Have you ever celebrated your birthday completely alone on purpose? In February 2022, for my 28th birthday, I did exactly that Tenerife by camper van. I booked a flight to Tenerife, rented a cozy camper van, and spent the entire week solo-traveling across the island north to south chasing sunrises, black-sand beaches, and the freedom only the open road can offer.
It was my first time driving a camper van alone in a foreign country. And yes, I was terrified. But it turned out to be one of the happiest trips of my life.
Let me take you with me on this journey. 🌊✨
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Why I Chose Vanlife in Tenerife as a Solo Girl
I’d been following Magda from Girls in the Van on Instagram for a while. She runs amazing all-female van trips across Spain and Portugal, and I was instantly drawn to the adventurous, independent spirit behind her story. When I found out she had left one of her vans parked in Tenerife, available to rent solo I knew it was time.
No tour groups, no itinerary. Just me, the van, and a week to explore paradise.
The Van Life Setup 🚐
The van was a converted Toyota designed for two people but perfect for one. It had everything I needed:
- A foldable bed that turned into a mini living room
- A small kitchen built into the trunk (yes, with actual glasses!)
- A handy outdoor shower
- Easy handling, even on the narrow roads in the island’s mountainous north
I won’t lie when I first hit the highway, wind pounding the rooftop and glassware clinking in the back, I thought, What have I gotten myself into? 😅
But spoiler alert: Nothing broke. And I made it through the first night just fine, even though I almost turned around.
My First Night Sleeping in a Van 😬
I parked in a beachside lot that seemed like a good idea online. But the moment I settled in, I hated it. It felt sketchy. I was alone, sleeping in a car, on my birthday, in some unfamiliar parking lot. I questioned every choice that led me there.
But everything changed the next morning.
I rolled up the window shades, and BOOM sunshine! 🌞 A blue sky. A warm breeze, in the middle of February! I stepped outside in my pajamas, made a fresh black coffee with the van’s little kitchen, cranked up my JBL speaker, and walked down to the beach with a camp chair.
There I was: barefoot, alone, sipping coffee on an empty beach in paradise.
That’s why I came.
It was one of the happiest, most peaceful mornings of my life.
My Favorite Spots in Tenerife
I explored both the north and the south of the island. Each side has its own energy:
🌋 Playa Benijo – Northern Magic
This black-sand beach in the north is wild, moody, and cinematic. I met other van travelers here, and the vibe was raw and real. Think crashing waves, dramatic cliffs, and barefoot walks at sunset.
🏄♀️ Surfer-Friendly South
But my heart? It belongs to the south. There’s this relaxed, hipster surfer scene that I instantly clicked with. I can’t name one favorite beach because it was more about the feeling: good food, laid-back people, and a rhythm of life that made me want to stay forever.
Is Tenerife Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Yes and honestly, it was one of the most empowering trips I’ve ever taken. I went solo to Tenerife for my 28th birthday in February 2022, and despite some early nerves, I felt safe almost the entire time. The island is friendly, open, and quite used to tourists, even solo female travelers.
Like with any solo trip, I stayed aware of my surroundings and trusted my instincts. I avoided remote areas at night, parked in well-lit camper-friendly areas, and let someone know my general plan for the day. I also met plenty of other van travelers on the road, so I never felt totally isolated.
If you’re dreaming about solo travel but are feeling hesitant, Tenerife is a great place to begin. Warm weather, beautiful landscapes, and a supportive travel community make it an ideal first solo adventure.
Where to Rent a Van in Tenerife Cheap
If you’re considering van life in Tenerife, I can’t recommend it enough. I rented my van from Magda at Girls in the Van and had the absolute best experience.
Magda is a fellow female traveler who’s created a supportive, empowering space for women who want to explore Spain and Portugal by van. She recently left one of her fully-equipped vans in Tenerife, and I was lucky enough to snag it for my trip.
💸 Cost? Just €800 for one week, far cheaper than most major rental companies on the island.
The van was a converted Toyota with everything I needed: a foldable bed, trunk kitchen, outdoor shower, and surprisingly easy driving for such a big car. You do fold the bed into a “living room” setup before you drive, which became part of my little daily ritual.
👉 You can contact her through Instagram @girlsinthevan or visit her website. Her community is amazing, and you’ll be supporting a woman-owned small business.
What to Do in Tenerife as a Solo Traveller?
Tenerife is packed with things to do; from wild hikes to calm beaches and vibrant local life. Some highlights from my solo adventure:
- Hike Mount Teide: Spain’s highest peak and a surreal, moon-like national park. You can take a cable car or hike up with a permit if you’re feeling adventurous. Go early to catch sunrise views or golden morning light.
- Explore Playa Benijo: A black sand beach with raw, wild beauty. I had coffee here one morning, alone with the waves and the sun, and it’s still one of my favorite memories of the trip.
- Head to the surfer-friendly south: My favorite spot. It had a cool, hipster vibe with laid-back cafés, good music, and people who were also living out of vans. I felt completely at ease.
- Try local food at small guachinches: Traditional eateries, especially if you love seafood or local wine.
- Morning beach coffees in your pajamas with a JBL speaker: It’s not an activity on Google Maps, but trust me, it’s everything.
Can I Sleep Anywhere in My Camper Van?
Not quite. Wild camping laws in Tenerife are a bit strict, and it’s important to park in designated camper van areas or official camping zones. That said, there are still lots of legal and beautiful spots to stay overnight.
Apps like Park4Night or Campercontact helped me find safe and scenic overnight stops. Some places were beachfront lots, others were inland surrounded by palm trees and silence. My first night was honestly a bit overwhelming, I was unsure if I liked sleeping in a van by myself in a beach parking lot. But by the second morning, sipping coffee with the sunrise? I was totally hooked.
Just always check local signage, clean up after yourself, and follow the unwritten rules of the road. Respect goes a long way in the vanlife community.
Would I Do It Again?
In a heartbeat. Solo female travel in a camper van might sound intimidating, but it gave me something nothing else ever has: total freedom.
I wasn’t just traveling, I was living. Cooking outside. Sleeping to the sound of waves. Choosing my direction each morning based on the weather and my mood.
Yes, it was scary at first. But facing those fears made me feel more confident, more independent, and more in love with my own company.
Thinking of Your Own Tenerife by Camper Van Adventure?
Tenerife is incredibly diverse for such a small island.
The north is lush, green, and a bit wilder—with dramatic black-sand beaches, more rain, and steep mountain roads.
In contrast, the south is dry, sunnier, and flatter, with white-sand beaches and a laid-back, summery vibe. Having a camper van gave me the ultimate freedom to explore both.
One day it started raining while I was in the north, and within an hour I had driven to the south where it was dry, sunny, and perfect for a swim.
If I had booked a hotel in one location, I would’ve been stuck in the rain—but with the van, I just chased the sun.
That flexibility alone made vanlife the best possible way to experience Tenerife.
Here are a few tips from my experience:
- Follow trusted female-led companies like Girls in the Van (not sponsored, I just love them!)
- Keep your first night flexible. Not every parking spot feels safe, listen to your gut.
- Pack light but smart. Bring a portable speaker, a great coffee setup, and a cozy blanket.
- Expect nerves and know they’ll pass. The magic starts after that first hard moment.
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