Most holiday makers will use a taxi at some point during their holiday. The taxis in Mallorca are regulated and offer a clean, convenient service. They seat 4 people plus the driver. Currently there are no taxis available for more than 4 passengers in Santa Ponsa, and be advised that even a baby is considered a passenger and will be counted as one of the four allowed.

The fares are monitored by a meter and the charge is slightly higher at weekends, evenings and bank holidays. Day time tariff hours are 7am to 10pm and the night tariff hours are 10pm to 7am.

Be aware that there are extras that the taxi will charge you for, such as being picked up at the airport and luggage.

Taxis can be flagged down in the street or found at the main taxi rank in Santa Ponsa which is located at the roundabout at the end of the promenade, or they can be called to pick you up.

Although it is very rare to come across a complaint about a fare of a taxi, you can always ask for a receipt if you feel that you have been over charged (the receipt must state where you were picked up and where you were dropped off and the total amount charged). Upon your request, the taxi driver must issue you with a receipt. Rest assured that a complaint regarding fare abuse will be investigated.

An idea of approximate fares for 2011 to the most popular destinations from Santa Ponsa are listed below:

Airport:  37 Euros
Magalluf:  8 Euros (Pirates/ Western Park/ BCM)
Palma city centre:  22 Euros
Porto Pi shopping center: 19 Euros
Marineland: 11 Euros

*Please note that fares are quoted in Euros and they are approximate.

There are a few private taxi companies in Mallorca, but unlike the UK, they actually cost more than public taxis.

Car Rental

If you are renting a car, there are various big name companies at the airport and there are also smaller companies in Santa Ponsa itself. The journey from the airport to Santa Ponsa is quite straight forward. There is a great video you can watch of the actual journey on the official website of  ’Holiday Park’, one of our favourite Santa Ponsa hotels

Drivers must be 21years of age and over and must hold a full drivers license, which they must have had for a minimum of two years. Your drivers license must be carried at all times when driving.

If you would simply like to travel around the resort you can hire scooters and bicycles. These are quite reasonably priced. Crash helmets are also provided as they are compulsory on Spanish roads.

Shuttle Buses

If you do not want to pay taxi prices, shuttle buses from/to the airport are a more economical option. There are various companies offering this service, but bear in mind that they take much longer than a taxi would to reach your hotel in Santa Ponsa due to waiting at the airport for customers to board, and dropping off/picking up passengers at different hotels along the way. This also means that on your return journey to the airport you would need to factor this in to your time schedule.

The larger companies are resort hoppa and shuttle direct who both offer competitive prices but most times a long wait is inevitable.

Please be advised that most shuttle bus companies require that you call them at least 24 hrs. before your pick up time via phone or email, to confirm your departure.

Alternatively there are smaller companies that offer private direct transfers to and from the airport such as www.majorca-transfer.com . These are much more time effective because almost every time, your party is the only party they are carrying, so there is no time wasted waiting around for other passengers.

PRIVATE DIRECT TRANSFERS PRICES (Prices are in Euros and subject to change).
Groups 1 – 4 persons 42
Groups 5 – 8 persons 65
9 or more persons 8.50 per person

To book your transfer please contact them through: reserva@majorca-transfer.com

Public Buses

The bus service in Santa Ponsa is very punctual and will take you from the main roundabout, to the neighbouring resorts and also to the city centre of Palma. Bus times are available at the bus stops and are easy to read. The buses are air conditioned and a cheap way to travel to Palma, if you are not short of time, but not a good option to and from the airport.

Language spoken

The main language spoken in Mallorca is Mallorquin, a local version of Catalan, although Spanish is also spoken and most locals are bilingual. English is also keenly practiced by local shopkeepers and hotel employees with the tourists in the summer.

The Airport

There is only one commercial airport in Mallorca (Palma De Mallorca). The airport code is PMI.

It is advisable to be at Palma airport 2 hrs. before your flight leaves in the high season, due to the volume of passengers. Palma is one of the busiest airports in Europe during the summer months.

