As you plan your island adventure, there are many things to consider. Where will you stay? What will you do? What do you need to prepare in advance? This article will answer these questions and more.
Where to stay?
There are three main avenues for your Lanzarote accommodations. You can stay at a resort hotel, rent a villa or rent an apartment in the capital. Each option has good and bad points. First, if you stay in one of the resorts, the primary benefit will be the all-inclusive package. Meals, drinks (usually including some alcohol) and snacks are rolled into one fee. Most of the resorts have live entertainment every night. They have children's activities, pools and tennis. They make it easy to spend practically every moment within the resort. The main drawback is that you might be tempted to spend every moment at the resort! There is so much to see and experience on Lanzarote that you don't want to be tempted by a sunny spot by the pool. You also would miss out on the lively local scene and the native cuisine.
Renting a villa is another option. The island is so small that even the remotest villa is 30 minutes by car. If you have a big family, a villa will give you the most bang for your buck. Many villas come with pools and gardens, so you won't sacrifice comfort and amenities for the privacy a villa offers. There are a few drawbacks. First, before you rent, check the fine print. Sometimes there are hidden fees and prohibitions. Also, if you do not like cooking, maybe a villa is not for you. Sure you could eat out every meal, but one of the money saving features of renting a villa or apartment is reducing the number of restaurant meals.
The last option is renting an apartment or duplex in the capital, Arrecife. This has many advantages. They can be quite inexpensive. If it is just you or you and a spouse or friend, the size of the apartment will not matter as much and you will have a wealth of possibilities for where to stay. Being in the city means that everything is within easy walking distance. Getting to the grocery stores, shops, restaurants and bars will be a snap. The biggest disadvantage of renting in the city, is that you may be disinclined to venture outside of Arrecife. The rest of the island is amazing and you might miss the vistas of the northern part of the island or the volcanic landscapes of the western part.
What to do during your Lanzarote holiday?
The possibilities for what to do during your stay on Lanzarote are too numerous to list here. I will offer a hand full of ideas. First, the golfing is great. The courses, the weather and the climate make it golf heaven. Kayaking is great, too. The water is clear and kayaking is a great way to see the hidden side of the island. Or, don't forget surfing. At the northern tip of the island, the surf is rough and tumble, just perfect for surfers. Forget Hawaii, try Lanzarote for surfing. Sightseeing: Lanzarote is home to several fine museums. The art scene is vibrant and the history is rich. The shopping is as fine as anywhere in the Canaries. There is much to explore as well, between the volcano, the cactus gardens and the countryside, you could spend a month and not see it all.
What do you need to prepare?
In a word: nothing. Spanish is the main language spoken, but many people speak English, so you do not need to flip out and take a crash course in Spanish. Lanzarote is part of Spain so you don't need to worry about a ton of red tape paperwork to fill out before the trip. The same for medicines and money. It is part of Europe so you need not worry. It is not at all like traveling to a third world country. Pack light; you will not need a lot of clothes because it is almost always sunny and warm.
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