Discover Life Beyond the Tourist Trails in Spain’s Coastal Towns Through a Local’s Eyes

Welcome to Living Out and About! I love sharing my experiences living abroad with y’all so much that I figured other expats would too. I’ve reached out to expats and nomads living around the world in different ways to share their experiences living, moving, and exploring. If you’re looking to learn about a certain way of moving abroad or about living in a certain place, check out this series!

Usually I speak to people who are living abroad, but we’re changing it up a bit. I find local perspectives super helpful in picking a place to move to, so we’ll be speaking to a local about living in Costa del Sol.

Today, I’m speaking with Cristina Reina of My Little World of Travelling. Cristina loves helping other travellers have more authentic experiences in Spain by sharing her insights and local tips. She especially loves showing others all the fantastic things they can do in Costa del Sol beyond the beaches.

Hi Cristina! Thanks so much for joining us. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Cristina, I’m 30 years old and was born and raised in Costa del Sol. I love travelling, learning languages and trying new restaurants, I am a big foodie.

I’ve lived in Spain most of my life, and I love exploring my home country, however, I also love discovering and learning about new cultures, so I spend quite a lot of time travelling.

At the moment, I split my time between Southern Spain and Northern England since I met my partner there while I was doing my Master’s Degree.

Lovely to meet you. Can you tell us a bit about Costa del Sol and why you’ve chosen to live there?

I never chose to live there; I was born and grew up there. When I was a kid, I didn’t appreciate the place I was living and all the fantastic things I could do because I had it all.

However, when I moved to the UK in my mid-twenties after finishing my four-year degree in translation and interpreting, I realised how important the sunshine, living by the coast and the lifestyle was to me.

Although Costa del Sol is well-known for its sun and beaches, there is much more than that, and that is something I try to pass on to my audience. We have many traditional events, foods, and buildings that tell you the influences civilisations brought to Andalusian culture.

Also, it is a fantastic place for anyone who loves outdoor activities. The mild temperatures from mid-autumn to spring are perfect for hiking, running or doing yoga on the beach promenade.

Have you ever lived anywhere other than Costa del Sol? If so, what’s different about the places?

Yes, I have lived in Leeds, in Northern England. It is different from Costa del Sol in many ways. One of the biggest differences is the weather.

Leeds, and anywhere in the UK, is colder than Southern Spain and has less sunshine during winter. Not seeing the sun for days has always impacted my well-being.

Another big difference, at least to me, is the food. I think we have a greater variety of traditional dishes in Spain, and not all the ingredients taste the same, especially vegetables and fruits.

On the positive side, the UK has better work conditions. It is better for international cuisine and anyone who has an intolerance, an allergy, or follows a restricted diet.

What are the best things about living in Costa del Sol?

The weather is one of the best things about Costa del Sol. If you love the sunshine, you are spoilt for choice. We barely have rainy days, and when we do, they don’t last very long.

It is also a great place if you prefer a more laid-back lifestyle. Friends and family are very important to us, and we spend a lot of our time with them, whether it is enjoying a meal for hours, going on day trips or being on the beach.

Last but not least, it is a food paradise for anyone who loves fish and seafood.

What are the worst things about living in Costa del Sol?

Although I have mentioned that the weather is one of the best things, it can actually be one of the worst things for some people. For example, summers are scorching.

You can experience 40 degrees Celsius on summer days.

We have also had recent problems with water because of the lack of rain.

What were the biggest challenges of the move?

I think one of the most challenging things for future expats is bureaucracy. The paperwork is usually long and even difficult to read for Spaniards.

Getting everything ready to live in Spain is slow, and much of the process needs to be done in person.

What was the cost of living in Costa del Sol like for a month?

Rent: between $700 and $1100 USD

Utilities: $150 USD

Food: $250 USD

Public transport (monthly pass): $30 USD

Entertainment: between $150 and $200 USD

Internet: $35 USD

Phone: from $22 USD

Healthcare in Spain is free; however, you can also sign up for private healthcare.

Total = at least $1,337 USD per month

What are the best places to live in Costa del Sol?

Marbella is one of the best places to live for expats. I don’t only say it because Marbella is home to me, but many of my expat friends live in Marbella and absolutely love it.

There are many fantastic things to do in Marbella, and the expat community is big and feels more international than other Costa del Sol destinations.

However, you can still enjoy the local culture, the sunshine and everything else. The only downside is that Marbella is one of the most expensive towns in Costa del Sol.

If you prefer a more affordable option, Torremolinos and towns on the east side of Costa del Sol, like Rincón de la Victoria, are better. The latter offers a less international experience if you want to fully immerse yourself in the culture.

