There are a lot of obvious reasons why UNESCO declared Fuerteventura a Biosphere Reserve. It is enough to stay a week here, on this magical Canary Island, to understand the enormous natural wealth that it conserves, protects and cares for each day, in spite of tourism, progress and the simple passage of time. With an inexhaustible number of natural parks, countryside, volcanic zones and unique places listed as Natural Monuments, Fuerteventura is a complete paradise that we must take care of and admire.
The island has an almost infinite list of species of plants, insects and all kinds of animals that live in perfect harmony with the day to day of life its people and with the tourist influx. The reservation declaration was made with the aim of protecting as fully as possible all these natural assets without which Fuerteventura ceases to be what it is.
Some of its most significant monuments are, to name the most famous:
– Tindaya Mountain Natural Monument
– The Knives of Vigan
– Gairía springs
As for natural parks, there are four totally spectacular areas:
– The Ajuy Natural Park
– The Dunes of Corralejo Natural Park
– The Lobos Island Natural Park
– The Jandía Natural Park
By going through different places and municipalities, you can travel around this wonderful island’s natural areas, without missing any of them. So your route map should include the capital, Puerto del Rosario, Tuineje, La Oliva, Betancuria, Pájara and Caleta de Fuste. From its local governing bodies and autonomous regions, a lot of programmes have been created with the aim of providing sustainable tourism so that we can continue to enjoy Fuerteventura and its incredible features.
Likewise, it promotes ecological and sustainable cuisine that little by little is creeping in to every sector of the tourism industry, from the food choices offered in the hotels themselves, to increasingly and firmly encouraging the use of more the local produce, stamped ‘made in the Canaries’ and of the highest quality.
However, the difficulties (and cost) of keeping the island in perfect condition without reducing the human footprint and tourism, in particular, is clear. Hence, international institutions are concerned with ensuring that all environmental regulations are complied with rigorously in these sensitive areas, which are considered to be assets to humanity and must be preserved in the best possible way for future generations.
The zone of Corralejo together with Jandía are the areas that support the largest number of tourists. Both have taken steps to care for the environment without blocking growth and the best hotels. In fact, the most prestigious hotels are concentrated in these areas: North and South.
In Corralejo there is a lot of accommodation oriented to sportsmen and lovers of windsurfing, couples looking for charming places to stay for a few days and families with children who love active tourism. Whilst in Jandia, the most well-known are those offered by the IBEROSTAR Hotels and Resorts chain, IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas Park, IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas and IBEROSTAR Fuerteventura Palace, are all in the area closest to Matorral beach, which is one of the most beautiful and natural in Fuerteventura.
