Connected on the Island
Staying connected in Gran Canaria is easy and affordable. Mobile coverage is excellent in populated areas, WiFi is available in most establishments and European travelers can use their mobile plan without additional costs thanks to roaming.
This guide explains all your options to communicate without surprises.
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EU Roaming
For European Travelers
Since 2017, EU roaming works like at home.
| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Countries included | EU + EEA + United Kingdom (GHIC) |
| Additional cost | None (your usual rate) |
| Data limit | According to your contract |
| Calls/SMS | Like at home |
| Canary Islands | Included (it's Spain) |
Precautions
| Situation | Advice |
|-----------|--------|
| Unlimited data at home | May have limit in roaming |
| Virtual operators | Verify roaming coverage |
| Nearby islands (Morocco) | NOT included, very expensive |
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Local SIM
For Travelers Outside EU
If you come from outside the EU, a local SIM is the most economical option.
| Operator | Prepaid SIM | Data | Price |
|----------|-------------|------|-------|
| Vodafone | Yes | 15-50 GB | €15-30 |
| Orange | Yes | 20-40 GB | €15-25 |
| Movistar | Yes | 15-30 GB | €15-25 |
| Yoigo | Yes | 20-50 GB | €12-20 |
Where to Buy
| Place | Advantage | Document |
|-------|-----------|----------|
| Operator stores | Personal help | ID/Passport |
| El Corte Inglés | Various operators | ID/Passport |
| Tobacco shops | Quick | ID/Passport |
| Airport | Immediate | ID/Passport |
Activation
| Step | Note |
|------|------|
| 1. Buy SIM | With identity document |
| 2. Insert | In unlocked phone |
| 3. Activate | Online or by call |
| 4. Top up | If prepaid |
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Mobile Coverage
By Area
| Area | 4G/5G | 3G | Note |
|------|-------|-----|------|
| Las Palmas | Excellent | Excellent | 5G available |
| Maspalomas/South | Excellent | Excellent | Tourist area |
| Coastal towns | Very good | Excellent | No problems |
| Interior/Mountains | Variable | Good | Some spots without coverage |
| Ravines | Limited | Variable | Depends on location |
Operators by Coverage
| Operator | General Coverage | Rural |
|----------|------------------|-------|
| Movistar | Excellent | Best in rural |
| Vodafone | Excellent | Very good |
| Orange | Very good | Good |
| Yoigo | Good | Acceptable |
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WiFi
Free WiFi
| Place | Quality | Note |
|-------|---------|------|
| Hotels | Variable | Free or included |
| Restaurants | Good | With purchase |
| Cafés | Good | With purchase |
| Shopping centers | Acceptable | Free |
| Airport | Good | Free 1h |
| Libraries | Good | Free |
WiFi in Las Canteras
| Area | Public WiFi |
|------|-------------|
| Parque Santa Catalina | Yes, municipal |
| Las Canteras Promenade | Limited |
| Terraces/bars | With purchase |
WiFi in Accommodation
| Accommodation Type | WiFi |
|--------------------|------|
| Hotels 4-5** | Included, good |
| Hotels 2-3** | Included, variable |
| Apartments | Almost always included |
| Airbnb | Check in listing |
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eSIM
Modern Option
eSIMs are digital SIMs, without a physical card.
| Provider | Data | Price | Duration |
|----------|------|-------|----------|
| Airalo | 5-20 GB | €10-30 | 15-30 days |
| Holafly | Unlimited | €20-50 | 7-30 days |
| Nomad | 5-15 GB | €12-25 | 15-30 days |
eSIM Advantages
| Advantage | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| Immediate | Activate before traveling |
| No stores | Everything online |
| Dual SIM | Keep your number |
| Rechargeable | Add data easily |
Requirements
- eSIM compatible phone (iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 4+...)
