Are you thinking of working remotely from another country? Is Tenerife in your sights? If youβre in need of more convincing or more insight into living in Tenerife, youβve come to the right place!
Tenerife has an ever-growing group of digital nomads within its community. Based on variables such as a warmer climate, coworking spaces, and an array of things to do, Tenerife is a top island for working remotely.Β
And not to mention it is an ideal destination, being easy to reach for fellow European travelers and within Europeβs time zone.
But the best part of living in Tenerife: working by sandy beaches or on the doorstep of lush nature!Β
In this guide, I uncover all there is to know about living in Tenerife as a digital nomad, from the cost of living and coworking spaces to digital nomad communities in Tenerife, where to live, plus free-time activities – from whale-watching to surfing.Β
So keep on reading if youβre ready for your next Tenerife adventure!
About TenerifeΒ
The island of Tenerife is part of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago situated in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of Africa. It is the most populated and largest island of the group, with almost one million permanent residents and five million tourists visiting yearly.Β
In Tenerife, you will find the most incredible natural landscapes with volcanoes to hike, natural pools to bask in, varied beaches to surf at, and vibrant seaside towns with many cafes from which you can work remotely.Β
Tenerife had a hold on me while I was there (you can read all about it here), and since then, Iβve always thought about how cool it would be to live on the island!
With an incredibly active digital nomad community and gorgeous villas to rent, Tenerife is definitely a destination you should consider moving to if you work remotely.Β
Read More on TenerifeΒ
- Tenerife itinerary: How to spend 5 incredible days in Tenerife
- 20 best villas in Tenerife you need to rent on your next holiday
- 9 Best Hikes in Tenerife
- The Best Nudist Beaches in Tenerife Β
- Natural Pools in Tenerife You Need to VisitΒ
Why live in Tenerife?Β
If relocating is on your mind; for a few months or even years, Tenerife is a viable option that you should have at the top of your list. From its balmy weather to a lively digital nomad community, I highlight below why you should live in Tenerife.
Tenerife’s climate is reason enough why you should consider the small island. Nicknamed ‘the Island of Eternal Spring’, Tenerife has a Mediterranean-subtropical climate with pleasant temperatures all year round. Rain is rare, and the sky is almost always cloud-free.
Being in the same time zone as mainland Europe, the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) makes Tenerife a favorable destination for digital nomads from Europe. Think – no jetlag, short flights to and from your home country, and you don’t have to worry about being hours ahead or behind your family and friends.
In Tenerife, you’ll find many cafΓ¨s and restaurants with strong and stable Wi-Fi connections, which makes it very easy to find venues to work from. If you prefer working in less unconventional places, such as the beach or a park, all the central areas on the island benefit from free public Wi-Fi.Β
Another great reason for living in Tenerife is the food! Besides finding signature dishes of Spanish cuisine, like paella and tapas, Tenerife will delight your palate with traditional Canarian dishes and products.Β
Seafood and meat are the base of Canarian cuisine, which is heavily influenced by African spices and flavors. Moreover, Tenerife’s unique climate is perfect for growing exotic fruits such as mangos and avocados.Β
To top off this list of why you should live in Tenerife is the fact that there are a plethora of activities you can do when you’re not working, from hiking to water sports like surfing, whale watching, and beaching, plus so much more!
Tenerife VisaΒ
Tenerife might be located off the African coast, but it is nonetheless part of Spain. As such, Tenerife is inside the Schengen area.Β
If you have a standard tourist Schengen visa, you can move around without restrictions and stay in Tenerife for no more than 90 days each half year.Β
If your passport is not issued by one of the Schengen countries, you can enter Tenerife after the grant of a tourist visa which will allow you to stay on the island for 90 days.
Spain is also in the process of creating a digital nomad visa that will allow international talents to work remotely in the country without needing a full work visa.
Costs of living in TenerifeΒ
Tenerife is a fairly affordable place to live, but how much you will spend each month greatly depends on your lifestyle.Β
In this section, I will provide some general costs for rent, food, transport, health insurance, and free-time activities so that you can know the approximate costs of living in Tenerife.Β
Renting an apartment or house will surely be your biggest expense. The cost of renting a property in Tenerife really depends on the area you will stay in and the size of the place.Β
Tenerife north is usually less expensive than the south, where youβll find many more renting options. The average cost for a room in a shared apartment is β¬650-800 per month while renting an entire apartment can cost you up to β¬1500 monthly.
The cost of food in Tenerife is quite cheap. Thanks to the volcanic soil and the mild climate, fruits, and veggies are grown locally. You can buy both at local stores and larger supermarkets, such as Mercadona and HiperDino. You can easily spend only β¬30 per week on groceries.
