If you are planning an upcoming holiday to the exotic and alluring Canary Islands, you are undoubtedly doing some online research. Thankfully, we have compiled this brief guide guaranteed to make your Canary Islands holiday an unbelievable experience.
Read ahead to learn all about our ten top tips for this Spanish archipelago.
- Know your options – The Canary Islands boast a massively diverse array of hotels, resorts, homestays, hostels and bed & breakfast options. While Lanzarote and The Gran Canaria are more known for all inclusive resorts, you can find accommodation suited to all budgets, interests and taste levels.
- Get outside the all inclusive resorts – You may find a fantastic online deal to a lush five star resort, but if you stay cloistered in your hotel you will miss all of the amazing local culture, food and sights. Not only will this enrich your holiday, your explorations will help pump much needed money into the local economy.
- Compare the different islands before booking – Every island in this chain is different. From the booze soaked tourist landscape of Lanzarote and Tenerife, the UNESCO listed biosphere of La Palma to the beach bum vibe and sea swept deserts of Fuertaventura, there is truly something for everyone.
- Protect your holiday and your health – No matter where you plan to stay in the Canary Islands, you need to ensure that your holiday and your health is protected by a comprehensive travel insurance policy. As soon as you book your holiday, head to www.payingtoomuch.com in order to compare policies from the biggest names in insurance. Not only will Paying Too Much help you find the right coverage, it will save you money.
- Visit during Carnival if you want to party like a local – Surprisingly, these small islands off of the coast of Africa are home to one of the world’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations! Visiting on “Fat Tuesday” will gain you access to a wild festival and a party you will never forget.
- Experience the culture – The Canary Islands are home to a unique melee of African, Spanish, Caribbean and South American culture, influenced by hundreds of years of Spanish colonialism. The local food, festivals, art and wine are all fantastic, and Canarians delight in proudly showing their culture off to visitors. Book a tour with a local to experience the best that the islands have to offer.
- You don’t need (many) vaccines before travel – Unlike many trips to mainland African countries, a trip to the Canary Islands does not require a slew of vaccines, nor is it a malaria zone. While many doctors recommend that you get the Hepatitis A and B jabs, you won’t need much more. Consult with your doctor before travel for more information.
- Flights are widely available and affordable - Flying to the Canary Islands from the UK? Direct flights to one of the resort areas of the Canaries are available from many large British airports, including London, Birmingham, and Bristol. Flight time is approximately 4 hours, and the flights can be very affordable (as low as £15 each way) on airlines such as EasyJet, RyanAir and British Airways.
- Know the origin of the name – You might think of little yellow birds when you hear the word “Canary,” but that is not where this name originates! Islas Canarias is derived from the Latin term Insula Canaria, which means “Island of the Dogs.” Before you start searching for man’s best friend, most historians believe that this referred to local monk seals, also known as “sea dogs.”
- It’s a water wonderland – Sure, stunning ocean water surrounds these islands, but they are also home to one of the world’s most fanciful swimming attractions. Located in South Tenerife, Siam Park is a 52 acre water park that is home to the world’s largest array of Thai buildings outside of Thailand. It was just voted the number one water park in the world on Tripadvisor – don’t miss it, especially if you have kids!
