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Travel
Tips Check out our A - Zees providing some useful travel tips, based on our Lessons Learned. They should help you get acquainted with the Portuguese experience and answer some of your FAQs "Frequently Asked Questions". Airports: You can fly into the three major airports; driving times off-rush hour are provided; add and extra 1-2 hours during rush hour or better still avoid peak times
Airports Arrival-Departure Info: This is an invaluable website for Arrival and Departure info at Portugal's Airports; it also provides useful info on all airport services; Visit Portugal's Airports Airports Process - From Airplane to Baggage Pickup: On exiting the airplane the process through Passport Control and Baggage pickup is very slow so work on your patience and use the washroom before you leave the airplane; plan for an hour to exit the airport
Airport Transfers - Faro: If you are not up for renting a car, and would like the comfort of a flexible/reliable Airport Transfer Service with a very easy meeting process, you will appreciate this service; Alan Sutton operates a great Airport Transfer Service with licensed and insured operations and drivers
Banks: Hours are usually 08:30 - 15:00 Monday to Friday (closed weekends); you can use your bank card at most ATMs (bank machines) to withdraw local currency (Euros €); banking machine in small remote towns have a low withdrawl allowance and are often out of funds, so prepare for this; service fees apply to each withdrawl from ATMs; it is worth comparing the exchange rate from your ATM withdrawl vs your credit card exchange rate Beaches: Topless is in, if you enjoy the freedom; sunscreen and a beach umbrella are a "must have"; bring a Frisbee or football; beach umbrellas, beach towels and beach chairs can be purchased at most major supermarkets and at Praia Dona Ana for reasonable prices; we prefer to use a huge beach blanket to dump our gear on and to avoid getting sand in our bags Bathrooms: Great clean public bathrooms, located at the Lagos Town Waterfront, are a real relief after your walk into or around town; refer to the Lagos Old Town Map Books: If you have an abundance of holiday time and are looking for loads more detail on Portugal and the other wonderful regions to visit, check out our favourite books
Buses Lagos: If you did not choose to rent a car and would like another means of transportation for the longer treks, take the local "A ONDA Buses"; they offer a great and modern local bus system in Lagos with stops directly in front of our apartment buildings; the buses are reasonable priced and superb for zipping around town, to the beaches and even to neighbouring towns. Many of our clients use the local buses regularly, especially during winter long stays; this local means of transport is convenient and efficient most days, depending on traffic; the buses service both the town of Lagos and the outlying areas of the Lagos municipality
Buses - Inter-city: These buses provide an inexpensive means of taking excursions to other cities in the Algarve or to other parts of Portugal; there are plenty of choices of buses; pick-up a schedule at the Lagos Bus Terminal; see Lagos Main Map; there are two bus companies providing service from Lagos to other towns and cities in Portugal; check out our Excursions - Lisboa - Getting there from Lagos for further details on routes, fares and schedules Car Rental: A must if you like to explore, need flexibility and enjoy your freedom; not necessary if you are OK with a lot of walking into town, to nearby beaches and restaurants in close proximity to our Dona Ana (DA) apartment and apartment at Vilabranca (VB); gas in Portugal is expensive, so you may prefer to rent a smaller car or one with diesel; ensure that you take out sufficient car insurance coverage; deductibles are high
Chemists/Pharmacies: The Chemists/Pharmacists in the Lagos area have been very knowledgeable and very helpful in assisting with our needs; the Jan 24, 2008 edition of the Portugal Resident web-site (http://portugalresident.com) provided a handy list of Chemists/Pharmacies across the Algarve; please note that this list is subject to change so it's best to give them a call and to double check their location and hours before you set out. List of Chemists/Pharmacies. Clothing - Appropriate Attire: Casual by day; semi-formal by night for dining out; fun clothes for the bars/discos; beach attire should be covered over for roaming around town, in shops and at restaurants; dress with respect to enter churches Clothing - What to Pack - Spring/Fall/Winter: Bathing suit; beach towel; casual pants; fleece; hat; jeans; leather jacket; sweaters; running shoes; sandals; shorts; long and short sleeve tops; sunglasses; walking shoes; umbrella; windbreaker Clothing - What to Pack - Summer: Aqua socks; bathing suit; beach towel; beach blanket; hat; light pants; light sweaters; running shoes; sandals; shorts; sleeveless tops; sunglasses; beach umbrella; walking shoes Country Code: +351 Credit Cards: Most major credit cards are accepted in the larger shops; check before you load up your shopping basket; also verify the credit card exchange rate with your bank before your leave on holiday; it is worth comparing your credit