El Cotillo transport facilities are not particularly extensive, but what there are is okay. The buses, in particular, are very dependable.
If you want to see more of the island but don’t want to drive or use the buses, check out my tours, excursions and activities page.
Fuerteventura Airport Transfers
There are several transfer options to and from Fuerteventura airport (a link to my airport guide). These range from a coach, which drops off at various locations in the north of the island, to a minibus direct to your accommodation.
Check out the options here – Shuttle Fuerteventura
Hire Cars
Many people prefer to hire a car when they stay here as it allows easy access to the beaches further out of the village, easy transport from and to the airport, and some sightseeing to other parts of the island.
Driving in Fuerteventura is very easy with good roads and little traffic. You may find my article on driving in Fuerteventura useful if you have never done it before.
Here are driving directions from the airport should you need them.
It is possible to hire a car near the hotel in El Cotillo. If you are going to hire one, you are definitely better off hiring one to pick you up when you arrive at the airport as you may find it cheaper to hire for a whole week or more than renting one for a day from the village. My advice on hiring a car in Fuerteventura.
Also, you should pre-book a hire car online to get a better rate.
Buses
The bus service in Fuerteventura is pretty reliable and not too expensive. Fuerteventura guaguas (gauguas is the local term for buses) run all around the island.
The buses are coaches, so they have plenty of luggage lockers underneath where you can put your luggage, children’s buggies, surfboards, or even bikes!
It is probably best to wait for the bus at the El Cotillo Bus Station, located south of the village, not far from the Toston Tower.
Do not wait for a bus at the covered bus stop opposite the football stadium. The bus no longer passes there so you will be waiting a long time!
There are two bus services to/from El Cotillo:
No 7 bus from Puerto del Rosario to El Cotillo. This runs to/from Puerto del Rosario and passes through Lajares, Villaverde, La Oliva, near Tindaya and Tetir. There are 4 a day in each direction.
No 8 bus from Corralejo to El Cotillo. This runs every hour on the hour (plus a few direct buses), and runs to Lajares, La Oliva, Villaverde and terminates in Corralejo. The return buses leave Corralejo every hour, on the hour too – new timetable.
Routes and Timetables can be found on the Tiadhe Bus Company website
On all buses, you can buy a credit card size discount card (called a Bono) from the bus driver. It costs 2 euros initially and then you can add money to it (10 euros minimum or more in 5 euro stages up to a maximum of 50 euros. This card then gives a 5% discount on all bus journeys.
By bus from Fuerteventura airport to El Cotillo
This is not going to be a quick journey.
- First, you must catch a bus from the airport to Puerto del Rosario bus station (Guagua = bus). The No. 3, No. 10, and No. 16 all call into the airport on their way to Puerto del Rosario (make sure you catch the one going north, not south, though).
- Then, you can catch the direct bus to El Cotillo (No 7), but this only runs a few times daily, so you may have several hours to wait.
- The alternative is to catch the bus from Puerto del Rosario to Corralejo (No 6), which runs roughly every half an hour and then catch the Corralejo to El Cotillo bus (No 8), which runs once an hour plus a few additional buses at peak times.
Taxis in El Cotillo
There are no taxis based in the village. It is possible to ring to get one to pick up but they are mainly based in Corralejo.
You can get a taxi from Fuerteventura airport to El Cotillo but they are quite expensive and may cost as much just one-way (at least 85€+ each way plus a tip) as it would be to hire a car for a week or more.
Shuttle Bus
If you don’t want to hire a car or book a private transfer, you can pre-book a shuttle bus service from the airport. Be warned that you may wait quite a while for it to leave the airport, and it will probably go to Corralejo first and drop off at lots of hotels.
The journey to El Cotillo may well take many hours. Shuttle Fuerteventura
Bike Hire
There are a few bicycle hire shops in the village so you can hire for a few hours, days or longer.
That’s it!
No other forms of transport are available in El Cotillo – except your feet, which isn’t a bad way to get around anyway.
Many people choose to get their daily exercise by walking to the lighthouse and back every morning.
FAQs
How long is the bus from Corralejo to El Cotillo?
It takes 35-40 minutes on the no 8 bus that goes through La Oliva and Villaverde. It is 10 minutes shorter on the more direct service that runs a few times daily.
Can you hire a car in El Cotillo Fuerteventura?
It is possible to hire a car at the Cotillo Beach Hotel.
How do I get to El Cotillo from Fuerteventura airport?
The easiest way is to hire a car at the airport. A taxi will cost approximately €85 plus a tip. You can book a shuttle bus or a mini-bus with Shuttle Fuerteventura or catch two buses (via Puerto del Rosario).
How far is Fuerteventura Airport to El Cotillo?
It is 26 miles (42 km) from the airport to El Cotillo.
How far is El Cotillo from Corralejo?
It is approximately 12 miles (19 kms) from El Cotillo to Corralejo, via Lajares.
I have been holidaying in Fuerteventura for over 30 years and first came to El Cotillo 23 years ago. I owned an apartment in El Cotillo for 10 years and now live with my wife, Sue, and dog, Jenson, just 5 miles away. El Cotillo is my favourite place in Fuerteventura.
