Taxi Services - There are a dozen or so private taxis licensed to operate in the Teulada/Moraira area and there is a taxi rank on the Avenida de Madrid in Moraira Village with a telephone available in case there is no cab waiting on the rank.
A telephone call from any bar, restaurant, disco or the like, will speedily bring a cab to the door. Fares are reasonable, in comparison with the U.K., and most taxi drivers are very friendly and helpful but don't forget to have your street name and number as all the drivers carry street guides.

Hire-car Services - Due to the general layout and terrain, a hire-car is a necessity in most cases and, bearing in mind the distances involved, probably the most convenient arrangement is to have a hire car for collection at - and delivery back to - the airport.
There are several firms in the area who are geared up for this service. They will take your order over the telephone and provide the car to meet your flight, which you can pay for with your credit card. It might not be obvious to everyone but the fact is that a local company can attend much more quickly in all cases of breakdown or dissatisfaction than (for example) a well known multi-national company operating solely out of the airport.

AUTOS MORAIRA are centrally located next to Moraira petrol station, CHARLIE RENT-A-CAR, who also have bicycles and a public phone and fax service, are at the Los Pinos Centre and MR CAR is just outside Moraira on the Calpe Road. Another local hire-car-at-the-airport specialist is JAVEA CARS.

Medical Facilities - There are several private clinics in Moraira, each with at least one English-speaking doctor on the staff. There are also one or two independent doctors, dentists, opticians and the like who speak English. DR H. E. LANDA and his associates operate a 24-hour service on the mobile phone number 908 860 153 and every call is answered by an English-speaking doctor. Consequently, whatever the emergency and if you can get to a phone, it is probably best to call this number.
Remember that Spanish medical services have to be paid for (at the moment - up to about 60 Euros for a consultation and minor treatment) so keep the receipt for a possible claim on your holiday insurance.

Chemists - are listed on the Useful Information Page There is always one on duty on a 24-hour basis and every establishment has a list of the "FARMACIAS DE GUARDIA" displayed on the door. The best way is to go to the one closest and consult the list. If the shop which is "on duty" is closed you should ring the bell - but obviously for emergencies only!

Petrol - The petrol stations in Moraira and Teulada are open from 06´00 until 22'00 every day of the year. Outside these times fuel can be obtained on the N332 Alicante/Valencia Road at GATA and CALPE (APPROX. 25 Kms to either).
On the A-7 Motorway, there is a 24-hour service station at VILLAJOYOSA (approx. 45 Kms in the direction of ALICANTE) but the GATA service area (approx. 25 Kms in the direction of VALENCIA) closes at 23'00 and there is no fuel until the end of the motorway (approx. 80 Kms).

Police "Services" on the Roads - When driving please remember that Spain has just introduced new traffic laws which come into line with the rest of the European Community. In particular remember that seatbelts and crash helmets now have to be worn AT ALL TIMES and that the drinking and driving laws are as strict, and the penalties as severe as in other countries.
The car documents must be carried at all times and these are the "Ficha Tecnica", "Permiso de Circulación" and a valid insurance certificate.
Also, in the case of a hired car, there must be a valid contract for hire with alternative NAMED drivers and, of course, the driving licence of the person behind the wheel. If the licence is a normal British one (without the holder's photo for identification) then a passport must be carried as well. At the time of writing there has been much said in the Spanish press about the large number of vehicles on the roads without proper documentation and the Guardia Civil are making regular spot checks.
If you are stopped without documents it is not simply a case of production at the nearest police station within 5 days. There is a mandatory deposit of 300 Euros against the production of the papers in Alicante within 7 days and, in the case of lack of funds, insurance or a driving licence, you could be walking.
The Guardia Civil have access from their vehicles to the national computer which holds records of all Spanish drivers and vehicles but of course this does not include any visitors.
Particular care should be taken when approaching road junctions and roundabouts in respect of the right of way. If there is the international red triangle sign a broad white line or the usual white triangle painted on the road then you must stop COMPLETELY - even if there is no other vehicle in sight. There could be a Guardia Civil, ready to fine you on the spot, hidden behind a wall.

ACCIDENTS: If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident then the procedure is the same as anywhere. If anyone is injured or there is damage (other than to the vehicles involved) then the police MUST be called and the vehicles not moved until they arrive. This could be either the Guardia Civil or the Policia Municipal. Even if there are no injuries and you suspect that the other driver has been drinking or does not have the correct documents then it is wise to call the police anyway.

The Guardia Civil - Spain is like any other country and petty crime, unfortunately, is a fact of life. Be as wary on holiday as you would be at home. Lock your villa, even when you are outside around the pool, do not leave luggage, handbags, cameras or other valuables in your unattended car and ensure that it is always locked. In crowded areas, particularly street markets, keep your bag closed and in front of you, not hung over your shoulder.
Please don't have your wallet on display i.e. visible in your back pocket - an open invitation to pickpockets!
If you are unlucky enough to be robbed you should go to the Guardia Civil and make a statement, as this would be required in order to claim against your holiday insurance. Few police stations have an interpreter, so it is always best to find out first if you don't speak Spanish. If your passport is stolen you would have to obtain a temporary travel document from the British Consular Offices in Alicante. If you lose travellers cheques or credit cards, please remember to have them stopped or cancelled immediately.
Please see the Useful Information Page for opening hours and emergency telephone numbers for the Police.

