Fuerteventura Travel Guide

Fuerteventura, thanks to its many beaches, excellent year-round weather and great surfing and windsurfing conditions, is undoubtedly one of the best known and most popular islands in the Canary Islands archipelago, especially among Italians.

I visited the island over the course of a two-month trip during which I explored all the major islands of the archipelago, except for El Hierro. Whether it’s a backpacking adventure, a road trip or an all-inclusive vacation, you’ll find plenty of useful tips and insights in this guide to help you plan your trip as best you can.

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Isla de Los Lobos.

When to visit Fuerteventura

As I mentioned, Fuerteventura, and the Canary Islands more generally, enjoy a good year-round climate and can therefore be appreciated in all seasons. That said, much depends on what your expectations are during the trip.

Fuerteventura in spring

During the spring months, temperatures can reach 22-23 degrees Celsius, and even a few degrees higher toward the end of May, when the precipitation that can occasionally occur in March and April is practically absent. This makes May particularly ideal for those who want to avoid the crowds and high prices that characterize the peak summer season.

Fuerteventura in summer

June, July and August are considered high season in Fuerteventura. The weather is great, rainfall is absent, and toward the end of July even the ocean water starts to warm up. Of course, this is also the busiest and most expensive time of the year.

The video of my trip (in Italian, but you can turn on the subtitles). Subscribe to the channel!

Fuerteventura in autumn

September is probably the best month to visit the island. The beaches are less crowded (especially toward the end of the month), the weather is great and the ocean is warmer than in summer. October is also a good month, the probability of precipitation increases, but all in all it’s still pleasant. In November, on the other hand, the probability of a few showers increases greatly and temperatures drop, marking the beginning of the winter period.

Fuerteventura in winter

Although winter in Fuerteventura is very different from that of mainland Europe (and, not by chance, the Canary Islands are a popular destination during the Christmas season), December, going by the data, is the rainiest month of all.

Nevertheless, precipitation remains relatively low, and during the day, with the sun shining, temperatures can reach 20 degrees Celsius even in January and February. In short, don’t expect to bask in the sun or enjoy a swim without a wetsuit, but if all you’re looking for is simply a bit of sunshine and mild temperatures, you won’t be disappointed.

Documents and vaccinations for going to Fuerteventura

The Canary Islands are, for all intents and purposes, part of Spain, and therefore, as with any other country within the European Union, if you’re an EU citizen you don’t need a visa or a passport: a valid national ID card is all you need to visit the island. For everyone else, Schengen Area visa policy applies.

What to do and see in Fuerteventura

P.S. I know many people decide to combine their trip to Fuerteventura with nearby Lanzarote; if that’s your case, take a look at my Lanzarote travel guide.

N.b. Several times throughout the guide you’ll find links to https://www.alltrails.com/. If you want to use offline navigation directly from the AllTrails app you need to upgrade to the pro version. However, you can get around this by downloading the coordinates from the desktop version of the site in “Google Earth KML” format and then uploading them to Organic Maps, which is by far one of my favorite travel apps.

Corralejo

I usually begin the “what to do and see” section of my guides with the capital of the destination in question, which in this case would be Puerto del Rosario. The town, however, isn’t particularly interesting, and I think it’s more practical to start with Corralejo, since it seems to be the hub for many independent travelers and young people who decide to visit the island.

What to do and see in Corralejo

As just mentioned, a great many people, especially younger people, decide to base themselves in Corralejo. The town in the northeast of the island is indeed the place where the nightlife is definitely liveliest. If that’s what you’re particularly interested in, look no further. The narrow streets of the old town and the waterfront are full of bars and restaurants where you can have a drink and dinner before heading to some of the clubs. On this page you’ll find a few tips.

Saladar de las Lagunillas.

