Paradise Divided: San Pedro & La Vecindad De Enfrente

La Vecindad de Enfrente in the Agaete Valley La Vecindad de Enfrente in the Agaete Valley

You can't visit the white village of San Pedro, about half way up the Agaete Valley, without looking up: it's right under the highest cliffs in the Barranco and looks more like an alpine village than a Canarian one.

 

Surrounded by coffee and tropical fruit farms (it's not that alpine), San Pedro is a great place to stretch your legs. Actually it's two places: the village is divided into rival barrios by the dry streambed at the bottom of the valley. This division is more than theoretical.

A village divided

The north side of the village, called the Vecindad de Enfrente (literally The Neighbourhood Opposite) is built on the oldest part of the island. The rock here is 14 million years old. San Pedro on the south side is on rocks only a million years old. This is because the deep Agaete valley cuts right down into the ancient core of the island.

There's more:

During the Spanish Civil War, San Pedro supported Franco's right wingers  and La Vecindad supported the left-wing Republicans. One day a lot of the Enfrente men were rounded up and executed because they were on a list of Republican supporters given to the authorities by someone in San Pedro. Later it turned out that the list was just the names of people who owed money to the village pharmacy.

History and geography still separate the two sides of the village today and some families don't speak. 

Walk through La Vecindad

The prettiest part of the village is the road-free part of La Vecindad: Follow the road over the bridge into the village as far as it goes and then walk down the narrow lane that runs the length of the barrio. It's full of flowers, fruit trees and fat, happy cats, and there're views both up and down the valley. 

Published in Resorts & Places

Join the Gran Canaria Info newsletter list

endanlfifrdeisitnoplptruessv

 

 

Follow us on Facebook

Tip of the day

  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

Latest articles

Who's Online

We have 6015 guests and no members online

Login / Register

Take this website to the max, login or create an account now! By clicking on any Social Media platform logo, you can login with just one click.