Travelling to and from the airport is quickest in a taxi. Using public buses to get to Santa Ponsa from the airport is not really a viable option as 2 buses are needed to reach your resort and there is usually a long waiting time in between. For more information please read our Travel Information guide.
Hiring a car

If you want to hire a car while in Mallorca you will just need your British (or European) drivers license. Most places request a credit card on file to hire a car. For more information please read our Travel information guide.

Hotels

Hotels are always cheaper when pre-booked. Walk in rates can be very expensive, especially in the high season. For more information about hotels in Santa Ponsa please read our Hotels in Santa Ponsa guide.

Health Insurance Card

You should bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you in case you need any kind of medical attention. This card will cover you for any medical treatment. There are excellent hospitals and medical centres on the island. For more information please read our Healthcare guide.

Travelling With Children

Should you be travelling with young children there is a fantastic rental shop five minutes walk away from Holiday Park along the calle Ramon de Montcada, where you can rent a range of things such as buggies, highchairs and car seats from as little as 14.99 Euros for one week and 19.99 Euros for two weeks. You simply pay a 20 Euros deposit which is refunded to you immediately once you return the property.

If you need to wash clothes while on holiday self service launderettes can be found in the resort.

Drinking Water

Bottled water is used for drinking water in Mallorca. For tea/coffee it is also recommended, but for cooking some people use tap water. It is fine to brush your teeth with the tap water.

Tipping And Taxes

As in the U.K. and Ireland, tipping after a meal in a restaurant is usual, but not a must if you are not satisfied with the service. People usually leave around 5-7% of the bill.

Most restaurants include tax within the price as they do at home, but sometimes tax (IVA in Spain), is not included on the menu prices and it will say this in small print at the bottom of the menu.

Money Exchange

Changing money can be done in most hotels, in banks and in private bureau de changes.

You can shop around for the best price, but there is usually little difference between them.

You will need your passport to change travellers cheques and when paying with a credit card in shops you will usually need to show picture identification.

Calling Home

Most people will want to call home at least once while on holiday.

British and Irish mobile phones, especially the iphone and Blackberry, can work out extremely expensive to use if your “data roaming“ is on, so turn it off from the minute you get on the plane.

Calling cards are sold in lots of places, but they do not work with every private/public phone and you may need to find specific phones that accept the card.

There are usually always public coin operated telephones in hotel receptions which may be the best option. Please note that calling from non-coin operated phones eg: your hotel room, is always expensive.

The codes for calling are as follows:

to call the UK dial 00-44- then knock off the first 0 of the number

to call Ireland dial 00-353- then knock off the first 0 of the number

Internet and Wi Fi

While in Santa Ponsa if you need to check your emails there are a few internet cafes dotted around and if you have brought your laptop with you some bars offer free wifi connection for customers, while at the beach the council has provided free wifi around the area of the tourist information office. Simply log on to ‘Playa Santa Ponsa’.

Also MacDonalds offers free wi-fi, but the speed has been reported very slow.

Airline Excess Charges

If you are flying with Ryanair, make sure that you print your boarding passes (both ways) at home to take to the airport with you. Ryanair will charge you 40 Euros at the airport if you fail to show up with a boarding pass!

Ryanair, and all low cost airlines, also love to charge for excess weight or excess number of cases/bags you are checking in, so be smart and know what you are allowed and know what your luggage weighs before you get to the airport.

Mallorca enjoys long hot summers and with Santa Ponsa being situated on the southern coast it catches a lot of sunshine.

2. The Beach

Santa Ponsa has an award winning, big, sandy beach with clean water.

It holds a Blue Flag and even better than that the difficult to achieve “Q” award, for outstanding quality of the water and sand. There are sunbeds and sun shades available and it is easily accessible.

There is also a smaller, quieter beach about 10 minutes walk away from the main beach.

3. The Entertainment

Santa Ponsa is alive with things going on in the evening. There are numerous bars with music and many have very good live music. There are a couple of nightclubs, karaoke bars, street artists and vendors.

There is a great atmosphere without it feeling like a full on party resort.

