[The guide is updated to Spring 2023.]
Update 2023: In the period between the beginning of 2021 and 2023, prices in the Canary Islands, especially those related to tourism have varied between 20% and 50%. Keep this in mind when you read the article. Enjoy your reading!
One of the few positive legacies that this COVID has left/will leave us, in my opinion, is the spread and development of remote working or smart working as it is known. There is no longer any need to go to the office, nor to live in a cold city. The cities are becoming depopulated and many people have become digital nomads, moving to warmer destinations. In the end, all you need to work is a good internet connection, right? That’s why the Wild Working project was born to change the classic concept of “smart working” by offering advice and itineraries on the destinations of the future. Destinations that will allow you to work remotely and, in your free time, to explore your surroundings and experience the adventures as a true local. First destination? The Canary Islands. Here is a short guide to Wild Working: SmartWorking 2.0 in the Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands archipelago is a group of 7 islands belonging to the Spanish territory and therefore de facto within the European Union, although geographically located in Africa. There are 4 main islands:
As you may have noticed, there are three islands missing from the list, Palma, El Hierro and la Gomera, which are the three smallest islands in the archipelago but also the most remote/difficult to access, even they are incredibly beautiful, they do not always offer a quality of connection and services to be considered for Wild Working activities.
Whether it’s a villa with your own pool or a shared flat with other workers, finding a house/room in the Canary Islands is quite easy. “Due to the lack of tourists”, many hotels in the main destinations have remained almost empty and therefore the prices you can find online are very competitive. However, it is very important to be clear about the length of time you intend to stay so that you can search in the right place. One of the most common types of accommodation that you will find is a small studio in a residence or holiday complex with a shared swimming pool. Prices for this type of accommodation are around €500-600/month all-inclusive(bills and utilities). It is possible to find other solutions such as whole houses and villas to rent and then share with other flatmates or co-workers. P.S. Always ask for a screenshot of the internet speed test to make sure you have fast internet. Here’s where to look for your home:
The cost of living in the Canary Islands is lower than in Western European Countries (but also compared to the rest of Spain), especially if you take cities like Milan, Paris, London or Brussels as a reference. Among the areas in which you save the most, there are certainly transport (with a very low cost of petrol) and supermarkets. The nightlife is also considerably cheaper than in Europe. The average price of rent is 500€ for a studio apartment (see above), while for dinner/dining in a restaurant you can spend from 10€ to 30€ depending on the restaurant. While the cañas or jarras of beer are between €1 and €3.
In order to approach Smart Working (Wild Working) in the Canary Islands, there are some services that are essential. First of all, you need to have an Internet connection. Before leaving, check how many GB abroad your rate plan includes and if it is not enough (it is always good to have 10GB backup in case you will need a hotspot) you can easily buy a Spanish sim (or esim if you use a last generation device). Tariff plans in Spain are not very expensive, 10-20GB can be found for about 15€. The main companies are Orange, Vodafone and Movistar and some low-cost operators like Yoigo. As the offers are constantly being updated, just wander around the operators’ shops and ask for the cheapest “prepago” fares.
[2022 Update: Car Rental prices have increased of an average of 30%, rather than the one in the guide]
Another essential service especially if you are interested in getting out and fully explore the islands is car rental. Within the various islands, you can find all the major car hire companies, but also some local ones. For short/long term rentals I’ve found a good deal with AutoReisen (booking directly from their website) bringing home 3-4 day rentals for less than 50€ (including full insurance) or with Cicar who have a one week offer for 99€ (also including full insurance). For long-term rentals only, I was recommended the company PlusCar, which offers monthly rates of 200-250€ (never tried it myself).
As of today, Spring 2022, access to the Canary Islands for tourism is permitted. Everything seems to be back to normal!
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