Camping in Tenerife - return to nature for your holiday experience

Camping in Tenerife! For anyone who has come to Tenerife and decided, on a whim, to stay, sleeping rough on the beach...this is classified as "camping" and, naturally, is not allowed!

Camping in Tenerife can be a wonderful, adventurous, thing to do, but it must be done legally. It is not only prohibited on beaches, but any areas coming under the Protected Natural Spaces Act of the Canary Islands - in other words, all nature reserves and national parks. But, fear not, you campers out there! Tenerife has proper, legal, designated camping areas.

To use these special camping areas, you have to obtain an official permit from the Island Council at least seven days in advance. They are free, but, to get one, you have to trail up to Santa Cruz, to this address:

Cabildo Insular de Tenerife
Department of Infrastructure and the Environment
C/Diego de Almagro, 1 - Edificio Miramar, 1st floor
38010, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

It is unlikely that anyone there will speak English.

Photo: Adiel lo

There are sensible reasons for this permit - health and safety for one. Most sites are in the pine forests, where, especially in the summer months, there is an ever-present risk of forest fires and, with the permits in force, the authorities at least know who is out there, to be accounted for in the event of such a disaster. It also prevents overcrowding of the sites.

Facilities at these campsites vary considerably. There are some with next to nothing, some with the basic necessities like running water, suitable for drinking, car parking space and picnic areas, then the really luxurious ones with barbecue areas, showers and toilets. Most have a "recreational area" next to them, the quality of which can also vary a great deal. You are restricted to a maximum stay of seven nights.

Here is a selection of official sites for camping in Tenerife:

Arenas Negras - at Garachico.

Chanajiga - at Los Realejos.

Chio - at Guia de Isora.

El Lagar - at Icod de Los Vinos.

El Contador - at Arico.

Fuente del Llano - at Arico.

Fuente de Pedro - at San Juan de La Rambla.

La Caldera - at La Orotava.

Las Hayas - at Icod de Los Vinos.

Las Lajas - at Vilaflor.

Las Raices - at El Rosario.

Lomo de La Jara - at Tacoronte.

Ramón el Caminero - at La Orotava.

San Jose de Los Llanos - at El Tanque.

Las Calderetas - at El Sauzal.

La Tahona - at San Juan de La Rambla.

La Vica - at La Matanza.

Los Frailes - at Arafo.

Los Pedregales - at Buenavista.

Official campsites are generally well maintained and can make for a very enjoyable experience.

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