Surf, beaches and dunes

As I mentioned, the island is a popular destination among surfers and kitesurfers. If you’re interested, there are numerous schools offering introductory lessons or multi-day courses. While I was there (it was low season), the hostel where I stayed offered a lesson with an instructor, in a small group, with all the equipment and transportation to the beach included, for only 25€. In high season you’ll probably end up spending twice as much, but if it’s something you want to try, there probably aren’t many better places in Europe.

There are some nice beaches in the town that you can easily reach even if you’re staying near the center: Playa de Corralejo Viejo, Playa de los Veriliotos and Playa del Medio. A little further south, within the natural park of the same name, are the famous dunes of Corralejo; here there are other sandy beaches that are much less crowded but also less suitable for swimming; these are beaches mostly frequented by kite surfers but still beautiful: Playa del Pozo, Playa Larga and Playa de los Matos.

The stretch of coast northwest of Corralejo, which I recommend driving along all the way to El Cotillo (I’ll talk about it later), is instead characterized by rocky beaches. However, a few nice coves can also be found: Playa El Majanicho, also known as “Popcorn Beach” for the curious pebbles found on the beach, Caleta de Beatriz, Punta Blanca, Punta Gorda, and Caleta del Marrajo a stone’s throw from the Tostón Lighthouse.

Corralejo dunes at sunset.

Isla de los Lobos

The island is part of a nature reserve and hasn’t been permanently inhabited since 1982. It’s located a short distance from Corralejo and is an ideal place to spend a day. There are several daily departures from the port; you certainly won’t have a hard time locating the stands that sell tickets! Basically, they’re all the same; the cost is 13.50€ for the round trip by boat and 1.50€ for processing the island access permit (the latter technically could be requested for free from this page at least 5 days in advance). The return is “open” in the sense that you can take any of the boats without necessarily deciding in advance. In any case, I recommend leaving early in the morning, particularly if you plan to complete the route on foot as there’s not a scrap of shade and, especially in summer, it can get really hot.

Once on the island, I recommend completing the walking loop that goes from the pier past El Puertito, the Punta Martiño Lighthouse to the north and finally climbs to the top of Montaña la Caldera; from there you have fantastic views of the island itself but also Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Treat yourself to a few hours of relaxation at Playa de la Concha before returning to the pier and back to Corralejo.

The whole trail can be easily completed in 2-3 hours, it’s about 10 km. The trail is really easy to follow and can be viewed here.

Alternatively, if you don’t feel like walking, you could just briefly explore the small port village of El Puertito and then head to the beautiful Playa de la Concha or perhaps take a nice catamaran ride around the island.

Playa de la Concha.

Trekking

Certainly not a must-do hike, but if you feel like walking, the Bayuyo volcano on the outskirts of Corralejo offers an excellent opportunity to spend a few hours. From the top you have wonderful views of the surroundings of Corralejo and more generally of the barren landscape that characterizes the island.

Personally I followed the circular trail described here. It’s about 8 km and can be completed in 1.5-2.5 hours but there are also trails going up directly from Corralejo (take a look at Organic Maps). You can also include the nearby Montana Colorada and the Calderón Hondo volcano by following the trail described here for a total of about 14 km or alternatively reserve this hike for another day by following this trail of about 5 km.

View from the top of the Bayuyo volcano.

Where to stay in Corralejo?

Kaktus Beach House is a really cheap hostel and all in all not bad at all, especially considering the central location. I recommend booking in advance because even during my visit in May the hostel was full. Three slightly more expensive and not as well located alternatives are Ohana Guest House, Claro and Aloha Surf House.

How to reach Corralejo?

As we’ll see later in the guide, while not essential (technically you can go almost anywhere by public transportation) I strongly recommend renting a car to explore the island, and the most practical way is probably to do it directly at the airport upon arrival. In any case, if like me you want to spend a few days in Corralejo before visiting other parts of the island, you can save some money and postpone the rental for a few days. In this case, from the airport, you can take line 3 to Puerto del Rosario, where you’ll have to change buses and take line 6 to Corralejo. Buses run frequently and the trip costs 4.80€. Alternatively you can take a shuttle, which costs a little more, by booking it at this site at least a few days in advance, especially in high season. The port of Corralejo is also where direct ferries to Lanzarote depart and arrive (Corralejo – Playa Blanca route).

