There are various ways to find it. From Malaga take the autovia in the direction of Granada, approximately 12 kms from Malaga take the right hand turning at Colmenar and just follow the signs to Riogordo, a distance of approximately 16kms. An alternative for those coming from the western side of Malaga, is to take the A 335 from Torre del Mar and again follow the signs to Riogordo a distance of around 44 kms.

This complete area is a National Park known as “Las Montes De Malaga” designated as a Natural Park in 1989 by the Regional Government of Andalucia. The park covers an area of 4,900 hectares mainly low lying hills ranging from about 80metres to the peak of La Reina at 1,200 metres above sea level. The area is slashed with valleys and gullies and criss-crossed with streams of the purest quality water.

EMPADRONAMIENTO

One of the first things you ought to do upon moving into Riogordo is to sign up at the local town hall (Ayuntamiento) as a new resident (empadronamiento). You will need your passport or residence papers (which are always important to have with you whenever trying to do anything official) and the address where you are or will be living (proof thereof if possible, such as a rental contract or your title deed (escritura) to your house). Make several copies of this residence paper, as you will be asked for it from time to time.

AYUNTAMIENTO OF RIOGORDO
Open from 9:30-13:30

Plaza de la Constitucion, °14
952732154 or 952732153
Fax: 952732380

If you would like to vote in the local elections and you are from a European Union country, you can do so. But you must fill out a form ahead of time in your Ayuntamiento, expressing your desire to do so.

REAL ESTATE

RIOESTATES
Opposie the Chemist
C/ Pozo 21
Riogordo
Tel +34 952 719 502
Mob +34 600 783 711
info@rioestates.com

BUILDING ISSUES

If you plan to construct a new house, or make drastic changes on your existing one, a building permit needs to be applied for at the Ayuntamiento. Typically permission is not a problem, but it is slow in coming- sometimes very slow. After submitting the paper work, some have begun construction work prior to written approval. It's a normal way that the Spaniards might do it. Normally this results in a small, insignificant fine, but in some cases it has resulted in lawsuits and work stoppages. You decide.

Local tradesmen and building supply dealers are listed below. I don't mention builders themselves (abaniles), as there are so many in the area. It is important to ask questions, compare prices and take a look at previous houses they have done. As there is much construction in the area right now, there is typically a wait for a good builder. In construction issues, plan that it will take several weeks or longer than you expected or were promised for the job to be started and/or finished. Tranquilo- Don't let it bother you. The lists of workers and businesses below are not exhaustive. There are others who work in these areas who are not listed. These are the ones we had knowledge of or have used personally in the past.

Constructiones Nunez,
C/Camino de Magiaza, s/n,
Riogordo 952732021/952732395

Electricians (electricistas)
Paco and Fali Diaz 610828809 or 625880983

Plumbers (fontaneros)
Pepe Sanchez 952732122

Carpinteria Morales,
C/General A. Morales Villanueva, °15, Riogordo
Rafael 952 732 260

SCHOOLING

As foreigners in Spain, your children have the same rights to public education here as Spanish children. Those of us who have had children in the state schools have been pleased with the level of studies and the dedication of the teachers. If you would prefer that your children be in/remain in the English system of education. Sunny View School in Torremolinos (952383164) offers schooling in English from pre-school through 12th grade. This might be the best option if your children are older and do not know Spanish, as it is very difficult for them to do high school level work while at the same time trying to learn the language. The obvious problem with Sunny View is transportation and tuiton costs. Another option, which we used one year, and which other families have used, is home schooling with materials from your home country.

School is technically obligatory from age 6-4° de ESO (10th grade.)

RIOGORDO

Nursery School: When your child is walking - 2 years old. 9:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, free of charge. Inquire in the Ayuntamiento.