card exchange rate with the exchange rate from your ATM (bank machine) withdrawl in Portugal Currency: Euro €; contact your local exchange office for current exchange rates; most foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks and exchange offices Driving: Portuguese drivers seem to enjoy the thrill of driving on the edge, so be cautious and have your defensive driving skills tuned up. Ensure that you give your self a wider than normal birth from on-coming vehicles when overtaking. Highway driving can be dangerous at times, but you'll be fine as long as you moderate your speed DVD: European DVDs are in a format that is different from other continents; e.g. so if you purchase a DVD in Portugal, it will not play on your DVD player in another continent e.g. North America Electricity: Electricity in Portugal is incredibly expensive as compared to many other countries, so we are careful with our consumption. Be sensible with your usage to avoid exceeding the base electricity fee built into your apartment rental rates. Excess charges apply for most accommodation rentals. Electricity Voltage: 220 volts
Electrical Outlets: Rounded two prong plugs; remember to bring adaptor plugs for your electrical appliances Emergency Contact: "112" is Portugal's national emergency response telephone number for police, fire and medical emergencies; this is a free direct number from any Portuguese phone (public, landline or mobile)
Facts: Check out the Lonely Planet site for additional Easy to Read facts on Portugal Festivals: Local festivals are a refreshing way to experience the Portuguese culture; they usually involve food and refreshments and music; drag yourself away from the beach and get more details at the tourist office Film: Major brands and processing are widely available and expensive; buy your film at home Flights:
Gas Stations: Gas stations are in abundance; most are self-serve and some offer service; you may shriek at the price if you are from North America; diesel is much cheaper and makes the added expense of renting a diesel car worthwhile if you plan any major road trips Highways: Portugal's new highways are world class and have been dramatically improved over the years with the funding from the European Union (EU); these improvements make getting around Portugal quick and easy and an absolute pleasure; most have toll fees, payable on exit History: Check out the Lonely Planet site for an easy of Portugal's History Insects: Ants are in abundance across the Algarve during the warmer months; ants are attracted to food scraps and garbage left lying around, so remember to put your garbage into the closed large Garbage/Rubbish receptacles located at roadside in all neighbourhoods, daily; insecticides are available at most supermarkets; use insect repellents to deter mosquitoes Language: Portuguese is the official language; most Portuguese elders only speak their native Portuguese; the younger 40 and under generation, speak a second language (usually English or German in the Algarve; French north of Lisboa); a second language is now mandatory in Portuguese schools; enhance your Portuguese experience and Speak the Lingo Medical Facilities: A small hospital is located at Lagos Town Waterfront; we had the unfortunate experience to test out this facility as our friend Tim cut is thumb badly, prying open a salt shaker with a knife; the hospital did a great job sewing him up and staff were very helpful; be prepared to pay cash; hospitals are also located in Portimão and Faro; private medical practices are run by doctors (British; Portuguese; German), offering personalized care and can be expensive; ensure that you have adequate medical insurance; also refer to Emergency Contact above Medical Insurance: Based on our experience it is advisable to take out comprehensive medical insurance; you will have to pay cash for medical services, and claim a refund from your insurance provider. Opening Hours: Most shops and businesses close between 13:00-15:00; check out specific hours for your place of interest as your roam around town; Note: The Mega Supermarkets don't close at lunch
Phone Calls: International calls are more affordable at the Portugal Telecom at the Town Waterfront or via public pay phones; it's best to use your calling card and your local Country Direct Number (e.g. Canada Direct; USA Direct, etc.). Phone - Public Pay Phones: For the very few holiday travelers who have resisted owning a mobile phone or whose mobile phones do not work on the European networks, you will appreciate a few tips on nearby public pay phones. Pay phones are located throughout Lagos and a few near our apartment building. The are generally located near the street in front of apartment complexes and restaurants. You will pass by them as you walk around. Phone Cards: You can buy pay phone cards at any newspaper stand. It is worth purchasing one at the airport, on arrival so that you have it handy. Some pay phones do still accept coins, but not many. The Lagos Post Offices sell phone cards of larger denominations than the newspaper stands. Look for the phone symbol on our Handy Maps for a few of the nearest phone booths located throughout the town. Phone - Mobile Phone Rental Service: Check with your mobile provider to confirm that your