Budget Accommodation in El Médano + Money-Saving Tips for Your Trip
El Médano: Tenerife’s small, sunny, capital of windsports.
Life in El Médano revolves around the beach, a handful of good cafés and of course, the breeze. This relaxed coastal town in southern Tenerife is quaint; you can walk from one extreme to the other in less than 20 minutes.
El Médano is best known as a hub for windsports, but it’s also a welcome escape for independent travelers. Unlike the mass tourism of hubs like Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, El Médano provides a more intimate and relaxed experience.
Demand for visitor accommodation in town is high and finding an affordable place to stay in El Médano is a challenge. Jump start your search early to secure the best deals.
Our curated list of the best budget accommodation in El Médano is the perfect way to make sure housing doesn´t eat up your entire travel budget.
Need Accomodation? Our Top Recommendations in El Médano
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel Playa Surf – Click here for rates & availability
⭐️⭐️⭐️Hotel Médano – Click here for rates & availability
⭐️⭐️ Mar y Alisio – Click here for rates & availability
Where to Stay in El Médano – the Quick Review for Budget Travelers
The biggest dilemma you´ll face when comparing accommodation options in El Médano is deciding whether to stay in town or commute in from surrounding residential areas.
For the vast majority of visitors, staying in town is the best way to go. First-time visitors, travelers who prioritize convenience and anyone planning to spend most of their time at the beach or doing watersports are better off staying centrally in El Médano proper. As a rough guide, expect to pay around €90 – €120 per night for a private room or smaller apartment in El Médano during low season. Prices will easily double during summer and winter high seasons.
If you want more value and space for your money, look to the outskirts of El Médano. The trade-off is clear: staying further away may be cheaper, but you´ll need a car if you want to get around smoothly.
All budget friendly apartments and hotels listed in this guide are in El Médano itself, with the exception of two alternatives at the end for those who don’t mind staying farther outside of town.
Best Budget Stays in El Médano
Whether you value proximity to the ocean, a kitchen to cook in, or somewhere to share with friends, there is a property here for you!
Hotel Playa Surf – Best Budget Hotel for Windsport Enthusiasts
Hotel Playa Surf’s prime beachfront location can’t be beat. It´s the closest hotel to the main wind/kitesurf beach and surrounded by wind sport schools and surfer cafés. If you plan to take wind sport classes, or simply want the closest accommodation to the shoreline, this is the best hotel for you.
The property offers free breakfast, a lounge space and restaurant, as well as a saltwater swimming pool and sun terrace. Leaving the hotel, you´ll need no more than two steps before you hit warm sand, a place to swim in the ocean and the seaside promenade.
Check It Out Here: Hotel Playa Surf (Playa Surf CBbC Hotel on Booking.com)
Mar y Alisio – Best Budget-Friendly Stay for Two
Traveling as a couple? This cozy and reasonably priced one-bedroom apartment is a great find for a pair who don’t mind skipping the ocean views.
The accommodation is simple but practical, and books out fast. And while you can´t see the waves from the apartment, you are only a three-minute walk from the beach.
Check It Out Here: Mar y Alisio
BRISA C, Apartamento en El Médano – Best for a Long Weekend
This centrally located 2 bedroom/1 bath apartment offers just enough extra space to accommodate a friend, a kid or become an office for a remote worker. One bedroom contains a full bed, while the second bedroom has a twin bed with a desk. The apartment has a three night minimum, making it a good home-away-from-home for a long weekend.
Check It Out Here: Brisa C, Apartamento en El Médano
Alquilaencanarias El Médano Playa El Cabezo – Best for Sharing
This two bedroom, two bathroom apartment is an excellent option for friends or families looking to share a budget friendly home without sacrificing privacy. The property is located on a residential street, between two beaches which are both roughly a five to ten minute walk away.
This apartment is farther away from the main access point for watersports, but since the town is compact, the 15-minute flat walk is very manageable. The property has a four-night minimum stay, so it is best suited for someone who plans to settle in.
