Car Hire in Puerto de la Cruz: Online Booking, Cover and Routes

Updated in 2026. Hiring a car in Puerto de la Cruz makes a great deal of sense if you want the freedom to explore northern Tenerife. The town is a convenient place to sleep, eat and walk, and a good starting point for routes to La Orotava, Icod, Garachico, Anaga, Isla Baja and Teide. The key is to book with clear information: online, with a final price, properly explained cover and a collection point that suits your accommodation.

This guide is designed to help you book without complications: what to check before confirming, which offices are available in Puerto de la Cruz, what “no excess” really means in 2026 and which routes are worthwhile from here.

Why hire a car in Puerto de la Cruz?

Puerto de la Cruz is a very good base for anyone who wants to explore the north without sleeping in a different place every night. You have the old town, Lago Martiánez, Playa Jardín, restaurants and hotels, as well as reasonable access to routes through the mountains, along the coast and between historic towns.

Buses work for many journeys, but a car gives you something worth its weight in gold in Tenerife: flexibility. You can leave early for Teide, stop at an unexpected viewpoint, replace Garachico with La Orotava if the sea is rough or return early if the children become tired. Used wisely, that freedom changes the trip.

Car-hire offices in Puerto de la Cruz in 2026

Canarias.com lists several offices in Puerto de la Cruz. They include:

• Central Puerto de la Cruz: Hotel Alua Tenerife, Calle Antonio Ruiz Álvarez, 7. Published opening hours: Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 20:00; Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 20:00; Sunday from 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00.
• Martiánez Puerto: Edificio Iberia, Avenida Venezuela, 10. Published opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 12:30.
• Other locations: hotels and collection points in Puerto de la Cruz listed on the Canarias.com office page.

Before booking, choose the office according to logistics, not merely its apparent proximity on the map. If your hotel is in La Paz, San Antonio, Playa Jardín or Martiánez, the most suitable office may differ considerably.

Booking online: what to check before paying

Booking online is convenient, but you should not do it on autopilot. Check the following points before confirming:

• Exact office: central Puerto de la Cruz is not the same as Martiánez or a particular hotel.
• Collection and return hours: make sure they suit your flight, excursion or check-out.
• Included cover: check the terms, exclusions and driver’s age.
• Deposit: if one applies, it should be stated clearly before collection.
• Actual category: do not choose on price alone if you are driving to Teide with four people and their luggage.
• Extras: child seats, an additional driver or delivery to your hotel if needed.

No-excess cover explained clearly

The Canarias.com FAQ states that the hire includes fully comprehensive cover with no excess for drivers aged 23 or over. It also explains that drivers aged 21 or 22 can hire certain vehicle groups with a daily surcharge, a €300 excess and a €300 deposit.

This is important because “no excess” does not mean “anything goes”. The same FAQ identifies customary exclusions such as lost keys, broken glass, punctures or damage to tyres, the underside, accessories or interior, and damage caused by improper use. The normal—and sensible—approach is to read the conditions before signing.

Which car to choose in Puerto de la Cruz

• For a couple: a compact or small car that is easy to park in towns and at viewpoints.
• For a family: a car with genuine boot space, not merely more seats.
• For Teide or long routes: a comfortable car with sufficient power is better.
• For groups: six or seven seats, provided the luggage—not just the passengers—really fits.
• Automatic: a good option if you are not accustomed to hills, bends and tight parking spaces.

Recommended routes from Puerto de la Cruz

1. La Orotava and the valley viewpoints. Ideal for half a day: the historic centre, Victoria Gardens, Hijuela del Botánico and Humboldt Viewpoint.

2. Icod, Cueva del Viento and Garachico. Perfect for a volcanic day: visit Cueva del Viento with a reservation, the ancient dragon tree, Garachico’s historic centre and El Caletón if sea conditions permit.

3. Teide through La Orotava. One of the most beautiful ascents. Leave early, check the weather, take warm clothing and remember any permits if your plan includes regulated trails.

4. Anaga and La Laguna. Best approached with patience. Beautiful roads, bends, viewpoints and tremendous natural value. Leave time for lunch, and do not delay the return until night if you dislike winding roads.

5. Isla Baja. Los Silos, Buenavista del Norte, Garachico and, if the opening hours and access allow, Punta de Teno. This is a route for driving slowly and stopping often.

Common mistakes when hiring a car in Puerto de la Cruz

• Booking late: the price rises and availability falls.
• Not checking the exact office: Puerto de la Cruz has several areas, and they are not all equally convenient.
• Choosing a small car for too many suitcases: the north has hills and towns with restricted parking space.
• Ignoring age conditions: young drivers may be subject to different rules.
• Not checking for damage at collection: take a few photographs and ask about any uncertainty before leaving.

Tips for driving in northern Tenerife

The north is beautiful, but it is not always flat or fast. There is a motorway, certainly, but also historic centres, narrow roads, viewpoints, areas with limited parking and changing weather. If you are going to Teide or Anaga, leave early. If you are going to Garachico or Punta de Teno, check the sea, road and access. And if you are travelling with children, plan stops: Tenerife is more enjoyable when you do not turn everything into a race.

A very Vanessa thing to say, but also very true: always leave half an hour of breathing room in the plan. For parking, for a coffee, for a cloud crossing Teide or for that viewpoint that was not on Google and ends up being the best part of the day.

Frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Puerto de la Cruz

Is it worth hiring a car if I am staying in Puerto de la Cruz?

Yes, especially if you want to visit Teide, Garachico, Icod, Anaga, La Orotava or Isla Baja without depending on bus timetables or organised excursions.

Does the cover have no excess?

Canarias.com advertises fully comprehensive cover with no excess for drivers aged 23 or over. Drivers aged 21 or 22 may be subject to a surcharge, excess and deposit for certain groups.

Where can I collect the car in Puerto de la Cruz?

Several offices and collection points are listed, including Central Puerto de la Cruz at Hotel Alua Tenerife and Martiánez Puerto on Avenida Venezuela, as well as locations in hotels.

Which car is suitable for driving to Teide from Puerto de la Cruz?

A comfortable compact is usually enough for two people, but if you are travelling with a family or luggage, or prefer more relaxed driving, choose a category with sufficient power and space.

Sources consulted for this update: Canarias.com, the Canarias.com FAQ and the official pages for its Puerto de la Cruz offices.

If you are putting together a more complete itinerary, also save our Tenerife in 3 days route and our general guide to what to see in Tenerife to organise your time and travel distances.