Nuestra Senora de Gracia: Ages 3 through 2° of ESO (8th grade). Sign your child up at the school: C/San Isidro, N°3 952732584

1.E.S. Alta Axarquia: 3° of ESO through 2° of Bachillerato (12' grade). Buses go daily from Riogordo. Sign up at the school: Paseo del Barrero, s/n Periana 952536442.

Adult Education: Calle Pablo Picaso, s/n 952732278 or 610846598. Spanish classes are offered free of charge Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-7:00 p.m.. Craft classes and bus trips are also planned. The teacher is Manoli Crespillo Monies.

Typically you will need to buy all of the school books and supplies for your children, though from time to time the local governments will provide these resources. Your child will be given a specific list at the beginning of the school year, detailing even what type of glue and pens to buy. Local outlets for school supplies are;

Riogordo: Maria Auxiliadora Store, Plaza de la Constitucion, °6 952732010

Video Club Diaz, C/ General A. Morales Villanueva, °1 952732366

MEDICAL NEEDS

Riogordo

Centro de Salud: C/VirgenDe Fatima 952732136. Open for normal hours from 8:00-20:00 Monday and Tuesday and 8:00-15:00 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. The paediatrician's hours are Monday from 8:15-12:15 and Thursday from 8:30-10:30. Bring your El 11 or E109 card with you.

Pharmacy: C/Pozo, °24 952732118. Hours from 9:30-13:30 and 16:30- 20:00 Monday-Friday. Saturday from 10:00-13:30. There is emergency service between Riogordo, Cohnenar, and Casabenneja on off hours but a prescription is necessary from the doctor for this service.

Cohnenar

Centre De Salud: Carretera de Riogordo, s/n,. Telephone: 952730311. Open for normal hours Monday-Friday from 8:00-15:00. Emergency care is offered 24 hours a day. Bring your social security number with you or your El 11 or E 109 card with you.

CONTACT THE POLICE (GUARDIA CIVIL)

Hours: 9:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:00. Call 062 in an emergency or during off hours

Riogordo, C./Real, 023 952732155.

FOOD SHOPPING

Supermercado Maria Lucia, Plaza de la Constitution, Riogordo

There are many food and meat outlets in Riogordo, and they are easy to find. Food stores tend to be of two types: Supermarkets and local house shops. Supermarkets (supermercados) allow you to walk through the isles and pick up the products you want. At the house shops, the products are mostly behind the counter, and you need to ask for them.

Supermarkets are easier. The house shops are better for your Spanish. If you don't see a product you want, ask for it. It probably is there but you don't see it. If it's not there, and you will be a repeat customer, ask if they can get it for you. If it's available, most times they will.

We suggest that you buy at many different stores when you first arrive to see what products they offer and to get a comparative idea of what you are being charged.

Street markets (el mercadillo or los baratos) are held once a week in town, where you can buy everything from fruits and vegetables to clothes, pictures, shoes, candy, etc... In Riogordo it's on Wednesdays from 10:00-13:00

There is a also a daily market hall where you can buy fresh meat, vegetables and fish.

Repair of water heaters, washing machines, stoves, and refrigerators

Pepe from Colmenar is the man to call. If you live in Riogordo, sign up for his services at the drogueria Santa Gema in the Plaza de la Constitucion, °4. Pepe comes to Riogordo on Tuesday's and works his way through those on the list. If you have an emergency call him at 952730811.

Another option is M Granados Romer Edesa who comes from Archidona normally on Wednesday's to make similar repairs. His number is 952714203.

Repair of televisions, video machines, stereo systems, microwaves, etc...

Electrodomesticos Loli, C/Agua, °24, Riogordo 9527332056.

Butane (Butano)

For a butane contract, new bottles, or refills, go Monday through Saturday during business hours (10:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00 Monday through Friday; 10:00-14:00 Saturday) to Calle Cortez, °19, Colmenar. Don't hesitate to ring at the door if no one is there. When you have your bottles and contract, butane bottle refills are delivered to your door in the towns. Leave your empty butane bottle outside your door on the days they pass through your town (in Riogordo: Monday and Thursday), so that they know you need one. They will knock at your door with the new bottle and to be paid.

