Spain cracks down: New rules for rowdy vacationers
Spain is putting a stop to the unruly travelers who wreak havoc on its golden shores. Local authorities across the country have implemented new measures to reign in rowdy tourists.
Measures include fines for urinating in the ocean, charges for drunk swimmers who need to be fished out of the sea, drink limits in all-inclusive resorts, shampoo bans on beaches, and outlawing soccer jerseys in certain bars.
For example, authorities in the northwest coastal town of Vigo told vacationers that they face fines of 750 euros ($775) if they are caught urinating in the crystal waters that hug its shores.
The rule is part of a wider operation to "sanitize" local beaches for the summer rush. Officials said temporary public restrooms will be erected at peak times, but anyone caught urinating on the beach or in the sea will face the long arm of the law.
Related: Spanish airline wants to bring the airship era back
One person took to Twitter to ask: "I'm fascinated… how would they know? Will someone be scanning the sea with binoculars searching for those tell-tell smiles of relief perhaps?"
A red card for anyone wearing a soccer shirt in a bar
A chain of restaurants on the popular island of Mallorca is cracking down on disorderly behavior by banning certain clothing associated with drunken tourism.
The venues — all part of the Palma Beach brand in the party resort of Playa de Palma — have outlawed a range of items including soccer shirts, swimwear, novelty accessories from street stalls (such as glow-in-the-dark sunglasses), and T-shirts that promote drinking.
Related: How to pick which Canary Islands you should visit in the summer
So far, 11 restaurants are enforcing the ban, and more are expected to join.
Drinking limits at all-inclusive resorts
British sun-seekers looking forward to boozy holidays in the Balearic region shouldn't get their hopes up: Authorities introduced new rules banning limitless drinking on all-inclusive packages.
Part of the Balearic government's new tourism law — which was passed in early February and aims to attract "quality tourism" — is focused on ridding resorts of the "loutish" behavior some British tourists have unleashed on its picturesque towns and beaches for decades.
Related: Are Spanish all-inclusives really ditching limitless booze? Only if you go to these places
According to a letter sent by tour operator Thomas Cook to customers confirming the new rule updates, "all-inclusive" no longer means unlimited drinks. Instead, vacationers will be allowed three drinks at lunch and three drinks at dinner as part of their packages. Any more and they'll have to pay for them.
Meanwhile, drinking on the street in certain cities such as Barcelona and Madrid could land tourists a fine of up to 600 euros ($623).
Megaphone bans and whispering tours
Barcelona residents are tired of the gaggles of tourists meandering down its winding cobbled streets. So, officials have put a limit on the number of people allowed to take part in a tour.
In the city center, tour groups are now capped at 15 people (though groups of up to 30 are allowed in more spacious parts of the city). Megaphones are also banned, and guides have been told to speak quietly in narrow streets or only explain their points in open areas, such as squares.
Guided groups can only flow in one direction and are limited to 24 streets.
Pay for your own sea rescue
Partygoers who try to swim in the sea after a few drinks will now have to foot the bill for their own rescue in San Sebastian.
City officials made the rules after two drunken swimmers — one from Spain and the other from Brazil — had to be fished out of the ocean by the coast guard in an operation involving 20 responders; it ultimately cost the Spanish taxpayers 6,006 euros ($6,246).
So, in a bid to make people think twice before taking a dip after a night out, officials in the Basque city say swimmers who get into trouble as a result of negligence or recklessness will be charged for their own rescue.
Smoking on the beach
If you're the type who likes to take your nicotine boosts under a hot sun with your feet in the sand, watch out.
Smoking has been banned on some beaches including ones in Barcelona, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. Look out for signs and designated smoking areas, or ask someone about the rules before you spark up.
If you're caught smoking in areas where it is banned, you could face fines of up to 2,000 euros ($2,080).
Fines for balcony jumping
"Balconing" is the practice of flinging oneself from a hotel balcony into a swimming pool below. Or, no less perilously, jumping between the balconies of a high-rise hotel.
The trouble is, it's not as death-defying as some have thought, and the practice has caused a number of fatalities at Spanish resorts in recent years.
So, unsurprisingly, authorities in the Balearic Islands have told vacationers they face a fine of 60,000 euros ($61,975) if caught in the act.
The end of topless tourism
Authorities in Barcelona and on the island of Mallorca are keen to bring an air of sophistication to their towns. So, they have banned women in bikinis and topless men from walking about city centers.
In some areas, it's even prohibited to walk from your car to the beach without a shirt on — an offense that can carry a fine of up to 300 euros ($310).
Less power in the shower
This last rule applies less to drunken tourists and more to clean ones: Authorities across Spain have exerted their power over beach showers by banning shampoo.
Related: Common misconceptions about the Canary Islands
There is a legitimate reason, though. The chemicals in certain soaps, shower gels and shampoos are harmful to marine wildlife, so releasing your suds into the sea across Spain now carries a fine of up to 750 euros ($775).
Bottom line
Vacationers heading to Spain should be careful to respect these new Spanish laws or risk facing large fines. Keep the rowdiness to a minimum when visiting this beautiful European destination.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.