Car rental in Gran Canaria (Canarias)

Car rental in the Canary Islands is a versatile and convenient solution, regardless of which archipelago island you choose for vacation: popular Tenerife, sunny Fuerteventura, diverse Gran Canaria, picturesque La Palma, green La Gomera, or volcanic Lanzarote.

The terrain and attraction locations on each Canary Island make personal transport practically essential. Many beaches, viewpoints, and nature parks are located far from main resort areas and public transport routes. A car allows you to plan your itinerary and see much more, making stops wherever you wish.

Where to Rent a Car in the Canary Islands

You can rent cars on many Canary Islands: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, and La Gomera. However, conditions, prices, and available models from local rental companies may vary significantly.

Manually comparing offers by visiting each company's website takes considerable time. The Localrent service solves this problem by gathering verified local rental companies with good reviews in one place. Here's why you should choose Localrent for Canary Islands car rental:

1. Transparent pricing without hidden fees — You see the final cost immediately.
2. Extended insurance often included — Sometimes full coverage beyond deductibles without additional charges.
3. Many new vehicles — Localrent company fleets often feature cars under 5 years old.
4. Credit card-free rental option — Select the appropriate filter to show only vehicles not requiring credit cards.
5. Wide vehicle selection — From compact city cars to convertibles, crossovers, and luxury class.

Localrent enables quick searches for suitable options by price, insurance conditions, and vehicle type for your Canary Islands vacation.

Canary Islands Car Rental Requirements

To rent a car on any Canary Island, you'll need original documents:

• Passport
• Valid driver's license

Driver Conditions:

1. Rental available from ages 23-25 with 1+ year driving experience. However, young driver vehicle selection is limited.
2. Wide vehicle selection available for drivers 25-26+ with 2-3+ years driving experience.

Minimum age and experience requirements vary for all vehicles. Check conditions listed in specific car details before booking. Better yet, use search filters: set main driver's age and experience to see only available vehicles.

Traffic Navigation in the Canary Islands: Essential Insights

Understanding the unique traffic dynamics across the Canary Islands is crucial for safe and efficient navigation throughout the archipelago.

Peak Traffic Patterns and Island Navigation

Typical congestion periods across major Canary Islands:

• Morning activity surge: 7:30 am to 9:00 am (especially around port areas and commercial centers)
• Evening peak: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm (intensified by tourist and local commuter traffic during high season)
• Tourist route congestion: Weekend mornings and Friday afternoons during peak season
• Ferry arrival/departure rush: Schedule-dependent traffic spikes at port areas

Key recommendations for optimal island travel:

• Plan mountain excursions during mid-morning hours (10:00 am to 12:00 pm) for clearest roads
• Avoid coastal resort areas during typical meal times (2:00-4:00 pm and 8:00-10:00 pm)
• Consider early morning departures to popular volcanic sites like Teide National Park
• Use alternative inland routes during weekend beach rush periods
• Monitor ferry schedules if traveling between islands to avoid port area congestion

Traffic Regulations and Mountain Driving

Movement regulations: Right-hand traffic throughout the Canary Islands, following mainland Spanish rules.

Road identification system: Main roads feature prefixes indicating specific islands:

• FV — Fuerteventura
• GC — Gran Canaria
• LZ — Lanzarote
• TF — Tenerife

Speed limits:

• 50 km/h in populated areas
• 90 km/h on regular roads
• 120 km/h on highways

Always check signs as some sections have different restrictions.

Unique Canary Islands Driving Challenges

Mountain terrain creates special road conditions:

1. Rockfall zones: Many roads traverse rocky terrain. Watch for rockfall warning signs, especially after rain or strong winds.
2. Landslides and road closures: Heavy rains may cause landslides. Some roads may temporarily close. Mountain detours take considerable time—check current road conditions before mountain trips.
3. Rain driving restrictions: Some mountain roads without barriers or with dangerous terrain prohibit movement during rain due to high accident risks on wet surfaces.
4. Mountain snow conditions: Winter snow and ice possible on highest island points, such as Teide volcano on Tenerife or Pico de las Nieves on Gran Canaria. Rental cars typically have summer tires, making such conditions dangerous. Check weather forecasts before mountain summit trips.
5. Wildlife awareness: Pay special attention to animals on roads, especially in rural areas and during dark hours. Daytime encounters include goat or sheep herds, while nighttime brings rabbits and hedgehogs onto roadways.

Parking Navigation in the Canary Islands

In cities and resort areas throughout the Canary Islands, use color-coded markings for parking guidance:

• White markings — Free parking, usually without time restrictions, but always check additional signs
• Blue markings — Paid parking or time-restricted zones. Purchase parking tickets from nearby machines and place under windshield
• Yellow markings — Parking prohibited
• Green markings — Resident-only parking

In mountains and rural areas, markings typically don't exist. Park without obstructing traffic flow; avoid leaving vehicles near cliffs or on narrow road shoulders. Always verify road signs—they take priority over markings and may introduce additional restrictions.

