Why choose Fuerteventura?
“This is an island with one of the most
relaxed lifestyles in all of the Canary Islands
Fuerteventura is the second largest of the seven Canary Islands, Tenerife being the largest.
Though it is considered the oldest of the islands in terms of formation and it was the first to be conquered by the Spanish, it has developed
more slowly than some of its sister islands. In some respects it’s been intentional. The islands planners have had the opportunity to watch the development of Tenerife and Lanzarote and tried to avoid some of the pitfalls experienced by them. In terms of population, Fuerteventura is not nearly as densely populated as Tenerife or Lanzarote. It also does not have the larger towns such as Los Cristianos and Las Americas on Tenerife or Puerto del Carmen on Lanzarote. Because of this, it has been easier for the islands government to create numerous nature preserves and parks where construction is forbidden. Another welcome restriction is that no new buildings may be built more than 2 storeys high. The climate and the weather does not change much throughout the year, with wonderful tropical temperatures. It is said that the name of the island means strong wind and indeed a slight breeze does sweep across it. This wind helps to account for one of the island’s most striking features, the endless sand dunes. Another outstanding feature of Fuerteventura is its beaches. They are remarkable not only for their pristine beauty, but also for the fact that they are made of white sand. This is unusual because the islands were created by volcanoes and the other islands have natural occurring black sand beaches. Fuerteventura can also lay claim to having the longest beach in Europe. It also has more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.
“ It is not heavily populated and
part of its charm is that it is still
naturally Spanish.
If you truly want to get away from it all, then Fuerteventura is the place for you. There is a championship golf course that has been completed and four more golf courses are currently under construction. This is an island with one of the most relaxed lifestyles in all of the Canaries. You could quite literally spend your days doing nothing more than windsurfing, diving, sunbathing or what ever you love to do to relax.
Wind-surfing championships held on the island, diving and water-sports are prevalent throughout the island.
Corralejo
Great beaches in town centre. Sand moulding in main beach area. There are plenty of beach sidebars and restaurants here and prices and quality are reasonable. Great place to watch the sun go down……….and the ferry. (see photos page)
The port is adjacent to the beaches, a small plaza provides great evening entertainment where local musicians perform amongst the cosy pavement cafes. Boat trips and the ferry to Los Lobos and Lanzarote leave from this area. At least 3 diving schools in roads across open area towards the port road. From port and beach area the roads lead into a main tourist road (very British) restaurants and shops. This road has an abundance of ATMs. The restaurants, shops and bars continue along the whole main road. Good large perfume shop (Rui) along this road as you head out of town, just past the market (think market day is Thursday). Up here also is the newly opened Water Park!!
El Cotillo
On the north west corner of the island, and truly worth a visit. This is a small fishing village that has some of the finest beaches, to the north if the village towards the lighthouse are flat bays with sand to die for, this is called the lagoon side. At the southern area of the beach is what we call the surfers beach, you will see camper vans and tents where the surf dudes live and breath to surf! Many secluded bays and a coastal path running about 3 – 4 kms to Punta de Taca. (see photos page)
Caleta de Fustes
Tourist town, man made over the last 10 years. PGA championship golf course (Venue for 2004 Spanish open).Golf course (18 hole) here. Multi screen cinemas and shops. The port/beach area is worth a visit, if only to see what can be done with imported sand and cement!
Costa Calma and Morro Jable
Both at southern tip of the island. Great wide beaches and plenty of sitting and digging sand. Mainly German part of island. On the road down to Costa Calma are many side roads leading to small seaside unspoilt villages with bars.
Antigua
In the middle of the island. Has Windmill, museum and cactus gardens. Unless you are desperate to see the museum suggest late afternoon visit as no entrance charge then and the cactus garden is worth seeing.
Betancuria
Small typical Canarian Village set in the hills. Very nice town square with church. Restaurants here, great for lunch stop on day out through mountains.
The mountain road from Betancuria to Pajara is well worth the trip. Very scenic. Along this road you will see viewpoints (miradors). When you stop, especially on the one nearest Betancuria, you will be greeted by chipmunks, they ask and take food from your hands, so a good chance to get rid of some stale biscuits. Be careful, as they do tend to run across the road and stop, waiting to be run over!
SS American Star
This ship wreck is approx 10km along a dusty dirt track at Playa de Garcey near Ajuy on the west of the island. Once a proud vessil belonging to the United States maritime industry, it ran aground in suspicious circumstances in early 1994.The stern section crumbled into the ocean in 1996. The rest will not be there for ever so maybe worth a visit while you are on the island. (see photos page)
Beaches
Within 5 minutes drive along the main road, towards Corralejo are the most fantastic golden sandy beaches! As you get nearer to Corralejo the beaches become larger and more popular, but you can guarantee plenty of room and superb sand for digging and sitting. A bit further on towards Corralejo you will see a tourist area around two large hotels. There is a car park adjacent to the hotels and beaches are again fantastic………. In fact the beach runs from where you first see it (5 mins from the apartment) all the way into Corralejo…….about 10 kms.
This whole area is National Park and all the sand has been blown over from the Sahara, on the opposite side of the road to the beach the landscape looks like the Sahara, about 2 kms wide with sand and dunes. (see photos page)
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