Executive summary for travellers and residents
The municipality of Orihuela (Orihuela Costa) has specific ordinances for civic coexistence, beaches, and mobility. The four key rules every guest must know are: prohibition of e-scooters on pavements, rest hours from 23:00 to 08:00, strict adherence to beach flags, and waste disposal from 20:00.
Use of electric scooters (e-scooters) and bicycles
The use of Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) such as electric scooters is regulated by the DGT and local urban mobility ordinances to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers:
Authorised routes
- Permitted: Designated cycle lanes and urban roads limited to 30 km/h.
- Strictly prohibited: Pavements, pedestrian promenades, and interurban roads or crossings.
- Maximum authorised speed: 25 km/h.
Safety requirements and fines
- Mandatory use of an approved protective helmet.
- White front light and red rear light with mandatory reflectors at night.
- Prohibited use of headphones, mobile phones, or carrying two people on the same scooter.
- 0.0 alcohol limit for minors and subject to general limits for adults.
Rest hours and noise ordinance
In the residential estates of Villamartín and Orihuela Costa, rest and good neighbourliness are priorities to ensure everyone's comfort:
During these hours, activities that generate disturbing noise inside properties, communal areas, or outdoor terraces are not permitted (loud music, parties, dragging furniture, or loud conversations).
Orihuela Costa Beaches: Lifeguards and Flags
The 11 beaches and coves of Orihuela Costa awarded the Blue Flag (such as La Zenia, Cala Capitán, or Playa Flamenca) have professional rescue and maritime surveillance services:
Lifeguard Service Hours
In the summer season (15 June to 15 September), lifeguard stations operate uninterruptedly from 10:00 to 19:00 or 20:00. During Easter and mid-season, hours are adapted to visitor numbers.
Official meaning of beach flags
| Flag | Meaning | Conditions and Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Green | Swimming permitted | Calm sea and good hygienic-sanitary conditions. |
| 🟡 Yellow | Caution | Waves, undertow, or currents. Only bathe where you can touch the bottom with your head above water. |
| 🔴 Red | Swimming prohibited | Severe risk to life. Entering the water under a red flag entails police fines. |
| 🪼 White (Jellyfish) | Stinging marine life | Presence of jellyfish swarms. Hoisted alongside the green or yellow flag. |
Other mandatory rules on the beaches:
- Reserving a spot is prohibited by placing empty umbrellas or chairs early in the morning (municipal services may remove them).
- Responsible use of showers: Using gels, soaps, or shampoos in footwashes and public showers is prohibited.
- Pets: Access with pets is not permitted during the bathing season, except on expressly signposted dog beaches.
- Waste: Leaving cigarette butts, cans, or plastics on the sand is prohibited; use the recycling bins at the access points.
Waste disposal and recycling
To prevent odours and keep the environment clean, the Orihuela Costa cleaning ordinance establishes:
Organic waste hours
Dispose of closed bags in the grey bins from 20:00 in summer to prevent fermentation due to daytime heat.
Recycling bins (24 h)
Yellow (plastics and packaging), Blue (folded paper and cardboard), and Green (glass without lids). They can be used at any time while respecting rest hours.
Emergency and Assistance Numbers in Orihuela Costa
General Emergencies
112
Police, Fire Brigade, and Ambulances (multilingual)
Orihuela Costa Local Police
96 676 00 00
Orihuela Costa Town Hall
Aguamarina Health Centre
96 674 83 43
Medical emergencies in Orihuela Costa
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