Estate Agents and Estate Management - Acquiring a property in Spain used to be a precarious business for the unwary but, in recent years, legislation has been introduced to protect the buyer. This applies particularly to the Escritura (Title Deed) as the Notary now has to ensure that a search has been made beforehand at the Land Registry. This, however, does still not provide 100% security for the buyer as there could still be "encumbrances" that the search does not reveal. There are some taxes and municipal rates, for example, which are charged against the property (as opposed to the owners) and these can go back for 5 years. Additionally the building itself could be partly or wholly without the necessary building license or it could at risk of compulsory purchase due to road widening or improvements.
The only sensible and logical way therefore is to employ a lawyer (abogado) or a licensed estate agent (A.P.I.) The API´s provide a particularly vital service as their training requires a minor law degree and a specialized course of study, with a national diploma, in property transaction and management. Their college has a very strict code of ethics and, although they may act for the buyer and seller at the same time, they have an obligation to refer either or both parties to a lawyer if the matter is beyond their jurisdiction. The fact that they are also restricted to charging a maximum fee of 5% means that they are providing relatively economical service with absolute security.
This is not to say that the buyer should not deal initially with the seller (being the owner, developer or even an agent) but that, if this should be the case then either an API or an Abogado should be employed for the conveyance.
The MONTESINOS agency (API) is situated at the top of the Old Main Street and have virtually every property for sale in the area on their database, enabling them to quickly provide a comprehensive listing of properties to suit all tastes an pockets.
Other API's are FALCON, FERRANDO and Jose Lorenzo Mas of ASSA

Another aspect of the Estate Agents business, particularly vital with so many non-resident owners, is the management of estates and properties. There are many residential complexes in the area which have a Community of Owners due to the fact that they have communal property (gardens, swimming pools etc). There are several firms who undertake this business and also act for individual owners - settling their rates and taxes etc and they even offer the service of paying ALL of the outgoings and expenses (water, electricity, telephone etc.). CONSULTING ASOCIADOS with offices close to Moraira Village provide all management services as does Lorenzo Mas's ASSA, Lorenzo is also an API and offers property for sale.

Renting Agencies - Yet another aspect of Estate Management is the renting of villas and apartments and the provision of services. Quite recently the Local Tourist Authority introduced legislation requiring the registration and classification of all tourist properties (even those rented privately) and all of the agencies involved in the business.
The Tourist Information Office has literature extolling the benefits of the registration scheme, both from the point of view of the property owner and the visitor, and will usually find a suitable property by phoning round the agencies.
Although it is still early days, some of the benefits are already noticeable. It is one thing choosing ones holiday accommodation from a glossy brochure or a colour photo but can be quite another when it is viewed "in the flesh". Although one can never be quite sure about quality and condition without actually viewing a property the regulations have established some fairly high minimum standards and, most important of all, set up a system for investigating and resolving complaints.
Consequently if you have a complaint about your holiday accommodation, and it is not quickly resolved in a satisfactory manner, then you should make a complaint to the Municipal Tourist Information Office.
The Tourist Information Office would also gladly provide a full list of the properly registered rental agencies. It is also the opinion of the writer, for what that is worth, that a well-run and dedicated agency provides a valuable service to both owners and visitors.

Health & Beauty -Being relaxed and fit and feeling AND looking good are all part of the holiday therapy and, if you are already in paradise the only place to go is to HEAVEN at Los Pinos (Unisex hairdressing, manicure, pedicure, massage etc.)
REFLECTIONS HAIR & BEAUTY ENHANCEMENT STUDIO offer a wide range of treatments including Universal Contour Wrap, Toning Tables, Nail Extensions, Hair Styling (Ladies and Gents) and Massage and Aroma Therapy for men - and you can relax at the adjoining Coffee Shop.

Shopping - Moraira Village provides all of the usual services demanded by a busy modern seaside resort. Food-shops, banks, legal, communications etc. are well represented and there a numerous boutiques, art galleries, gift and souvenir shops to tempt the visitor with an excellent range of quality produce.
Being small and compact, parking is not a problem except at fiesta time and, of course, on market day.
For those who prefer the less-hectic way of life, away from the village centre, there are many more supermarkets, shops and restaurants located in the outlying shopping centres which include two trolley-to-car mini-hypermarkets - Pepe La Sal at San Jaime and the European Shopping Centre, Champion at the Barclaycentre and Mas y Mas between the two. Supermarkets are usually open all day (from 08:00 to 20:00) and just in the morning on Sundays and Fiesta Days.

Food Shops - The normal shopping hours are 9:00am to 1:00pm and 5:00pm until 8:00pm and many shops and supermarkets are open on Sundays and Fiestas but in the morning only.