We apologise in advance for the condescending tone of the following piece, but we really want to ensure this message is heard loud and clear.
Of course, Ibiza Spotlight does not condone drug use or any other illegal activity, but we do have to be honest about situations people may find themselves in whilst on a holiday.
It’s important to be informed and think wisely before making any decisions that could have quite serious consequences. This is more about common sense and weighing up what risks could leave you spending the night in the company of the Guardia Civil.
Ibiza changes lives... just make sure you and your friends can look back on your time here and smile.
Drugs
As with the laws you'll find anywhere in the world, the use and possession of drugs in Spain is illegal. There’s really no getting around this, and the penalties for being caught come at varying degrees. The police in Ibiza are experts at investigating any nook and cranny in pockets and bags, so don’t expect that secret hiding place to stay this way for long.
Whilst not an every-night occurrence, police officers and sniffer dogs on the door of the clubs are a feature throughout the summer, along with random traffic controls on the roads and personal stop and searches on the streets.
If you are caught by club security on entry or inside the venue, the type and quantity of drugs will obviously have an influence on any punishment.
The best-case scenario is you have it taken from you, and you’re asked to leave; the worst case could be a night in a police cell and a grovelling call back home to mum.
Alcohol
Drink measurements, as you may know them in the UK or other countries with greater discipline, don’t always exist here. Thanks to free pouring and the personal judgment of the bartender, your vodka could sit anywhere between a double and a triple shot.
While this can seem like a reason to celebrate, it's also likely to be the reason you fall flat on your face after necking that final glass. We know the price of drinks in a club can be hefty, but getting so inebriated that you’re turned away with an unused €60 ticket in your pocket is not a good look.
When purchasing drinks in a club, always keep them in sight. While the risk of spiking is slim, we must be aware and vigilant. Plus, there are many a thirsty reveller who simply can’t resist an unattended glass.
These limitations not only apply to a night out, but also to those daytime drinks. Sun and alcohol are a wicked concoction, and can not only result in severe dehydration and sunburn, but also foolish behaviour that might make you the star of someone's TikTok post. We’ve seen this happen too many times; it is a fame that absolutely no one needs.
Driving
We can't stress the impact of drinking, drug taking, and driving enough. It is a combination that should never take place and can result in some pretty nasty results for not just you, but others as well.
In Spain, the legal blood alcohol limit for driving is extremely low, as little as one beer or glass of wine for some people. In other words, if you've been drinking at all, however little, you're likely to be over the limit.
As we previously mentioned, the Guardia Civil are out in force in Ibiza throughout the summer and at all the hotspots that surround club and resort entry points.
Don’t think that sneaking down back roads and country lanes will save you either; it's never worth the risk to yourself, your passengers, or those passing by.
The police have no qualms about causing tailbacks to breathalise each driver for drink and drugs, or to ask each person to remove themselves from the car to search everyone and the vehicle. Their patience is thin for misbehaviour and the consequences, which range from on-the-spot fines through to permanent bans, and even criminal action, can be heavy.
Sex
There are no big lectures here; whatever happens between two consenting adults is their own business.
However, please be aware that sex in public is against the law, and by public, we mean beaches or moonlit areas on your walk home. Also, remember that in your drunken stupor, what seems like a quiet corner could well be someone's front porch that they would prefer not to be violated.
If you find yourself lucky but without the necessary protection, many bars and clubs have machines to support your nocturnal activity. If the morning after is filled with dread, then pharmacies and chemists sell the morning-after pill to come to your aid.
Balconies
This is such an important subject that it deserves a category of its own. In fact, we can’t believe that we even have to write on this subject, but here we are, again, telling you not to jump from one balcony to the other.
What would seem like the absolute basics of common sense to even the most intellectually challenged apparently needs to be explained.
Not only does it put you at great risk, by which we mean death, but it also means your poor landing skills will instead land those who find you with a traumatic memory for life.
It isn’t big, funny, or clever, and if caught attempting it, the hotel will immediately eject you and your bags out the door.
Crime
Like any tourist hotspot in the world, where thousands of people congregate, pickpockets and petty theft, such as stealing from cars and bags, or wallets and jewellery, are something that everyone should be alert to. These people prey on those who are distracted, as well as on those who flash something valuable, making them aware that something is worth stealing.
Therefore, here are some basic things to remember:
- Do not leave luggage or personal belongings such as passports in your car.
- Drop your stuff at the hotel before heading out on the town.
- Don’t have your phone hanging out of your back pocket, lighting up like a siren to any potential thieves. Secure it with a strap or in the pocket of a bag.
- Watch for open bags, especially in crowds.
- If you have an expensive watch (or even a decent-looking fake), consider where you are flashing this. It's not just the theft but also the confrontation you want to avoid.
Violent and sexual crime rates in Ibiza are generally low, but this does not mean we should not be aware and cautious.
Female travellers
We encourage you to have fun, but please be mindful of taking unnecessary risks, both individually and as a group. Ensure that someone is nominated to remain level-headed and to lead decision-making when on a night out.
Ladies should avoid walking alone at night on beaches or in quiet areas, and should not accept lifts from strangers, however nice they seem. While illegal taxis may seem like a quick way to get home, this is an unregistered driver for whom no one has any record of taking you home.
It's not just avoiding lifts home with strangers, but hitchhiking, invitations to villa parties in the wilds of the countryside, and ‘gifts’ offered to you on the dancefloor. It may seem like a great offer, but it may actually come with a not-so-pleasant surprise.
Why not be informed about the actual law and legislation before coming? And take on some of our Ibiza tips to ensure a trip that only leaves you with wonderful memories.
