Tenerife Forum Profiles

 It may come under a modicum of Spanish rule, but the Canary Islands are not part of Europe at all, instead a rather exotic sounding Macaronesia. When I’m talking travel on BBC Radio I always speak about the merits of a mystical isle in Macaronesia, which people always love the sound of right up until they groan when I reveal the island’s name. If you struggle with outdated images of Tenerife just tell everyone you’re jetting off to subtropical island in Macaronesia.

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Went to Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, off West Africa. It's dominated by Mt. Teide, a dormant volcano that is Spain's tallest peak. Tenerife may be best known for its Carnaval de Santa Cruz, a huge pre-Lent festival with parades, music, dancing and colorful costumes. The island has many beaches (with sands from yellow to black) and resort areas, including Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas

Top Tips When Visiting Tenerife

 What you continually desired to understand about the island
Practical hints from A to Z, insider pointers for Tenerife and "Do's and Don'ts" - there are sincerely some hints for a perfect and man or woman holiday on Tenerife. sunbonoo offers you with the whole lot you need for an unforgettable excursion on the Canary Island.
So that your excursion in Tenerife is never forgotten, you  find out about the peculiarities of the Canary Island. We have compiled realistic recommendations for your remain on the largest of the seven Canary Islands in a Tenerife encyclopaedia:

A for arrival
Tenerife has two airports in the north and south. The southern airport Reina Sofía, which is served by way of most global airlines, is 20 minutes through auto from Playa de las Américas. The north airport is placed in Los Cristianos and is about one hour from Puerto de la Cruz.

From both airports there are scheduled bus services to the surrounding towns of Playa de las Américas, Puerto de la Cruz and the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife. From Germany a flight takes about 4-5 hours.

B for bus
The buses on the Canary Islands are called "guaguas" (pronounced: guahuah). On Tenerife, the green TITSA buses run from the central bus station Estación de Guaguas (Avenida 3 de Mayo 47) in Santa Cruz to nearly all towns on the island.

If you buy "Bonos" at the bus station in Santa Cruz, you can tour 10 per cent more cost effective with the public buses.

C for Camping
By tent, camper van or motorhome: tenting in Tenerife is feasible at any time, thanks to the slight climate of Tenerife all 12 months round. There are a complete of 13 free wooded area campsites on the island, outfitted with toilets, showers, barbecue areas and spring water. There are also six paid campsites scattered round the island..

Beware: wild camping in Tenerife is now not allowed and can be expensive! Only in cellular properties or in transformed buses are you allowed to spend the night in faraway places, car parks or on the area of the forest.

D for dolphin shows
Many zoos and animal parks in Tenerife entice traffic with dolphin or sea lion suggests - now not least the world well-known Loro Parque. Of route you have to determine through your self how you experience about these sights for your Tenerife holiday.

It is extra moneymaking to take a boat time out off the coast of Los Gigantes if you are on holiday in Tenerife to see dolphins, whales or orcas. Here you can admire the marine mammals in the wild!

G for Guanchen
The Guanches are the indigenous humans of Tenerife. If you favor to get to comprehend the original way of existence of the islanders, you ought to visit the cave villages in the Anaga mountains. Even today, the caves carved into the rocks are nevertheless alive. In Chinamada, one of these cave villages, it is even feasible to lease "rooms" - for a mainly actual Tenerife holiday!

H for Hippies
There are many drop-outs on the island who hire out private rooms for small cash - for example in Médano in the south. Another choice to overpriced hotel rooms in crowded hotel complexes. Swap overvalued inn comfort for adobe rooms, guitar music and a personal insight into lifestyles on Tenerife.

I for Internet
As the Canary Island of Tenerife is phase of Spain and therefore part of the European Union, the EU Roaming Agreement does now not impose any additional costs. So don't worry if you are on the net with your smartphone or pill when you are on excursion in Tenerife.

