The Shocking Truth Behind the £1,000 Beach Ban in Benidorm
A little-known holiday rule can leave British tourists with a hefty fine and ruin their Spanish holiday if they’re not careful. When soaking up the rays in Benidorm, UK holidaymakers have been warned to follow a seven-hour beach rule to avoid being slapped with a £1,000 penalty.
The Seven-Hour Beach Ban Rule
Tourists heading to Benidorm’s beaches need to be aware of the time restrictions and check their watches twice before going. Swimming in the sea between midnight and 7 am can cost beachgoers a whopping £1,000. It’s because of a seven-hour ban on swimming at night which was created for safety reasons.
Reasons Behind the Ban
Getting into the water at night can pose an extreme danger as tides and currents are unpredictable under the moonlight. Low-visibility also makes it hard for people to see you if you wave for help, or you might miss a rock or creature that’s lurking nearby. Another reason visitors are banned from stepping onto the beach is to allow cleaners to do their job and tidy the coastline.
Penalties for Breaking the Rules
According to BenidormSeriously, tourists caught for trespassing Benidorm’s beaches past the curfew will face a fine between 750 and 1,200 Euros – or roughly £1,207. To ensure you won’t be slapped with a fine, most beaches have signs informing visitors of what they can and cannot do.
Bizarre Restrictions
One of the rules that can catch you by surprise is the ban on building sandcastles. TikToker Frank explained that the rules don’t include children’s sand castles, but rather to “sand architects.” Playing ball games outside of designated areas is also prohibited, as well as putting down towels to save a spot for later, which could leave you with a fine of £128.
Safety Precautions and Risks
If you notice a red warning flag is up, swimming can pose a risk for your life and your wallet as the penalty for that is £856. And walking around in a state of nature at a non-nudist beach can land you with a £560 fine. It comes after holidaymakers were left stunned when a naked man walked down to a busy Benidorm beach in the middle of the day.
Additional Entry Requirements
Meanwhile, holidaymakers who plan to stay with friends or family in Spain must have an official invitation letter. The document must be issued by the police and provided to you by the person you plan to stay with and it costs €75.05 (£64.44). If you are traveling to Spain planning to stay with someone you know and don’t have this letter you could be denied entry into the country.