Having just returned from my trip to Fuerteventura, I wanted to share my honest impressions about renting a car and driving on the island. It was one of my biggest concerns while planning the trip, especially after reading so many warnings about the road conditions. Here’s what my experience was really like, along with a few tips for anyone preparing to drive across Fuerteventura for the first time.

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Is It Worth Renting a Car in Fuerteventura?

Exploring the Canary Islands by Car

Since I’ve lived and traveled around Spain for more than 15 years, most of my Spain itineraries have been explored by car. Driving has almost always been the easiest way for me to reach hidden gems and popular landmarks across the Iberian Peninsula.

My experience with car travel in the Canary Islands, however, has been mixed. It was excellent in Lanzarote, acceptable in Tenerife – where most roads were in good condition, though parking at popular spots could be tricky – and largely optional in Gran Canaria, where the bus network is surprisingly efficient.

Before my recent trip to Fuerteventura, I wasn’t sure whether renting a car would be worth it. I had read plenty of warnings about rough roads, insurance exclusions, and limited infrastructure. Since the bus system wouldn’t allow me to see everything I wanted in just four days, I decided to take the risk and rent a car – but I carefully planned my itinerary to avoid the bumpy roads altogether.

Driving in Fuerteventura: My Personal Experience

Here’s everything I learned from my experience driving in Fuerteventura.

Fuerteventura Still Has Bumpy Roads, and Many Insurances Don’t Cover Them

Fuerteventura’s reputation for unpaved and uneven roads is well-deserved. The main highway across the island and the roads leading to major hotels In Fuerteventura are in excellent condition, but many routes to remote beaches or viewpoints are indeed bumpy. I’ll share a few photos below of roads where I was glad I hadn’t driven.

Most rental companies won’t cover damage if you take your car onto these rough tracks, so caution is necessary. That said, driving in Fuerteventura is far from difficult. You can explore a large portion of the island on smooth, paved roads simply by planning your routes and avoiding the rougher tracks. If you stick to the main highways and well-traveled routes, driving is straightforward. My own experience was comfortable, although I did some research on Spanish websites before heading out to make sure I avoided problematic roads.

The Infrastructure Is Improving, but It’s Still Behind Other Canary Islands

During my November visit, I noticed roadworks taking place across the island. New roundabouts were being constructed, sections of road were being resurfaced, and it was clear that Fuerteventura’s infrastructure is gradually improving.

That said, the island still lags behind Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria in terms of overall road quality and hotel offer. In particular, I encountered several minor traffic jams – around 20 minutes – while driving through Puerto Rosario and near the airport, where many roadworks were ongoing. With so many new roads being built, I expect this situation to continue throughout the winter, so it’s worth keeping in mind when planning your drives in Fuerteventura.

On the other hand, I’d love to compliment the island’s authorities for providing free parking with available spots near almost every landmark. For instance, Ajuy Caves, one of the most popular coastal walks, had decent parking near the village, completely free of charge. Parking on the island was therefore almost stress-free, unlike, for example, Tenerife.

Public Transport Isn’t Efficient for Exploring

If you want to explore beyond your immediate area, relying on public transport in Fuerteventura can be challenging. The bus network exists, but schedules are limited, connections are infrequent, and reaching many of the island’s best beaches and viewpoints becomes difficult.

Even taxis in Fuerteventura can be unreliable – several times I saw long queues outside a taxi stop near a supermarket by my hotel that barely moved. Despite ongoing infrastructure improvements, Fuerteventura cannot be fully explored by bus in the way that Gran Canaria can, and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.

For anyone looking to move around the island efficiently and see a variety of sights, renting a car makes travel far easier and more flexible.

You Can Visit Without a Car If You Don’t Plan to Move Around Much

While exploring the island efficiently and going on hikes really requires a car, if you’re visiting Fuerteventura for a relaxed beach holiday and don’t plan to move around much, a car is optional. You can take a taxi from the airport or book a transfer with Welcome Pickups to avoid long waits, since Fuerteventura’s airport is relatively small and many flights tend to arrive around the same time.

For travelers whose plan is simply to relax on the beach, stay near their hotel, and take the occasional day tours in Fuerteventura, it’s entirely possible to enjoy the island without renting a car.

You Can Rent a Car and Still Avoid Stressful Roads Completely

While Fuerteventura does have bumpy roads, you can plan your itinerary wisely to avoid them – this is exactly what I did. I created a four-day route that stuck only to the best and smoothest roads on the island. I avoided all unpaved or rough routes, occasionally walking parts of them as short hikes, and still managed to see most of the sights that travelers come to Fuerteventura for.