J for Jardin (Spanish for "garden")
One of the most lovely and idyllic gardens on Tenerife is the Botanical Garden in Puerto de la Cruz in the north of the island. The dimension is manageable and the plant life can be without problems explored on foot. The entrance charge is solely 6,00 € and small adolescents are regularly admitted free of charge.

L wie Last-Minute-Travel
As to any different vacation vacation spot in the world, you can fly to Tenerife for a spontaneous holiday. The truth that the choice frequently falls on a vacation in Tenerife is due to the mild local weather all yr round and an average annual temperature of 23°C. However, this does no longer change the truth that there is a excessive and low season in the traveller industry, which determines the rate of a Tenerife holiday!

N for nudism
Nudism - i.e. the nudist subculture - is probably extra of a German phenomenon after all. In Tenerife nudism is solely common on a few beaches, for instance west of the Montaña Roja close to El Médano, on the Playa de Montaña Amarilla or on the Playa de las Gaviotas near the Playa de las Teresitas.

R for rental car
If you choose to cowl longer distances and revel in more freedom all through your vacation in Tenerife, you ought to therefore book a condominium car. Plus points: Pets are not allowed on public transport.

The buses on Tenerife, which are frequently very busy, are not specifically reliable. On some motorways there are tolls. These can be recognised by using an additional marking in the shape of a P.

You can locate automobile condo expenses here.



O for opening hours
You  be mindful on the Spanish island that many retail outlets are closed from 1pm to 5pm for siesta. Restaurants normally open from 1 to 4pm and from 7 to 11pm, and in traveler motels they may additionally even be open all day. On Sundays, many restaurants and stores close at three pm on the Canary Islands.

If you are planning an excursion, you ought to discover out about the opening hours in develop and also hold an eye on Tenerife's fairs and public holidays.


P for prices
Prices in Tenerife are slightly greater - mainly when it comes to offerings such as repairs. Food is additionally notably more expensive, as most products are no longer grown on the Canary Island however imported.

S for smoking
It is forbidden to smoke on Tenerife in public places, public transport, cellphone cubicles and rooms the place there are cash machines. It is also forbidden in catering establishments, until these are larger than 100 square metres and have a smoking area. You must also avoid smoking behind the wheel, due to the fact if you are caught, you ought to be fined up to €4,000.

T for taxis
The yellow taxis in Tenerife are licensed and outfitted with a taximeter that charges about two Euro/km and a basic fee of at least two Euro. There are usually surcharges for night time rides, Sundays and public holidays, as properly as trips to the airport and massive luggage. If you choose to take a taxi round the island, it is a properly notion to communicate Spanish in order to negotiate the price in advance.

U for underwater world
If you prefer to discover Tenerife's underwater world, the first-rate way to do so is through snorkelling and diving. To journey with less luggage, you can hire the right tools and dive in the dive stores and schools!

V for Vegan
Tenerife historically affords typically fish and meat dishes, vegetarian or vegan dishes on the menu are regularly solely starters like Canarian potatoes, fried mushrooms or goat cheese. You will have to search a long time and sometimes in useless for vegan restaurants. The few vegan restaurants on Tenerife include:

Restaurante El Maná and Restaurante El Limón in Puerto de la Cruz
BuenaVida a hundred percent Vegan - Centro Comercial Fañabé Plaza in Costa Adeje
Burger Mel in Santa Cruz
W for Whale Watching
Many providers offer boat excursions for dolphin and whale gazing - specifically off the west coast of Tenerife around Los Gigantes. However, most of the provides are traveller traps and little subject for animal welfare.

If you do figure out to go on a whale gazing tour, make sure you reflect onconsideration on the environmental aspects: Quiet, electric powered boats that do not hunt for the marine mammals, however go away them free at a real looking distance.

X for X-treme sports
Tenerife is an absolute paradise for energetic holidaymakers, excessive sportsmen and outside activists! But you must now not underestimate your very own strength when you go on a trekking or biking tour thru the Anaga mountains or the volcanic landscape of the Teide.

