Fuerteventura Holidays

Only 60 miles (100km) separates the island of Fuerteventura, the second largest in the Canary Islands, from the continent of Africa, and this sunny island shares the same latitude (and therefore similar weather conditions) with the renowned holiday destinations of Florida and Mexico.

Unlike those bustling resort-ridden vacation stations though, much of Fuerteventura is relatively undiscovered, with more than 150 idyllic sandy beaches only sparsely populated and many seldom visited at all. The name of the island comes from the strong trade winds, which have made it a popular stop for windsurfing and kite surfing enthusiasts.

The island has an arid volcanic landscape, and apart from the beautiful beaches and a handful of developed tourist areas, not much to recommend in the way of tourist amenities or attractions. This has kept the mega-resorts and mass summer package-holiday trade at bay, but Fuerteventura does have a fair share of day-trippers from the resorts of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria who come seeking a respite from the crowds.

Fuerteventura is the ultimate Canary Islands destination for those wanting to get away from civilization and crowds and enjoy a sleepy, sunny holiday. The island's two main resort towns are Corralejo and Caleta del Fuste. Fuerteventura is easily accessible from the other islands in the archipelago by ferry or air. The Fuerteventura airport is situated close to the island's capital of Puerto del Rosario.

There are very few transport options available on the island of Fuerteventura. Public transport is limited to buses, which operate across the island. Buses serving Nuevo Horizonte, Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Morro Jable, and Costa Calma run most frequently. For other routes, passengers should consult a timetable. Those who plan on using buses regularly during their stay should invest in a 'BTF Bono' card.

Taxis are available on the island and can be found at most busy locations or pre-booked ahead of time. As taxi travel can become quite expensive, travellers should consider the option of hiring a car in Fuerteventura, as this will not only save money but give one the freedom to explore the island at a more leisurely pace. There are lots of car hire companies with offices at the airport.

Although the island doesn't have the same concentration of shops as the more developed Canarian destinations, such as Gran Canaria and Tenerife, there are still some decent shopping venues in the tourist centres of Fuerteventura.

The main resort town of Caleta de Fuste has the enormous Atlantico shopping centre with the usual chain stores found in large European cities. The resort of Puerto del Rosario has the island's largest shopping centre, Las Rotondas, with over 100,000 square feet (30,000 square metres) of retail space.

Away from the glitzy, generic world of the shopping malls are the markets where Fuerteventura reveals some of its personality. The markets of Corralejo, Caleta, Morro Jable, and Costa Calma are worth browsing for fresh produce, pottery, and textiles.

Shopping centres on Fuerteventura tend to have tiny entrances to combat the strong dusty winds that blow through town, so visitors shouldn't be fooled by small doors! Shops tend to open from 10 am to 10 pm, with smaller stores closing over lunch for siesta.

Fuerteventura is famous for its gorgeous beaches, ranging from stretches of white sands in the south to the odd black sand beaches in the north. There are also charming little villages and harbours to enjoy, and a laidback ambience that characterises the entire island.

Fuerteventura does not have the glamorous nightlife or high-end attractions of some other Balearic destinations, but those coming here to enjoy its wholesome charms will not be disappointed.

Puerto del Rosario is the main town of Fuerteventura, and the most popular resorts are Correlejo and Caleta del Fuste. But to really experience local charm travellers should, visitors should head to rustic little villages such as El Cotillo and La Oliva, or the historic old town of Betancuria.

The island's regular winds make it a good destination for water sports such as windsurfing and kite surfing, and other fun activities include glass-bottomed boat adventures and camel rides on the beach. Families travelling with kids should try out the Baku Water Park and Fuerteventura Oasis Park.

Car hire is good value and most visitors tend to rent a vehicle by the week to get around Fuerteventura at their leisure. Public transport is decent, though, with reliable and cheap buses, and ferries that are useful for getting from one side of the island to the other. If visitors are going to use buses regularly during their visit, they should invest in a Tarjeta Dinero, a bus discount card.