Check It Out Here: Alquilaencanarias El Médano Playa El Cabezo
Suite El Médano Experimental II – Best for families
The name doesn’t do much to sell the property, but don’t let that dissuade you from this budget option with rave reviews. The 2 bedroom/1 bathroom layout is particularly well suited for families; the main bedroom has a large double bed, while the second bedroom is made up of two bunk beds. The open space kitchen, living and dining areas connect to a small balcony.
You won’t have an ocean view, but the property’s central location is only a four-minute walk from the main plaza, restaurants and beach access point.
Check It Out Here: Suite El Médano Experimental II
Hostels and Shared Homes with Private Bedrooms
What happens if you aren’t ready to pay for apartment or hotel prices in El Médano?
A private bedroom in a hostel or shared house might be the best option for you. You´ll have your own room and access to a shared kitchen and communal areas without having to spring for the cost of a whole apartment yourself.
If you want to stay close to the center of El Médano check out Casa Grande Surf Hostel or Daydream El Médano Coliving.
If you rent a car during your trip or don´t mind staying farther away, the private bedrooms at Aloe Vera Shared House and Tree House Hostel and Coworking are your best budget-friendly options.
Casa Grande Surf Hostel
The centrally located Casa Grande Surf Hostel has one private double bedroom with a shared bathroom, and one apartment offered for longer stays of a week or more. They offer a basic free breakfast and common spaces that include a rooftop terrace.
Check It Out Here: Casa Grande Surf Hostel
Daydream El Médano Coliving
Location is also the strong point of Daydream El Médano Coliving, which is just one street behind Casa Grande Surf Hostel and a two-minute walk to the beach.
The hostel has one private double bedroom with a shared bathroom and offers a variety of chilled out common spaces that include a rooftop terrace.
Check It Out Here: Daydream El Médano Coliving
Aloe Vera Shared House
The Aloe Vera Shared House is located in a small residential outpost outside of El Médano´s center. A quick 6-minute drive or 30 minute walk along the coast is all you need to get into town.
The accommodation has private double bedrooms with a mix of shared and private bathrooms as well as a bungalow complete with a mini kitchen and dining/lounge space. The property gives off a home-away-from-home vibe and is best for those looking to settle into a more laid-back experience.
The house has a small pool that’s perfect for a quick dip, or you can jump into the ocean at Montaña Pelada’s secluded beach which is just a short five-minute walk away.
Check It Out Here: Aloe Vera Shared House
The Tree House Hostel
The Tree House Hostel and Coworking rents a double occupancy private bedroom with an attached private bathroom.
This lovely hostel is a self-contained property with coworking spaces, a large pool and regularly organized social events. However, it is 40 minutes away from El Médano by foot down a dirt track. If your primary goal is regular watersport or beach time, you’d be better off somewhere else.
Check It Out Here: The Tree House Hostel and Coworking
Tips for Finding Budget-Friendly Stays in El Médano
Be flexible. A trip during the work week will cost you considerably less than a long weekend trip from Friday – Sunday. If you have flexibility with your dates, take advantage of cheaper pricing Monday – Thursday.
Avoid high seasons. Prices will more than double between low season and high season for the same room or apartment. Travel in April, May or June rather than during the two high seasons (July & August, and November – February).
Book in advance. There are many places in Tenerife where you can find last minute cheap accommodation deals. El Médano simply isn´t one of them. Book in advance to get the best rates.
The Verdict: Is Budget Accommodation in El Médano possible?
In short, yes. But to find cheap accommodation in El Médano you´ll need to be realistic about your priorities and book ahead of time. The demand for overnight stays in El Médano often outstrips the affordable supply of hotels and vacation rentals.
Start with what matters the most for your trip. Is it the overall cost? Proximity to kitesurf schools? An ocean view?
From there, book travel in shoulder season months such as April, May and June when prices are at their lowest.
El Médano is absolutely worth a visit and fortunately the town is compact and easy to explore. That means that even if you aren´t able to snag a front-line seaside apartment, you’ll never be very far away from the ocean, cafés and the town’s buzzy seaside boardwalk.
Check Out Our Other Guides
A Travel Guide to El Médano: Everything You Need to Know
Cheap and Social Stays in El Médano: Your Guide to Hostels in Town
What To Do in Tenerife: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Tenerife
