The Best Way To Explore The Canary Islands Without Breaking The Bank

Located off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean, the Canary Islands (Islas Canarias in Spanish) are an autonomous region of Spain known for their year-round sunshine, unique culture, and widely varying landscapes. The Canary Islands, known as "the Fortunate Islands" or "Isles of the Blessed," consist of eight main islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Gomera, and La Graciosa. These European islands are a great spot for a warm-weather winter vacation and attract many tourists throughout the year hoping for some vitamin D in the "Sun of Europe." Long a loved destination for Brits escaping their endless, dreary winter, you can snag some good deals if you're flying out of the United Kingdom, leaving from mainland Spain, or from major American cities like Miami. 

Although not always easy (or cheap) to get to, the islands themselves are generally considered affordable, especially compared to different European island destinations, like Spain's other archipelago, the Balearic Islands. However, as the Canaries are still not a budget destination, with surging prices during high season and the cost of imported goods, one trick will lessen the impact on your pocketbook: public transportation. In the Canary Islands, the most budget-friendly mode of transportation is by bus, locally known as guagua. Buses can get a bad rap (and if you've ever ridden a Greyhound through the American Midwest, you'd understand why), but they can also be super convenient, easy, and cheap! The bus system on the Canary Islands is all of the above, in addition to being well-run and well-maintained.

With nature as their main heritage, the Canary Islands are often lauded for their conservation efforts, with four of Spain's national parks — Teide, Timanfaya, Garajonay, and Caldera de Taburiente — located across the islands, along with several protected marine parks and three Starlight Reserves. The islands of El Hierro and La Gomera in particular are considered a model of sustainability for the world. However, in recent years, the islands have experienced skyrocketing numbers of tourists, which has sparked protests from locals concerned about the impact of overtourism on infrastructure and the environment. As the Canary Islands' government wrestles with reconciling economic growth, conservation, and sustainable tourism, visitors have their own responsibility to lessen their footprint.

The key ways to do this in the Canary Islands are to visit off-season, buy local, explore lesser-visited islands, and, of course, take the bus. Buses in general are the most environmentally friendly mode of travel, in addition to helping you stay on budget during your trip. Depending on your route in the Canary Islands, a single la guagua ticket ranges from about 80 cents to $5 dollars. Some islands also have bus passes for purchase, which could cut your costs even more. 

The criticisms of traveling by bus (instead of by rental car) are the usual: You have to plan around limited timetables, buses can get crowded (especially on popular routes), and they might not offer the most convenient stops or take you exactly where you want to go. That said, the bus system across the Canary Islands is quite extensive and typically dependable. Just remember that traveling by bus takes some planning, so check the timetables ahead of time, arrive early, and carry coins or small bills.

If you're planning to visit just a single island of the Canary archipelago, planning to travel primarily by bus should be straightforward, especially on the larger, more popular islands like Tenerife or Gran Canaria. However, if you're hoping to do some island-hopping within the islands, is it possible to still use public transportation? Yes! Ferries are readily available, regular, reliable, and reasonably priced. (You can even take a ferry to the islands from mainland Spain, which can be easier on your wallet than a flight, but takes at least 26 hours). There are 16 different ports spread across the eight main islands, with routes that can take as little as 25 minutes and as long as 10 hours. In addition to being cheaper than flying, the ferries are a much more scenic way of travel, with gorgeous sea views and even the occasional wildlife spotting, like dolphins. 

It's also worth it to board a ferry and visit several different islands. Each island has its own unique beauty and customs, as well as thrillingly diverse nature. La Gomera is the home of Silbo Gomero, the only fully developed whistling language in the world and a certified UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The island of Tenerife is a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts, families, and celebrity-spotting. For beaches, partying, and city life, visit Gran Canaria, while surfers and wine lovers will adore Lanzarote. Lush La Palma, or "Isla Bonita," is a haven for adventure and stargazing enthusiasts. Some of the best diving can be found off El Hierro, which is working to become one of the world's first energy-sufficient islands. And La Graciosa, the official eighth Canary Island as of 2018, is a paradise of remote beaches.