La Pared

The Village of La Pared is located on the north-west coast of Jandia; La Pared gets its name from the stone wall which supposedly ran from the east to the west coast of the Island and separated Fuerteventura into two parts: Maxorata and Jandia. The natural caverns in the mountains are the only source of water for the Town. There aren’t many attractions here but there is a golf practice course – artificial grass with tee offs, and a horse-riding school. There are a few tourist complexes available with some restaurants and accommodation.

La Pared beach is not far from the Village on the narrow strip of land known as La Pared isthmus that connects the southern Jandia peninsula with the remainder of Fuerteventura. This beach is a pebbly and black volcanic sand beach, in a small bay, with quite rough seas. Viejo Rey beach is located right next door to La Pared beach but has golden sand and sand dunes. Rough seas are dominant here too, making swimming difficult.

Tefia

Tefia is a little Village that is located just outside the Town of La Oliva, in the North of Fuerteventura. It is famous for its Eco museum - La Alcogida, which depicts Canarian history and culture before tourism. In this purpose built ‘eco Village’ there are eight small houses and a main farm house. Here you’ll be able to observe examples of old ovens, milling wheels and live demonstrations of lace making, basket weaving, pottery, cheese making, carpentry and a blacksmith. This ‘eco Village' even grows its own Canarian crops.

Tindaya

Tindaya is a small Village is located in the protected zone and sits at the base of the Tindaya Mountain which has a height of 401m. The mountain is considered sacred and has over a hundred carvings of feet which are known as podomorphs. These bizarre carvings on the smooth rock of the mountain were only discovered in 1978. It is claimed that the feet ward off evil spirits. On a clear day, it's possible to see Mount Teide, the highest mountain on Tenerife. Old inhabitants used to believe that Mount Teide was the home of the devil and all the carvings face in that direction.

Vega de Rio Palma

Vega de Rio Palma is a beautiful valley and has a village that shares the same name. This area provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the resorts – a tranquil haven to enjoy. The notable Nuestra Señora de la Peña – a 17^th Century Church can be found sited on the edge of the stream with small terraced fields in between. A mountain stream flowed through the Village up until the 16th Century. During the 15th Century, Jean de Béthencourt and his army marched up this stream. These days the area is completely dried up and only when there is the odd rainstorm during the winter months does the stream fill the reservoir.

A tiny white chapel-Ermita de Virgin de la Peña is located just past the dam. A painting depicting the discovery of a statue of the Saint hangs at the altar; the statue now stands at the main Church. The church was completely destroyed soon after by 'Jaban' the pirate in 1593, but the statue was so well hidden that it was only rediscovered in the 17th century.

Travel between the Canary Islands

Travelling between the different Islands of the Canaries is not difficult. The airline that travels between the Islands is Binter Canarias, who have regular flights during the day from one Island to another – which takes around 45 minutes. Advanced booking is advisable, because the flights can become full with queues of people and there can be waiting lists.

The ferry service between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote takes around 20 minutes, between Tenerife and La Gomera, just over an hour and less than an hour between Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The Ferry Companies that operate between the Islands are Spain's national ferry service, Transmediterranea, Fred Olsen and Armas. Each of these has regular ferry and jetfoil services (faster but a bit more costly). Longer journeys such as: Gran Canaria to the north of Fuerteventura or Tenerife to La El Hierro can be travelled overnight with cabins available.