You have arrived from the airport, checked into your holiday apartment, but how are you going to get around the area. These are some of your options.
The companies listed below, are by way of suggestion, not recommendation. Before parting with any money, I would urge you to do your own research.
You could hire a car at the airport: These will always be a brand new car; valeted; serviced etc. and they will be great value - but could also be very expensive. If you don't take out their insurance, you will have to leave your credit card details and they will block out hundreds of euros "just in case" Stories abound about holiday makers getting (allegedly) "ripped off", so much so that the Money expert Martln Lewis did a story about them a couple of years ago.
Companies at the airport include: Record; Avis; Hertz; Centauro; Goldcar and many others. I would suggest you do a Google search and make a decision from there.
You could hire a "slightly used" car at the airport, or having arrived at Villamartin, you can walk into their office and hire a car. Rent again car hire has an office across the road from the Consum supermarket at La Zenia, alternatively, they will bring the car to the airport and meet you in the car park. I am sure there are other companies offering this service, its just that we have used Rent again in the past. These cars, will not be new! The chances are that they will be ex-hire cars, that will have a few scrapes etc. But as a run around, they will be ok.
There is a similar company based opposite the Villamartin Plaza, although I have no personal experience of them. I believe they will also do airport pick-ups.
Do I need a car?
We have successfully had a holiday here without a car. However, if you are going round looking at properties, you need a form of transport. Unless your specification is only for property at the Plaza.
Current Covid and social distancing regulations mean it's not advisable to share an agents car.
The short answer is Yes! At this stage of property searches, it would be better if you had a car.
Other means of getting around:
Local bus services:
Bus from the airport: There is a company called Beniconnect that operates a scheduled bus service to and from Alicante airport: https://www.beniconnect.com
Bus around Villamartin: This operates Monday to Friday (Sat and Sun is July and August only) and runs in a loop from La Fuente; through the Villamartin Plaza and down to la Zenia Boulevard and onto the Hospital. At the Boulevard it is possible to connect into other services running into Torrevieja, or the opposite direction to Cartagena. The buses are operated by Costa Azul: http://costazul.net/en/urban-services/c-c-la-zenia-boulevard-c-de-salud-aguamarina/
Bike Hire:
It is possible to hire bikes from a shop at the Plaza, there is also a bike shop further along the N332 from La Zenia. I have no experience of either company!
Freedom Bikes: I found on a Google search, they claim to be at the Villamartin Plaza, but I suspect its just an agent in someone's office. http://www.freedombikehire.eu/contact-us/
I love bike: Is along the main N332 road and the shop is full of bikes in every shape and size! Helpful staff, although we didn't hire from them. (We were asking about repairs to an electric bike) https://www.ilovebikeworld.com/?lang=en#.XxlLJC2w1N0
Taxi:
There is a taxi rank at the foot of the steps at the Villamartin Plaza. Generally taxis are reasonable and safe. But not always plentiful (particularly at the moment. Due to the current Covid pandemic there don't seem to be as many taxis on the road during Summer 2020)
Facemarks: Don't forget facemarks must be worn at all times
That's just a summary of different ways of getting round, as ever, you will need to satisfy yourself about the arrangements before parting with any cash.
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Neal Ball July 2020
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