Is Tenerife safe to travel? - Safety for tourists in Tenerife

Tenerife is a super popular travel destination, especially among visitors from the UK and other European countries.

So, in light of some of the events that have happened in Europe in the past few years, many people have doubts in regards to safety, before deciding on their next holiday destination.

Safety in Tenerife - Is Tenerife safe to visit?

First of all, Tenerife is part of Spain, so the laws governing mainland Spain also apply here.

Generally, Tenerife is a safe place to visit but you do need to be careful in regards to pickpockets, especially in clubs and when walking late at night in areas with few people around. 

Since Tenerife is such a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of sun-worshippers each year, it's a sad but true fact that it also attracts a less desirable class of people: those who seek to steal from genuine visitors who come to enjoy a well-earned holiday.

But while it's true that muggings and pickpocketing do happen in Tenerife, the island is not more dangerous than other similar tourist destinations in Europe, where similar things happen in crowded areas. 

Pickpockets in Tenerife

Unfortunately, pickpocketing is one of Tenerife's main safety issues and you need to be careful with your belongings.

There have been reports of pickpockets in most tourist areas of Tenerife, from Las Americas, Los Cristianos to Los Gigantes, so be careful if someone stops to ask you questions and make sure they're not working with someone else who's trying to go through your pockets or backpack, while the other person is keeping you busy.

Also, don't take valuable belongings with you at the beach, as it's hard to keep them safe when you go in the sea, and most beaches are busy all the time.

Theft from rental cars in Tenerife

If you hire a car in Tenerife, make sure to never leave valuables inside it and ALWAYS lock the car, even if only for 2 minutes while you get out to take a photo.

At popular sites, like inside Teide National Park or the parking at Masca village, thieves are just waiting for a moment when you go out to take a photo and leave the unsupervised and unlocked. 

There's also another "scheme" they use to steal valuables from cars: while your partner or the person sitting in the passenger seat goes out to take a photo, someone comes to the driver's window and supposedly asks for directions or any other sort of questions, keeping the driver busy this way, while someone else opens the passenger door or the trunk and steals your bag or backpack. 

Drink spiking in Tenerife

If you go clubbing in Tenerife, especially in the area known as Las Veronicas, keep your eyes on your drink at all times to avoid someone spiking your drink.

While women are possibly more conscious in this regard, men should always be vigilant to avoid someone spiking their drinks, while another person will follow them on their way back to the hotel to steal their wallet or phone. 

Muggings in Tenerife 

There are also reports of muggings happening in Tenerife in popular tourist areas, even those areas that were considered safe and quiet a few years ago, like Los Cristianos. Unfortunately, in areas like El Mirador or Paradise Park area, there has been a rise as of late of reports of muggings, especially late at night. 

Always be careful at your surroundings when walking at night, especially if alone, as you would do everywhere else in the world, especially in popular tourist areas.

Is Tenerife safe from a volcanic eruption?

Although many British tabloids write alarming headlines each time a small earthquake happens in Tenerife or any other Canary Island, there is no immediate thread of an eruption from Mount Teide.

The last eruption in Tenerife happened in 1909 and it was the Chinyero volcano the one that erupted. 

However, the Canary Islands are still considered an active volcanic region so it is normal for small earthquake to occur often in the region. There is no alert regarding a potential eruption or explosion of the volcano in Tenerife, so there's no need to postpone your holiday.

Is Tenerife safe from the ZIKA virus?

Yes, there is no threat of Zika virus in the Canary Islands and in Spain in general.

There is an official list of countries and areas where the Zika threat exists, but Spain isn't mentioned as being one of them.

Is Tenerife safe for tourists?

Tenerife is a safe destination to travel and the biggest threats are pickpockets and thieves.

Common sense is needed wherever you travel and you need to be careful with your belongings as not to leave them unattended.

Is Tenerife safe from terrorism?

According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) from the UK, Spain is classified as a country where it's likely for a terrorist attack to occur. However, the level of threat in Spain is lower that the one in the UK for example.

Also, keep in mind that from a geographic point of view, Tenerife is far away from mainland Spain and there haven't been any terrorist attacks on the island in recent years. 

Advice for general safety in Tenerife

• Don't carry large amounts of cash with you
• Keep your documents separated from your cash and credit cards
• Where possible pay by card, preferably a prepaid card like Monese or Revolut
• Don't leave your purse or backpack unattended, even for a second - especially on the beaches, at Masca or in Teide National Park
• Don't leave drinks unattended in bars or clubs
• Don't leave objects in the car if you rent one
• Don't fall for the clipboard scammers who pretend to raise money for some charity. Simply ignore them
• Ignore anything related to timeshares 
• Don't accept big bills as change, except maybe from big chain supermarkets. There have been cases of fake bills, which is why we recommend using a prepaid card where possible
• Avoid excessive drinking, as you may become an easy victim for thieves. Also, some insurers won't cover you if something were to happen to you and you were on drugs or intoxicated.