Playa Larga.

El Cotillo

Starting from Corralejo, following the coast westward, you reach the small town of El Cotillo. Here you can visit the Torre del Tostón – once used as a lookout tower to spot pirates – which dominates the village from the top of the cliff.

The view is great, the tower is honestly nothing much but still worth a visit. Inside there’s a small exhibition, but during my visit it was closed because of Covid. From here I recommend going down to the village, where there are a couple of nice streets with lots of restaurants where you can have a good meal; I especially recommend the ones facing Playa del Muellito.

Other nice beaches to visit around El Cotillo are Playa La Concha to the north and Playa del Castillo to the south, the latter less suitable for swimming.

El Cotillo.

How to reach El Cotillo?

As mentioned earlier, coming from Corralejo, I strongly recommend following the road along the coast (as described in the “Surf, beaches and dunes” section). The road is unpaved but in excellent condition, and there are lots of interesting stops along the way. If you don’t have a car, there are buses from Corralejo every hour or so, while direct connections from Puerto del Rosario are less frequent.

Where to stay in El Cotillo?

El Cotillo doesn’t exactly offer cheap options and can easily be visited as a day trip using Corralejo as a base. If you decide to spend the night, especially if you’re not traveling alone, Casa Mate Cotillo Mar and Cotillo Arena offer not too expensive apartments that can accommodate up to three people. El Hotelito if you’re looking for a hotel instead.

Popcorn beach.

Aguas Verdes

Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands in general have many natural pools: these are lava flows that, as the name suggests, have formed real saltwater pools where you can swim sheltered from the strong currents that characterize many beaches. Aguas Verdes, halfway between El Cotillo and Ajuy, is one example. A girl I met at the hostel in Corralejo had strongly recommended it, and in all honesty it partially fell short of the expectations I’d built up. So, if you’re not short on days, go take a look, at least to see something unusual!

To reach the natural pools: once you get down to Playa del Valle, walk north along the cliff to this point.

Aguas Verdes natural pools.

Betancuria

Founded in 1404, Betancuria was for years the most important town in the entire archipelago and later the capital of Fuerteventura until 1860.

It’s a perfect little village for a lunch break and a short walk to stretch your legs as you continue your journey south.

Before you even get to the town, if you’re coming from the north, I recommend stopping at Mirador Corrales de Guize. From here you can continue on foot to the top of Morro de la Cruz from where you also have excellent views of the eastern part of the island. At the entrance to the town (again coming from the north) and along the main road there are very few parking spaces, but there’s a large parking lot at this spot complete with a public restroom and free wifi.

When you get to Betancuria, there really isn’t much to do, and once you’ve visited the little main square in front of the Iglesia de Santa Maria, there aren’t many other sights to see. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and maybe a good hot meal in one of the little restaurants around the square.

The hike to the Ermita de la Peña is a fairly short trail that leads to a small isolated chapel just outside Betancuria.

Betancuria’s main square.

Ajuy

This small fishing village, just south of Betancuria, is definitely worth a visit. In addition to being particularly striking with its black beach contrasting with the blue sea and its colorful little houses, you can visit the so-called Cuevas de Ajuy, or Ajuy caves, which can be reached at the end of a really pleasant short walk along the cliffs.

Unfortunately, the beach isn’t the best for swimming. In fact, the currents are really strong but you can still sunbathe and cool your legs in the ocean. The strong contrast between the black beach and the blue ocean makes it one of my favorite beaches in Fuerteventura.

Where to stay in Ajuy?

If you decide to spend the night here, Apartamento Garcey offers apartments at really cheap prices.

Ajuy.

Pájara

Pájara, capital of the southernmost province of Fuerteventura, is another really nice little town where you can stop for a meal or just have a coffee in one of the cafes along the main street, on the side of the small square in front of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Regla. Again, as with Betancuria, don’t expect anything special, just a cute little town where you can stop for a walk and maybe have something to eat.

