | ¿Dónde está el hospital? | DON-deh es-TAH el os-pee-TAL |
| I'm allergic to... | Soy alérgico/a a... | soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh/kah ah |
| Pharmacy | Farmacia | far-MAH-see-ah |
Final Words of Wisdom
- Travel Insurance: Seriously, get it. European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC) covers public healthcare for EU/UK visitors, but private treatment or repatriation needs insurance.
- Screenshots: Save this page or screenshot key numbers, you won't have internet when you need them most.
- Local Knowledge: Hotel staff, bar owners, and locals know their area best, don't hesitate to ask for help.
- Stay Calm: Emergency services here are professional and efficient. You're in good hands.
