Ibiza Essentials: Your Practical Guide

Landing at Ibiza Airport (IBZ) in mid-July hits you with a wall of humidity the second you step on the tarmac. You’ll probably be tired, and you definitely just want to drop your bags. Before you blindly follow the crowd to the first transport you see, there are a few ground rules for navigating this island without getting ripped off or stranded.

The Cash Situation and ATMs to Avoid

The island runs on euros. While contactless payment is standard at most restaurants and clubs, you absolutely need cash for the smaller beach kiosks (chiringuitos), independent market stalls at Las Dalias, and the occasional taxi driver whose card machine is mysteriously “broken.”

Ignore the blue-and-yellow Euronet ATMs scattered along the promenades in San Antonio and Ibiza Town. They will hit you with a €4 to €5 withdrawal fee on top of a punishing exchange rate. Instead, look for a real bank branch like CaixaBank or Banco Sabadell. As for pricing, expect a massive swing depending on your postcode. A standard café con leche at a local bakery costs about €2.50. Once you cross the threshold of a superclub like Amnesia or Pacha, expect to hand over €18 to €22 for a basic vodka soda.

Getting Around (and the 3 PM Taxi Drought)

The L10 bus from the airport to Ibiza Town costs exactly €3.60. It’s cheap and reliable enough, though it gets painfully cramped in August. If you opt for a taxi, the meter to Ibiza Town will run about €20, while the cross-island trip to San Antonio sits closer to €35.

Here is the local quirk that catches everyone out: taxi drivers change shifts between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM. If you need a ride during that hour, you will be standing on the curb baking in the sun while empty cabs drive past you with their lights off. If your flight lands mid-afternoon, book a private transfer in advance or accept that you’ll be killing time in the airport cafe.

If you plan to rent a car to reach the northern coves, book the smallest vehicle you can fit your luggage into. A Fiat 500 will save your sanity. Parking near Cala Salada or the steep inclines of Dalt Vila is a literal contact sport, and a bulky SUV will just end up with scraped doors.

Timing Your Trip

July and August are intensely hot, wildly expensive, and crowded to the point of frustration. If you actually want room to lay a towel on the sand, target the third week of September.

By late September, the Mediterranean has had all summer to heat up, making the water perfectly warm. The mega-clubs are hosting their chaotic closing parties, but the daytime traffic on the roads has noticeably thinned out. Late May is your other option for cheaper flights, but be warned: the sea is still shockingly cold that early in the season.

Eating Beyond the Beach Clubs

You can easily drop €150 on average sushi and a watered-down cocktail at an upscale beach club in Playa d’en Bossa. Head into Ibiza Town instead. Walk up Carrer de la Mare de Déu—it’s loud, colorful, and packed with promoters—but peel off onto the narrower side streets near the port.

Look for Comidas Bar San Juan. It’s a no-reservations, fluorescent-lit joint that has been feeding locals for decades. A massive plate of grilled squid, a side of potatoes, and a cold Estrella will set you back about €18. You will probably have to wait in line on the street outside, but the queue moves fast and the food is exactly what you need before a long night out.