4. The Food And Drink

There are restaurants of every type in Santa Ponsa. From Chinese, Indian, Italian, meat and fish restaurants to fast food favourites, Macdonalds and Burger King all within walking distance.

The bars and pubs are plentiful with lively music in some, and also small relaxing places if you just fancy a quiet drink.

5. The Location

Being only around 25 minutes away from the airport, Santa Ponsa is in an ideal location.

The capital city of Palma is a short taxi ride or bus journey away and other popular resorts such as Magalluf and Palma Nova are a few minutes away.

6. Western Water Park

Western Park is one of the best water parks in Mallorca. It is situated just outside Magalluf and so only take about 5 minutes to get to in a taxi. There is a free bus that stops in various places in Santa Ponsa that will take you there too.

7. The Views

Santa Ponsa has a stunning coastline. The contrast of the large rock coast against the sea is breathtaking. The Mulgrats, a series of small islands in Santa Ponsa, is a picturesque area and makes for an unforgettable experience at sunset.

8. Golf

Santa Ponsa boasts 3 fabulous golf courses. For beginners or seasoned golfers alike, they are a joy to experience.

9. The Hotels

Santa Ponsa has an impressive choice of hotels. There is something for everyones budget and taste.

10. The Shopping

There are plenty of small shops to browse around in the resort. Shoes and handbags, jewelry and souvenirs can all be found. The popular market of Andratx takes place every Wednesday which is just a short car journey away, and Palma city has a regular bus service from Santa Ponsa daily as does Porto Pi, an indoor shopping mall with a wide range of high street stores.

Many people simply choose to wander along the promenade of Santa Ponsa in the evening as there are various street artists and stalls selling interesting items. Sometimes artists create amazing sand sculptures on the beach adorned with lots of little candles which are fabulous to see.

Close by in Magalluf you could book a night out to the famous Pirates Adventure Show, where you can choose from the family show or the adult show. It is very popular and a really good fun night out.

BCM is one of the biggest nightclubs in Europe. It is also situated in Magaluf and has special guest big name D.J.s throughout the summer. They also hold foam parties and it is a worth a visit if you are into clubbing.

The Casino of Mallorca used to be located in Sol De Mallorca but since October 2011 it has relocated to Porto Pi Center which is around 15 minutes in a taxi from Santa Ponsa. It provides a number of gaming machines, blackjack, French roulette, baccarat and craps. Passport or national I.D. is a requirement for entry.

Why not try a fantastic day trip on an impressive 3 deck catamaran?

The main deck with bar, boutique and tropical style tables and chairs can cater for 156 passengers, while the upper deck has capacity for 140.

You can depart from the beach of Santa Ponsa at 11:00 and return back at 16:00, enjoying the sun, sea breezes and beautiful views of the southwest coast both above and below sea level. The boat stops at sea during the trip so passengers can cool off in the blue seas with snorkel gear provided at no extra cost. The ticket price also includes a buffet lunch with sangria to be enjoyed while listening to some live spanish music. The prices ranges from 56 Euros for an adult and 28 Euros for a child. Children under four years go free.

There is another boat trip departing from Santa Ponsa, which is a 5 hour day trip and is worth checking out. The trip takes you to Dragonera Island, home to many lizards and San Telmo. This is a more budget friendly trip at a low cost of 22 Euros per person, for which you can enjoy delicious paella and sangria onboard. The tickets can be easily purchased from the two kiosks located outside McDonalds and Burger King.

If your looking for a bit of adventure then you will enjoy a day at the Jungle Parc, located in Santa Ponsa. The adventure course with high ropes, swings, zip wires and bridges has courses available at different levels from beginners to experienced, including a kids course and it has top qualified instructors with safety being a priority. The cost averages from 12 to 25 euros with a group package on offer.

There are other activities to be found close by such as Western Park, which is a popular themed big water park. It is located ten minutes away in Magalluf and it provides a great day out for all ages. Tickets can be bought at the gate and sometimes from the reception of your hotel.