How do you set up a bank account in Costa del Sol?

You normally need to visit a branch to open a bank account. However, some banks already allow you to start the application process online.

It is essential to know the type of account that is best for you. For example, if you are going to be a resident, you need a resident account, as other accounts are taxed differently.

If your knowledge of Spanish isn’t good, many banks like La Caixa usually have bank representatives who speak English.

However, I advise researching the different banks before heading to a branch and opening an account.

Opening a bank account is so much EASIER by creating a free multi-currency account here.

Is it hard to find work in Costa del Sol? Can you share any tips for finding job listings?

If you don’t know any Spanish, getting a job can be a bit difficult. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a good role in Costa del Sol.

For example, there are many international schools in the area, so if you have experience teaching, that is a very good opportunity. The hospitality sector is also good because hotels always require staff who speak different languages.

Technology is another sector requiring languages, especially English and French.

However, I know many expat friends who actually work online or have their own business in Costa del Sol.

How can someone new meet locals and other expats to make friends in Costa del Sol?

There are many opportunities to meet locals and expats in Costa del Sol. My top advice is to join Facebook groups like Malaga | Girl Gone International and Expats in Malaga, where you will find plenty of expats living in Malaga and its surrounding towns like Benalmadena and Fuengirola. You can also check out Meet Up for upcoming events.

Also, an excellent way to meet locals is through language exchanges or joining lessons related to your hobbies.

👉 Want to make friends around the world? Join Meetups today for free!

What are the pros and cons of living in Costa del Sol?

Pros of living in Costa del Sol:

• It has almost 320 sunny days every year.
• It offers a wide variety of outdoor activities.
• The food is delicious, especially the fish and seafood dishes.
• The locals are welcoming.
• You don’t need to learn Spanish to live in Costa del Sol. Although, I always recommend learning the language.

Cons of living in Costa del Sol:

• The paperwork is tedious.
• It has fewer job opportunities than other countries and lower wages.
• It becomes crowded during the peak season.
• It can be very hot in summer, and there are problems with water shortage.
• Although there is public transport, some areas of Costa del Sol aren’t very well-connected, so you will likely need a car.

Is Costa del Sol a good place to raise kids?

Yes. I don’t have kids, but I was raised in Costa del Sol and have travelled with my cousins, who are under 13 years old, so I know there are plenty of things to do with kids, especially outdoors, so you don’t need to spend lots of money to have a family day out.

When is the best time to visit Costa del Sol?

Late May or early June because it isn’t as crowded as in July and August, it’s warm, and many summer attractions and beach clubs have already opened.

However, if you aren’t into spending time on the beach, March and November are good months to explore Malaga’s towns and save money on flights and hotels.

Is Costa del Sol dog-friendly?

It has become more and more dog-friendly in the last couple of years. In 2022, Spain changed the law and stated that pets are legally family members. Therefore, more accommodations and shops welcome dogs now.

However, you aren’t allowed to bring your dog to specific beaches in summer, so you need to pay attention to the signs.

Most of our readers are female, so do you have any specific tips for women to stay safe in Costa del Sol?

Costa del Sol is safe, but I would avoid walking alone on quiet streets at night and keep an eye on my belongings in busy places.

The news sometimes mentions drug smuggling in Costa del Sol, which might be something to keep in mind on a night out, but other than that, there is not much to worry about.

You’ve lived an epic life. Can you share 3 bucket list things you’ve still yet to do?

• Go on a safari.
• Road trip around Italy.
• Visit the Maldives.

If someone only had 1 day in Costa del Sol, what do they HAVE to do?

If you only have one day, spending it in Malaga is worth it. Here are some of the unmissable activities:

• Visit the Alcazaba de Malaga, a stunning historical building with Moorish influences.
• Have tapas at El Pimpi Bodega.
• Walk along Muelle Uno (Malaga’s Port).
• Learn about Picasso’s artwork at the Picasso Museum.
• Go to the Cathedral and enjoy the views from its rooftop.
• Watch the sunset from Gibralfaro’s viewpoint.

What is the best local tip you have about Costa del Sol?

Visit it outside the peak season (June to September). It is less crowded and still warm, and you can have a more authentic experience.

Thank you so much! Where can my readers learn more about you and follow along with your journey?

Readers can follow my journey and learn more about travelling to Malaga and other parts of Spain at my website, My Little World of Travelling, Instagram or Facebook.

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• Discover Life Beyond the Tourist Trails in Spain’s Coastal Towns Through a Local’s Eyes