There’s a spacious parking lot at this spot, a stone’s throw from the small center, complete with a public restroom. There’s also a public swimming pool not far away where you can technically swim in the summer.

If you feel like taking a short hike, about 17 kilometers south of the village, within the Parque Rural de Betancuria, there’s a relatively popular trail that connects El Cardón to the hermitage La Virgen del Tanquito, a small shrine carved into the rock. On this page you’ll find a description of the trail (SL-FV 53).

Ajuy Caves.

Gran Tarajal

Not exactly a tourist destination, let alone a must-see, the wide beach of Gran Tarajal is mostly frequented by locals and can be considered a more authentic experience than other beaches on the island because of this. The sea here is usually calm and suitable for swimming. The promenade, filled with bars, restaurants, and stores, is a pleasant place to walk.

Other than that, there isn’t much else to do. I recommend going out of town, about ten kilometers from the center and reaching Faro de La Entallada from which you have excellent views of the coast. This is the closest point in all the Canaries to Africa and apparently, if the weather cooperates, you can see the African coast. The road up is fairly narrow and, especially the last stretch, has a few spots where only one car can pass, but there’s never much traffic.

Viewpoint at the Faro de Entallada.

Costa Calma and Laguna de Sotavento

Costa Calma is the classic resort town, suited to anyone looking for the classic “vacation atmosphere”. Hotels, resorts and vacation apartments dominate. Particularly popular with Germans, the beach is well equipped and suitable for swimming. A little further north is a zoo (Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura) and a botanical garden (Fuerteventura Botanical Garden).

Slightly south of the resorts that characterize Costa Calma, however, we find the exact opposite. In fact, Laguna de Sotavento and its beach have no structures whatsoever, just a very long stretch of unspoiled coastline characterized by extremely fine white sand. The water in the lagoon is shallow, and even in the middle of winter, the temperature doesn’t drop below 21 degrees Celsius. The only downside is the constant wind, which, however, attracts thousands of windsurfers and kitesurfers. Conditions are so favorable that every July, the beach hosts the World Windsurfing and Kitesurfing Championships. On the opposite side from Costa Calma, at the southern end of Laguna de Sotavento, is another beautiful beach: Risco del Paso.

On the trail to Pico de la Zarza.

Planning your trip? If you still need travel insurance, you can find my guide to the best travel insurance here. Purchasing through the links in the guide supports this site at no additional cost to you.

Morro Jable

The town, while not purely touristy, doesn’t have an authentic atmosphere like Gran Tarajal. The waterfront is teeming with bars, restaurants, and clubs open late, and there’s certainly no shortage of hotels. Direct ferries to Gran Canaria and Tenerife also arrive and depart here (Morro Jable – Las Palmas and Morro Jable – Santa Cruz de Tenerife routes, respectively).

In any case, although Morro Jable isn’t the most authentic and charming town on the island, its wide beach, Playa del Matorral, is really nice. This white sand beach stretches over four kilometers and is perfect if you want to relax by renting an umbrella and a deck chair. The sea is usually calm, making it ideal for swimming.

Pico de la Zarza

A really nice hike that I strongly recommend to anyone willing to put in some effort is the ascent to Pico de la Zarza, which at 807 meters is the highest point on the island.

The trail described on this page makes its way through the Parque Natural Jandía and starts from the outskirts of Morro Jable at this point. It’s about 13 km total, you go up and down along the same trail which is really easy to follow and also well marked on Organic Maps. At a brisk pace I went up in about an hour and a half and came down in an hour or so, but realistically I think most people will need 2-3 hours to go up and 1.5-2 hours to come down. Once you get to the top you have fantastic views of Cofete beach. I recommend going up in the morning, as the trail is completely exposed to the sun without a scrap of shade and, especially when there’s no wind, it can get really hot.

View from the top of Pico de la Zarza.