Another option in Riogordo is the new service from Cespa: Salvador Perdiguero Rivero, C/General A. Morales Villanueva, °17. Salvador provides the same service as above, but with the lighter Cespa bottles, and delivers bottles to your home on Wednesday's.

Camping Gas/Butane refills: C/General A. Morales Villanueva, °32 Riogordo 952732143.

Library (Biblioteca)

There is a public library in Riogordo where you can read a newspaper, do

research, or check out a book. There are very few English resources, however. Riogordo:

Plaza de la Constitucion (above the Unicaja bank). Hours: from 17:00-20:00 Monday-Friday.

Banks and Cash Points

Riogordo

Unicaja, Plaza de la Constitucion, °3, 952732160 Monday-Friday 8:30-14:00

Caja Rural, C/ Pozo, °1 952732198 Monday-Friday from 8:30-14:00

It is common that most payments such as electric, telephone, water, taxes, etc... be directly withdrawn from your bank account. With any new repeat payment, the bank personnel will ask if you want the payment domiciliado, which refers to the direct withdrawls. It works well and is the easiest.

In Spain people have a different way of queueing up. The line is not what is important but the order in which people arrived to the bank, the store or wherever else you might wait There may even be people no longer in the building who are ahead of you. When you enter a bank or store where there is more than one person, ask who is the last one on line (Quien es el ultimo-?)

You follow that person.

Post Office (Correos)

Riogordo: C/Real, °4. Open Monday- Saturday from 9:00-11:00. People in the countryside need to pick up their mail at Bar Casino, Plaza de la Constitucion. Packages need to be picked up in person at the Correos. It doesn't hurt to check every once in awhile to see if you have something there.

Stamps and mailing envelopes can be bought at the Tabacco Shop (estanco),

Car Repairs (Mechnico) v Parts (Repuestos)

Auto Recambios Riogordo: Sells and repairs motorcycles; sells cars, motorcycle and bicycle parts; sells and repairs car tires; does oil change and change of filters; sells and fixes small motor tools, such as electric saws. C/Malaga, °2 952732211 or 659156847

Taller Alvares/Total, Riogordo: General auto and tractor repairs: C/Jorge Guillen, s/n 952732125. An English mechanic, Mark, works at the shop, making communication easy

Car Wash

Gasolinera Bustos on the main highway between Velez Malaga y Casabermeja, Riogordo.

Insurance Dealers (Seguros)

Femando Canadas, Paseo Andalucia. °30, Riogordo 952732276 Tuesday and Thursday p.m.

Europea Nordica, Jesus Morales and Family, C/Noguera, °58, Riogordo 952732233

Axa Seguros, Jose Luque Cuevas, C/Noguera, °42, Riogordo 952732204

Veterinarian (Veterinario) and Animal Supplies

Veterinarian: C/Cortez, °15, Colmenar. Telephone: 617415857. Hours: 17:00-19-00

Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 11:00-13:00 Saturday.

Agro-Colmenar: Pet supplies and food, as well as gardening supplies. C/Fresca, °2

Cohnenar. '

Supermercado Maria Lucia, Plaza de la Constitution, Riogordo

Hotels to stay the night

Hotel Belen, Camino de Malaga, Colmenar

Hotel Los Arrieros, Ctra. Casabermeja a Colmenar, 952730037 or 952730038

Restaurants or Bars that serve food during the week

Riogordo: Bar La Era, C/San Jacinto- from 13:30-15:30 and from 21:00-23:00. A complete meal (un menu) will cost you 5.50.

