Tenerife on a budget
Tenerife is the top dog of the Canary Islands. It is famous for its beaches, parties, even its volcano. More than 10 million tourist visit this small Atlantic island a year, it must be good, right? The island is more than just a chillin time at the beach or ladies laced up in their skimpiest bikinis... you might be surprised that it attracts more than uni students on Spring Break!
Whether you head to Tenerife to catch some much needed sun rays (after an inevitably cloudly and grey English winter), to hit the nature trails, shop until you drop on duty-free goods or take in the Canarian cuisine at a trendy restaurant, you will definitely want to know how to do it on a budget.
Lucky for you, the Canary Islands are well serviced by low cost airlines. Not only can you find cheap flights to Tenerife, but Ryanair and easyJet especially also fly to other destinations in the Canary Islands as well, sometimes for just a couple of quid. With low cost airlines however you have to know how to keep those dirt cheap fares low, bring only carry-on luggage (buy your toilettries when you arrive) and pack light since you wont really be needing heavy coats or sweaters (just one warm one for night).
It is best to book your accommodations in Tenerife before you arrive, especially if you are travelling there at the height of the summer holidays. Hotels Tenerife book up fast, so reserve early. If you want to save, share a room or a small villa with friends or another family, it will defintely cut the cost. Otherwise, look for hotel rooms a little bit back from the beach. A 20-minute walk could cut the price of a hotel room in half!
When you are there, it is all about moderation. Set yourself a budget and stick to it. Instead of drinking at the bars and clubs every night, enjoy a bottle of wine on your hotel terrace or a couple of beers before heading out with friends you have met in the hotel lounge. Tenerife locals know how to party, so do not miss out on their famous night-long dance parties or a chill evening at the local watering hole.
Photo from: vanadiuum (Flickr Creative Commons)