Campervan Rental Tenerife and Fuerteventura: The Honest Guide to Your Island Trip
- Jun 30
- 7 min read
You want to see Tenerife. Not just the pool area of your hotel. You are wondering whether a campervan is the right way to do it, and if so, which one and where to start.
This guide answers exactly that. What you actually need, what it costs and how to plan your campervan rental Tenerife and Fuerteventura from start to finish.
Why rent a campervan on Tenerife?
Tenerife is one of the most varied islands in Europe, and most tourists see almost none of it. They land in the south, book a hotel in Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje and rarely leave the resort.
With a campervan you see a different island:
Mount Teide at sunrise, before the first buses arrive from the south. The Masca gorge before the day-trip crowds get there. El Médano in the late afternoon, when kitesurfers and local fishermen are the only people on the beach. The Anaga mountains in the northeast, which barely any package tourist ever visits.
The island's mild climate makes this possible all year round. Tenerife sits on the 28th parallel, over 700 kilometres further south than Crete. In January it is 22 to 24 degrees during the day. In August a southern breeze keeps temperatures at a comfortable 26 degrees. There is no bad time to visit this island.
Fly and rent locally vs. bring your own camper by ferry
This is the first question many European travellers ask. The answer is almost always the same: fly and rent locally.
Taking your own motorhome by ferry means departing from Cadiz or Huelva. The crossing takes two days each way. Ferry, cabin and fuel costs from northern Europe: realistically 2,500 to 3,500 euros return, not counting the drive through Spain. This only makes sense for very long stays or if you consider the drive itself part of the holiday.
For a one to three week trip the maths is clear: a flight plus local campervan rental is cheaper, more comfortable and gives you more time on the island from day one.
At vanXcapes prices start from 95 euros per night. A week costs roughly 665 to 945 euros for the vehicle, plus a flight of perhaps 100 to 250 euros per person. You land, pick up your van and drive off.
Which model is right for you?
This is the most important decision. Here are the models available at vanXcapes on Tenerife and Fuerteventura.
VW California 6.1 Ocean Edition: The compact all-rounder
For couples who want manoeuvrability and style. The California 6.1 fits into any parking space, sleeps two people in comfort and has everything on board: kitchen unit, pop-up roof, multimedia with Apple CarPlay. On Tenerife, where mountain roads can get narrow, that is a real advantage.
More about the VW California 6.1 Ocean: https://www.vanxcapes.com/vw-california-6-1-ocean
VW Grand California 600: The family motorhome
Four sleeping spaces, full bathroom with shower and toilet, fixed beds. If you are travelling with children or simply do not want to compromise on comfort, this is your vehicle. The Grand California 600 is Volkswagen's answer to what a proper motorhome looks like on a modern platform.
More about the VW Grand California 600: https://www.vanxcapes.com/vw-grand-california-600
VW Grand California 600 with Solar: Maximum independence
The same comfortable base, but with a solar panel for extended off-grid capability. Especially relevant on Fuerteventura, where you want to park further away from campsites and the sun shines reliably almost all year round.
More about the VW Grand California 600 with Solar: https://www.vanxcapes.com/vw-grand-california-600-with-solar
VW KNAUS Van Wave 640 MEG: The spacious comfort option
Twin rear beds, full bathroom, TV with satellite, 100-litre fresh water tank. For everyone who wants to properly switch off after a long day on the road. Island hopping included: the KNAUS is approved for use on both islands.
More about the VW KNAUS Van Wave 640 MEG: https://www.vanxcapes.com/knaus-van-wave-640-meg-vw
VW KNAUS Van TI Plus 700 LF Platinum with Solar: The premium motorhome
The largest model in the fleet. 7.47 metres, four sleeping spaces, fixed island bed at the rear, rotating captain seats, full kitchen, separate bathroom, automatic transmission with 177 hp and solar panel. For everyone who wants zero compromise.
More about the VW KNAUS Van TI Plus 700 LF Platinum: https://www.vanxcapes.com/knaus-van-ti-plus-700-lf-platinium
The best campervan routes on Tenerife
Tenerife is smaller than it looks on a map but enormously varied in landscape. These three routes combine well.
Route 1: The south and the Teide Arrive at Tenerife South airport, drive through Las Galletas towards El Médano. Spend the evening on the beach watching the kitesurfers. Next day: drive up through Las Cañadas into Teide National Park. Spend the night at one of the approved park campsites. Getting up early is worth it: the sunrise above the sea of clouds is one of the most impressive landscapes on the planet.