Riogordo: Bar Bistro Terraca Andalucia, C/ 28 de Febrero- Thursday, Friday, Saturday, lunch and dinner and Sunday Lunch. 605 593 756 (English spaoken)

Colmenar: Hotel Restaurante Belen, Urb. Chorropinos, s/n, Colmenar 952730031/952730578

Hotel Venta Los Arrieros, Ctr. Casabermeja a Colmenar 952730037 or 952730038

Venta La Colmena, Antigua Ctr. Malaga-Granada 952730069

Venta Los Moriscos, Antigua Ctr. Malaga-Granada 952730145

Taxi Service

Riogordo: Pepe Diaz, C/Noguera, °34 952732005.

Pepe, C/Malaga, °2 952732211 or 659156847.

Photocopies

Video Club Diaz, C/ General A. Morales Villanueva, °1, Riogordo 952732366

If Video Club Diaz is closed and you need photocopies in Riogordo, you can do them at the Ayuntamiento.

Fax and Internet Service

Riogordo: You can send your fax from the Ayuntamiento.

Colmenar Internet and Business Center: C/LaNora,°7. Telephone: 952730140. Fax: 952731063. Internet access; video rental; book exchange; greeting cards; computer and internet training; send and receive fax. Hours: 10:00-14:00 and 17-00-21-00 Monday Friday 10:00-14:00 Saturday.

Photographers

Benjamin and Elia, C/Acera Nueva, °15, Colmenar 952730832 or 600041037. They do passport photos.

Gaudencio and Raquel Frias, 952266259 or 655940615. They do work in DVD as well.

Flower and Plant Shop

Floristeria RioFlor, C/Noguera, °47, Riogordo 952732612

Cakes and Sweets

Confiteria Claudio, C/Pablo Picaso, °10, Riogordo 952732412.

Keys Copied

Ferreteria Garcia, C/Posito, °9-11, Colmenar 952730186.

Shoe Repair

Zapatero Rafael Ruiz Arrebola, C/Amargura, °11 Riogordo.

Zapatero Manolo Fernandez Luque, C/Lazo

Clothes Repair/Seamstress

Antonia Castilla, "La Costurera" C/Pintor Murillo, °4 Riogordo 952732120

Watches and Jewellery/Watch Repair (Reloieria/Joveria)

Pedro Navarro Gomez, Plaza de Espana, °2, Colmenar 952730665.

Roasted Chicken (Pollo Asado)

C/Magiaza°13, Riogordo 952732424. Only on Sundays, from 12:00-15:00 You must order ahead.

Spanish Donuts {Churros)

Plaza de los Can-os, Colmenar, Tuesday-Sunday 8-11.

Virgen Olive Oil from the Factory

Riogordo: El Borbollon, Olivera San Isidro, C/Pozo, °60 Riogordo 952732233

RioOlivo, Olivera San Jacinto, C/Noguera, °4 952732207

Sports Opportunities

Riogordo: Futbol for ages 6-17 is offer through the Ayuntamiento. If your child is interested, speak with Emilio in the Ayuntamiento.

Gimnasio Libertad: Weight training, aerobic machines and sauna. Call Paco and Fali Diaz at 610828809 or 625880983.

There are marked walking trails (rutas de senderismo) in both towns with brochures available at the town hall explaining where they are, how long they go, and what you can expect to see on them. A general rule of thumb in walking in the countryside is, if it doesn't have a fence, it's okay to walk there, as long as you don't do damage to the property or take it's produce.

Theater Group Colmenar

If you are interestested in participating, contact Baltasar at the Ayuntamiento or call 95273000 or 655397902.

Radio Alta Axarquia

If you would like to do a radio program or work as a radio disc jockey/technician call 952732159 or 952732621. English language programs are currently offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 19-00-20-00 at the frequency 107.7 FM.

If You'de like to Meet Other Foreigners Bar Casa Carlos, corner of C/La Nora and Pasaje del Pilar, Colmenar- is a popular spot for foreigners in Colmenar especially on Thurdays when they have the street market.

Catholic Mass in Spanish is celebrated weekly and on special occasions in each town.

We hope this information can be in some way useful to you.