Eating out at restaurants is also affordable in Tenerife, with an average cost of β¬15 per meal.
Public transportation is relatively cheap, and a short ride on the bus will cost you around β¬1.50. Renting a car or motorbike is, for sure, more expensive, and it can cost you up to β¬300 for one week.Β
I suggest you buy a used car if you are planning on living in Tenerife for a long time – you can easily re-sell it once you decide to leave the island.Β
In Tenerife (and mainland Spain in general), health care is free only if you have Spanish residency. If you are looking to live in Tenerife for a period, you should really consider getting travel insurance.Β
There are specific insurances for digital nomads that cover health-related expenses and any problems that might occur with your working devices (like laptops and cameras). Travel insurance prices vary greatly based on how long you subscribe to it and which insurance plan you select.
Tenerife is a paradise for outdoor activities that you can enjoy for a lower cost, if not totally for free.Β
Swimming at the beach or going for a hike (depending on which route you take) will cost you no money, while activities such as surfing or kitesurfing will require you to rent (or buy) the equipment and take lessons if you have never done these sports before.
Besides, thanks to a digital nomad community so active, you will find regular events that you can join for cheap, such as yoga classes for β¬10 per hour or catamaran boat trips for as little as β¬40.
Tenerife coliving spacesΒ
Many digital nomads choose co-living spaces as their accommodation while temporarily residing abroad. The idea behind co-living spaces is to share housing with people of the same lifestyle (so those who do remote working or are relocating) to connect while abroad.Β
Usually, in co-living spaces, you will rent a private bedroom in a fully furnished home with shared common areas. Unlike traditional apartments, such spaces are great for affordability, flexibility, and a sense of community.
Booking.com
Tenerife brims with co-living spaces; however, due to their popularity, they are in high demand, and you will need to book your accommodation well in advance.Β
The majority of co-living spaces in Tenerife are located in the south of the island, for example, in Playa Las Americas, one of the most frequented tourist areas. A fantastic co-living space here is Oasis Co-living which offers private rooms, shared workspaces, and a pool.
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In Tenerife, you will usually find villas and mansions with pools converted into co-living spaces. Rarer are townhouses or historical buildings renovated into co-livings, but if you are looking for one, you should check out Nine Co-living.Β
It was one of the first co-living spaces on the island, and it is set in a historical building in the center of La Orotava, a stunning town in the north.Β
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Coworking spaces and cafes in Tenerife
Just as co-living spaces are becoming quite popular in Tenerife, so are coworking spaces. The idea of a coworking space is that you will have a dedicated workstation in a fully-equipped area shared with other remote workers.Β
Usually, you can choose to buy a day, weekly, or monthly pass that will grant you access to all the amenities inside a coworking space.
If you are curious about coworking spaces in Tenerife, I suggest you check out Coworking In The Sun, located in Puerto de la Cruz, and Zen Den Tenerife in Costa Adeje.
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Cafes are other places from which you can work while in Tenerife. Besides fast internet and good food, you will meet many digital nomads like yourself!Β
As South Tenerife is more popular among ex-pats, you will find plenty of cafes to sit down and get some work. If you are around Playa Las Americas, check out Soul Kitchen and Friends Of The Ocean.Β
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Digital Nomad CommunitiesΒ
The digital nomad community in Tenerife is incredibly active and grows by the minute. If you are planning to live on the island, you might wonder where the best areas for digital nomads are and which activities you can join to meet new friends.
The best way to discover all of it and more is by checking out digital nomad groups on Facebook. Here’s a list of the most active groups:
Where to live in Tenerife North
Tenerife North offers incredible natural landscapes and two of the bigger cities on the island.
One of the best places to live in the north of Tenerife is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital city, home to incredible architecture (read more in my 5 days in Tenerife blog).
The majority of the people living in Santa Cruz are Spanish natives, and most restaurants and bars serve authentic Spanish or Canarian delicacies.
As such, Santa Cruz is a great place to stay in Tenerife if you want to live like a local. Rent prices are considerably lower than in other locations, and from Santa Cruz, you have easy access to trails in Anaga Rural Park, one of the best hiking spots on the island.
Click here to book a hiking tour in the ancient forests of Anaga National Park!
Puerto de la Cruz is a popular city for digital nomads in North Tenerife, frequented mostly by Germans ex-pats. Puerto de la Cruz has a great beach right in the city center, historical sights, streets colored in vibrant art, and many cafes, bars, and restaurants you can work from.