Route 2: The northwest coast and Masca Drive from Los Gigantes towards Masca. Explore the gorge on foot, then continue to Buenavista del Norte. A small fishing village with no tourist buses. The road to Masca is demanding but perfectly manageable in a normal campervan as long as you take it slowly.
Route 3: The Anaga mountains in the northeast The forgotten part of Tenerife. Dense laurel forests, mist even on sunny days, villages that look barely changed in decades. Taganana and Afur are the best-known spots. Narrow roads: avoid taking a 7.5-metre model on this route.
Island hopping: From Tenerife to Fuerteventura
This is the part most travellers do not know about, and it is what can turn a good trip into an exceptional one. All vanXcapes vehicles are approved for island hopping between Tenerife and Fuerteventura.
The ferry runs from Los Cristianos in the south of Tenerife to Morro Jable on Fuerteventura. Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas operate this route several times a week. A campervan and two people costs between 80 and 180 euros per crossing depending on the season. The crossing takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.
Fuerteventura is the opposite of Tenerife: flat, desert-like, with endless white sand beaches in the north and surf culture throughout the south. The wild north around Corralejo and El Cotillo is ideal for campervans. Plenty of space, little mass tourism and perfect wind. El Médano on Tenerife and El Cotillo on Fuerteventura are the two best kitesurfing spots in the Canary Islands, both easy to reach by campervan.
Combining both islands gives you two completely different experiences in a single trip.
Where to sleep on Tenerife and Fuerteventura
Campsites: Tenerife has several official campsites. Camping Montaña Roja near El Médano is one of the best: right on the beach, quiet and well equipped. Camping Nauta in Santa Cruz is the only site in the capital.
Teide National Park has 13 free forest campsites that must be reserved in advance through the Cabildo de Tenerife website. Free of charge, but booking is mandatory.
Informal overnight stops: Tolerated, but with common sense. No camp setup, no chairs and tables outside, no litter. Police presence has been increasing near tourist areas. In more remote parts of the Anaga or in northern Fuerteventura the situation is more relaxed.
What does a campervan rental on Tenerife cost?
At vanXcapes prices start from 95 euros per night for the VW California 6.1 Ocean and from 135 euros per night for the larger KNAUS models.
Included in the price: camping table and two chairs, kitchen equipment, CEE cable for campsites. All models come with Apple CarPlay and integrated navigation. Pets are welcome. Island hopping is permitted on all models.
FAQ: The most important questions before you book
Do I need a special driving licence? No. All vanXcapes models can be driven with a standard car licence (category B). The heaviest model sits at exactly 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight, right at the category B limit. No truck licence required.
How far in advance should I book? For summer and Christmas, at least two to three months ahead. Outside peak season shorter lead times are possible, but popular models sell out fast.
Are there toll roads on the islands? No. Neither Tenerife nor Fuerteventura has toll roads. Fuel costs less in the Canary Islands than on the Spanish mainland because the islands have a special tax status.
Is wild camping legal on Tenerife? Wild camping in the traditional sense is not permitted. Overnight stays in your vehicle on public land are tolerated as long as it is discreet and no camp structure is set up outside. In Teide National Park you must reserve the free forest campsites in advance online.
Can I take the campervan on the ferry to Fuerteventura? Yes. All vanXcapes models are approved for the ferry to Fuerteventura. Book directly with Fred Olsen or Naviera Armas. Vehicle dimensions for each model are listed on the individual model pages.
What is the weather like in winter? Excellent. January and February are popular months for longer stays. Daytime temperatures of 20 to 23 degrees, almost no rain in the south. Perfect for driving, hiking and kitesurfing.
Are pets allowed? Yes, in all vanXcapes models.
What happens if something breaks down? vanXcapes offers several protection plans to suit different needs. Full details at: https://www.vanxcapes.com/protection-plans
Why vanXcapes and not a booking platform?
On Yescapa, Goboony or Campanda you can also find vehicles on Tenerife. Usually older private campervans, vintage VW Bullis or converted vans. Good options for some travellers, but not what you get when you want a modern premium motorhome.
vanXcapes is not a marketplace. It is a local operator with its own fleet, genuine knowledge of both islands and vehicles from 2023 onwards. When you want to drive off in the morning knowing the vehicle works, the navigation is correct and someone is reachable if something goes wrong, that is the difference.
Ready to go?
Browse the available models and choose the right one for your trip.
All campervans and motorhomes at vanXcapes: https://www.vanxcapes.com/campervans