mobile will work in Portugal and understand the associated cost for usage. If you do not have a Europe friendly mobile phone and would like the convenience of having a mobile phone while on holidays, there is a option. RentaCellularphone.com provides a mobile phone rental service for travelers. It is very much a cost benefit decision. We have clients who have rented the service and who are very happy with it. We have others who feel that the convenience does not warrant the cost. Quote from a SimplyLagos client who used their service: "They were very reasonably priced. The phone worked well and it was as easy as they said it was going to be to activate. They were a very good company to work with and we would definitely use them again for future travels." Photography: Indoor shots - ensure that there are no restrictions before taking photos; people shots - be respectful and ask permission Post Office: Main office is located at the Town Waterfront beside Portugal Telecom; look for the bright red signage "Correios" Public Holidays: In addition to the public holidays below, each town celebrates the feast day of its own patron saint; inquire at the tourist office; as some holiday dates vary from year to year, you can get more precise dates via Holidays in Portugal - Useful International Statutory Holidays
Radio Station: Portugal has an awesome selection of radio stations; they play a variety of Portuguese and International music; tune in to get a flavour of the Portuguese culture and to get an ear for the Portuguese language; listed below, check our favourites and find yours:
Reststops: Most major highways have frequent reststops, approximately every 40 minutes; they are clean and outfitted with gas stations, snackbars, bathrooms, and lots of parking Security: Although Lagos and surrounding areas are safe, be house smart and street smart; remember that crime is international
Smoking: This habit is widely practiced in Portugal; some public buildings have moved to "non-smoking"; dine out on a patio if the smoke bothers you Street Signs: You will quickly discover that in general, Portuguese streets are not well-signed; street signs may be non-existent, or printed on tiles affixed to the side/corner of a building or faintly engraved on a building or on little cement posts; as a result it makes it very difficult for a Portuguese local to provide you with any comprehendible directions; and it is even more of a challenge to navigate using a map; be ready for the adventure. Taxis: If you are not up for
renting a car, there is a taxi stand with plenty of taxis (most
of which are Mercedes) at the Lagos Town Waterfront, right at Swirl
Sculpture Roundabout B; see Lagos Main Map; alternately you can call for a taxi. Taxi
ride from the Faro airport will cost you about 75€ one way;
taxis are not metered and standard fares are based on mileage; confirm
the rate before you begin your journey. Telephones: See Phone above. Tipping/Gratuities: 10-15%; check to ensure that the gratuity is not already included in your bill. Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time; same as the UK; Eastern Standard Time + 5 hours; this handy time zone web-site www.timeanddate.com provides confirmation of time zones around the world. It is particularly useful to verify the time difference between Portugal and your home country during the time change period in the spring and fall, as many countries make the switch on different dates. Tourist Offices: Your local Portugal Trade and Tourism Offices can provide you with useful highway maps of Portugal and colourful brochures loaded with great photos. A few are listed below.
Trains - Inter-city: These trains provide a comfortable and inexpensive means of taking excursions to other cities in the Algarve or to other parts of Portugal; there are plenty of choices of trains, including a great one from Lagos to Lisbon, with several stops along the way; this offers a relaxing way to see the countryside; you can purchase either an economy or first class fare on most trains; pick-up a schedule and further details at the Lagos Train Station; see Lagos Main Map. The Portuguese Railway Network is complex. Check out our Excursions - Lisboa - Getting there from Lagos for further details on routes, fares and schedules. Travel Agents: The following travel agents have an abundance of knowledge on Portugal, and can offer you the best flight and car rental options to combine with our apartments. They are our favourite choices to travel to Portugal based on our own experiences.
Water Drinking: Stick with bottled water, available at all supermarkets and restaurants; play it safe; bottled water is available in non-carbonated "agua com gaz" and carbonated "agua sem gaz" (popular in Portugal) Water Pressure: Water pressure is often low, so be ready to adjust your expectations and reduce your stress level early; the average rainfall in the Algarve is very low, so we are always careful to respect our water consumption Weights and Measures: Metric; so bring a conversion table if you are more comfortable with the Imperial system © 2002-2010 SimplyLagos.com, Ken and Marie MacDonald -- All Rights Reserved Visitors to this website are subject to the Terms of Use This site was designed and constructed by Nautica Web Design |