Make sure to taste Tenerifeβs iconic dish, patatas arrugadas here – just as I did on my Tenerife trip!
Read more about my experience in Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz!
From Puerto de la Cruz, you will have access to the incredible Teide National Park, home to Spainβs highest peak and many beautiful coastal hikes.
The digital community in the city is relatively active, so it’s easy to network and meet people.
Where to live in Tenerife South
Tenerife South is more popular than the north among ex-pats looking for a place to relocate due to its sunny weather.
The south of the island is also visited by many tourists in the summer months, which can render it somewhat chaotic but also full of activities to do.
If you want to be in the heart of Tenerife’s digital nomad community, you should live in Las Americas. It’s home to Playa Las Americas, one of the most popular areas for surfing.Β
The locale is the most touristy destination on the island, where you will find countless eateries and boutiques. The main downside is that it can be pretty loud living here, especially if you live next to Veronicas, the main bar strip.Β
Besides Las Americas, other popular digital nomad hotspots in South Tenerife are Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje.
What to do in TenerifeΒ
Tenerife is an incredible place to visit and live: there are so many activities that you will always have something exciting to do in your free time.Β
Surf in Las Americas
Surfing is one of the most popular activities in Tenerife. Among the best surfing spots on the island, there is Playa Las Americas.Β
Here you will find consistent waves for all levels of ability and many surfing schools where you can take lessons if you’ve never surfed before.Β
Take on the left-hand waves at La Izquierda or the fast tides of El Conquistador, both along the Playa de Las Americas promenade.
Go hiking in the Parque Rural de Anaga
The Parque Rural de Anaga provides some of the best hikes in Tenerife. Located in the north of the island, the natural landscape is completely different from the one you find in the southern areas surrounding the dormant volcano of Mount Teide.Β
There are ample trails in the Park, but my favorite is the Trail of the Senses, which encourages an immersion into nature through information boards peppered along the way.
For more on my experience in Parque Rural de Anaga, check out my blogs, 9 Best Hikes in Tenerife and 5 days in Tenerife!
Look out for whales
One of the best things you can do while in Tenerife is joining a whale-watching tour.Β
Tenerife is one of just four places that host a permanent colony of whales. The fact that they don’t migrate allows you to spot them at whatever time of year.Β
Therefore, Tenerife is home to plenty of opportunities for whale-watching, and with this comes spotting a plethora of marine life too, from dolphins to turtles.
Click here to book an eco-friendly dolphin and whale-watching cruise in Tenerife!
To help you pick a tour, read my guide on Whale Watching in Tenerife.Β
Go nude at the beach
Youβll find that nudist sunbathing and skinny-dipping are exhilarating activities with a wealth of benefits: not only does it help overcome insecurities, but it also provides a Vitamin D boost!
In Tenerife, take your pick between an abundance of nudist beaches: from fine golden shorelines to black-sand bays.
Find out why you should give nudism a try by reading the Best Nudist Beaches in Tenerife.Β
Swim in a natural pool
Natural pools in Tenerife are an exciting beach alternative not to miss.
Carved out the islandβs coastline are these natural alcoves where the sea seeps in, forming incredible pools, deep enough to swim in and even snorkel!
These pools combine unspoiled nature, privacy, and crystalline water, making them a real treat. For the best natural pools in Tenerife, click here.
Sample Canarian delicaciesΒ
Two words: mojo sauce – you cannot live in Tenerife without tasting the most renowned and integral Canarian product!
Alongside mojo sauce, donβt sleep on Tenerifeβs potato dishes, specifically patatas arrugadas or wrinkled potatoes.
For a sweet treat with a bit of a kick, go for a barraquito β coffee with condensed milk, liquor, milk, and cinnamon.
Taste authentic Canarian cuisine by taking part in a cooking class (like I did during my 5 days in Tenerife) or head out on a gastronomy tour around the island.
The Best Tenerife Gastronomy Tours
Living in Tenerife, either for a few months or years, will be an unforgettable experience that might even entice you into returning or who knows – never leaving!
Tenerife has it all: from an ever-growing digital nomad community to affordable living, fantastic weather, and an abundance of things to do. Due to all this and more, Tenerife is a top contender to base yourself for your next remote working adventure.
Have you got any questions about living in Tenerife? Any additional tips for a big move abroad? Feel free to comment below!Β
Looking for more Spain travel tips? Check out these guides!
- Your Fuerteventura holidays: places you canβt miss!
- Madrid 2 days: the ultimate itinerary!
- Postcards from Menorca
- The best of Benidorm
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