Ciudad Quesada – Local Information

SUPERMARKETS

As you go out of front gate, if you turn left and walk up the hill, there are shops at the top. There is a well-stocked supermarket (Jumerca) which has a variety of English brands as well as Spanish food. The prices are very comparable with the larger supermarkets and it is very adequate for day to day items. However, the range is obviously limited compared with the larger supermarkets and you will probably need to do a large shop and back it up with visits to the local shops. Fresh meat and fish is easier to buy ready packaged from places like Mercadona and Carrefour – both of these are on the main road going towards Torrevieja. There are also two good-sized supermarkets on Dona Pepa 2 called Consum and a smaller Mercadona. If you look at the local map, go south of Calle Gerona and off Avenida Salamanca you will see a roundabout which takes you onto the main road from Quesada to Torrevieja. Before you join the roundabout Consum is on the right-hand side. To get to Mercadona go to roundabout by Quesada Gates and go away from the Arches to the nearby next roundabout take the first exit and Mercadona is on the right about half a mile.

The main shopping centre at Quesada Gates is a fifteen minute stroll – turn right out of front gate and follow the local map. There is car parking if you prefer to drive. Here you will find gift shops, tobacconists, newsagents, another small supermarket, banks, bars and restaurants. There is also a petrol station which has a small shop attached – handy for out of hours essential shopping, but expensive.

OPENING TIMES

Local shops open between l000-1400 hours and 1600-2000 hours Monday to Friday. Closing times vary on Saturdays – but most close at lunch-time and do not re-open. The supermarket up the hill from the house does re-open in the evening June through to August 5.30 to 8.00 p.m. It even opens on Sundays until 2 pm. which is very unusual in Spain.

Larger supermarkets do not close during the day and stay open until 7, 8 or 9pm. Consum also open Sunday mornings until l pm. Carrefour opens on Sundays during August only, but it is very busy and usually closes at 1600.

GENERAL SHOPPING

Quesada has various clothes and souvenir shops. Guardamar has a range of individual shops selling souvenirs, clothes and shoes. It also has two Domti shops which sell a great deal of their merchandise for one euro (great for children with a limited amount of money). All of these shops open until late (10 p.m. in July and August and it varies between 7 – 9 p.m. at other times of the season).

Torrevieja has a purpose-built under-cover shopping centre called Habaneras with lots of parking. It is on the main road from Quesada to Torrevieja (CV-895). After passing Carrefour, you will see it on the left-hand side. To access it, turn left at the roundabout next to it. In the shopping centre itself there are various chains such as C & A and Zara. In the same location there is a bowling alley and various eateries, including a Wok Buffet.

BANKS

There are various banks in Quesada’s mail street many of which have Cashpoint machines.

MEDICAL CENTRES AND HOSPITALS

There is a new Health Centre (Centro de Salud) up the road from us. If you turn left out of the gate, it is situated at the crossroads. It is called Lo Marabu, Avenida Huelva, Dona Pepa 2, telephone 966 731 112. It sees both adults and children. The receptionists speak basic English.

There is also a surgery (road signs direct you to Consultorio Medico) below the Centro Municipal Ciudad Quesada in Quesada town (number 7 on the local map). If you follow the high street of Quesada away from the Gates you will come to a large white paved area. Their telephone number is 966 717 377, but they only see adults. There is another Centro de Salud in Rojales which seens adults and children, which has later opening times. The best way to go there is through Quesada Gates and take the road to Benijofar. Go straight through Benijofar and you will come into Rojales on the Avenida de la Constitucion. You will see signs for Consultorio Medico and it is on the left hand side very close to a pharmacy as you go into the town. The telephone number for appointments (cita previa) is 966 715 759 and for more urgent matters 966 715 750. Quite honestly, unless you have good Spanish, it is better just to go there. On the two occasions we have been there, we have been seen quickly, and it is open every evening until 8 p.m. even on Sundays.

To take advantage of the reciprocal medical arrangements which exist between England and Spain you will need to produce your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each member of your family needs one and you can apply online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers, or call the EHIC Application Line on 0845 606 2030. This card is also valid in other countries where such arrangements exist.

If you need to go to a hospital there are two about 15 minutes drive away. One is in Orihuela and is called Hospital de La Vega Baja (also known as St Bartolome). If you head for Orihuela you will see the hospital signs. The telephone number is 966 776 187/183/166.

The other is close to Torrevieja and was only opened at the end of last year. It is called Hospital de Torrevieja. If you look at the map to the left of the word Torrevieja you will see the salt lake Lagunas de la Mata. At the bottom of the lake you will see the urbanisation of Los Balcones. If you drive through Los Balcones on the CV95 going towards Torrevieja you will find the hospital on the left hand side. Both hospitals have accident and emergency facilities. The telephone number is 965 721 400.

The emergency number to ring for an ambulance etc from a mobile is 112. If you are out of coverage area of your mobile network, the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you.. You can dial 112 even if the keypad is locked.

There is also a private hospital in Torrevieja called San Jaime (966 921 579). You can see it from the main coastal road N332 – which runs past the town. This is really for emergency medical treatment, or when you are referred there by a doctor.

PHARMACIES

The nearest one is opposite the Jumerca supermarket at the top of the hill. There is one in the main street in Quesada, and there is one next to the medical centre in Rojales.