Fuerteventura - Caleta de Fuste?

[PowerthruIT]

Hi all,

Asking if anyone has been to Caleta de Fuste (Fuerteventura) in the past few years? We have been going to Greek Islands for many years but have noticed the past couple of years in particular that the cost of food/drink has noticeably hiked up - even in the less Touristy places...6 euro large beer, 6/7 Euro glass of wine and 9/10 euro for a spirit and mixer!! Food also following suit. Look I know it's still cheaper than the UK but add on the cost of flights etc it no longer felt like a 'bargain' last summer and we felt the hit over 2 weeks.

I've had a look at the Canary Islands and liked the look of Caleta de Fuste as ITseems to be a nice family-friendly area, but I prefer 'real' opinions rather than just what can be found on the net.

Are the prices in the Canary Islands following the trend in Greece?

Any other recommendations in the Canary Islands (family-friendly but still enough to do in the evenings).

Thanks!!

I’ve been there a few times in the last few years. Had a nice holiday(had a villa). It’s a different vibe from Greece but super affordable and the weather was nice and locals friendly. Dh is not keen on it and much preferred Lanzarote.
I’d go again for a cheap week away.

My time to shine, I went with just my husband in June this year. The coastline is dominated by the Barcelo chain. We stayed in the Barcelo de mar half board. Next door is the adult only Barcelo Royal then comes the Barcelo Castille and tucked in somewhere is the Barcelo Royal level for families.

My tip would be stay in the Barcelo Castille as accommodation is ground and first floor apartments with catering facilities but you can still book for meals half board , all inclusive etc and it’s cheaper than Barcelo de Mar. Bonus you can use the pools at the B de Mar and the evening entertainment is very good singers , acrobats, magician.

The Castille overlooks a small marina. There are sea lions you can book to get in the water with during their show. Otherwise it’s free to watch.

Recommend the fish restaurant a short taxi ride overlooking the golf course. From the Barcelo hotels walk towards the right as you look at the sea. Many good cheap cafes , one Is Italian family owned but can’t remember the name. There are some lively
bars with karaoke and live acts on that side. We tried one night but it was packed and I couldn’t stay because of strobe lighting so we headed back to the hotel entertainment. That side of the hotel is reportedly noisy. Our room was on the quiet side overlooking the adult only Barcelo.

Car hire is cheap , we explored. Didn’t go to the zoo but if you don’t hire a car a coach leaves at 9.00am from the B de Mar reception.

I wouldn’t stay more than half board. It’s mass catering. Our hotel could hold 500 guests so it’s bland. Families complain floats are not allowed in the pools
and the pools are salt water. Again because of size many thought the bar service was slow. Can’t say we found that to be a problem.

Although the beach looks beautiful, it is manmade.

We enjoyed our hotel very much and would return with our adult kids.

I have stayed in the Barcelo Castille in recent years, would definitely recommend. There are a la carte restaurants included in AI on site too. All felt very secure, and location is very convenient. Kids club is really impressive too, if thats something you might use

Thanks when you say a different vibe what more specifically? Do you mind me asking what your DH didn't like? Sorry just want to get a good insight before book anything up! Thanks

The Greek islands feel different from Fuerteventura because Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate, traditional whitewashed villages, and a romantic, cultural atmosphere with calm blue seas. Fuerteventura, by contrast, has a dry, desert-like landscape, strong Atlantic winds, modern low-rise towns, and a more wild, open, volcanic feel.
I love the Greek Islands and worked there for 2 summer seasons many years ago. My Dh has a ‘thing’ for Lanzarote( we are into double visit figures) and wants to semi retire there, what he didn’t like about Caleta was that there wasn’t a long promenade with restaurants and bars along it!
We did return to Caleta a year after our first visit so it wasn’t that awful for him.
The Canaries do offer better value for money I feel that Greece, which has got expensive. We also found this about the lovely resort of Kalkan in Turkey where prices are often more expensive than London now and you feel a little bit ripped off.

Thank you - hmmm my DH would not like the idea of no promenade with bars/restaurants. That's the one thing we love about the Greek Islands we have been to, they have a huge array of tavernas and bars - as lively or as chilled as you choose. And we really like the fact most places have several cafes/beach bars that lead onto the beach and have their own sunbeds.

Might take a look at Lanzarote - any recommended areas?

Have a look a Playa Blanca, if your are looking for a hotel there’s a lovely new hotel not long opened
https://www.barcelo.com/en-gb/barcelo-playa-blanca/
There’s lots of hotel to choose from, anytime we’ve stayed there we’ve always had a villa so can’t comment on any hotels as such.
Playa Blanca has a nice promenade

They also have the Marina https://www.marinarubicon.com/en/ We are in PB for Christmas this year, oh and Feb half term! shout if you need any more info

Been to CdF and PB. PB wins hands down for me. We have been to PB dozens of times, starting many years ago, when it was barely more than a fishing village but I probably won't go again as it's become ridiculously busy no matter the time of year. In my opinion building the huge Barcelo was a mistake. PB doesn't need more hotels. Saying that it's still a fantastic resort for most people and that's why it's so popular year round.

We thought we try Fuerteventura for our post Xmas break last year. I didn't warm to it though CdF provided the nicest prom and a good choice of watering holes.

If you’re looking for a more locals resort, try Playa Honda. Not for everyone as it’s not overly touristy. We walked to the airport for our flight home😂

I'd agree with all this.
On Fuertaventura I much prefer Corralejo. It has a surfing / hippy feel.
I prefer Lanzarote though. I like the landscape and the promenades, it's also slightly less windy than Fuertaventura.
Neither is much like Greece. Even in July it can be cool in Fuertaventura which I much prefer to the heat of the med, the sea is cold because it's the Atlantic, there isn't the Greek hospitality.

It’s so windy and the restaurants are like eating in a shopping mall. Much prefer Lanzarote- playa blanca or Costa teguise., although they are still nowhere near as nice as Greece. And the sea is cold!