- Connection to download the profile
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International Calls
From Mobile (EU Roaming)
| Destination | Cost (EU roaming) |
|-------------|-------------------|
| To your EU country | Your rate |
| To Spain | Your rate |
| To other EU countries | Your rate |
| Outside EU | International rates |
With Local SIM
| Destination | Approx. Cost |
|-------------|--------------|
| Spain (local) | Included |
| EU | €0.20-0.50/min |
| USA | €0.30-0.80/min |
| Others | Variable |
Economical Options
| Option | Cost | Quality |
|--------|------|---------|
| WhatsApp/Telegram | Data | Excellent |
| Skype | Low | Good |
| FaceTime | Data | Excellent |
| Prepaid cards | Low | Variable |
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Useful Apps
Communication
| App | Use | Data |
|-----|-----|------|
| WhatsApp | Messages, calls | Low |
| Telegram | Messages | Low |
| FaceTime | Video calls (iOS) | Medium |
| Skype | International calls | Medium |
| Zoom | Video calls | High |
Translation
| App | Functionality |
|-----|---------------|
| Google Translate | Camera, voice, text |
| DeepL | High quality |
| Apple Translate | iOS integrated |
Maps (Offline)
| App | Offline Download |
|-----|------------------|
| Google Maps | Yes |
| Maps.me | Yes, optimized offline |
| Apple Maps | Yes (iOS 15+) |
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Useful Numbers
Emergencies
| Service | Number |
|---------|--------|
| Emergencies (general) | 112 |
| National Police | 091 |
| Local Police | 092 |
| Ambulance | 112 |
Information
| Service | Number |
|---------|--------|
| Directory enquiries | 11818 |
| Official time | 093 |
| Tourist information | 928 21 96 00 |
Prefixes
| Prefix | Use |
|--------|-----|
| +34 | Spain (country) |
| 928 | Gran Canaria (landline) |
| 6XX/7XX | Spain mobiles |
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Data Cost
Typical Consumption
| Activity | Consumption/Hour |
|----------|------------------|
| WhatsApp text | 1-2 MB |
| WhatsApp call | 30-40 MB |
| WhatsApp video | 150-200 MB |
| Instagram | 100-150 MB |
| Google Maps | 5-10 MB |
| HD video streaming | 1-3 GB |
| Music streaming | 50-100 MB |
Data Saving
| Tip | Savings |
|-----|---------|
| Download maps offline | High |
| WiFi for videos | Very high |
| Disable auto-play | Medium |
| Data saver mode | Medium |
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Remote Work
Coworking Spaces
| Space | Location | Price/Day |
|-------|----------|-----------|
| CoworkIn | Las Palmas | €15-25 |
| Work From | Las Canteras | €20-30 |
| LaOficina | Mesa y López | €12-20 |
Connection Requirements
| Need | Solution |
|------|----------|
| Video calls | Hotel WiFi or coworking |
| File uploads | WiFi (mobile limited upload) |
| VPN | Works without problems |
| Backup connection | Local SIM as backup |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does my European mobile work in the Canaries?
Yes, without additional costs. The Canary Islands are part of Spain and the EU, so European roaming applies normally.
Do I need a local SIM if I'm from the EU?
No, you can use your usual rate thanks to roaming. Only if you need lots of data (more than your contract includes) might a local SIM be worthwhile.
Is there free WiFi on the beach?
Municipal WiFi is limited. Most terraces and beach bars offer WiFi with purchase. Having mobile data is recommended.
Does 5G work in Gran Canaria?
Yes, major cities (Las Palmas, Maspalomas) have 5G coverage from Movistar and Vodafone. 4G coverage is excellent throughout the island.
Which SIM is best for tourists?
Vodafone or Orange have the best prepaid rates for tourists, with good coverage and competitive prices (€15-25 for 20-40 GB).Is there coverage in the mountains?
Variable. On main roads and viewpoints there's coverage. In ravines and very isolated areas it can be null or very weak. Download offline maps as a precaution.
Can I use my mobile for GPS?
Yes, Google Maps and other apps work perfectly. Download the offline map of Gran Canaria before going to rural areas in case you lose coverage.
Is it expensive to call Spain from my country?
With EU roaming it's like calling at home. From outside the EU, use WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype with WiFi for free calls.