Cofete

The small village of Cofete gives its name to the nearby beach, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in all of Fuerteventura. As beautiful and scenic as it is, however, it isn’t suitable for swimming due to the strong currents and high waves that characterize it. Nevertheless, it’s definitely worth a visit, you won’t be disappointed: the mountains overlooking the sea are truly unique and have earned it the distinction of being one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Europe.

Cofete is reached at the end of a dirt road that is, however, mostly in good condition. I saw a lot of Fiat 500s tackling it without any problems! The road itself is scenic and if you want there are several viewpoints where you can stop (I particularly recommend this spot because it’s easier to park). Once there, as I said, there isn’t much to do except walk on the beach. The beach has absolutely no facilities, and there are a couple of restaurants in the shantytown-looking village.

If you’re interested, you can visit the nearby Casa Winter, a house, now a museum, used by Nazi generals fleeing to South America after the end of World War II. Finally, for the more adventurous, there’s also the possibility of walking through the “Gran Valle” to Cofete. Follow the trail described on this page (PR FV 55). You can park your car at this spot.

Casa Winter.

Faro de Jandía

Faro de Jandía, at the tip of the peninsula of the same name, is the southernmost point on the island of Fuerteventura. Completed in 1864, it’s one of the oldest lighthouses in the entire Canary Islands and is still in operation today. There isn’t much to do or see except contemplate the ocean and take the customary photo. I recommend combining the visit with Cofete and also visiting the Punta Pesebre Lighthouse, slightly further north. Nearby there are many really nice coves such as Playa de los Ojos.

View from Faro de Jandía.

Caleta de Fuste

Another resort town, similar in some respects to the aforementioned Costa Calma and Morro Jable. Here the urban center consists mainly of hotels, bars, restaurants and stores.

The golden sand beach (Playa del Castillo) is really nice. It’s located inside a bay with extremely calm water and is therefore perfect for swimming. There’s everything you might expect from an equipped beach (not only showers, umbrellas and sunbeds but also pedal boats, kayaks, floating slides, etc. etc.) which makes it particularly suitable and frequented by families with children.

Also, a short distance from the coast, there are excellent diving sites.

Puerto del Rosario

I end the guide with what has been the capital of the island since 1860. We only stopped in Puerto del Rosario for a couple of hours to watch a soccer game after spending the afternoon in nearby Playa Blanca. Playa Blanca, located south of town, is an equipped beach and considered one of the best on the island for beginner surfers.

During our brief visit, we weren’t particularly impressed with the town but in my opinion it’s still more interesting than many other resort towns on the island. There’s a waterfront where you can pleasantly stroll along and there are plenty of restaurants – such as La Marea – where for just 9€ I had a nice grilled tuna filet with plenty of sides.

For the record, the beach in the center near the port (Playa de los Pozos or Playa Chica) also didn’t seem so bad and is definitely suitable for swimming.

Faro del Tostón.

Suggested itineraries in Fuerteventura

I know perfectly well that many people visit the island of Fuerteventura and are more than happy to spend all their available time in one location, limiting themselves to a few day trips. While the following itineraries are designed for a road trip, given the relatively short distances involved, they can still be used by those who decide to opt for a different type of travel and use a single “base” on the island. In any case, consider what follows as a starting point for constructing an itinerary based on your interests and in light of what has been described so far.

5-day itinerary in Fuerteventura

In my opinion, four or five days in Fuerteventura, though not many, are more than enough to see the highlights of the island.

Corralejo (2 nights)

Day 1:

Arrival in Fuerteventura. Rest of the day among the beaches of Corralejo.

Day 2:

Excursion to Isla de Los Lobos.

Ajuy (1 night)

Day 3:

Drive along the coast until you reach El Cotillo. Stop briefly at Betancuria and the Mirador Risco de las Peñas before continuing on to Ajuy. Visit the caves and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Morro Jable (1 night)

Day 4:

Short stop in Pajara before driving to Cofete and, if you can, make it to the Jandía lighthouse. Spend the night in Morro Jable.

