Fuerteventura lies in the Atlantic Ocean, 60 miles from the coast of Africa. The second largest of the Canary islands, Fuerteventura is home to golden beaches and a dramatic rocky landscape. The warm winds that blow across the island make Fuerteventura a popular destination for watersports enthusiasts and sunbathers alike.
Fuerteventura is a year round destination with average temperatures remaining above 20C even during the winter months. Fuerteventura is home to 50km of unspoilt beaches, and the coastal breeze makes the waters excellent for windsurfing and other watersports. The main tourist resorts are well served with golf courses, a zoo, a waterpark and a range of marine excursions. Much of Fuerteventura has remained relatively untouched by tourism and a trip away from the main resort areas reveals charming white washed villages with cobbled streets and some fantastic traditional cuisine.
The beautiful climate, sweeping beaches and waves are popular with sun seekers, families and windsurfers.
Fuerteventura enjoys an annual 320 days of sunshine, making it an ideal year round destination. The average temperature is 20C in the winter months and 30C in the summer. Fuerteventura is the driest of the Canary Islands with hotter winds blowing in from the Sahara.
Fuerteventura claims to have the best beaches in the Canary Islands, with miles of white sand and sheltered little coves. The western beaches receive bigger swells and are popular destinations for surfers, whilst the eastern side of the island tends to be a little more sheltered.
The tiny island of Los Lobos with its shimmering lakes and secluded beauty is a short boat ride away, and the Sacred Mount Tindaya with its magnificent rock carvings can be explored with the help of a local guide. The village of Antigua has an art and craft centre set in beautiful gardens complete with a 200 year old windmill. The former capital of Fuerteventura, Betancuria, is a great place to enjoy authentic Canarian food and discover craftsmen and artists at work in their traditional workshops.
The culture in Fuerteventura is essentially Spanish, from which many of its traditions and influences have arisen. Fuerteventura is a Catholic country and there are fiestas and celebrations taking place in the towns and villages on the island throughout the year.
Fuerteventura prefers to relax rather than party, with nightlife centring around its traditional bars and restaurants. Watch and try folk dancing or head to the music bars and clubs of Corralejo for livelier evenings.
Fuerteventura has retained a special exemption from normal EU excise duties on perfumes, alcohol and tobacco, which means these items can be purchased for considerably less than in the rest of mainland Europe. All of the major tourist resorts have a good range of shops and supermarkets where it is possible to stock up on supplies including beachwear, surf wear and water sports equipment. In the resorts of Jandia and Costa Caleta there are modern shopping malls with an abundance of shops and boutiques. Jandia’s popular market and the Craft Village at Tefia are ideal places for purchasing unique gifts and locally produced craft items.
The main resorts in Fuerteventura provide the usual mix of Chinese, Italian, Indian and international restaurants, and a good meal with wine will generally cost less than the equivalent in the UK. Fresh delicious seafood is widely available, often accompanied with mojo a spicy pepper salsa. Local dishes include Pejines, tiny sundried fish, Puchero Canario, a hearty casserole and Papas Arrugadas a potato side dish. Fuerteventura is famous for its Gofio, an ancient blend of toasted maize or wheat, used in recipes like Gofio Amasado, a broth of potatoes, meat, wine and honey.
Dress is very casual in Fuerteventuta,. Topless bathing is permitted on the island and there are number of beaches reserved, although not exclusively, for naturists. Fuerteventura like Spain, has a Siesta between 1 – 4 in the afternoon when many shops will be closed.
The best time to pick up a bargain Fuerteventura holiday is outside of the peak season throughout the summer. With the weather staying reasonably hot all year round, a holiday towards the winter would be the best value for money, assuming you steer clear of major holidays like Christmas and New Year.
Like the rest of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura features plenty of coastal activities including watersports, snorkelling, scuba diving and of course sunbathing for those not quite so active.
Even in winter, the temperatures stay over 20ºC, so by delaying your holiday until the last few months of the year for a cheaper deal, you're still going to be getting weather a great deal better than back home in the UK. What's more, there are over 320 days of sunshine per year, so you might end up being pretty well tanned for the Christmas festivities.
With miles of white sandy beaches, and various mountains and lakes to visit, a cheap Fuerteventura holiday is certain to brighten up your winter, should you decide to go for an extra cheap deal.