If you venture a little further out to Portals Nous, which is on the Palma bus route you can visit the dolphins, sealion and parrot shows at Marineland, along with all the other sea creatures that live there. It is a great day out especially if you have young children.

There is a free shuttle bus to Marineland and Western Water Park that picks passengers up twice a day from Santa Ponsa at various points. You can ask at your hotel which pick up point is closest to you.

If you are staying at Holiday Park in Santa Ponsa your pick up point is right outside the hotel!

Many people also enjoy to get out and see some of the most picturesque scenery of the island by taking a drive along the stunning north west coastline. The village of Valldemossa is a charming place to see and the port of Soller is also worth a visit. An old wooden train runs from the centre of Palma to Soller every day, and the train ride itself is a unique experience, as it passes by orange and lemon groves to reach it´s destination. Tickets can be purchased at the station itself in Palma.

The imposing gothic cathedral of Palma is another place to visit if you are planning to go into the capital city. It is open to the public between 10:00-18:15 on week days during the height of the summer season, and from 10:00-14:15 on Saturdays.

If you want to do a bit of celebrity spotting head down to Puerto Portals which is only a 5 minute taxi ride away from Santa Ponsa. Here at the most luxurious port of Europe you can dine, shop and people watch. The numerous yachts are an impressive sight and you may get lucky and see a familiar face as it is a regular haunt for the rich and famous, including royalty. If you do not want to spend too much you can sit at one of the cafes and watch the well heeled world go by over a cappuccino.

Big name favourites like Zara and Mango are also there and will be cheaper in Mallorca than back in the U.K. as they are Spanish companies. And if you have been missing C&A then your luck is in as Palma is still home to a large C&A store.

There are an array of fantastic shoe shops and boutiques along the main shopping street, Jaime III, and you can lose yourself in the winding back streets of Palma where you will come across all sorts of interesting shops.

An alternative to shopping in the city centre is to head for Porto Pi, which is an indoor shopping mall with a wide range of clothes and shoe shops. It has the convenience of having everything under one roof, but does not have the diversity or glamour of Palma city shopping. It is located on the outskirts of Palma and also has a big supermarket on the lower ground floor. There are places to eat inside the mall and also many restaurants and the usual fast food outlets just outside.

It is air-conditioned which makes it a comfortable shopping experience in the heat of the summer.

Opening times

Larger shops in Palma are usually open from 10am till 8pm, Monday – Saturday, but some smaller shops still close in the middle of the day for a siesta and some still close on Saturday afternoon.

El Corte Ingles is open all day from 9.30am till 9.30pm, Monday – Saturday.

Porto Pi is open from 10am till 10pm, Monday – Saturday.

On Sunday shops in Palma city and at Porto Pi do not open, but the resort shops in Santa Ponsa usually do. The big supermarkets usually open until 2pm. on Sundays during the summer season.

Buses run from Santa Ponsa to Porto Pi and Palma centre regularly throughout the day.

Puerto Portals

Unless you have won the lottery this may not be the first place you think of to pick up a bargain, as all of the boutiques at Puerto Portals are filled with expensive designer brands. However, if you are around during the sales which usually run from the beginning of July until the end of August, and again during January and February, you can find designer handbags and shoes with 40 and 50% discount. As these are private retailers they do tend to mark up the recommended retail price to start off with, but once the discount has been deducted you still come out with a great deal. The nice thing is that they sell off all of their past season stock with these discounts in order to re-stock with the coming seasons goods, so you are not buying some old design from 2 or 3 years ago!
Sales

The summer sales or “Rebajas” in Mallorca start at the beginning of July and usually last about 7 weeks. As in the U.K. discounts vary from shop to shop but the prices are discounted further at around the third week which is known as the “segunda rebajas” (second sales).

Markets

Why not visit some of the markets the island has to offer, the closest to Santa Ponsa being in Andratx, which is held every Wednesday. It is a short bus or taxi ride away.

Inca is the biggest market on the island which is held on a Thursday. This one is a bit tricky to get to from Santa Ponsa unless you have a car or you book to go with an organised coach trip.

