From the shore of Playa de las Americas to the tip of Teide, Tenerife offers an abundance of things to see and do for the avid backpacker and the annual family holiday. No matter what kind of trip you are planning to undertake, there are just a few tips that can see you through, making sure you get the most out of your holiday on the beautiful island.
Getting around
If you are travelling as a family or want freedom to explore the island, hiring out a car can often be the cheaper option. With petrol substantially cheaper than the UK and motorways safe and well signposted, car hire in Tenerife is extremely good value for money. Backpackers and groups can take advantage of the many and sometimes, free, buses that run regularly across the island. There are a number of free shuttles that operate from around the island to popular attractions such as Loro Parque. If you plan to use buses to get around, a ‘Bono Card’ gives you 50% discounts on buses and trams around the island wherever the green ‘Bono’ sign is displayed.
Make an Itinerary
Maybe you’re thinking of spending the day at Siam Waterpark with the kids or hiking up to the Teide National Park. If you have a general idea of places you would like to visit, then there are a couple of things you can do to save a few Euros here and there. Try visiting the attraction’s site or giving them a call to find out if they have a pre-book or group concession saving. Many fiestas are celebrated throughout the year, particularly in summer. These ‘Romerias’ observe traditions and culture for everyone including tourists to see. Try to get hold of a Fiesta calendar to see what’s on; that way, you can start planning your trip before you even get there.
Learn some lingo
As with any destination, it is polite and courteous to attempt at least a please and thank you in the local language. That’s ‘por favor’ and ‘gracias’ to you in Spanish; the native language of Tenerife. With the island brimming with tourist attractions, and so many things to see and do, whilst trying to navigate a family or large group; the last thing you want to do is stare at a map or worse still, succumb to the language barrier. The locals will be more than happy to give you directions and help you find your way round, but it’s good to be able to differentiate your left from right; that’s ‘izquierda’ and ‘derecha’ to get you started.
Manage your Euros
Tenerife uses Euros and if you can, avoid buying them last minute at the Airport Bureaus. Once you are there, you will be constrained to poor exchange rates similar to the 0% Commission advertised in High Street Banks that just add high mark-ups. Buying in advance is the best way to get the cheapest and fairest deal on your travel money. Currency comparison sites allow you to compare live Euro rates and will even deliver your travel money to your door the next day.
Save on your data roaming
As with any trip abroad, data roaming is prone to racking up enormous bills. If you want to connect to friends and family by e-mail or check up on social media, Tenerife is well set up for tourists and you will be able to find an Internet café on almost every street corner. The majority of Hotels will also offer complementary Wi-Fi so you can browse the web as and when you need without the expense of data roaming. Of course you can always look in to getting an International SIM Card prior to travelling to make cheap calls abroad, just contact your service provider in advance to find out what’s available.
Hopefully these tips have set you up, ready for an enjoyable trip to Tenerife, even saving a few Euros along the way. ¡Buen Viaje!
Sofia is the Web Editor & Community Manager at mytravelmoney.co.uk – an award winning UK travel money comparison website.
