The town is well supplied with all the local banks, and there is a (Portuguese) Barclays Bank, near the “Boat Roundabout”.
Cash Machines (ATMs) can be found all over the town, including the Hospital's A & E Department, the private hospital, all supermarkets and inside the marina.
They all accept UK credit cards and bank cards, but some require a SIX digit PIN number – they show 6 asterisks. If this happens, first try using the normal 4 digits. If that fails, insert two single zeros AFTER your normal 4-digit PIN. The double zero - 00 - is not accepted.
Note that in summer the marina and town centre dispensers can be emptied over any weekend. Stock up on Friday - or find out where there is an under-utilised one!
The normal office is located in the town centre, beside the taxi rank on the Avenida, while parcels and registered post must be collected from the main office, about 15 minutes walk away. It is normally a 4 to 6 days delivery service for letter post to or from the U.K., though there have been some reports of mail going astray or taking up to 2 weeks to arrive.
The marina are happy to accept delivery of mail or courier items for any yacht. To have mail delivered to the marina, use:-
"YACHT NAME”
C/O Marina de Lagos
Edifício da Administração
8600-780 LAGOS
Algarve
Portugal
Note that the local “Red” pillar boxes are meant for posting normal mail, while the “Blue” ones are for the more expensive Express service.
For the delivery of purchases or spares, many suppliers rely on the use of internationally known Courier Services. These track the progress of the goods and this progress can be checked via the Internet.
Our members have had a very positive experience for the speed and reliability of such services, and we recommend their use for any valuable or urgently required items.