Spain is one of the leading countries in tourism. This Iberian nation left a footprint of the earth by making Spanish one of the most spoken languages around the world and influencing cultures of almost an entire continent of South and Central America. Spain boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean and the incredible Canary islands which are increasingly more popular over the recent years. All of this and much more is waiting to be discovered by new coming tourists. Spain offers a variety of attractions and activities however there are a number of hazards and important information tourists should beware of while visiting.

Traveling info

Because Spain is a member of the Schengen convention all members of this agreement may move freely to Spain for tourist, business, starting a new life or any other purposes without the requirement to obtain any sort of a visa document. The only document required to cross the border is an ID card. There are several countries which are outside of the European Union however they are a part of the Schengen convention. These are Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland. Nationals of countries who are not part of this convention are required to obtain a Schengen visa that will allow them to move freely within the boundaries of the Schengen convention nations. (list of countries in sources). Schengen visa is normally admitted once per half a year for a duration of 90 days. Schengen visa holders can not work or study during their stay within the Schengen boundaries. Visitors who wish to drive in Spain and are citizens of the European Union or the Schengen convention are only required to have their domestic driving permit whilst countries from the outside of EU or the Schengen convention must have both their domestic driving permit and an international driving license with them at all times whilst drive. A certificate of insurance and vehicle registration documents must also be with the driver whilst driving at all times. Foreign tourists will be expected to pay the fine on the spot. This is generally because foreigners rarely return to pay their fines once leaving the country.

Traveling hazards

Driving in Spain is generally safe. Roads are very well paved and maintained. Roadside assistance is available throughout the country with service stations being placed along highways and major routes. Night driving in rural areas might be dangerous due to farm animals often wandering out onto the roads. Madrid and Barcelona have quite a high paced traffic in the cities however expect to be stuck in traffic jams if driving during the rush hours.

Environmental hazards

Spain has a variety of mammals inhabiting the peninsula however none of these animals are reported to have attacked humans in the recent history of the past two decades. Brown bears and Iberian wolves inhabit Spanish lands however sightings are rare and interaction with them even rarer. There are 4 species of venomous snakes in Spain. All of these have venom potent enough to kill a person if antivenom is not given in time. These 4 are the common European viper, Seoane viper, Lataste viper and most dangerous of them all Asp viper. Although fatalities are rare it is a possibility if medical help is not sought as soon as possible after a bite. Swimming in Spain is generally safe. Swimming in the bay of Biscay may be riskier due to the strong currents which may carry swimmers far from coast very quick whereas the Mediterranean coast and the Canary Islands are considered safe. Shark attacks are a possibility both in the Canaries and the Mediterranean with 6 reported attacks since 2014. Although these are rather rare for safety it is advised to avoid swimming with bleeding injuries and to avoid swimming after dusk.
Spain does not suffer from earthquakes nor does it have any active volcanoes however storms causing floods is the most common type of disaster hitting Spain.

Health hazards

There are no outbreaks of any diseases nor are there any requirements as to vaccinations. There are however several vaccines which are recommended before travel. These are the routine vaccines, typhoid and hepatitis A and B. Healthcare in Spain is on a European level. Most doctors and nurses speak English which allows for easy communication. Both Private and Public healthcare provide excellent quality service with short waiting times however private healthcare may come at an expense. Public healthcare is not free for tourists either therefore considering medical insurance is vital.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Spain is generally a safe destination for any kind of travel whether it is tourism, business or student related. Violent crime is very rare however petty crime such as theft is common and particularly targets foreigners. Theft such as pickpocketing and stealing unattended goods are most common. Such theft may happen anywhere in the country including hotel lobbies, therefore, staying aware of surroundings is important. Wandering around at night is generally safe however for safety sticking to tourist areas when exploring at night is advised. Secluded places might be potentially dangerous. To ensure maximum safety it is advised to use the room safes to store valuables and money. Wearing money belts will greatly reduce the chance of being pickpocketed and help to keep money out of sight. Public transport is generally free of crime and safe for use. Recent terrorist attacks in Spain show that Muslim terrorists pose a real threat and may strike anywhere and anytime in the country. Spanish drug laws state that possession or consumption of any amount or kind of narcotics is punishable by administrative sanctions of 600 up to 30 thousand euro.

Summary

Spain is definitely a place to visit. Millions of tourists flock to the peninsula to witness the magnificent landscapes, incredible beaches and beautiful towns and cities across the country. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/spain-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/spain