La Herradura Travel Guide

This is an excellent and informative bi-lingual magazine written by people living in the area, with recommendations for places to eat, and articles about everyday life and goings on in the area between La Herradura and Almeria, including the Alpujarras. There is also a Costaliving forum on the Net, both this and the magazine are a must for those interested in and particularly wishing to move to the area.
Available at the Casa de Culture/House of Culture in La Herradura.

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The year following our winter walk along the stormy beach we returned to find the restaurants working as normal. We had been advised to arrive early for Sunday lunch but only just got a table.
On a Sunday in early October there were few other "foreigners" here. The food and service were good, laid back, ie, slow but good.
Since then the beach ( along with the whole area) has been Smartened Up. There is now a decked broadwalk along the beach and a sort of pier at the end. We saw a beach restaurant with a "Thatch" roof located about where the one we had been to was but saw no name...
It is a busier smarter place than when we first saw it but still worth a visit - specially at then quieter part of the saeson.

La Cochera is the only safe bet for good nightlife in La Herradura. Since La Herradura is a vacation desitination, July and August are packed and then the population immediately thins out come September. La Cochera is is the only consistently full funky liitle bar where all the locals go.

On Friday and Saturday nights they usually have live music which sets up in front. Things don't get busy until late ( 11 at the earliest) so if you go before you are likely to be sitting alone (except for the cats that wander in and out to nap on the chaise lounges).

Bartenders are very friendly and drinks are strong. It doesn't close down til around 4.

Dress Code: anything goes

Don't ever leave the doors unlocked or the windows open when you leave the house. La Heradurra has experienced a rash of thefts in the past 2years and though they local police claim to have caught the bandits, better to be safe than have your passport stolen and your trip ruined.

Also, don't leave anything in a car- ever. A friend of mine had a lousy 2 euros stolen out of her car ( they broke the window for it). To the Spanish this all seems common sense not to leave valuables around, but I have to admit that before living there I was pretty blindly trusting. Take on their attitude and stow away your stuff- no need to feel paranoid, just pay attention.

In major cities like Barcelona and Madrid gypsies are everywhere. NEVER leave your cell phone/purse on a table. If you have a purse and you are seated at a cafe, put your leg through the strap. Put your wallet in your front pocket on the trains.

Other than petty theft La Heradurra is really safe. (in major cities of Spain there are 'barrios' which you'll want to avoid- but consult your guide book for that).