The main roads are easy to navigate, well signposted, and comfortable to drive. There are plenty of speed limits along small towns and hotel areas, so I rarely drove faster than 60-90 km/h. With a little planning, you can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of a car without ever encountering the rough tracks that give the island its intimidating reputation.

Choose Your Car Rental Company Wisely

I usually use DiscoverCars for renting cars during my travels. It’s the largest platform to compare both local and international providers in Fuerteventura. Many car rental companies offer low base prices but then charge very high deposits or add hidden fees, so using a platform like DiscoverCars lets me see all the options, compare prices, and check what each company includes.

What I also appreciated about DiscoverCars this time was that after booking my car in Fuerteventura, I received an email notifying me that I already had the same basic insurance coverage typically offered at car pickup, which rental companies might try to sell to me again, so I could simply decline it. That was great, because rental companies often try to convince you to buy their insurance anyway – something I experienced a lot last time in Ireland.

To be fair, in Fuerteventura, they didn’t push unnecessary extras, which was a pleasant surprise. It’s always helpful to have someone clarify this and set expectations. The same often applies to hotels booked through international platforms like Booking.com – they tend to be more careful with guests because a third party is involved, and negative reviews or complaints can create issues for them. While this isn’t a guarantee of a perfect experience, it does make you feel a bit more secure.

From my experience renting a car in Fuerteventura, once I picked up my suitcase, the longest waiting lines were at Cicar and TopCar. All the other rental companies at the airport had almost no lines. Cicar has the biggest office at the airport, so even though the line looked long, it moved quickly. Fuerteventura airport isn’t very large, and most flights tend to arrive around the same time, so the queues can appear intimidating. My advice: if you see a long line in Cicar, just grab a coffee for 20–30 minutes; by the time you return, the line will have thinned out.

TopCar, on the other hand, has only one service window, so their line moves much slower. I assume this is because they are one of the cheaper options in Fuerteventura.

Always Book Your Car for Fuerteventura in Advance

Booking a car on arrival in Fuerteventura is not realistic – forget about it! A few years ago, friends of mine visited Lanzarote and planned a day trip to Fuerteventura, hoping to rent a car there. They went to every rental office nearby and couldn’t find a single available vehicle.

The same was true during my visit this November. While picking up and dropping off my rental, I noticed travelers arriving at offices asking if they could rent a car, and the answer was always the same: “We don’t have any available cars.” Fuerteventura is an island, and it’s not practical for companies to bring additional vehicles from the mainland to meet last-minute demand. With so many visitors booking cars in advance, you need to make your decision before arriving rather than trying to arrange a rental on the spot.

Also, keep in mind that most rental companies in Fuerteventura only guarantee a car of a similar category, not the exact model you book – which can lead to some interesting surprises. In my case, I had booked an Opel Corsa, but when I picked up the car, they handed me the keys to a Cupra Terramar. At first, I didn’t pay much attention to the model; I only checked that it was automatic, as I had specified and paid extra for that option.

When I got to the parking lot, I realized it was not only a brand-new Cupra I had never driven before, but it also didn’t have a traditional gear lever. I couldn’t figure out how to reverse, and I felt instantly frustrated – you know that moment when you’ve just arrived at a new destination, everyone warns you about the roads there, and now you can’t even start your car properly. For a brief moment, I considered walking back to the rental office and admitting defeat.

But then I decided to search online and found a TikTok video highlighting the Cupra Terramar’s unique design features, showing how all the controls are placed differently around the steering wheel. Once I understood the layout, the initial stress quickly turned into excitement. By the end of the trip, I absolutely loved this car – it turned out to be one of the highlights of my driving experience in Fuerteventura.

So, Is Renting a Car in Fuerteventura Worth It?

In my experience, yes – renting a car in Fuerteventura is worth it if you want to explore the island efficiently and see more than just your immediate surroundings. A rental car gives you freedom, convenience, and access to places that the island’s limited public transport simply can’t reach. Just don’t forget to book in advance (I booked about a month before my trip) and compare what different companies offer through DiscoverCars.

Also, if you want to avoid the bumpy roads, make sure to plan your routes carefully. In my four-day itinerary, I deliberately avoided all of them. Fuerteventura isn’t like Lanzarote, where you can drive almost anywhere without a second thought – so a bit of preparation can make a big difference when driving across the island.

If your plan is to stay in one area, relax on the beach, and join a few organized day tours in Fuerteventura, then you can skip the car – but you’ll need to choose your base carefully.

For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collectionand Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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