What budget to travel Canary Islands? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Canary Islands?

In the Canary Islands, the most expensive attraction is Loro Parc, which costs €42 for an adult. And many amusement parks cost around €30. Finally, the round trip up Teide by cable car will cost an adult €40. On Gran Canaria, a visit to the Las Palmas Aquarium costs €27 for an adult. These prices are among the highest, and the majority of museums have prices around €5, with peaks of €15 for the Jameos del Agua and the Cueva de Los Verdes in Lanzarote. No free day for museums. With the exception of theme parks, the most expensive way up to Teide and back is by cable car. Many destinations have developed pass systems with a package for several visits. Before booking one, make sure you have the time and inclination to see everything.

When it comes to the pleasures of swimming, there's no need to head for the pools, as the ocean is at your disposal. There are often delightful natural pools, which can be reached at low tide and make lovely paddling pools, even for toddlers. It's also an opportunity to enjoy a wide range of water sports and board sports, including scuba diving, sailing, surfing and kitesurfing, especially on the windier islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. There are also balnearios, offering Atlantic tours for around 20 euros.

All the Canary Islands promote their local products, handicrafts or food products. The price range is very wide, but you are sure to find a beautiful object or a honey pot for a few euros. And the guarantee of authenticity of the products.

What budget to eat Canary Islands?

The menu del día, a daily menu offered for lunch on weekdays (around 10 €) is also available in the Canary Islands, but especially in the cities. You will find it less, if at all, in tourist places. Without being the Mecca of tapa, a small snack accompanying a drink, the Canary Islands are gradually adopting it. But above all offer many dishes to share (from 12 to 15 €) and as the plates are very copious, you can make a meal for about 15 €. At a good table, in the evening, the bill will be between 25 and 30 €.

What is the budget for accommodation Canary Islands?

Expect to pay between €80 and €150 for an apartment or double room in a 3-star hotel or resort. For those on a budget, you'll still find a few pensiones at €40 a night, but the number is dwindling. For a luxury hotel, expect to pay from €160 to €300 and more. Resorts in the south offer the most all-inclusive packages, with discounts to watch out for on their websites. You should also be aware that hotels are increasingly charging different rates depending on the day of the week, more expensive on Fridays and Saturdays, and that here too, since the Covid pandemic and the two-year halt in tourist flows, more and more hotels are charging so-called "dynamic" prices, sometimes changing several times a day, depending on demand.

Travel budget Canary Islands and cost of living

In general, the cost of living is cheaper in the Canary Islands than in France, but these are averages in both cases. Prices are a little higher in the tourist areas and in the big cities. The price of accommodation will vary the most depending on important local events, but less than in the Iberian Peninsula. In the Canary Islands, the main season is winter, especially Christmas, since the destination is the closest European sun in this season. A coffee rarely costs more than 1,50 €, as well as a fruit juice, and a person can get full during a tapeo for about 10 to 15 €.

Small budget: count 30 to 40 € for a car rental per day, 35 € for a night in the cheapest hotels in a double room or studio rental, and 15 € per person in the most affordable restaurants, wine not included.

Medium budget: count €50 per day for a mid-range car rental, €50 to €100 for an apartment rental or a room in a 3-star hotel or resort, and about €35 per person for a restaurant with wine.

Big budget: count from 70 to 80 € per day for the rental of a luxury sedan or a 4x4, from 100 to 300 € per day for a double room in a luxury hotel (or even a grand luxury hotel) including a multitude of services, especially in the high-end resorts (sports, spa, etc.). For a good table, count on 35 to 45 € per person

Tipping is included in the bill, but it can be appreciated to leave 5 to 10% of the bill. Bargaining is not practiced, except in the mercadillos, small markets (jewelry, clothes, bags, etc.) that flourish especially in the summer. The VAT system (IVA) applied in the Canary Islands is different from that of the mainland. It is the IGIC (Impuesto General Indirecto Canario), with the same purpose, but not the same rate: from 0 to 35% in the Canary Islands against 10 to 21% in mainland France. But for most products, a 7% rate applies. It is generally included in the prices displayed. To reduce your budget, consider taking multi-trip cards, offered in all the islands, if you travel by bus, it is more economical and it facilitates entry. No special days for museums, which are not very expensive and are not so numerous. You will be offered passes, including several visits. Make sure that you have the time and the desire to do everything.