As well as clothes and leather goods, local produce such as cheese, olives, fruit and vegetables can be often found at the markets.

The markets are held in the morning and finish at around 13:30 so it is advised to get there early.

Word of warning: As in most places, where there is a high volume of people, pick pockets love to roam, so take care and exercise the usual caution.

Mrs.Murphy´s Kitchen
Ramon De Moncada 32
971 692178
A Santa Ponsa favourite serving home cooked food.

Okay
Ramon De Moncada ( by the small roundabout )
971 691451
Open all day for snacks, drinks and meals.

Toni´s Pizza
Ramon de Moncada 31
971692562
Good Italian food at a good price.

Boston O´Brady´s
Ramon De Moncada 31
Good burgers, salads, sandwiches.

El Ciebo
Ramon de Moncada 24
971 694036
Specializes in Argentinian meat cooked on a grill. Very
popular for a good reason.

Himalaya Indian
Ramon De Moncada 24
971 693917
Good Indian with take-away and delivery service.

Reno´s
Puig Des Teix, 8
971 692075
Fresh fish at it´s best. A bit pricey but worth it for a treat.

No.8 Bar and Grill
Avda. Jaime 1, Edificio Astro
971 696177
Very tasty homemade burgers. Salads and cajun fries
also worth a try.

Chino Maravillas
By the square
971 692920
Good food at reasonable prices.

Fat Sam´s
Avda. Jaime 1
Steaks, burgers, chicken with decent portions.

El Porton de Country Club
Santa Ponsa Country Club
971 693634
By the golf course. Lovely for a special evening out.
Excellent food served in beautiful surroundings.

Santa Ponsa enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The currency used here is the Euro making the resort popular amongst European tourists.

The locals in Santa Ponsa are extremely friendly people, who speak a range of languages including English, German, French and of course Spanish. It´s no wonder there is such a diverse range of tourists. The beach offers activities and attractions along its 1300m of white sands.

The resort has lots hotels for you to choose from, all at reasonable prices.

There are over 30 hotels and aparthotels for you to choose from in the area offering options from self catering to all inclusive.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants for you to choose from so you will be sure to find something to suit your tastes.

The main area of Santa Ponsa is the sandy beach which is in close proximity to most of the hotels and apartments. The resort surrounds the beach with its many bars, restaurants and shops. The lively nightlife sees lots of bars and discos stay open until the early hours of the morning.

The shops offer a wide range of products from clothes to souvenirs, so it is well worth taking a look around to see what they have to offer. If you are going for a self catering holiday there are plenty of supermarkets, which sell many international brands due to its high volume of tourists.

Santa Ponsa is a very easy going resort with many of the bars and restaurants catering for families with children. The restaurants offer plenty of choice from serving delicious traditional Spanish and Mallorcan cuisine to Indian, Chinese, British and Irish food. A lot of the restaurants offer great value for money with offers such as a 3 course meal for 15 Euros ( incl. wine and tax ). They really have something to suit everyone.

There is no shortage of things to do in Santa Ponsa which makes it one of the best resorts on the island to holiday in. For anyone who enjoys golf or tennis, Santa Ponsa boasts one of the best 18 hole golf courses to be found and great tennis courts all in close proximity.

There is also a range of water parks, aquariums and dinner shows to choose from in the surrounding areas and tickets for these can be bought from many of the hotels or from excursion offices around the resort.

Throughout the years Santa Ponsa has developed into a resort with a Celtic influence with many Irish and Scottish themed bars making it appealing to tourists of all ages.

Each year in Santa Ponsa there are two big fiestas. One of them is a religious festival called the Rocio that takes place in June and involves music, dancing, local food and of course praying.

The other larger festival takes place in September and lasts for two weeks. It is dedicated to the history of when King Jaime I landed in Mallorca at the location of what is now Santa Ponsa in 1229, and re-creates the battle between the Christians and the Moors (you can get a taste of this fiesta on our Santa Ponsa video). Throughout the two weeks there are street processions, fairs, interesting stalls, live concerts and foam parties on the beach and it all concludes with a huge firework display on the final Sunday.