Winter life in Tenerife

The weather month by month

The south of Tenerife is sheltered by the mountains from the damp northerly winds, so it is noticeably drier and sunnier than the rest of the island. On the same day, the difference between south and north can be as much as eight degrees.

• October–November. 24–27 °C by day, the ocean is still warm and it's not crowded.
• December–January. 20–23 °C, high season, everything books up early.
• February–March. 21–24 °C, carnival time, flowers in bloom, very clear skies.
• April. 22–25 °C, calm and already feeling like summer.

Now and then the calima arrives: a warm wind carrying dust from the Sahara. It lasts a few days, the sky turns hazy and the temperature jumps. On those days it's best to spend less time outdoors.

A typical day

In winter the sun rises at about eight and it gets dark around six in the evening. Mornings are usually the least windy: a good time to work on the terrace or walk along the promenade. The midday sun is strong, and the evenings are cooler than you'd expect, so a jumper comes in handy.

The complex's pool is heated from October to April, so you can swim even in January. The ocean is around 19–20 °C at this time of year: bracing, but there are always people in the water.

The cost of living

• Groceries cost roughly the same as on the Spanish mainland; imported goods are a little dearer.
• Lunch in a café is 12–18 €, and the weekday menú del día is cheaper still.
• A coffee is 1.50–2 €, a bottle of local wine from 5 €.
• Fuel is cheaper than on the mainland: the Canaries have a special tax regime.
• Hiring a car for a month is usually better value than for a week.

For long stays with us, utilities are included in the price, so there are no separate bills at the end of the month.

Work and the internet

The Canary Islands run on UTC+0 in winter and UTC+1 in summer: the same time as London all year round, and one hour behind most of continental Europe. If you work with European teams, you'll barely notice the difference.

Fibre broadband is well established in the south and mobile coverage is strong. The apartment has reliable Wi-Fi, and the dining table works well as a desk. If you fancy a change of scene, there are co-working spaces in El Médano and Las Américas.

Healthcare

The south has public health centres (centro de salud) and private clinics. Private clinics usually have English-speaking staff, sometimes Russian-speaking too, and a consultation costs from 50 €. There are pharmacies within walking distance, and an on-duty pharmacy is open around the clock on a rota between areas.

EU citizens should bring their EHIC card; everyone else will need travel insurance. The emergency number throughout Spain is 112.

What to pack

• Light clothes, plus a jumper and a windproof jacket for the evenings.
• A warm coat and a hat if you plan to go up Teide.
• Sun cream: the sun is fierce even in January.
• Comfortable shoes for walking on the lava trails.
• A plug adapter if your devices have UK plugs: sockets are the standard European type, C and F, 230 V.