Language

Both Catalan and Spanish are spoken in the Balearic Islands, including in Menorca, although the Catalan-based Menorquin is favored by most locals. You can easily get by with standard Castilian Spanish, however, and everyone in the tourist industry speaks English. Large resorts also have German and Italian-speaking desk staff.

Currency

Spain uses the euro (€), with notes from €5 to €500 and coins from 1 cent to €2 available. Banks, currency booths at the airport, travel agencies, and main hotels can all exchange money, but try to avoid doing so at hotels due to unfavorable exchange rates. ATMs are located in the towns and resorts, and accept main foreign cards, while major credit cards can be used in shops and mid to high-end restaurants. Alternatively, use euro or pounds sterling-tendered travelers’ checks, which can be exchanged at banks.

Time

Menorca is on Central European Summer Time (UTC+1), along with the rest of Spain.

Electricity

Spain uses the standard European two-pin socket and electricity is delivered at 220V, 50Hz. Those from North America will need to bring adaptors to run devices utilizing 100V, 60Hz. Adaptors are available at Menorca Airport and shops in Mahon and Ciutadella.

Communications

The country code for Spain is +34 and the area code for Menorca 971. Roaming works with most mobile phone operators, while local SIM cards can be had cheaply. Mobile coverage is good all over Spain. Mahon, Ciutadella, and others towns and resorts have internet cafés. There is also wireless in some chain cafés.

Duty-free

Visitors from outside the EU can bring in 200 cigarettes, 250g tobacco, 1 liter of spirits, 2 liters of wine, and 50g of perfume. Visitors from within the EU can bring in 300 cigarettes, 400g of tobacco, and more wine and spirits, but cannot buy duty-free when leaving for another EU country. For those heading back to North America, the limits are 200 cigarettes and 1 liter of spirits.

Tourist Office

The main Tourist Offices are in Mahon and Ciutadella. Mahon Port, Moll de Llevant: +34-971-355-952; Ciutadella, Placa de la Catedral: +34-971-382-693, or http://www.menorca.es/business/418//.

Consulates in Menorca

US Consular Agency, Mallorca: +34-971-403-707 Canadian Embassy, Madrid: +34-913-828-400 British Consulate, Mahon: +34-902-109-356 German Consulate, Mahon: +34-971-361-668 French Consulate, Mahon: +34-971-354-387 Dutch Consulate, Mahon: +34-971-354-363

Emergency

Emergency services: 061