Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Tenerife* – Digital Nomad Guide

Tenerife is a great, up-and-coming spot for digital nomads. It welcomes you with a timeless spring climate, mountains, and sandy beaches just on your doorstep. Not to mention pretty competitive costs. Tenerife attracts European and non-EU digital nomads with plenty of co-working spaces, incubators, and other work-related infrastructure. I worked and stayed next to Playa de las Americas on the south of the island for over a month. I traveled to the north and hiked, and indeed my soul wants to return for longer. It gave me enough insight to share today.

Where exactly?

Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, toward the west of Africa, Tenerife is a part of the Canary Islands – a Spanish archipelago. It is the most populated and most significant island of this archipelago, with nearly 1 million inhabitants and 5 million visiting yearly. The island has two airports that serve both the North and South of the Island.

South or North?

And now comes the great question: South or North? Tenerife is divided into those two significant areas, separated by Mount Teide. In short, if you would like to immerse in Spanish culture, steer north. On the other hand, go south if (and both options are equally excellent) you would like to enjoy the sun basking and party time. But there is more to that.

Northern area

Do you like spending time in nature, mountain hikes, forests, beaches with a backdrop of cliffs, and don't mind occasional overcasts? Then I would advise you to choose the north. Nature and tranquility lovers will find their perfect place in this part of the island without giving up the island's cultural heritage. Also, in the north, you will find many digital nomads and socializing; however, this south offers more events, and the temperature is a few degrees warmer than in the north.

South Tenerife

Do you work a lot, and in the afternoons and evenings, you want to party, load vitamin D, meet other people, and sunbathe? Then I would advise you to choose the south. Although it does not tempt with green landscapes, the south is relatively dry, and the desert guarantees you year-round sun and many social events.

South Tenerife is generally populated by travelers and expats and by some reconsidered as overly touristic. The most buzzing part of the island is Las Americas and Los Cristianos. It usually has a more stable climate throughout the year, with an average temperature of twenty degrees. One of the most ideal spots is El Médano, very close to the southern airport.

Metropolitan

San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Santa Cruz de Tenerife are the ideal part of the island for those looking for a more urban experience. Those two cities offer culture, good gastronomy, leisure (activities and nightlife), and any facilities a big city can provide. The Island capital – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is situated at the island's highest point – and apparently, the most touristic side of Tenerife.

Accommodation

In modern times, finding accommodation online is pretty seamless, so I decided to select for you some coworkings and co-livings adapted for digital nomads. I have chosen places where building a community is essential, and the true meaning of coliving and co-working comes alive. They are based on the fact that every digital nomad who stays at those co-workings brings something different. That is how skill-sharing, new companies, and lavish parties happen.

Cactus Co-living. The house is located in Valle San Lorenzo, one of the villages en route to Teide. It is next to Roque de Jama, a landmark you can hike, with views at the top that are undoubtedly rewarding. One of the most famous beaches for kiting and windsurfing is only a 15-minute drive away. You'll get to Las Americas, surfers paradise, in the opposite direction. The house has its own wine cellar where wine tasting workshops will take place.

Nine Coliving. A co-living and co-working community is located in the historical center of La Orotava. A beautiful old Canarian house was transformed into a place where digital nomads live, work and meet. With its views over the sea and the volcano El Teide, its essence full of history and location right in the middle of town, Nine offers digital nomads a one-of-a-kind experience.

Amarrila Co-living They have two locations: Costa San Miguel and El Medano. Amarilla's set of villas and apartments is located within walking distance of the beach, giving you both the freedom to go whenever you want and views of the sea. In Amarilla, they organize digital nomad meetups every week, including Art & Aperitivo Club, Tapas night, Arepa & Salsa Workshop, Yoga Pool Brunch, Social Dinners, and more.

Also, in La Orotava, you can find Gato Azul. They created a professional work environment next to quiet, hidden spots to rest and connected communal areas. So you can work and live in a community of up to 20 like-minded people in an ancient house right in the center of La Orotava. It is pretty hard not to love it.

Maraya. This co-living, co-working community is nestled in a beautiful barranco in Candelaria. This overlooking the ocean and surrounded by nature space is designed for digital nomads and remote workers. Premium rooms, dedicated workspaces, incredible views, fresh breakfasts, family dinners, daily yoga, and an active community are standard.

6 Elements

WAVE

Do you need to feel the wind in your wings? Whether you're a surfing newbie or an advanced surfer, Tenerife has a wave for everyone. Las Americas is one of the most famous surf spots in Tenerife. There isn't a single surf spot, but actually many different ones for all levels spread out along the coast. La Derecha del Cartel – This is where you will find all the pro surfers of Las Americas.

