Fuerteventura - Remote Working, Sports, Culture and Great Food

As the world opens-up amidst the Covid 19 pandemic and travel becomes easier, ‘home’ can mean anywhere. The corporate world has learned that employees can be and indeed have been, ultra-productive working remotely, and as such the concept of ‘digital nomading’ has exploded.

Many British and pan-European ‘bright-young-things’ have been taking the opportunity, with laptop in hand, to venture towards a temporary version of home, which has an added bonus of sun, sea and surf. On the same time zone, but only a 4 hour hop from the UK, there is almost nowhere better to tick those boxes than Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

Co-working spots are popping up everywhere on the Island to cater for the need of the digital nomad, to create a working community space as well as provide an abundance of private meeting rooms. But why go to Fuerte’? Isn’t it just a passe British package holiday spot? Absolutely, it is not that.

Sunny year-round, plus plenty of adventure sports and activities

Like the other Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is hot, dry, and sunny year-round. Like some of its sisters it is both Volcanic and arid, but with a unique wind profile perfect for water sports. It’s not an exaggeration to say Fuerte’ is a watersurfing paradise. But on the water isn’t the only setting for sport. Road biking, fat wheel beach cycles, hiking and running are all popular – but perhaps most visible is the yoga explosion. You can even take a Gong bath, taijigong classes or even indulge in some restorative massage. There is something for everyone.

The island is long, thin and blessed with miles of varied coastline. You can choose to hike along dramatic drop-off rocky cliff faces, or splash through lapping waves along miles of stretched golden sands, or marvel at incredible black sand, which looks like it’s been sprinkled with twinkling crystals and literally sparkles. Fuerte’ has quiet coves, rocky azul-blue pools, quiet (and busier) ports into which fishermen bring in daily, their catch of world class seafood.

Getting around the island

What separates the change in coastline, is an epic mountainous moonscape. Driving across it will make your palms sweat. Personally, I think hiring a car is imperative. Not to say the bus service isn’t excellent, it is. But without a car, you’ll find it hard to find the secret spots (that the locals will tell you about) and waiting for a bus in the sun on the African meridian, at anytime of day, isn’t fun. So, my advice is don’t skimp on the transport option. Like the coastline, the roads are diverse. The island has exceptional newly tarmacked, smooth main-roads that are a pleasure to pedal-to-the-metal (in your 1.4 litre hire car). However to reach many of the wonderspots, you will drive over rough tracks and on the camino to Coffete, you’ll traverse a mountain path which is so frightening, I’d suggest only making the trek if you have steady nerves, an advanced driving qualification and love of rollercoasters. A 4×4 would be a great choice, if your pennies can stretch to that.

The local food

Tourism all but stopped during the pandemic but it’s opening up, quietly. The locals’ welcome is genuine, helpful and dignified. The 100,000 inhabitants go out of their way to give you that sense of ‘mi casa es su casa’. Many of the homes have that ‘maroc’ feel and you’ll find restaurant after restaurant nestled into them, or in shacks on the beach. Don’t miss the Pulpo Gallicien, Saharan squid, Seared Bonito or grilled Sardines; or indeed crevettes, parrot fish and of course garlic prawns – if you don’t get enough with your Papas Arugardas which come slathered in Mojos Rojo and Verde, a duo of level-10 garlic sauces.

If seafood isn’t your thing, Goat is big here. Eating the stew on a Sunday, will give Brits their Sunday lunch fix. The Italian influx means you can find incredible pizza and beautiful handmade pasta. Being a haven for the bohemian, vegans are also well looked after. Food here is big business and getting it wrong, wouldn’t be right.

Perhaps there is only a short window to take advantage of a more fluid working style. Fuerteventura is set up well for digital nomads and tourists alike. If you can, pack your rucksack, pop in trunks, trainers and your laptop, and go for it.