Of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is the largest, and this may or may explain its large appeal to any sort of vacationer with its wide spectrum of activities, all in perfect weather. This remarkable island has verdant forests, exotic flora and fauna, volcanoes, mountains, cities with museums and thumping nightlife, and – of course – glorious beaches.
Families, adventure-seekers, and older couples can all find something on their holiday to Tenerife. Beach bums have an entire island coastline to take advantage of, and water sports enthusiasts have no shortage of choices in activities, especially in its world-class scuba diving and windsurfing. Hikers and bikers can explore the textured landscape with the smattering of mountains and parks, namely the dormant yet challenging volcano El Teide, Spain’s tallest peak. For those more inclined towards relaxing, winding mountain roads provide exhilarating drives with stunning views.
Families can spend the day splashing at water parks and exploring zoos, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife has museums, art galleries and cultural gems tucked away in its cosmopolitan center. For night hawks looking for a party, there are 24-hour bars with competitive pricing and music playing all night long at Playa de las America and Los Cristianos. Tenerife caters to all types of tastes, all in a pleasant climate that is just a plane or boat ride away.
Language: Spanish
Useful Phrases:
| Hello | ¡Hóla! |
| Goodbye | Adiós |
| Please | Por favor |
| Thank you (very much) | (Muchas) Gracias |
| Can I have a beer please? | Quiero una cerveza por favor? |
| Cheers! | Saúde! (or) Tchim Tchim! |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuántos / cuánto? |
| Where is the toilet? | Donde esta el baño? |
Cost of living – Typical Prices
| A Bottle of Beer | £1.49 |
| An Average Meal for Two (inc bottle of wine) | £22.25 |
| A Cappuccino | £1.22 |
| A Bottle of Mineral Water | £0.45 |
| Suncream (Factor 15) | £4.50 |
Getting There
Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife South (Reina Sofia) and Tenerife North (Los Rodeos). Tenerife South is 60KM from the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Tenerife North is much closer to Santa Cruz. Tenerife North has recently expanded into an international airport with a new terminal, so both airports serve domestic and international flights.
Being an island, traveling by sea is always an option. Acciona Transmediterranea operates a ferry from Cadiz, Spain to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but beware: it’s a two-day journey. If traveling from other Canary Islands, there are ships travelling between the islands.
Holidays to Tenerife are available from Jet2 Holidays among other operators.
