Maspalomas Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Personal income tax (IRPF) on worldwide income for residents (>183 days) |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
47% (Applicable to income over €300,000) |
| 🧾 VAT |
7% (IGIC - Canary Islands specific General Indirect Tax, lower than mainland VAT) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, Spanish CFC rules apply to prevent tax evasion via foreign entities |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - Annual municipal tax approx. 0.5% - 1.1% |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
6.5% Transfer Tax (ITP) for second-hand properties; 7% IGIC + 1% stamp duty for new |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Beckham Law (Non-residents status) approx. 24% flat tax; Spain Digital Nomad Visa holders benefits |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €157,500 in Playa del Inglés) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €105,000 in El Tablero) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €210,000 in Meloneras/Playa) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €140,000 in San Fernando) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €320,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
4% (Special ZEC Zone for specific business activities, standard is 25%) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
19% - 26% for residents; 19% for non-residents (may be lower with treaties) |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Maspalomas, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria, Spain |
| 👥 Population |
Approximately 35,000 (San Bartolomé de Tirajana municipality is ~84,000) |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 150-300 Mbps (Fiber Optic is widespread) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include BBVA and CaixaBank on Av. de Tirajana |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Safe for hygiene, but most locals prefer bottled water due to high mineral content |
| 🔌 Power |
230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F (standard European sockets) |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Orange, Movistar, and Vodafone (Av. de Tirajana). ~€15-20 for 50GB-100GB prepaid |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Revolut (widely used), N26, and local BBVA accounts for residents |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Bungalow rentals via Airbnb, Idealista, and Fotocasa; monthly rates €1,200 - €2,200 |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, cards and contactless payments accepted in 95% of establishments |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb and Booking.com; Villa rentals via Gran Canaria Stays starting at €150/night |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Hillview Maspalomas or budget apartments near El Tablero; ~€45-60/night |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Meloneras (Luxury/Resorts) and Playa del Inglés (Beaches/Nightlife) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
San Fernando (Local feel, cheaper groceries) and El Tablero (Quiet, residential) |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
SoWorking (Edificio Mercurio, Playa del Inglés) - €15-20/day, €175/month |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Café de Belén (C. de los Jazmines) - Good WiFi and quiet outdoor seating |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Gran Canaria Digital Nomads (Meetup.com) and bi-weekly events at The House (Las Palmas branch) |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Maspalomas Pride (May), Carnival (Feb/March), and Intercambio groups at 19th Hole (Meloneras) |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
PideTaxi (Local app) or Radio Taxi Maspalomas (+34 928 15 47 77). Uber/Cabify not active |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Free Motion (C.C. Kasbah) - E-bikes from €30/day; Moto & Bike Rent (Av. de Tirajana) |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Maspalomas Dunes and Playa de Maspalomas (Stunning sand dunes/nature reserve) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Binter Canarias (Connecting to other islands and Africa from LPA Airport) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Iberia, Vueling, and Ryanair (LPA - Gran Canaria Airport) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
GC-1 Highway (South to North connection, 30 mins to Las Palmas) |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
No trains; Estación de Guaguas Faro de Maspalomas (Main bus hub) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
TransGC Card (Reloadable card for Global buses, 10-20% discount) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Global Bus Lines (Blue buses); Route 30 to Las Palmas, Route 91 to Puerto de Mogán |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Hospiten Roca (San Agustín) - Major private hospital with international staff |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Be Your Yoga (Playa del Inglés) - €15/class; Om Shanti Yoga (Meloneras) |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Titan Gym (C.C. Oasis) - €50/month; Holidayworld Maspalomas Health Club |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Speed Queen (Av. de Gran Canaria) - €5-8 per wash/dry cycle |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
Glovo and Just Eat are the primary services for Maspalomas |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Wrinkled potatoes with spicy sauce) - €6-8 |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
BioLoco (C.C. Yumbo) - Vegan burgers and shakes; Aloha 37 (Healthy bowls) |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Heladería Helamore (Meloneras) - Premium Italian gelato; Pâtisserie de Paris |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Mercado Municipal de San Fernando (Wed/Sat); Mercadona and HiperDino (El Tablero) |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Amazon.es (Shipping to Canary Islands takes 3-7 days due to customs) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Mercadona Online (Fee €7.21) and Carrefour.es |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Yumbo Centrum (Famous LGBTQ+ hub) and C.C. Kasbah (Playa del Inglés) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Tropical (Local beer) and Texeda (Craft beer from nearby mountain village Te Jeda) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
El Senador (Beachfront Meloneras) - Excellent local Canarian Malvasía wines |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Nomad Gastro Market (Holidayworld Maspalomas) - Indoor food hall with 20+ stalls |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Samsara (Fusion/Asian near Faro); Rimini (Italian at Av. de Tirajana) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Dunas de Maspalomas (Protected dunes), Faro de Maspalomas (Lighthouse) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Mundo Aborigen (Guerrero, Fataga road) – Pre-Hispanic history museum |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Casa Condal San Fernando (Heritage house/cultural center) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Templo Ecuménico de El Salvador (Playa del Inglés) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Maspalomas Soul Festival (San Agustín, July), Winter Pride (November) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
San Fernando de Maspalomas (Authentic residential cultural hub) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Expomeloneras (Convention center for major shows and concerts) |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Market San Fernando (Wednesdays and Saturdays, 08:00–14:00) |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Tipsy Hammock (Live music beachfront), 19th Hole (Meloneras live bands) |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Murals around El Tablero and San Fernando primary schools |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Hestia (Las Palmas - 45 mins away) offers Canarian cookery sessions |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Centro Cultural de Maspalomas (Rotating local art exhibits) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Faro de Maspalomas (Built 1890, iconic maritime architecture) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
The 'Palo Canario' (Stick fighting) and Lucha Canaria (Wrestling) demonstrations |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Palmitos Park (Botanical/Zoolgocial park), Fataga Valley (The 'Grand Canyon' of Gran Canaria) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Tamadaba Natural Park (1 hour drive); Pilancones Natural Park (Accessible from the south) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
Paseo Marítimo (Meloneras to San Agustín), Ayagaures road for road cycling |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Mirador de las Dunas (Near Riu Palace Maspalomas) |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
La Charca de Maspalomas (Lagoon hosting migratory birds) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Strictly regulated; only permitted in designated BBQ zones like Presa de las Niñas |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Correos (Av. de Tirajana); SEUR; DHL (Meloneras) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Informática Mogán (San Fernando); Movil-Sat Maspalomas |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Holidayworld Maspalomas Fun Park |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
El Capitan Spanish School (C.C. Eurocenter) - Intensive courses from €180 |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Biblioteca Municipal de Maspalomas (San Fernando) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Centro Sociocultural de Mayores (San Fernando) |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
The Game Zone (Holidayworld Maspalomas) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Gran Casino Costa Meloneras (Hotel Lopesan Costa Meloneras) |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING MASPALOMAS