Especially the warm temperatures and high humidity on Tenerife could do you extra damage than you are used to from Germany. At best you are no longer alone, with the right equipment, enough drinking water or even with a tour guide.

Y for Yoga
Yoga retreats are becoming greater and extra popular on vacation in Tenerife. Here you can recharge your batteries for up to 8 days and find rest, meditation and relaxation. If you do not want to e book a yoga excursion on Tenerife, take hold of your yoga mat and head for one of Tenerife's less active beaches.

Do´s and Don´ts in Tenerife
When you spend your vacations in Tenerife, there is a lot to see, revel in and find out in the famous accommodations of the biggest of the Canary Islands. But to make your excursion in Tenerife a pleasure, it is vital to be knowledgeable about the cultural customs of the destination. Because, as the pronouncing goes: unique countries, exceptional customs.

You should pay interest to this when you are on excursion in Tenerife:
The most velocity on Tenerife's freeways is 120km/h
Many stores have a siesta and remain closed from 1pm to 5pm
When sending postcards, please be aware that there are public and non-public carriers who receive extraordinary stamps
Tipping is no longer covered in the invoice in Tenerife. If you favor to tip - and 10% is also frequent in the Canary Islands - leave the change on the tray that the waiter brings with the bill
If you are invited to a non-public event, it is conventional to deliver a small present - such as a exact wine or flowers. Also, if dinners take region at a late hour, you - like the different neighborhood guests -  not arrive too punctual.
Within the European Union, you are allowed to convey 800 cigarettes. There are restrictions on the amount of alcohol you can bring with you
What you need to avoid for the duration of your vacation in Tenerife:
Wild camping and dozing on the seashore is prohibited!
Valuables such as wallet, telephone, earrings and digital camera should by no means be left unattended on the beach
Do now not go for traumatic trekking and mountain climbing tours barring     a tour guide
Don't buy fake branded items at the farmer's and weekly markets of Tenerife, with which you are caught at the airport
Do not gather stones on the seaside to take domestic as a souvenir
Smoking in public places, capability of transport and eating places is prohibited, as is smoking at the back of the wheel
The Canarians share an open-minded, easy-going and colorful mentality - you cannot do tons incorrect in the course of your Tenerife vacation! Enjoy the unforgettable fiestas, breathtaking herbal scenery, delicious specialties and lengthy nights on beautiful seashores - and for this reason the Canary Island to the fullest. 

Tenerife Essential Information

 

The largest of the seven Canary Islands, Tenerife sits in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of North Africa and enjoys eternal sunshine – one of the reasons that makes this beautiful island such a hotspot for millions of tourists every year.

Tenerife is a volcanic island that has been sculpted over time by several eruptions, the last being in the early 20th century. It has a great mix of rugged terrain, dramatic landscapes and a sub-tropical climate with temperatures averaging 20°C – 22°C in the winter months and 26°C – 28°C in the summer.

In March 1936 Francisco Franco was posted to the island by a Republican government wary of his growing influence and power. He agreed to collaborate in the military coup that led to the Spanish Civil War when the Canary Islands fell to the Nationals in 1936. Consequently many people moved away from Tenerife eager to escape from the new regime. Today Tenerife’s population is around 900,000 and around five million tourists visit the island every year.

The magnificent sight of Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain, welcomes you as you come into land and in the winter can even be covered in snow while on the coast the sun shines as usual. There have been four recorded volcanic eruptions with no casualties at all; two in the early 1700s, the third in 1798 and the last known eruption was in 1909.

The island has been heavily developed since the 1970s, benefiting from massive investments that in turn have led to it becoming the economic capital of the Canaries.  The actual capital city is Santa Cruz, located in the north.

Over the years Tenerife has become a popular holiday destination and it’s easy to see why with dozens of great resorts to choose from.  From the well-known resorts of Playa las Américas and Los Cristianos, the stunning cliffs at Los Gigantes to the pine forests in the national park…this island has so much more to offer other than great weather.

