Car Travel

Most travelers rent a car for at least part of their stay on the Canaries, as this is by far the best way to explore the countryside. Note that the roads are not always kind to those with vertigo; they often curve over high mountain cliffs with nothing but the sea below. Mountain roads are often narrow, which can be hair-raising if you meet a bus coming the other way. Expect traffic, especially around urban centers.

Car Rental

Car-rental companies abound on every island. Reservations are usually necessary in high season. Cicar and Europcar, with branches in all the airports and major towns on all seven islands, tend to have the best rates.

Contacts

Cicar Fuerteventura. Aeropuerto de Fuerteventura, Puerto del Rosario, Canary Islands, 35610. 928/822900; www.cicar.com.

Cicar Gran Canaria. Aeropuerto de Las Palmas, Gando, Canary Islands, 35230. 928/822900; www.cicar.com.

Cicar Lanzarote. Aeropuerto de Lanzarote, Arrecife, Canary Islands, 35550. 928/822900; www.cicar.com.

Cicar Tenerife North. Tenerife North Airport, La Laguna, Canary Islands, 38297. 928/822900; www.cicar.com.

Cicar Tenerife South. Tenerife South Airport, Granadilla de Abona, Canary Islands, 38610. 928/822900; www.cicar.com.

Europcar Fuerteventura. Aeropuerto de Fuerteventura, 35600. 902/105055; www.europcar.es. Daily 7 am–10:30 pm.

Europcar Gran Canaria. Aeropuerto de Las Palmas, 902/105055; www.europcar.es.

Europcar Lanzarote. Aeropuerto de Lanzarote, 35509. 902/105055; www.europcar.es.

Europcar Tenerife North. Tenerife North Airport, La Laguna, Canary Islands, 38297. 902/105055; www.europcar.es.

Europcar Tenerife South. Tenerife South Airport, Granadilla de Abona, Canary Islands, 35610. 902/105055; www.europcar.es.