Car rental in Fuerteventura is a must for all tourists; without a car, you’re pretty much stuck lounging on the beach. The coolest sights aren’t accessible by bus, so having your own wheels is key. This short guide will fill you in on what renting a car in Fuerteventura is like, including roads, parking, where to rent, and any potential pitfalls.

But for a comprehensive overview of car rentals in the Canaries, covering traffic rules, fines, dealing with police, zero excess and deposits, whether full insurance is necessary, check out the article linked below. It covers info for all the islands.

Car Rental in Fuerteventura: Island Specifics

Here’s what sets Fuerteventura apart from other islands like Tenerife and Gran Canaria, which are the most popular ones in the archipelago, drawing over 90% of the Canary Islands’ tourists.

  • Fuerteventura’s roads are blissfully free of traffic jams, with very few cars on the roads. You can drive for 10 minutes and not see a single car.
  • Parking across the island is free and generally hassle-free. Sure, during peak season at popular spots, there might be crowds, but compared to Tenerife, parking here is a breeze.
  • There are hardly any speed cameras on the island; I only know of one on the road to the airport. Police presence on the roads is very rare.
Car Rental in Fuerteventura
Most of the island’s roads look like this – no cars, no towns, no people. And there aren’t many gas stations either 🙂

Important to note:

Unlike its neighbors, Fuerteventura is incredibly safe. There’s virtually no car theft, no smashing windows for a few euros left inside. With one-tenth the population of Tenerife and 20 times fewer tourists, all the thieves are on the bigger islands. Still, I recommend not leaving valuables in plain sight; it’s better to stash everything in the trunk. While thefts are rare here, they do happen.

For a detailed overview of the island, popular beach resorts, and bus schedules, check out the article on Fuerteventura vacations.

Prices and Rental Companies: Where to Get Your Wheels

There aren’t any big cities on the island; the largest one has a population of 35,000, akin to a small provincial town in my country. You won’t find car rental offices lining the streets; they exist but are not prominently displayed. The car rental business has moved online.

Crucial tip:

When it comes to renting a car in Fuerteventura, don’t procrastinate. Once you’ve booked your flight tickets, reserve your car. The earlier, the better. During peak season, cars can be in short supply, and prices can double. If you plan ahead, renting an economy car will cost you around 20-40 euros per day on average. There are often promotions where you can rent for as low as 10 euros per day, but that’s for those who plan ahead.
car rental fuerteventura
One of the top two car rental companies. All cars come with zero excess and zero deposit, so pay attention to that when booking.
  • DiscoverCars is the top and most popular car rental service in Fuerteventura. All the island’s rental companies work with this platform, offering the lowest prices (or close to it), and most importantly, your booking is fully protected. Always study the rental terms before booking; each rental company has different conditions, with some requiring a 300 euro deposit while others ask for 1400 euros.
  • Localrent is another popular aggregator in the Canaries, known for excellent support and service.

My personal favorites, where I’ve never had any issues with rentals, are Cicar and Budget. Both are available on DiscoverCars. Cicar’s cars may be a bit pricier, but they come with zero deposit and zero excess, meaning the full insurance is already included in the price, so you won’t have to pay for any damages. Budget always refunded the entire deposit down to the last penny and never nitpicked over minor scratches.

Travel Tips

Here are a few more tips to make your car rental experience on Fuerteventura even smoother:

  • There are no high mountains here like on other islands. The highest peak on the island is only 807 meters. So, there are fewer hairpin turns and cliffs, and more straight roads. It’s very comfortable for novice drivers here.

Important note:

Unlike the rest of Europe, there are many cars available with manual transmission in the Canaries, and they’re even cheaper than automatics. If this matters to you, double-check when booking.
fuerteventura car rent
Renting a car in Fuerteventura means you can reach such locations where buses don’t go.
  • Fuerteventura has the lowest population density among the Canary Islands. Gas stations are only in towns, and there aren’t many towns. Tip: Don’t wait until the fuel gauge hits empty; if it’s below half, refuel. If you’re heading south to places like Villa Winter or driving along the west coast, there might not be a gas station for 50 km.
  • To explore all the island’s attractions by car at a leisurely pace, you’ll need 4 full days, but 5 would be even better.

The linked article provides a comprehensive overview of all the top attractions on Fuerteventura, including a map, prices, and visitation tips. It’ll help you plan your perfect itinerary.

  • I recommend having a SIM card with internet access on the island. The roads are deserted, and there are very remote areas. Connectivity is good everywhere. You can either use roaming from your home provider or buy a local SIM card. Check out more about internet and mobile communication in the Canaries.

In conclusion: Car rental in Fuerteventura is simple and accessible, and the deserted roads are perfect for beginners. Fuerteventura is an excellent place for your first car rental abroad. Remember, a car enhances your mobility during travel, and the Canary Islands are tailor-made for travelers with wheels.

Useful links to help you plan your dream trip to Canary Islands:

  • Car Rental: LocalRent or DiscoverCars – the most popular car rental platforms.

  • Accommodation:
    • Trip.com – the largest accommodation booking platform.

    • or TripAdvisor – to compare prices among other platforms and choose the best one.

  • Budget-friendly vacation packages to Spain and Canary Islands: CheapOair.

  • Tours and activities: GetYourGuide or Viator – hundreds of offers, whales and dolphins, entrance tickets with discounts.

  • eSIM and internet: Airalo.

  • Flights: WayAway compares prices among dozens of companies.

  • Travel Insurance: EKTA.