Travel information
The Canary Islands have excellent air connections to continental Europe and the UK. There are scheduled flights between Tenerife and the major Spanish cities, as well as to a number of European destinations. There are charter flights to more than a hundred foreign destinations. The flying time from Madrid to Tenerife is approximately 2.5 hours. Flights to most western European capitals take between 3.5 and 4.5 hours.
Tenerife has two airports, one in the north, Tenerife Norte (TFN), also known as Los Rodeos Airport, and the other in the south, Tenerife Sur (TFS), also known as Reina Sofia Airport. The code to search for connections to either airport is TCI. We recommend using the North Airport (TFN, Los Rodeos), as it is much closer to the conference venue. Two fast, toll-free motorways (TF1 and TF5) link the north and south sides of the island, providing for fast transfers between the two airports and Puerto de la Cruz.
Local transportation
Puerto de la Cruz lies some 20 km from TFN, and 90 Km from TFS. The easiest access is from the North Airport (TFN, or Los Rodeos) along the TF-5 motorway. This is an approximately 20 minute journey along the coast. The South Airport (TFS, or Reina Sofia) is more than an hour away along the TF-1 and TF-5 motorways.
Bus: Public transportation on the island is provided by an extensive bus network. It is run by TITSA who operate a fleet of modern, air-conditioned buses. From TFS to Puerto de la Cruz line 340 takes about 1½ - 2h. From TFN to Puerto de La Cruz line 102 takes about ½h.
Car hire: If you wish to hire a car, at a very good rate, we recommend you to use the services of CICAR or AutoReisen. You may find the CICAR desk at the airport hall. The rate is around 30 euros/day, or as low as 100 euros for a full week, full insurance included.
Taxi: Taxi fares to Puerto de la Cruz are around 80€ from TFS and 40€ from TFN.
Health and insurance
All participants are strongly recommended to arrange for medical insurance for the duration of their stay in the Canary Islands. The LOC will not accept liability for sickness or accidents. Spanish public health centres have co-operation agreements with most European Union countries, but you will need to bring your European Health Insurance Card to avoid having to pay.
There is a Medical Center at Puerto Santiago (phone: 922-867128) and Hospiten Sur (private) in Las Americas (phone: 922 75 00 22).
There are two large hospitals in Tenerife, the General Hospital (Hospital Universitario de Canarias) (phone: 922-678000), which is under the control of the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife; and the Residence of the National Health Service (Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria) (phone: 922-602114). Both are amply equipped with the most sophisticated medical facilities.
In any kind of emergency, dial 112 directly.
The island of Tenerife
Tenerife, a Spanish island, is the largest of the seven Canary Islands. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean some 350 km off the coast of Africa. It has more than 800,000 inhabitants making it the most populated island in the archipelago.
The capital of the island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is the second biggest city in the archipelago. It hosts a number of official institutions of the Government of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, like the Presidency, the Parliament, a number of Ministries and the Court of Justice.
Tenerife is an ideal island for a holiday at any time of the year and has first-quality hotels and outdoor facilities. Its wonderful climate, breath-taking landscapes and the kindness of its people make it a prime tourist destination. The climate in the coastal areas of Tenerife is mild in November and often suitable for bathing in the open, with temperatures usually in the range 20-25o C during the day and 16-18o C at night. Temperatures are substantially lower in the mountains, like in the 'Las Canadas del Teide' National Park, a favourite tourist destination located at an average altitude of about 2300 m.
The Island’s dramatic orography (Mount Teide, the highest point in Spain, reaches a height of 3718 metres) and the north-easterly trade winds provide Tenerife with a variety of microclimates which are among its many attractions, with landscapes ranging from desert to rainforest and volcanic badlands to rolling green hillsides.
Modern and cosmopolitan, and at the same time rooted in its traditions, Tenerife is a paradise for those seeking amusement, sport, light and nature, or simply relaxation and peace. An island, and at the same time, a world in itself, there is always more to see and learn about in Tenerife.
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is located on the northern coast of Tenerife in the Orotava Valley. It is a seaside resort, about 35 km from the capital city, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The town is the main tourist centre of the north of the island, The mild climate on the coast and its international atmosphere make it a popular place for foreigners to settle.
Restaurants can be found that cater for many types of international cuisine. A list of recommended restaurants will be provided in your conference folder. There are facilities of all kinds in the town for visitors, including a small port (used by private vessels). As in most of Tenerife, sandy beaches are in short supply,. In Puerto there is a famous complex of salt-water swimming pools (the Lago Martianez) and two beaches of black, volcanic sand within the town itself.
"Fascinating" is the word for this island and not only because of Mt Teide or Las Cañadas. On the Northern route, around a bend on the highway, the green Valley of 'La Orotava' appears with Mt Teide in the background. In the valley you can find the Villa de La Orotava, filled with small palaces, wooden rows of balconies and other elements of public and domestic architecture, also found in the rest of the islands, but that reach special profusion and wealth here. The splendid nature of the valley and its fertile vegetable gardens meets the divine through the hands of the artists whom every year, during the festivities of the Corpus, creates monumental floral carpets for the passage of the Santísimo.
Sites of interest:
• Costa Martiánez (El Lago) completed and designed by the famous architect César Manrique
• La Plaza del Charco in the town centre is worth a visit.
• Loro Parque, a famous park and zoo located on the outskirts of the city.
• La Casa de los Balcones (the house with balconies) and the local handicrafts, whether in the form of textile products, ceramic, or local cakes and sweetmeats.