Is Tenerife The Next Bali for Digital Nomads? 7 Reasons We Think So

Bali became a hub for digital nomads with its picturesque scenery, cool and cozy coworking spaces, outdoor activities, and wifi connection. It’s Instagrammable and easy to form your own community of like-minded entrepreneurs and hustlers. Plus, it’s affordable. However, quitting your nine-to-five and moving to Bali has almost become a cliche (though we’re not saying you shouldn’t do it). Before jetting to Oceania or Asia, consider that the destination you might want to build your empire from is perhaps a bit closer. 

Tenerife, the largest and most-populated of the Canary Island, is the new Bali. These are the seven reasons we’re sure it’s poised to become that next digital nomad travel hot spot:

1) Cheap Flights

If you’re looking for cheap flights, Tenerife has Bali beat and yet, it’s equally exotic. Tenerife’s airport takes you to the Spanish mainland and Africa is just a stone’s throw away. The cost for a flight from the states is very affordable because it’s already a refueling stop for flights crossing the Atlantic. 

The Canary Islands are a great destination for short and long-term stays due to the convenience of traveling almost anywhere in the world affordably. 

2) Fast Wifi

On the island of Tenerife, you can get connected to the internet pretty much anywhere. Most hotel lobbies are well-equipped, the cafes have wifi, and there’s an abundance of coworking spaces. 

In fact, you can travel around the largest Canary Island without being overly concerned with how you’ll get connected to the internet when you need to be. Many of Tenerife’s beaches actually have WiFi, making it wholly possible to work even as you tan. In Puerto de la Cruz, there’s even a 4G connection for your mobile phone and did you know that in the Teide volcano you’ll still have 3G?

If your AirBnB or wherever you end up staying at doesn’t come equipped with wifi, you’ll be able to purchase an internet router for around 30 cents for every 20 mbps each month. Check out some of the month-to-month providers like AirFibre, so you don’t get locked into paying some long-term contract. 

3) Bargains Abound

Tax for consumption of goods is extremely low on the Canary Islands because of a special law, which results in very affordable living. 

Car 

Within about a three day period you can see some amazing places on the island via car for roughly 50 euros over that timeframe. It’s also about one euro per liter, making the gas prices comparable to most European countries. 

Activities

Whether you like hiking, sports, or going to parties, the prices and accessibility of Tenerife make it so that you can pull it all off. If you’re the adventurous type — like I’d assume you are as a digital nomad — then you’ll be satisfied with what Tenerife has to offer. 

Food

Feast on calamares, papas con mojo, or the Spanish paprika sausage better known as chorizo. If you aren’t already a lover of traditional Canarian food, you will be soon after grubbing out at the Guachinches around the island. And of course, it’s super cheap!

4) Well-developed Infrastructure

Tenerife’s incredible infrastructure gives residents and digital nomad guests an easy way to get around — a busing system that spans the entire island. You can get from north to south on the island in roughly one hour despite the fact that there’s only one highway. The buses connect to the bigger cities and the smaller ones alike. If you’re in a small group, a Taxi is cheap in Tenerife too. Pro tip: Get a Bono Via Card to use on the bus lines of Titsa and the tram. 

5) Coworking Spaces

There are dozens of formal and informal coworking spaces throughout Tenerife. Most of them have great internet connections, high tech equipment, and amenities built purposefully to accommodate the needs of digital nomads. 

In order for Tenerife to be truly competitive with Bali, it needed to give its remote travelers a way to still participate in the gig and freelance economy and that’s exactly what it’s done. Iron sharpens iron after all, and the largest Canary Island continues to attract specialized talents such as videographers, SEO specialists, web developers, app designers, project managers, and savvy entrepreneurs. 

6) Sunshine, Sunshine, Sunshine

Tenerife’s location close to the equator near Morocco contributes to its reputation as the Island of Eternal Spring. It never gets colder than 55 degrees Fahrenheit and it doesn't usually get hotter than 82 degrees Fahrenheit and it’s sunny 320 days each year. 

Tenerife can be broken down into two main climate zones. The northern half of the island has a Mediterranean climate and is a bit wet, while the south is warm, dry, and arid because of the blowing winds of the Sahara desert. The hour-long drive from top to bottom means that you’re a day trip away from either climate, so take your pick!

7) Natural Wonder

Tenerife, formed from volcanic eruptions, is outrageously beautiful and filled with natural wonder around every turn. Part of the allure of a place like Bali for digital nomads is the chance to balance work with real authentic living and a sense of awe at the surroundings. That’s exactly what you’ll feel when you’re exploring Tenerife. 

You can hike the volcanoes or explore the surreal coasts of black beaches. The volcanic sand also makes the beach extra warm to balance out a cool dip in the turquoise sea. There are plenty of white sand beaches if the mystical black sand doesn’t tickle your fancy and young tourists and surfers flock to the shores, so you’ll be in good company. 

Speaking of the volcanic origin of Tenerife, did you know that the tallest mountain in Spain is located on the island? Yes, that’s right, the 12,198-foot Teide is also the third highest volcano in the world. Getting to the top and hopping on cloud-9 is a real possibility there. Plus, Altavista is an accommodation made for the comforts of hikers on their way to the peak. During the wintertime, the top of the volcano may be covered in ice and snow. During the day, you can look down at sun-lit clouds and at night, you can gaze up at the Milky Way.