6 ways not to be a tourist in Fuerteventura

Last updated: January 2022

I was recalling the other day what a friend of mine told me the first time he heard I was from Fuerteventura: ‘do people actually live there? I thought it was just a tourist destination!’ He was joking of course, but the point remains. Over the last couple of years the number of tourists has skyrocketed. I am willing to bet that during high season there are more tourists than there are locals. I therefore decided it was time to share some insider knowledge on things to avoid if you are planning on being a tourist in Fuerteventura and want to blend in with the shrinking local population.

1. Do it for the ‘gram

I love Instagram. It’s my favourite social media app and I never tire of devouring all the travel content it throws at me. But as with anything that grows to be that popular, there are also negatives that come with it… Some tourists appear to lose all common sense and respect for their surroundings for the sake of a picture. They feel the urge to act the monkey and climb on top of sacred fragile sites, and then proudly display their foolishness to thousands of strangers on the internet. Don’t be that guy.

2. Drive too fast

It is very easy to drive around the island. The main roads are wide and well maintained, and there is never a lot of traffic. I am always glad to see a tourist in Fuerteventura on a rental car, because that means that they are getting out of their all-inclusive resorts and exploring, which to me is a positive thing. That is, as long as you don’t go out there driving like a lunatic.

There is a particularly winding road going from Morro Jable to Cofete, right at the edge of the mountain. There is only space for a single car at the best of times. It features in the movie Exodus, as the road they take to get to the sea, and where some of Ramses’ carriages fall off into the abyss, precisely due to the speed they are going at. So that should really give you an idea. It is a road that needs to be driven slowly. Take your time. Drive at 20 km/hours if you need to, take in the amazing views. And very importantly, beep when you are approaching a turn. The last couple of times we have driven down there, there has always been a rental car driving at some crazy speed, nearly crashing into us when taking a turn. Don’t be that guy.

3. Cycling like you own the road

Cyclists are on the rise in Fuerteventura, and I’m glad. It is actually a great way to explore the island. Most of the routes are through unpaved rural roads, but there are also some cycling on the road. Up until recently, these were mostly people training for triathlons and other competitions. They are not usually a problem. They are cycling at a considerable speed, and as long as you are paying attention when you are driving all you have to do is slow down and wait until you can overtake them.  However, there is a new kind of cycling, one that needs to be exterminated and soon. They are the ones that take city bikes, much like those you would find in european capitals, and without even a helmet, decide to drive right in the middle of a main road, where the speed is 90 km/hours. And that is not even the worst part, wait for it: most of these roads have cycling lanes right along them! I was absolutely flabbergasted. If there was a worst tourist in Fuerteventura award, it would go to them.

4. Leaving a trace

This is not something that applies to being a tourist in Fuerteventura only, but being a tourist anywhere really… Always leave no trace. Strive to leave places better than you find them whenever possible. Fight the urge to leave uncalled for mounds of stones; to scrape your name on ancient stones; to collect bags of sand or local beach stones…

5. Not using sunscreen

This is a pet peeve of mine and the absolute most reliable way of telling a local apart from a tourist: the use of sunscreen. The sun is out in Fuerteventura 364 days out of the 365 days of the year. We have all grown up extremely aware of it and have grown to respect it. We all have childhood memories of being absolutely drenched and covered in a thick layer of the annoying white stuff before being allowed to go to the beach. It is literally painful on the eyes to go to the beach and spot the white-as-snow tourist applying tanning oil on top of an already burnt skin. I always struggle to contain the urge to run over and bath them in factor 50 while giving them a lesson on skin cancer.

Seriously now, if you are on your sun holidays you are looking to get a tan, I get that. But you can get it better by putting sunscreen on! Please do yourself and my eyes a favour and just put it on. You will get a better tan, trust me.

6. Assume you can go swimming anywhere

I saved the most important one for last. The beaches are without doubt Fuerteventura’s best feature. You will be spoiled for choice. However, please don’t make the assumption (no matter how experienced swimming in the sea you are), that you will be fine no matter what. If there is one thing a local knows is how to respect the sea. If it looks fine but there is a red flag, don’t go in. The flags are not there to annoy you but for your safety. With a red flag, even if there is a lifeguard, they reserve the right not to go in to save you. Most of the beaches are actually extremely safe, and free of sharks and other unfriendly animals. However, all of the west coast of the island, with the exception of one beach in Cotillo, should be avoided altogether. Take your time to go in and get a feel for the currents. Respect the sea and you will have a fantastic time!

Final disclaimer: this is intended as a half sarcastic humorous post. Locals are extremely friendly and helpful and will usually go out of their way to help tourists. If you are planning on being a tourist in Fuerteventura, I’d like to welcome you with open arms! 

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