Health and Wellbeing
You've worked long and hard for your holiday or day off and in an increasingly stressful world it's essential to kick back and chill out once in a while and where better than the Costa del Sol!
Keeping fit and healthy in Southern Spain is child's play and largely a matter of common sense, but whether watersports, sightseeing, white knuckle activities or simply crashing out on the beach after partying until dawn are on the agenda, make sure you're always armed with plenty of sun tan cream and a bottle of water, and avoid exposing your skin to the sun's most powerful rays (between 11am and 3pm).
While fewer people opt actively to lie in the sun day after day, your body will still be exposed to potentially harmful and ageing UV rays whenever you are outdoors, particularly if you are near the sea or inland lake.
Wear sunscreen with the correct SPF factor for your skin, as well as a hat and sunglasses, and even before you start to suspect that you may have overdone it, cover up with a light shirt. If you have left it too late, soak a tissue in vinegar and apply to ease the burning, or resort to the age old remedy of calamine lotion.
You should also drink plenty of water. Don't wait until you feel thirsty! To ensure optimum hyrdration, especially if you've been drinking alcohol. Tap water is safe to drink in Spain, (unless you are in the countryside and drinking from a well). Never drink from a source marked 'Agua No Potable', this is recycled water used for irrigation and is not suitable for consumption.
Fresh seafood is one of the many attractions of the Mediterranean diet, but take care as you would anywhere else in the world. When it comes to mussels, oysters and clams - if the shells are closed, don't eat them.
Health Care, both in the public and private sector in Spain is first-class, and most hospitals and clinics in tourist areas have interpreting services available.
Non emergencies - If you have an E111 form or your social security number (for those residing in Spain), you can go to a public clinic or hospital. If you do not have your E111 form with you, then you will have to go to a private clinic with your travel insurance or private health insurance papers.
Emergencies - Regardless on whether you have an E111 or Private Insurance, a Public Hospital will accept all cases. Make sure you take your passport or social security number and if you have your E111 take that too.
For minor problems, a chemist (Farmacia) will give you sound advice as well as stocking most of the over-the-counter drugs you are familiar with.
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Useful Phrases
| I am ill | Estoy enfermo |
| Doctor / Dentist | Medico / Dentista |
| I have a - | Tengo - |
| - Temperature | - Fiebre |
| - Pain | - Dolor |
| - Shivers | - Escalofrios |
| Is it broken? | Esta roto? |
| Sprained | Torcido |
| Bruised | Contusion |
| Burn | Quemadura |
| Allergic | Alergico |
| Diabetic | Diabetico |
| Epileptic | Epileptico |
