Where money goes far
Local food and drink (village restaurants defy inflation), wine (island bottles €5–8 shelf), public transport, and the island's headline attractions being free (Teide entry, every trail, every sunset). The IGIC low-tax regime discounts perfume, electronics, tobacco, spirits — the airport shops are actually competitive, for once.
Where it doesn't
Resort-strip restaurant rents pass to menus (same paella, +40 %, worse). Boat/theme attractions price at northern-tourist levels. Peak-season accommodation island-wide. The pattern writes the strategy: sleep west, eat local, play in nature, pay for the two or three paid experiences that matter.
- The Spanish-language chalkboard menu is the value menu, universally.
- 'Vino de la casa' in jarras: honest, local, €6-ish, correct choice.
- Prices in this guide carry 2026-drift — treat as ratios, verify absolutes.
FAQ
How much for a comfortable week, per couple?
Beyond stay & flights: ≈€400–600 covers eating well, one car-burst, whales and wine — sliding by restaurant ambition (verify against your style).
Cards or cash?
Cards everywhere including markets now; €50 pocket cash covers the holdout kiosks and tips for days.
Related guides
Tenerife airport transfers — getting to Puerto de Santiago
Tenerife South Airport → Los Gigantes: every option
Tenerife North Airport → Los Gigantes
Stay at Gigantes View Studio
Ocean-view studio in Puerto de Santiago — 8.5/10 on Booking.com, location rated 9.7. Book direct for the best rate.
Check availabilityLast updated: 2026-08-07 · Written by your hosts Jan & Lucie · Sources: local experience, official tourism data. Prices & hours drift — verify big-ticket details before you build a day around them.