Gas Stations in the Canary Islands

Most gas stations are located in island towns, resort areas, and along main roads. Major stations operate 24/7; some close at 9:00-10:00 pm. In mountain areas and smaller islands like La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma, the gas station network is less developed.

Fill your tank before trips to remote or mountain areas, especially evenings or weekends. On smaller islands, verify nearest station operating hours.

Canary Islands Car Booking: Step-by-Step Guide

If planning Canary Islands vacation during high season, book cars early—demand is particularly high during this period:

1. Specify dates and vehicle parameters — Apply filters to find vehicles by type, transmission, or other needed characteristics.
   
2. Study card conditions — Check technical specifications, total rental cost, insurance type, and driver requirements. Add additional options to your order if needed.
   
3. Specify pickup/return location and time — Complete main driver information and contact details.
   
4. Make prepayment — Confirm booking by paying partial cost (usually 15-20%) online. Pay balance upon vehicle pickup.
   
5. Receive confirmation — Email voucher with order details. Save electronically or print.
   
6. Collect vehicle — Arrive at designated location with original passport, license, and voucher. Inspect car with staff, photograph damage, record fuel level. Sign documents, pay balance, and collect keys.

Keep voucher and all documents until rental completion. Careful vehicle inspection during pickup and condition recording helps avoid disputes during return.

Essential Canary Islands Destinations

Each Canary Island represents a separate world with volcanic landscapes, ancient forests, and stunning beaches. Main attractions are often scattered across islands and not always accessible by public transport. Your rental car becomes your companion for comfortable, independent exploration of the entire archipelago.

Recommended Island Destinations:

1. Tenerife — Teide National Park (Parque Nacional del Teide) — Home to Spain's highest mountain (3,718m). Drive serpentine route TF-21; trip from Santa Cruz takes approximately 1.5 hours with incredible landscape transitions. Cable car leads nearly to summit with large equipped parking nearby. Views of Las Cañadas caldera and neighboring islands are unforgettable.
2. Fuerteventura — Corralejo Dunes Park (Parque Natural de Corralejo) — Extensive white dunes directly by ocean transport you to desert environment. Wide beaches with turquoise water, perfect for swimming and windsurfing. Road FV-1 runs along park with convenient beach access points.
3. Gran Canaria — Valley of a Thousand Palms (Valle de Agaete) and Puerto de las Nieves — Green oasis with tropical fruit plantations on island's north. Mountain road GC-210 descends to picturesque fishing village Puerto de las Nieves. Experience local coffee, swim in natural pools, and see scenic Risco de Agaete mountain.
4. Lanzarote — Timanfaya National Park (Parque Nacional de Timanfaya) — Lunar landscape created by 18th-century volcanoes. Drive to Islet Hilario tourist center, park, and join guided tours.
5. La Palma — Caldera de Taburiente — Enormous crater covered with relict laurel forest Los Tilos. Serpentine LP-1 leads to main viewpoints La Cumbrecita and Mirador de los Roques. Caldera trekking requires advance registration. Prepare for narrow roads.

La Gomera — Garajonay National Park (Parque Nacional de Garajonay) — UNESCO site protecting ancient humid subtropical forest. Moss-covered foggy vegetation creates fairytale atmosphere. Large park enables trips via roads GM-1 and GM-2 through viewpoints Mirador de Abrante and Alto de Garajonay for most beautiful locations. Explore capital San Sebastián's colonial architecture.

With your rental car, Canary Islands vacation becomes truly enriching and memorable. You'll see main natural attractions plus relax on wild beaches, visit colorful villages, and enjoy scenic viewpoints.

Vehicle Pickup Locations

Rental car pickup location depends on specific island and your booking choice. Most tourists prefer airport or seaport collection. Other options include:

• Rental company office
• Vehicle delivery to your address (hotel or apartments)

Not every vehicle offers pickup at all indicated points. Available pickup locations (airport, port, office, delivery) for specific vehicles are always listed in booking cards.

Essential Pre-Rental Knowledge for the Canaries

Planning Canary Islands car rental requires considering several local characteristics. These tips help avoid surprises and make trips more comfortable:

1. Engine power considerations: Even short routes feature steep serpentines with sharp turns. Rent vehicles with 1.4L+ engine displacement for active mountain trips, traveling with passengers, or luggage.
2. Transmission preferences: If not confident with manual transmission, choose automatic. Book as early as possible since local rental fleets predominantly feature manual transmissions.
3. Rain driving restrictions: Many mountain sections prohibit movement during rain, indicated by cloud and raindrops signs in red circles.
4. Parking strategy: Free parking at popular tourist locations or famous beaches is rare during season. Blue zones (paid) fill quickly. Find large parking lots or supermarkets with free parking on maps in advance.
5. Special signage: Beyond standard European signs, the Canaries use specific indicators: "Prohibido circular con lluvia" (rain driving prohibited), "Zona de ganado suelto" (loose livestock), "Atención caída de piedras" (rockfall warning).

Canary Islands car rental isn't just convenience—it's essential for complete archipelago exploration. Find your perfect vacation vehicle on Localrent.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canary Islands Car Rental