Day 5:

If your flight permits, spend the morning at the beach in Morro Jable before heading to the airport.

Playa de Solapa.

7-day itinerary in Fuerteventura

With a week available, compared to the five-day itinerary just described, I’d spend an extra night in Corralejo, perhaps doing a surf lesson, a hike, or just relaxing on the beach. I’d also spend an additional night in Morro Jable to climb Pico de la Zarza.

Corralejo (3 nights)

Day 1:

Arrival in Fuerteventura. Rest of the day among the beaches of Corralejo.

Day 2:

Excursion to Isla de Los Lobos.

Day 3:

Choose between a surf lesson, excursion to Bayuyo Volcano and Montana Colorada, or just some relaxation.

Ajuy (1 night)

Day 4:

Drive along the coast until you reach El Cotillo. Stop briefly at Betancuria and the Mirador Risco de las Peñas before continuing to Ajuy, visit the caves and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Morro Jable (2 nights)

Day 5:

Short stop in Pajara before driving to Cofete and if you have time stop at the Jandía lighthouse. Return to Morro Jable for the night.

Day 6:

Excursion to Pico de la Zarza.

Day 7:

If your flight allows, spend the morning at the beach in Morro Jable before heading to the airport.

10-day itinerary in Fuerteventura

With ten days available, or maybe two weeks, there’s definitely room for a few full days of relaxing on the beach, a few wild nights out, surfing and windsurfing lessons, more hikes, and maybe a few days in nearby Lanzarote.

On the way to Cofete.

How to get around Fuerteventura

As mentioned several times in this guide, unless you’re planning a beach vacation without moving around much, having a car during your trip to Fuerteventura, or at least renting one for part of your stay, is something I think is extremely advisable.

Mirador de Guise y Ayose.

Rent a car in Fuerteventura

Throughout my travels in the Canary Islands, I almost always ended up renting a car with Cicar. The prices are cheap, you can easily pay without a credit card, no deposit is required, insurance is included, and there are no deductibles. Best of all, they have offices at all ports and airports in the Canary Islands, which is really practical if you’re planning a multi-stop trip across the islands. Most other companies only have offices at the airport, which can be really inconvenient if, instead of flying, you want to drop your car off at the port and take a ferry to another island.

In short, if you have a road trip between the islands in mind or for whatever reason you don’t want to drop the car off at the airport, Cicar is probably the best option. In all other cases, it’s definitely worth considering other car rental companies by looking at sites like Discover Cars. In any case, whether you choose Cicar or another company, if you have specific dates, I recommend booking the car a few weeks in advance. Doing so can save you a lot compared to a last-minute rental.

Also, it’s worth noting that practically all companies technically don’t allow you to drive on dirt roads. We did it several times, but if you run into any problems, you risk having to pay out of your own pocket. Finally, some companies technically allow you to take the car to another island by ferry, as long as you return it on the island where you rented it; many, on paper, don’t allow you to leave the island at all. Obviously nobody checks at the port, but if you need assistance, that’s where the problems could start.

My advice, if you need one, is to rent a different car for each island you visit, or at least find out properly what you’re allowed to do and what you’re not.

Calderón Hondo.

Buses in Fuerteventura

If you’re traveling alone and want to save money over the cost of renting a car, don’t feel like driving, or for any other reason don’t want to rent a car, public transportation isn’t bad at all and you can reach virtually any destination on the island with a little planning (there are also buses that go to Cofete). On this page you’ll find the various routes and schedules.

Domestic flights

The only two airlines operating domestic flights between the islands are CanaryFly and BinterCanarias. Prices tend to be very similar but in general Binter seems to be slightly cheaper and has special fares for those under 29. In any case, look at both and if possible book at least a few weeks in advance for the best deals.

