Santa Cruz de Tenerife Starter Pack

Two airports: Tenerife South (TFS) for tourists, Tenerife North (TFN) closer to Santa Cruz

Tenerife North (TFN): 10 km from Santa Cruz. More domestic and inter-island flights.

Tenerife South (TFS): 60 km from Santa Cruz. Most international budget flights.

TITSA bus: Public buses connect both airports to Santa Cruz. Cheap and regular.

Taxi: Fixed rates from airports. ~€25 from North, ~€80 from South.

Uber: Limited. Cabify works better in the Canaries.

Tip: Check both airports when booking flights - prices and convenience vary significantly.

EU territory: Spain is in the EU. Free movement for EU citizens.

Schengen Area: 90 days in 180 days for many nationalities without visa.

EU/EEA citizens: Can live and work freely. Register with local authorities after 3 months.

Digital Nomad Visa: Spain now offers this for remote workers with foreign income.

Non-lucrative visa: For those with savings/passive income who don't need to work.

NIE: Foreigner ID number needed for banking, contracts, etc.

Canary Islands special: ZEC tax zone offers benefits for some businesses.

Eternal spring: 68-78°F year-round. One of the world's best climates!

Microclimates: North (Santa Cruz) cloudier, South sunnier and drier.

Trade winds: Keep temperatures pleasant. Can be breezy.

Winter (Nov-Feb): Slightly cooler, more rain in north. Still mild (60-70°F).

Summer (Jun-Sep): Warm but not extreme. Ocean keeps it comfortable.

Calima: Occasional Saharan dust winds bring heat and haze.

Water temperature: 66-74°F year-round. Swimmable all year!

Emergency Services (EU)

Police (National)

Local Police

Ambulance

Hospital Universitario de Canarias

Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

Tram (Tranvía): Connects Santa Cruz to La Laguna. Very useful!

TITSA buses: Extensive island coverage. Good for getting around.

TenMas card: Rechargeable card for tram and buses. Discounted fares.

Walking: Central Santa Cruz is very walkable.

Car rental: Useful for exploring the island. Many rental agencies.

Cabify: Works in Tenerife. More reliable than Uber here.

Taxi: Available but can be expensive for long distances.

Tip: Rent a car at least once to explore the island - it's stunning!

SIM cards: Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, Yoigo. Buy at shops or El Corte Inglés.

EU roaming: If you have an EU SIM, it works in Spain including Canaries.

Prepaid options: Lycamobile, Lebara for budget options.

Home internet: Movistar, Vodafone, Orange offer fiber. ~€30-50/month.

Coworking: La Laguna has growing coworking scene. Some options in Santa Cruz.

Cafe WiFi: Many cafes have WiFi. Less developed than mainland coworking scene.

Tip: Internet infrastructure is good, same as mainland Spain.

Currency: Euro (€). Same as mainland Spain.

Cards widely accepted: Spain is very card-friendly.

ATMs: Abundant. Use bank ATMs to avoid fees.

Opening a bank account: Need NIE (foreigner ID number). Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank.

Wise/Revolut: Very useful for currency conversion and transfers.

Cash: Still useful at markets and some small businesses.

Cost of living: Lower than mainland Spain and much lower than northern Europe.

Centro (City Center): All amenities, walkable, cultural life. Can be busy.

Rambla/Anaga: Near the main avenue. Upscale residential, close to everything.

Ofra: Residential area with good amenities. More local feel.

La Laguna: University town 10 min by tram. Beautiful historic center, younger vibe.

El Médano: Beach town in the south. Windsurfing/kiteboarding hub. 1 hr from Santa Cruz.

Puerto de la Cruz: North coast town. More touristy, nice climate.

Rental prices: €500-900/month for 1BR in Santa Cruz/La Laguna.

Canarian cuisine: Papas arrugadas with mojo, gofio, fresh fish.

Mercado Municipal (La Recova): Fresh produce and local products.

Guachinches: Traditional Canarian taverns serving homemade food and local wine.

Tapas: Spanish tapas culture is alive here. Many great bars.

Fresh fish: Excellent and affordable. Vieja, sama, cherne are local favorites.

Canarian wine: Excellent local wines, especially from volcanic soils.

Groceries: Mercadona, HiperDino, Lidl for groceries.

Tip: Try a guachinche for authentic Canarian experience!

Playa de Las Teresitas: Iconic beach near Santa Cruz. Golden sand imported from Sahara!

El Médano: Famous for windsurfing and kiteboarding. 1 hr from Santa Cruz.

Playa de Benijo: Wild black sand beach in Anaga mountains. Dramatic scenery.

Costa Adeje beaches: South coast, touristy but beautiful. Calmer water.

Los Gigantes: Near famous cliffs. Volcanic black sand.

Most Canarian beaches: Black volcanic sand. Las Teresitas is the exception.

Tip: South has better weather for beaches, but Santa Cruz beaches have character!

Mount Teide: Spain's highest peak. Cable car and hiking. UNESCO site.

Anaga Mountains: Laurisilva forest, hiking trails, remote villages.

La Laguna: UNESCO historic town. Beautiful architecture, university atmosphere.

Carnival of Santa Cruz: One of the world's biggest carnivals! (February)

Whale watching: Pilot whales and dolphins off the coast.

Auditorio de Tenerife: Stunning concert hall, architectural landmark.

Wine tours: Visit bodegas in La Orotava Valley or other wine regions.

Island hopping: Easy ferries to La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma.

Hiking: Incredible trails. Teide, Anaga, and more.

Watersports: Surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding. El Médano is famous.

Diving: Good dive sites around the island.

Swimming: Ocean pools (natural and man-made) for swimming.

Gyms: McFit, O2 Centro Wellness, and local gyms.

Cycling: Growing scene, especially road cycling in the mountains.

Running: Waterfront, parks, and mountain trails.

Yoga: Studios in Santa Cruz and La Laguna.

Climate is the draw: Many people move here for the perfect year-round weather.

North vs South: Santa Cruz area is greener but cloudier. South is sunnier.

Siesta culture: Many shops close 2-5pm. Plan accordingly.

Spanish: Essential here. Less English spoken than mainland tourist areas.

Island pace: Life is slower. Embrace "mañana" mentality.

Water: Tap water is safe but most locals drink bottled.

Tipping: Not obligatory but appreciated. Round up or 5-10%.

Car rental: Essential for exploring the island properly. Insurance important!