internet cafes

At one time internet cafes were like McDonalds - one on every other corner. But with the increased usage of lap tops, netbooks, especially ipads and free wifi in most hotels at places like McDonals, Starbucks, etc., the internet cafes are fewer and sometimes hard to find. They are still around but now you have look for them.

European hotels often have a computer or two in the lobby for guests to use free. However you may face a line-up before you get to send your e-mail home.

I suggest getting an iPod Touch or similar Wi-Fi only device. You hotel will probably have wireless and even if they do not, coffee shops and such will. Everyone is connecting on Wi-Fi these days, which is why Internet cages are fewer. While connecting on an unencrypted wireless connection has its risks, it's nowhere near as risky as logging in at an Internet cafe. It's not uncommon for public computers to have malware installed that can log your keystrokes, including login credentials. The malware then sends your credentials to the bad guys who can use them for identity theft and much more. The iPod touch is tailor made for travel -- not too expensive and fits in your pocket like a phone, but no sky-high international roaming charges. Because of its small size, it's so much easier to travel with than an iPad. Full disclosure- I own both along with a Kindle. I travel internationally with the iPod touch and the Kindle only. Domestically I sometimes take the iPad.

For the kind of thing you want to do, Internet points (not always "cafes") will be fine. There aren't as many as there were just a few years ago, but they are still there (often to serve immigrants). Your hotel or the tourist office should know of the nearest ones. If you want to have more frequent Internet access, as others are saying, you may want to bring a WiFi device. There are many to choose from (iPod Touches, tablets, netbooks, notebooks); if you have a smartphone, you can shut off everything but the WiFi and use that. If you want voice contact rather than just e-mail, a mobile phone is a good idea; you can get a cheap one there (the equivalent of a "throwaway phone" or "Go phone" in the US). In theory, you could buy a phone card in Spain to use from land lines, but this is also getting harder (payphones are disappearing much faster than Internet cafes). If you're thinking of using a phone card, make sure your hotel rooms will have phones in them, and that the access number for the card will work from a hotel phone, and that there's no high surcharge from your hotel for using this number (all problems I've run into at one time or another).

Tracy, I also travel solo at least part of the time, and also like to let friends and family back home know where I am every few days. I always travel with a Cell phone so the easiest and cheapest way to do that is via text messages. I've also been travelling with a Netbook for the last few years, so I supplement that by E-mail. As the others have mentioned, Internet Cafés have dwindled to some extent over the last few years. In addition to the possibility of malware and keystroke loggers, using Net Cafés also means dealing with international keyboards, which can be a real "pain". I've found that the majority of Hotels and Hostels these days provide Wi-Fi with the cost of the room (although a few charge for it). Some Hotels may provide a computer for guests in the Lobby, but I've found it's often hard to access as many people are trying to use it at the same time. Packing along an iPod Touch is certainly one option, however I've found that these are great for "light duty" use but the small keyboard and screen become somewhat tedious after awhile (that's why I pack along a cheap Netbook). It would help to know if you presently have a Cellphone, and if so which network you're with. If you don't currently have a Cell, you could either buy a cheap PAYG phone in Spain or obtain a phone from one of the "travel phone" firms. Happy travels!

If all you want to do is send a message every now and again, your hotel will probably have a public computer.

Good investment the iPod touch. Then add the free Skype app. You'll be able to keep in touch, store trip information (Tripit app), use as a currency convertor (XE currency app) and translator (Google Translate) find restaurants (Qype Radar), directions, (Google Maps) listen to audio books, music, share pics, etc, etc, etc. Recently, on the General Europe page suggestions for practical applications for an iPad were discussed. Same apps can be used on the iPod Touch.

My "travel only" cell phone (an older flip phone) from Mobal can accept incoming text messages for FREE, and outgoing is 48 cents per msg. That's a good deal! Using it for a telephone gets expensive, so text is the way to go. I used it for a phone on my last trip and came home to a bill of $300. For my upcoming trip it will be 95% text messaging!

I forgot to say, you can get a Mobal phone for only $29, which is good if you can't affort an iPod Touch.

Thanks for the advise. I bought a Nook Tablet a little while ago so i will try and send e-mails when i can find free wi-fi and bring my cell phone for texting on occasion. Last year i was in Thailand and there were cheap internet cafes everywhere. I'm glad i asked before heading to Spain thinking that i'd find the same thing! So thank you again for all the replys.

I'm just back from Spain, and I can tell you you will find free wifi in almost any hostel, hostal, or hotel you might stay in (I stayed in everything from a one-star to a five-star on this trip, and every one had free wifi). In addition, public parks or plazas often have hotspots, as do places like McDonald's and Starbucks and many local restaurants, too. With a wifi device you won't have any trouble staying in touch. Just make sure you ask for "weefee".