Essentials
- City
- Fuerteventura, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
- Population
- 120,000
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber available in main hubs (up to 600 Mbps); Starlink is a popular backup for remote villas.
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, Santander, BBVA.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable (desalinated). Locally known as 'agua de grifo'; use for cooking/showering only. Buy 8L bottles for ≈ €1.60.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets.
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Vodafone, Orange. €15-20 for 50GB-100GB prepaid plans.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 are widely used. Local card payments are standard everywhere.
- Accommodation
- Surfing-oriented colivings, holiday villas, and modern apartments in Corralejo or El Cotillo.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, card and mobile payments (Apple/Google Pay) are accepted even in small surf shops.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Flatio. Average monthly studio ≈ €900 - €1,200.
- Budget Accommodation
- Surfers Retreat (Corralejo) - approx €25/night for a dorm bed.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Corralejo (North) for nightlife and dunes; Caleta de Fuste (East) for families.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Corralejo for the community and fiber internet; El Cotillo for a quieter, authentic surf vibe.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cofete Coworking (Corralejo) - Day pass €20, Monthly €180.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Pastelo (Corralejo) - Great pastries, solid Wi-Fi, and laptop-friendly tables.
- Networking Events
- Fuerteventura Digital Nomads Meetup (organized via Slack/Facebook groups).
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night sunset drinks at Waikiki Beach Club.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Use local White Taxis or 'PideTaxi' app. Corralejo to Airport is approx €50.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Easy Riders (Corralejo) - E-bikes from €25/day; scooters from €35/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa de Sotavento (South) for lagoons; Grandes Playas (North) for dunes.
- Top Regional Airline
- Binter Canarias (Connecting all Canary Islands).
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, Condor.
- Highway Access
- FV-1 (North-South highway) provides fast access from Puerto del Rosario to Corralejo.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. Puerto del Rosario Bus Station (Estación de Guaguas) is the central hub.
- Public Transport Passes
- Tiadhe 'Bono Residente' or 'BtF' card - €1.20 to €5.00 depending on distance.
- Regional Travel
- Fred Olsen or Armas Ferries - 25 min crossing from Corralejo to Playa Blanca, Lanzarote (approx €35 return).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital General de Fuerteventura (Puerto del Rosario).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Ocean Yoga (Corralejo) - Sessions on the beach or in-studio, approx €12-15 per class.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Training Fuerte (Corralejo) - CrossFit and functional training; Day pass €10.
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Autoservicio (Corralejo) - €5 per wash, €3 per dry.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo (operating mainly in Corralejo and Puerto del Rosario).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Wrinkled potatoes with spicy sauce) and Queso Majorero.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Baobab (Corralejo) - Vegan specialist, try the 'Buddha Bowl' approx €12.
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Villa (Betancuria) - Famous for traditional pastries and local honey.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercadillo Municipal (Puerto del Rosario) on Saturdays.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (Shipping can take 5-10 days due to customs); PC Componentes.
- Grocery Delivery
- HiperDino or Mercadona online delivery.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente (Corralejo) - Known as 'The Music Square'.
- Local Brewery
- Tierra de Perros (Local craft beer brewed in nearby Tenerife but widely served).
- Wine Bars
- La Cantina del Tequila (Corralejo) - Also stocks excellent Lanzarote Malvasía wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Los Lajares Artisan Market (Saturdays).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Single Fin (Corralejo) - Famous burger spot, approx €10 per meal.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Dunas de Corralejo Natural Park.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Casa de los Coroneles (La Oliva) - Historical cultural center.
- Historical Sites
- Betancuria - The former capital and oldest town on the island (est. 1404).
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (La Oliva).
- Annual Events
- Fuerteventura Kite Festival (El Burro Beach) - November.
- Cultural Districts
- The fishing village of El Cotillo for its historic harbor and tower.
- Theater Venues
- Palacio de Formación y Congresos (Puerto del Rosario).
- Local Markets
- Lajares Artisan Market - Saturdays 10:00 - 14:00.
- Music Scene
- Rock Island Bar (Corralejo) - Longest running acoustic live music venue.
- Street Art
- Puerto del Rosario Sculptures (Over 100 sculptures throughout the city/open-air museum).
- Cooking Classes
- Workshop Majorero (Tiscamanita) - Learn to make traditional goat cheese.
- Art Galleries
- Centro de Arte Juan Ismael (Puerto del Rosario).
- Historic Buildings
- Ecomuseo La Alcogida (Tefía) - Preserved traditional farmhouses.
- Local Heritage
- The 'Majorero' identity, centered around goat farming and traditional embroidery (Calado).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Isla de Lobos - A 15-minute boat ride from Corralejo; uninhabited volcanic island.
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Natural de Jandia (South).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The North Shore track from Corralejo to El Cotillo (approx 18km of coastal dirt paths).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de Morro Velosa - Designed by César Manrique.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Embalse de los Molinos (Freshwater reservoir attracting rare birds).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Technically restricted; beach fires require municipal permits in designated camping areas like El Hierro beach.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (National Post Office) and SEUR for international shipping.
- Tech Repair Services
- App informática (Puerto del Rosario).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Common in hostels like Billabong Surf Camp (Corralejo).
- Language Classes
- Spanish School Fuerteventura (Corralejo) - Intensive courses from €160/week.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de Corralejo (Calle Iglesia).
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural de Corralejo.
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly private groups in Puerto del Rosario.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Grand Casino Antigua (Caleta de Fuste).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000 in Corralejo).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €84,000 in inland villages).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €114,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €140,000).
- Corporate Tax
- Standard 25%, but the Special Canary Islands Zone (ZEC) offers a reduced 4% for eligible businesses.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% - 26% (Standard Spanish rates, though ZEC companies have exemptions).
- Tax System
- Personal Income Tax (IRPF) on worldwide income for residents (183+ days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47% (on income over €300,000).
- VAT
- 7% IGIC (Canary Islands' reduced VAT equivalent) instead of 21% mainland VAT.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict Spanish Ley de Impuesto sobre Sociedades applies.
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - Annual tax approx 0.4% - 1.1% of cadastral value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6.5% ITP (Transfer Tax) for resale properties.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (24% flat tax for 6 years) or the 2023 Startup Law for the Digital Nomad Visa.