 

 

Tenerife Weather Tips

 

I try to avoid mentioning the weather on Tenerife where possible as it’s a topic that has been done to death. But it is understandably important and yet still many people get it completely wrong. Subsequently the weather on Tenerife is as misrepresented as the populist image that Tenerife is one big dry rock that is like a Britain in the sun circa 1987 where Rick Astley adds the soundtrack and the whiff of dated pub grub like chilli con carne provides the aromas.

Forget Tenerife weather forecasts that give one, or even two forecasts for Tenerife and forget the tired old saying the south is sunny and dry, the north is cloudy and wet; it’s just not as simple as that.

Here are 10 tips to understanding the weather on Tenerife starting with the big misconception.

Puerto de la Cruz in December, Los Cristianos in March

The South is Sunny, the North is Cloudy
The south is sunnier, drier and warmer than the north, that’s a fact. But it’s all relative. Tour operators and people who don’t know the north of Tenerife will state with confidence that it’s cloudy, cool and wet.  Consider these other facts. The bulk of settlers, noblemen and artists chose the north of Tenerife to live in following the conquest in 1496. When Victorians were sent to a temperate climate for the benefit of their health, they were sent to the north of Tenerife. Temperatures in the depths of winter don’t normally drop much below 20C (68F) and it stays in the upper 20s to low 30s in summer. The north of Tenerife can be cloudy and it can rain in winter months but it isn’t the default setting.

There are not, like one half-wit on a travel forum stated, only 3 days sunshine a year in Puerto de la Cruz.

What Do temperatures in Celsius Actually Mean?
I get the impression from various online discussions that some people don’t understand Celsius so when the weather forecast for Tenerife says it’s going to be 20C or 30C, it doesn’t mean a great deal.
20c is 68F and generally speaking the ‘coolest’ daytime temperature in Tenerife’s coldest winter months (Mid January to end of February). In Palma Majorca at the same time it is 11C and in Malaga it is 12C.
30C is a whopping 86F. You might think that sounds great but lie in it for any length of time and you’ll be charcoaled. Around 25C (77F) is perfect and that is what all of Tenerife’s coasts experience for much of the year.

Rain in Tenerife
Yes it does rain on Tenerife, even in the south but not much and usually not for long. In the north, where there is more rain, it often falls in winter, at night and doesn’t last long. Short, very heavy downpours are common during seasonal changes (i.e. summer to winter and winter to spring). Most rainfall will happen in the hills.

How To Buy Property in Spain

It is strongly recommended that you choose an independent lawyer who is specialised in Spanish land law (urbanismo). Independent means that they work on your behalf only and are not also looking after the interests of the agent or developer. The Spanish property conveyancing system is different to the UK system so you should ensure that those involved in the transaction are qualified and experienced in Spain.



Exercise extreme caution if an estate agent, promoter or lawyer urges you to cut corners to save money or time.

A Spanish notary public will be involved in preparing the contract of sale and issuing the public deeds. As the purchaser, you have the right to choose which notary you use. The notary is a public servant who has a duty to provide you with free and impartial legal advice on all aspects of the contract before you sign. It is a good idea to seek advice from the notary early on. When a date is set for signing the contract, you have three days beforehand to visit the notary and ask any questions you may have about any aspect of the contract. A full list of English-speaking notaries can be found here


If you choose to work with a British estate agent, promoter or lawyer, check that they are qualified, reliable and have experience operating in Spain. Check that they are registered with the Law Society in the UK and specialise in International Transactions. If your lawyer is based in Spain, ask for their registration number and check that they are registered and practising with the local bar association (Colegio de Abogados).

Tenerife Weather Info

Weather in Tenerife - the island can be found among the islands of Gran Canaria, La Gomera and La Palma, close to the Tropic of Cancer and in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. With a varied mountainous terrain and warm coastal currents benefiting from the trade winds and the anticyclone of the Azores, the climate is ideal almost throughout the whole year.