Even though there are several different modes of transport on Tenerife, some would say driving is the superior way to experience the different sights and landscapes. Driving on the island’s beautiful roads is a convenient and affordable way to take in the true essence of the island; although, it does have its disadvantages.
The Pros of Driving in Tenerife
There are a wide range of landscapes and beautiful terrain all over the island, making exploration a very pleasurable experience. One of the main highlights is the journey to Mount Teide National Park on a bright clear day. Visitors are encouraged to drive through the incredible rock formations of La Tarta, which are also known as the cake rocks for their resemblance to layers of cake. However many of the beautiful sites in Tenerife are too spread out and distant to be accessible by public transportation.
Thankfully, driving on Tenerife is affordable and convenient. Free on-street parking is available at all of the major resorts. Underground car parks at tourist destinations are all reasonably priced. In a car, you can discover some of the most distant parts of the island that most tourists never get to see. Driving around in family cars gives holiday travellers a sense of independence and adventure that simply isn’t available on planned excursions.
The Cons of Driving in Tenerife
While driving on the island has proven to be a fantastic experience for many people, there are still a few complaints. One of the most common is the layout of the roads. The concept of road planning seems to be very strange to many visitors. Pedestrian crossings are carelessly placed directly next to bus stops blinding oncoming traffic from pedestrians and vice versa. Lanes tend to merge in a strange manner, and it is often hard to tell the difference between an approach or an exit on a motorway.
It is not just the roads themselves that are unpredictable. Tinerfeños are very sociable, so talking on cell phones whilst driving is quite common on the island. They are also known to stop in the middle of the road in order to chat with friends and family they spot while driving. The winding nature of the island’s roads may be a concern to some people as well. Drivers not familiar with driving through curvy mountain roads are urged to be extra cautious.
Driving Laws in Tenerife
Anyone familiar with the driving laws in the rest of the Spanish territories will know the driving laws of Tenerife. Like most of the world, with the exception of the UK, Japan and Australia, cars travel on the right side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the left side of the cabin. The law dictates that passengers must wear a seat belt at all times and passengers younger than 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat unless they are over 1.5 meters tall. The speed limits in Tenerife depend on the type of road. While speeds in the city need to be limited to 40 or 60 kph, the motorways outside of the city have limits of 110 kph to 120 kph.
