Here are a few of our handy little tips!!

• In San Sebastian and in Spain in general, stores don’t accept credit and debit cards for purchases of less than 10 Euros. Always have some cash with you (front pocket in the bigger towns at night)! Also, if you do use your card in anything other than an ATM, be prepared to show identification and sign like a credit card.
  
  
• San Sebastian is well known for its little misty type of rain called “xirimiri” (chiery miry): a light poncho in summer/raincoat in winter or a small umbrella is an essential part of the luggage. Weather changes very quickly, come prepared.
  
  
• Shoes: many streets are tiled or cobblestoned. It is highly recommended that you wear an athletic type of shoe or hiking boots.
  
  
• We are 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time! On your first night in Europe, don’t go to bed until 9 p.m local time; stay busy as long as you can. This always helped me adjust to the time change quicker.
  
  
• People take their time here; it may be difficult for you to eat at a restaurant without a reservation. A normal meal at lunch or supper may go as long as 3 hours and will not start until 2 or 3 pm for lunch or 9 pm for supper!! Look for the “MENU” of the day, it will normally include an appetizer, a main course and dessert with wine , bread, water, coffee and a liqueur shot, all for one smaller price. It is normally between 15 and 30 euro per person.
  
  
• Under Spain´s law, it is not allowed to smoke in Bars and restaurants unless the restaurant has two separate zones.
  
  
• Don´t be surprised because people throw the paper napkins on the floor inside the Pintxo Bars! That is a tradition here and it is OK for anyone to do it.
  
  
• When you enter a Pintxo Bar, do not take many pintxos on  a plate. Try to stay local and eat one Pintxo at a time making mental note of what you have eaten to later pay, once you are finished.