Ferries to Fuerteventura

Ferries are the cheaper alternative to flights and, above all, the more practical way to get from one island to another. Obviously, if you need to get to La Palma from Fuerteventura, it’s definitely better to fly, but to go to Gran Canaria, Tenerife and especially neighboring Lanzarote, not only do you save money by taking the ferry but it’s much more convenient as you don’t have to show up at the airport two hours before, but can simply go to the port an hour before or even less, buy your ticket and board without necessarily booking your trip in advance.

Basically, if you don’t have a well-established itinerary, moving by ferry gives you much more flexibility. Anyway, there are several companies that operate between the islands. Direct Ferries is a site that aggregates all the companies and you can book your tickets if you want.

Specifically, Fuerteventura has several daily departures from Corralejo to Playa Blanca in Lanzarote with Fred Olsen, Lineas Romero, and Naviera Armas. From Morro Jable to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria only Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas operate. Ferries to Santa Cruz de Tenerife depart from Morro Jable and Puerto del Rosario with Naviera Armas.

Isla de Los Lobos with Fuerteventura in the background.

Backpacking Fuerteventura: costs

How much does a trip to Fuerteventura cost? Obviously it depends. Those who read my blog know that I travel extremely frugally, and my trip to the Canary Islands was no exception. I managed to stick to a budget of 1000€ a month, or a little over 30€ a day, all inclusive. If you’re looking for some ideas on how to save money, take a look at this article.

I fully realize that not everyone is willing or interested in living the backpacker life, but the good news is that the Canary Islands are still a relatively cheap destination by European standards. Prices in general are lower than in mainland Spain itself, since the islands are a sort of special region where VAT is only 7% and on many consumer goods you don’t pay it at all. To give you two examples, gas costs around 1€ per liter, and a dinner at a restaurant, if you’re not too demanding, costs about 10€ or a little more. In short, they won’t be Latin American prices, but by European standards you certainly can’t complain.

Since we’re discussing costs, it’s worth saying a few words about what is definitely an excellent way to keep them down: camping. Wild camping in Fuerteventura is technically illegal, but in reality it’s widely tolerated. If you pitch your tent away from prying eyes you shouldn’t have any kind of problem, even better if, given the very low rainfall that characterizes the summer period, you don’t pitch your tent at all.

During my stay in Fuerteventura, on all the nights I spent “camping”, I only ever inflated my camping mat when it was time for bed. But again, technically it’s illegal, so it’s your call. If you prefer to stay within the law, the island government designates public areas each year where camping is permitted. These dedicated camping zones seem to be the same every year, but you should still apply for the permit online on the website of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura.

Finally, to find places to camp in the Canary Islands I recommend the app park4night, designed especially for those who want to spend the night in an RV, minivan or car. It’s also a fantastic resource for those who simply want to find a secluded place to pitch their tent or simply put down a mat as we often did.

Night spent on the beach at Laguna de Sotavento.

To reduce exchange and withdrawal fees, see my guide to the best travel cards.

Backpacking Fuerteventura: safety

Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands in general are an absolutely safe destination, with really low crime rates, and they’re recommended even for families with children. That said, as with any other destination, you should use common sense, and following the classic safety tips never hurts.

The only two notes I’d make are, first, to be extremely careful where you swim: as you may have noticed, throughout this guide I’ve pointed out several times that some beaches are suitable for swimming. Since this is the ocean, the currents can be extremely dangerous; rip currents in particular can quickly carry you out to sea, with potentially fatal consequences. I met a man who got swept out to sea with his children, and he told me he’d already thought it was the end. Not exactly a nice experience.

Also, a great many of the more isolated beaches don’t have lifeguards, and especially in the low season you may be the only person there. In short, especially if you’re not an experienced swimmer, be careful.

Finally, if you decide to rent a car make sure not to leave any valuables inside when unattended. Unfortunately, broken car windows in parking lots and signs urging you not to leave anything in the car are all too common.

Are you planning a trip to Fuerteventura? Check out these posts:

Which travel backpack to choose

What to bring on your trip

Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on Instagram!

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