If you are an advanced surfer, go to Bajamar , located north of the island. Here, you will find powerful waves breaking against the scenic backdrop of the Bajamar lighthouse. Also, check Playa del Socorro, where you will find a stunning black sand beach surrounded by tall cliffs and a powerful beach break. Again, it's a spot for advanced surfers since the waves and tide can get intense.

OCEAN

Are you a creature of the sea? Try snorkeling and kayaking as the sea around the island is home to many whales, turtles, dolphins, and fish species. Most trips take off from the Los Cristianos and can take anywhere from 2 hours to a full day. (Cost: approx €40 each)/ You can even take a 30m underwater trip in a real submarine.. ( Costs €53).

You can explore the ocean depths with diving professionals and see the sea life up close while scuba diving. (One dive is €37 + gear). There is SIAM Park, one of the biggest water parks in Europe for those lazier. You can spend your day enjoying water slides and water activities… Watch out, though, in the season, it is hugely overcrowded! (Cost: Adult tickets start at €35)

SAND

After so many activities, there is time for sun-basking. Tenerife has almost 65km of coastline to explore. There really is one for everyone, from the cliffs de. Playa de Las Teresitas, the black volcanic beaches of Playa del Socorro, to party Troya Beach.

EARTH

Are you more down to the earth? If you head into the north or up the mountains of the island, there are many hiking opportunities available with varying levels of difficulty. I hiked Mount Teide. Some hikers hide the Mount Teide at night, where some start at 2 am for the steep climb, making it to the peak for sunrise at 7!

SKY

If you are a bird of the sky , try seeing the Tenerife from above and paragliding. It is an amazing way to do it. With an instructor, the paragliders jump from peaks in Adeje and Ifronche ( €120 per flight) The entire process takes around 2 hours, the flight itself being 20 minutes.

SOUL

Tenerife is a place where you can find body & mind balance for a better quality of life and wellbeing. If interested, check yoga classes and digital nomad meetups here.

And back to earth

Price list:

• Menu del dia €10-20 (Plate of the day, usually it includes the wine and the dessert )
• Botella de Tropical o Dorada €2
• Un cafecito €2
• Water (1.5-liter bottle) €0.80
• One-way Ticket to guagua ( local bus) €1.55 , but a better deal is to buy a "bono-bus" (bus pass) for 15 or 25 euros. These passes can be used on every route, can be shared between several people, and save about 50 percent on the price of a ticket.

• Essential Utilities (Monthly) €75
• Internet €55
• Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre from €700, the deposit of 1-3 months required, check for long term rental on idealista.com

Hidden Gems:

Wonders in Garachico

Garrachico is a beautiful town, an essential stop if you are in Tenerife. It was also the main port of Tenerife during the 16th and 17th centuries. Enjoy the Caletón, a bathing area formed by several pools of natural origin. The pools originated from the lava from the eruption mentioned before, which solidified when it came into contact with the sea, giving rise to beautiful natural pools.

As Garachico was one of the most important Canarian ports, it needed a defensive castle, the Castillo de San Miguel. Although it was built in the 16th century, it is in perfect condition. But the most pleasant thing is to get lost in its streets and enjoy its people and its very varied gastronomic offer.

Whistle at Gomera and meet the lizard!

You should not feel offended when we hear a rather characteristic, prolonged whistling behind your backs on la Gomera, a beautiful island just one of Tenerife. It's a whistling dialect of the Spanish language. Before the time of cell phones, it had a practical explanation. In addition to volcanic beaches, la Gomera also enjoys picturesque barrancos, i.e., the narrow valleys between mountains. Therefore, the inhabitants needed a language that could communicate over long distances. This is how the language of whistling was created!

Apart from the language, many more peculiarities have survived on this strange island. If you want to see how the forests of Europe just before the Ice Age looked like, it's worth visiting Garajonay National Park. It protects a hundreds of thousands of years old laurel forest. The twisted boughs of its trees, mosses and giant ferns are the perfect scenery for life for Gomerian lizards. These giant creatures, while somewhat scary, pose no threat. But they are certainly an additional attraction.

There is no extensive hotel base there. However, you can go here on a 1-hour ferry ride trip from the southern port of Los Cristianos, for about PLN €70 (in both directions) (Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas)

Although you can stay in many places, the place which stole our heart was Casa Tagumerche ( €28 per day!). Or you can book a complete package of bus and ferry, which brings you from the airport to a town nearby (Vallehermoso) (Autobuses Mesa).

Formalities

There is an official project (Work&Play) promoted by Cabildo de Tenerife (the island's local government) to support remote work and facilitate settling on the island. Here you can find additional information if you decide to prolong your stay in Tenerife, you want to obtain your NIE (Número de Identification de Extranjeros), and register your stay (empadronamiento), or finally become autónomo – self-employed.

I hope I have convinced you to become your digital nomad experience at Tenerife, the island of eternal spring.

Pásalo bien!