Nature and Outdoor Activities
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo (15 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- North coast dirt track toward Corralejo (20km of rugged coastline)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cliffs above Playa del Castillo at sunset
- Birdwatching Locations
- El Cotillo Laps (Desert plains) for the Houbara Bustard
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly regulated; only allowed in designated recreation areas with permits (e.g., Castillo de Lara)
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Piedra Playa (Wild surf beach with massive cliffs)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (Calle 3 de Abril de 1979)
- Tech Repair Services
- Applemovil Corralejo (Calle Libertad, 15 mins away)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public park area near the football pitch
- Language Classes
- Fuerteventura Language School (Online or in Corralejo)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Centro Cultural El Cotillo
- Community Centers
- Asociación Recreativa El Cotillo
- Gaming Lounges
- None; nearest in Puerto del Rosario
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Antigua (Caleta de Fuste, 40 mins away)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 35 m² studio ≈ €157,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 35 m² studio ≈ €112,000 in outlying rural areas)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €231,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €165,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €304,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Special ZEC rate (Canary Islands Special Zone) of 4% for eligible companies; otherwise 25%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% (Can be 0% for ZEC entities under specific conditions)
- Tax System
- Spanish Resident (Worldwide income) with IGIC (7%) instead of VAT
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47% (National + Regional combined)
- VAT
- 7% (Known as IGIC in the Canary Islands, much lower than mainland 21%)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strictly enforced under Spanish tax law
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - approx. 0.4% - 1.1% of rateable value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6.5% ITP (Transfer Tax) for resale properties in Canary Islands
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (Flat 24% tax on Spanish income for 6 years) if eligible
Essentials
- City
- El Cotillo, La Oliva, Fuerteventura, Las Palmas, Spain
- Population
- Approximately 1,700
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available in most rentals, averaging 100-300 Mbps; 5G coverage is reliable
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks available in nearby La Oliva or Corralejo (CaixaBank, BBVA)
- Tap Water
- Desalinated and safe for hygiene, but not recommended for drinking; buy 5L/8L jugs at Supermercado Hiperdino
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange. Best value: Movistar Prepago (approx. €15 for 40GB/month)
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 are widely used; local businesses prefer card payments via TPV
- Accommodation
- Apartment rentals (Cotillo Ocean Sunset), Surf camps, and seasonal Airbnbs
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted in 95% of establishments
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local agencies like Suck on the Peach (approx. €1,200 - €1,800/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Cotillo House or Guesthouse El Cotillo (approx. €35-€50 per night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Los Lagos (North lagoons) for beaches and calm water
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- The New Harbour/Town Center for proximity to cafes and stronger fiber connections
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cowo El Cotillo (Calle Alfredo Welich, €20/day, €150/month)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Clean Ocean Project (Calle 3 de Abril de 1979) - relaxed vibe and decent Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Sunset meetups at Piedra Playa or Fuerteventura Digital Nomads Facebook Group events
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday live music at Ferret's Dinner or events at Olivo Corso
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt; use local Taxi La Oliva (+34 928 537 441). Approx €25 to Corralejo
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rideman El Cotillo (Calle Urbanización Los Lagos, approx. €12/day for mountain bikes)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa de la Concha (Golden sand lagoons, walking distance)
- Top Regional Airline
- Binter Canarias (Connecting to Tenerife and Gran Canaria)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair and EasyJet (Daily flights from Fuerteventura Airport - FUE)
- Highway Access
- FV-10 connects El Cotillo to Puerto del Rosario and FV-1
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- El Cotillo Bus Station (Parada de Guaguas); Line 8 connects to Corralejo
- Public Transport Passes
- Bono Residente Canario or BTF Contactless card (€2 per card, reduced fares)
- Regional Travel
- Public Bus (Guagua) Line 8 to Corralejo (€3.10) or Line 7 to Puerto del Rosario (€4.35)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital General de Fuerteventura (Puerto del Rosario, 35 mins away)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Tula Yoga & Wellness (Calle San Roque, approx. €12 per drop-in session)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Outdoor training is dominant; nearest large gym is in Corralejo (Fitness Center Corralejo)
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Autoservicio El Cotillo (Calle 3 de Abril de 1979, €5 per wash)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Not widely served by apps; direct phone ordering for pizza from El Grito
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Papas Arrugadas with Mojo sauce and fresh grilled Cherne (rockfish)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Happy Cactus (Calle 3 de Abril de 1979) - 100% plant-based bowls and juices
- Best Dessert Spots
- Patissier (Calle Mallorquin) - Artisan French-style pastries and coffee
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- HiperDino Express El Cotillo (Town center)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (Delivery to Canarias takes 3-7 days and may require DNI/NIE)
- Grocery Delivery
- HiperDino.es online shop (Delivery from Corralejo to El Cotillo)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Old Harbour area (Calle Mecheros)
- Local Brewery
- Tindaya Beer (Craft beer available at local bars like Coyote Bar)
- Wine Bars
- La Sombra (Calle San Roque) - Excellent selection of Canary Island wines
- Street Food Stalls
- None; occasional food trucks at local Fiestas del Carmen in August
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Cantina (Mexican), Azzurro (Italian seafood on the coast)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Torre del Tostón (18th-century defensive tower)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de la Pesca (Inside the Tostón Lighthouse)
- Historical Sites
- Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje
- Religious Sites
- Church of El Cotillo (Plaza del Quiosco)
- Annual Events
- Fiestas en Honor a Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje (August)
- Cultural Districts
- The Old Town (Casco Antiguo) overlooking the small harbor
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio de Corralejo (Nearby cultural hub)
- Local Markets
- Mercadillo Artesanal (Friday evenings at Plaza del Quiosco)
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sets at Baggus or Shaka Surf Bar
- Street Art
- Various surf-themed murals around Calle 3 de Abril de 1979
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at local restaurants; check Gofio-making demos in La Oliva
- Art Galleries
- Clean Ocean Project Hub (Art and environmental activism)
- Historic Buildings
- Faro del Tostón (Active lighthouse 4km north of town)
- Local Heritage
- Sustainable fishing traditions and the 'Majorero' cheese culture