Following the Brexit vote, many have been pessimistic about the impact the drop in sterling will have on Brits going on holiday, with some saying it will cost more now. Granted the exchange did momentarily dip after the result, but I honestly don’t think you will find anywhere in mainland Spain as good value as here in Benidorm. A report by The Post Office compared prices across a number of popular European family destinations and although prices in the Costa del Sol have gone up, that certainly cannot be said of the Costa Blanca.
The first question many often ask is where to exchange their hard earned sterling into euros – the UK or here. The most important thing to never do is to exchange it at the airport, as they offer by far the worse rates. Secondly, even here in the resort there are sharks – if the board shows an exceptionally high rate check that there is no small clause stating that the advertised rate is for changing £10,000 – yes it really does happen! Even today – Sunday, one place, off the beat and track was offering 1.10 while the norm today is 1.18… that is €8 difference on £100 - or 5 pints worth!
But the cost of eating out here is like nowhere else. Walk around the Rincon area and you will be spoilt for choice – and being Sunday, there is no need to miss out on the traditional roast here either. However, the main difference between here and back home in a typical British pub has to be the price - plus taking children in here is the norm.
At JJ’s – John & Josephs, you can get a three course roast beef dinner, including a drink for €6.95, the equivalent of £6 and their jumbo breakfast is only €2.75! These are by no means unusual prices, look around and you will find similar, so there really is no need to go all inclusive thinking that eating out will cost an arm and a leg.
It's not just on a Sunday either - a full English breakast is a steal here. All using English products - a perfect cure for those delicate heads and stomachs the morning after the night before. One of the resorts favourites has to be Mariano's - where €2.50 includes a glass of orange juice too!
Thats not to say its all just full of cheap and cheerful places - there are also many upmarket restaurants here too. But most that come here are after value for money – and you certainly get that in Benidorm.
