Car Hire in Fuerteventura

About Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is a Spanish island in the Canary Islands. It belongs to the municipality of La Oliva on the island of Gran Canaria. The only inhabited place is Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura and seat of the local government, where almost half of the population lives. The island has an area of 549.98 km² (as of 1 January 2010) and lies about 40 kilometres southeast of the neighbouring archipelago of Lanzarote, which is separated by a strait called El Beque. The highest point on the island is Monte Maciá (906 m). The nearest airport is that of Puerto del Rosario, while the main port is on the neighbouring island of Lanzarote.

Fuerteventura is also the name of a national park on this island, which has been declared a biosphere reserve. The park covers 12,000 hectares and is home to significant volcanic features, including the second-largest lava tube in Europe (Cueva de Los Verdes) and the inactive volcano El Mocanal. There are several beaches on the island that are popular with tourists and can be reached by car or bus from Puerto del Rosario. The Jandia peninsula is located at the southern end of Fuerteventura and serves as a nature reserve for wild animals such as sea turtles and dingoes.

Basic info and car hire in Fuerteventura

• Location: Canary Islands
• Population: 122.629 (2019)
• Official language: Spanish
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Weather: The weather in Fuerteventura is very convenient. The coldest month, January is an average of 17°C and the warmest is August with 25°C. The best time to visit is in the spring/autumn when the temperature is mild around 20°C. 
• Internet coverage: Most hotels, bars, restaurants and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  
• Car hire in Fuerteventura: The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Fuerteventura is at the airport. There are many different car rental companies available and they all offer competitive prices, so it's best to book a car three or eight weeks ahead of time - this will ensure you get an affordable rate!

Driving in Fuerteventura

The roads are narrow and winding, and one-way streets also run through the villages themselves. There is also a certain speed limit within the villages. Driving at night can be difficult as most street lights are decorative or non-existent in some towns and villages.

The main routes are well signposted, but many secondary road signs are unhelpful, contradictory or missing! One reason for this is that often there is only a town name on the signpost and not the part of the town you are heading for. This is especially true for towns that are spreading out (e.g. Puerto del Rosario, Morro Jable). The maximum alcohol level in the blood can be 0.05% (BAC) which is lower than in the UK. The speed limit is 100km/h on motorways and 40km/h in residential areas. Signs for speed limits are well visible and easy to understand, which helps a lot when driving in Fuerteventura for the first time.

• Age limits: The minimum age to hire a car in Fuerteventura is 21 years of age. The driver must also have held the license for a minimum of 1 year. 
• International Driving Permit: If you have a driving license outside the EU and UK, you will need International Driving Permit. 
• Additional papers: Identification(passport), a valid driving licence, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance with Orbit Car Hire in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in Fuerteventura)
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle. First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car:  All occupants must wear seat belts. Children under 18KG in weight must be in child seats and those who are 135CM tall or shorter should stay behind the driver on a booster cushion for safety's sake!
• Driving side of the road: Right Side. 
• Lights: When it rains and during nighttime. 
• General speed limits: 100km/h on motorways and 40km/h in residential areas. 
• Parking suggestions:  Parking is free and most often you will find enough of them at the tourist attractions. Parking in the towns has to be paid for. You should always find parking spots in the towns without too much trouble. 

What to see in Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is a Spanish island in the Atlantic Ocean near the African coast. It has belonged to the province of Cadiz since 1919 and is now within the autonomous community of Andalusia. In July 2014, it was voted one of the best islands in Europe for tourists by the New York Times.

You can visit the capital Puerto del Rosario or go to Costa Calma if you want to relax on the beach. For those who like to explore nature, there are majestic mountains and beautiful landscapes to discover, as well as bird reserves where hundreds of birds can fly together through the blue sky. If you have children with you, take them to the Montañas en Miniatura theme park, where they can have fun on the pirate ship, in forts or in small planes.

If you are a curious and culturally interested traveller, you will have the opportunity to experience the traditional festivals, especially La Semana Santa, when large Easter processions fill the streets of Puerto del Rosario with music and colour.

Drive your rental car beyond Fuerteventura

When you go on holiday to Fuerteventura, one of the main activities you can do is a road trip. There are many interesting roads you can drive on and the views are very different from your home. You can visit places like La Oliva or even Corralejo. The weather is also great for driving as it is mostly sunny and dry. The driving experience in Fuerteventura is unique. If you want to enjoy it, this island has everything you need!
There are also different routes, depending on the needs of the traveller, so everyone can find an option for them.

You can take any route you want, as they all lead to breathtaking views and unique memories that you will never forget. Roads like Route 1030 Fuerteventura-Corralejo or Route 1040 Morro Jable-Betancuria simply offer incredible sights, especially when the sunlight hits these places in a certain way. That's why people love taking photos there! You should definitely not miss these moments. When choosing a place for your holiday, consider Fuerteventura. It will be worth it!

Where to eat, drink, and party in Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is the island of cafés and restaurants that line every street in every small town until late at night. Here you do not have to worry about finding something to eat after dark!

We recommend you do what everyone else on this beautiful island does: and that is eat out until midnight every day! The great thing about Fuerteventura is that you can find all kinds of cuisine and culinary delights here at any time of day (and night).

Prepare for traditional Fuerteventura dishes like gachas (the Canarian version of a thick vegetable soup with meat), puchero (a boiled dinner with all kinds of meat and vegetables), grilled fish or even fried tostones (where ripe plantains are sliced, deep-fried and salted); wash it all down with a glass of Vino de Pitarra y Mañuco. As for desserts, try the almendrados (almond cakes) filled with dulce de leche or the sticky chocolate cakes. And here is a local tip for you: look out for Canarian wines from Bodegas Santa Maria Blanco or red wines from Bodegas Ysios.

Best restaurant in Fuerteventura

Enjoy the cuisine at Fuerteventura takes advantage of all this variety by using local products. Including great fish meals. You can always find great restaurants in Fuerteventura that offer some Canarian specialities. Here are our top 5 restaurants:

La Tasca del Pescador

El Romero de Tejeda

Restaurante Al Sur

Restaurante Vista Mar

Restaurant Lorenzo