North or South? - The best place to stay in Fuerteventura

[zedzedeleven]

I always stay in Corralejo, have done for years. Always get a hire car, (Cicar) so anywhere on the island is within reach. Started off going with the tour operators then went solo. I found some lovely private apartments on nice complex`s very well located, i.e. Oasis Royal and Tim`s apartment. Which reminds me, better start booking !

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

We go 'straight ahead' figuratively, to get to the West coast!
I think one of the beauties of this island is that North and South, East and West, are not more than an hour or two's drive away - you really can have the best of both worlds. I would urge anyone holidaying here to hire a car and explore, driving is not the chore it is in the UK. Or use the buses - the Captain's son did a great article or documentary on how far he could get in a day a few years ago.

[Fizzy Lemonade]

Didn't vote as we have only ever gone north to stay in  Corralejo & visit El Cotillo on day trips but hope to go south next year.

[GSDGirl]

Stayed South, Caleta, El Cotillo in the past and loved them all for different reasons but always return to Corralejo our spiritual home

[Cotillo_Tom]

We visited various parts but then purchased in El Cotillo. 

We love all parts of the island but felt el Cotillo was just the right place for beaches, restaurants, shops etc.

Tom .

[meggie]

Agree with GSD  girl Corralejo is definitely our Spiritual home, returned every October since our first visit 12 years ago but we always stay in the old town and have always said if on that first visit we had been accommodated beyond the top of the main strip near the water park, don,t think I would have fallen in love with the place like we so did. Real home from home for us now-a-days.

[GSDGirl]

We have been coming to Fuerteventura for 31 years, on and off, but mostly on. The first place we stayed was Corralejo. A very different place to what it is now and we fell in love with it. Tried other places over the years but it still pulled us back as every holiday we had we enjoyed. Met some great people (and some not so great) and built up lots of very fond memories. For us, Corralejo offers the best of all worlds. Miles of beautiful beaches, the National Park and a choice of either a day virtually on your own on the beach or hustle and bustle of the harbour. A quiet night in one of the great restaurants, not so quiet in one of the many good music venues or just a pint and a natter in one of the many good bars. It has changed vastly over the years, like most other places. That’s how I would sell it to someone with the caveat -

“you will either love it or hate it”.

[Ducks]

Have only ever spent two days in Corrlejo, so not really qualified to comment on it. All I can say is that we liked it well enough, but it didn't feel like home to us for some reason?

We did spend about six weeks the South before settling in Caleta, though. Very nearly bought in Costa Calma! The beaches down there are just beautiful, and we met some lovely people. However, we don't plan on having a car, and it's quite remote and hilly down there with a bus service that's a bit sparse. Options are very limited for non-drivers in terms of groceries— and oddly, we didn't find much in way of restaurants when we were staying in a hotel and had no eat-in option, either. One or two great ones, but that's all. Finally, the internet/TV service down there is just god-awful, which was the final straw! It's beautiful, but it's for hardier and more adventurous souls than us, who love our creature comforts.

In the end, we opted for the convenience of Caleta. I thought it was much louder and busier here than it really is; by and large, we find there's a good balance of life and tranquility here which suits us. It's got a frequent bus service to the airport and the city shopping, which takes less than 20 minutes and costs under €3. There are two decent grocery stores within walking distance, and they deliver. There are also plenty of restaurants to take your guests to when they visit the larger place you're able to afford because property is cheaper here. The beautiful paved coastal path is really easy to walk on compared to the beach, which is messier and left my hips aching! Best of all, there are decent options for internet and television.

...Finally, though, it's a huge relief to be able to do important things like Banking, insurance, and legal business in English. I'm happy to muddle along in my halting Spanish at restaurants and shops where the worst thing that can happen is they bring me the wrong food, but I prefer to feel confident that I am understanding and being understood when serious matters are afoot. When buying overseas in a country where you have a limited grasp of the language, I really appreciate having that little safety net for assistance.  

We couldn't be happier with our decision. I'm looking forward to a trip down South next month to see the sights, though I am pleased we can choose to take the longer journey when it suits us rather than having to come up and down constantly to get things in the city!

[GSDGirl]

Sam, years ago we did sun bathe mostly along the coast on the way to Macjanico or past the two hotels outside Corralejo. A good book, picnic and a couple of cans – sorted. We were always runners but, unfortunately, the old joints don’t take too kindly to that these days so now spend our holidays walking the amazing paths all over the Island. No time for lying around when you ain’t got that long left! By the way, I looked very different three decades ago but we wont go there

[Gramster]

We stayed in Caleta 12 times on the run, never really fancied Corralejo, used to drive through it on our frequent visits to the island, then a couple of years ago thought we would bite the bullet and book a week there, now have to say that we prefer Corralejo to Caleta, nothing against Caleta though.