Culture and Attractions
- Street Art
- Occasional murals in the lower residential districts near El Mayorazgo
- Cooking Classes
- Local Guachinches often host informal workshops; check Bodega El Monasterio
- Art Galleries
- Sala de Arte de la Casa de la Cultura
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Municipal (Town Hall) and Liceo de Taoro
- Local Heritage
- Gofio production at Molino de Gofio La Maquina
- Must-See Landmarks
- Casa de los Balcones (17th-century architecture with ornate wooden balconies)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de Artesanía Iberoamericana (MAIT) located in an old convent
- Historical Sites
- Hijuela del Botánico (beautiful botanical garden behind the Town Hall)
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia de la Concepción (often called the Notre Dame of the Canaries)
- Annual Events
- Corpus Christi (June) featuring massive volcanic sand carpets in the plaza
- Cultural Districts
- The Historic Town Center (designated a Site of Historic-Artistic Interest)
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio Teobaldo Power (major concerts and theatrical performances)
- Local Markets
- Mercado Municipal (Calle Alfonso Trujillo)
- Music Scene
- Café Quilombo for live music and alternative vibes
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Teide National Park (the entrance is just a 30-minute drive up the valley)
- National Parks Nearby
- Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- La Resbala trials and the PR-TF 35 hiking route
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de Humboldt - panoramic views of the Orotava Valley and Mount Teide
- Birdwatching Locations
- Corona Forestal (pine forests surrounding the upper valley)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Recreational area of La Caldera (strictly in designated BBQ areas)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (Main Office: Calle León); DHL and SEUR outlets nearby
- Tech Repair Services
- Informática Orotava (Calle Nicobar)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Polideportivo Municipal Quiquirá
- Language Classes
- Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) La Orotava
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de La Orotava (Calle Tomas Perez)
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural San Sebastián
- Gaming Lounges
- Various gaming cafes located in nearby La Laguna (30 mins drive)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Taoro (located in Puerto de la Cruz)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800/m²; (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100/m²; (e.g., 40 m² = €84,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,600/m²; (e.g., 60 m² = €156,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,900/m²; (e.g., 60 m² = €114,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,400/m²; (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,800/m²; (e.g., 80 m² = €144,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) offers a reduced 4% for eligible companies; otherwise 25%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% to 26% depending on amount; exemptions may apply under EU directives
- Tax System
- Spanish national system with Canary Island specifics (IGIC instead of VAT)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approximately 45% - 47% (differs slightly by autonomous community)
- VAT
- 7% IGIC (Impuesto General Indirecto Canario) - lower than mainland Spain
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Spanish 'Transparencia Fiscal Internacional' rules apply
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) based on cadastral value, approx 0.5% - 1.1% annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6.5% ITP (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales) for pre-owned homes
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (Fixed 24% tax for 6 years) or the new Spanish Digital Nomad Visa tax perks
Essentials
- City
- La Orotava, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
- Population
- Approximately 42,000
- Internet Speed
- High speed fiber available; average 300 Mbps - 600 Mbps depending on provider
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank and BBVA on Calle Carrera
- Tap Water
- Safe but contains high mineral content; most locals prefer bottled or filtered water
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange. Stores located in nearby La Villa Shopping Centre
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, N26, and CaixaBank (requires NIE for residents)
- Accommodation
- Historic townhouses (Casas Señoriales), Airbnb, and local rentals via Idealista
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and contactless payments accepted in most shops and restaurants
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; average price €60-€90 per night for a central apartment
- Budget Accommodation
- Pension Silene (€45/night) or Rural Orotava for traditional guest house stays
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Historic Center (Casco Antiguo) near Casa de los Balcones
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- El Mayorazgo or Urbanización El Pinalito for quieter residential vibes and newer apartments
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Coworking Nomad (Puerto de la Cruz, 10 mins away) or Tenerife Work & Play network events
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe Parada (Calle Carrera) - good WiFi and central location
- Networking Events
- Tenerife Digital Nomad Meetups (usually held in Puerto de la Cruz or Santa Cruz)
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Tenerife events and 'Expats in Tenerife' Facebook group gatherings
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Official Taxis (Radio Taxi Orotava: +34 922 33 00 23). Uber/Cabify have limited presence
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bike Point Tenerife (Puerto de la Cruz); rental approx €25/day for mountain bikes
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa El Bollullo - a stunning black sand beach accessible via a cliffside trail
- Top Regional Airline
- Binter Canarias (connecting all Canary Islands)
- Top International Airline
- Iberia, Ryanair, and EasyJet via Tenerife North (TFN) or South (TFS) airports
- Highway Access
- TF-5 Motorway (Autopista del Norte) connects directly to Santa Cruz and the North Airport
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Estación de Guaguas La Orotava (Main Bus Station)
- Public Transport Passes
- Ten+ Card (rechargeable) used for TITSA buses; valid across the entire island
- Regional Travel
- TITSA Bus lines 101, 102, and 108 connect to Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC) or Clínica Bellevue (Puerto de la Cruz)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Centro de Yoga Orotava (Calle San Francisco)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gimnasio El Mayorazgo; monthly rates approx €35-€45
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Autoservicio Bloomest (Calle Dr. Fleming)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo and Just Eat are the primary providers in the area
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Conejo en Salmorejo (rabbit in spicy sauce) or Papas Arrugadas with Mojo
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Haydée by Víctor Suárez (refined options) or Mano de Santo in Puerto de la Cruz
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pastelería Casa Egon - a historic 100-year-old German-Canarian bakery
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercadillo del Agricultor de La Orotava (Saturday/Sunday Farmer's Market)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (note: shipping to Canaries may involve DUA/Customs formalities)
- Grocery Delivery
- Mercadona and HiperDino offer online shopping and home delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle Carrera bars or descend to Puerto de la Cruz for clubs
- Local Brewery
- Tacoa (located in nearby El Sauzal) for local craft beers
- Wine Bars
- Vinoteca El Sabor - excellent selection of Valle de la Orotava DO wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Kiosko San Francisco (Park area) for snacks and coffee
- Popular International Cuisine
- Restaurante Sabor India (Puerto de la Cruz) or Pizzeria Da Arianna