There’s no happy campers in Lanzarote at the moment, following announcements from local councils that they are longer prepared to tolerate campervans who flock to the coast to relax in places such as Arrieta and Playa Quemada.
It was a double disappointment when residents were also informed that the campsite at Papagayo in Playa Blanca will not be opening this Easter as is the tradition, following the discovery that the facility does not have a licence. The campsite will remain closed until funds can be found to complete the works necessary to meet the safety requirements, the cost is estimated at 50,000 to 60,000 euros, money that Yaiza council does not have available to rectify the situation . This campsite has previously accommodated up to 4,000 campers during the peak summer months.
The Ayuntamiento of Haría have placed large boulders preventing access to the land on the far side of the beach Playa La Garita in Arrieta, this action sparked a protest from camper van owners who filled the car park on the 17th March. A council representative explained that the closure was necessary because of health problems that could arise from cleanliness issues at the site. Mayor of Haría, José Torres Stinga explained that this is not municipal land and assured that the measure was carried out at the request of the land owner. The Volcán de la Corona plan prohibits camping in the far north.
Yaiza council have also taken action against a growing collection of caravans and campervans parked on land in the coastal village of Playa Quemada. Notifications were issued to a handful of caravans that they would be impounded if not moved last week, warning that it’s totally forbidden to camp in that area and all coastal regions of the municipality,
Teguise council have followed suit with caravans situated at Caleta de Caballo.
So, La Graciosa is now without a doubt the only place that you can legally camp in Lanzarote, this beach campsite on Playa El Salao is very popular and free to use. The campsite is only available for tents and pitches have to be booked in advance online. There are 50 pitches available with a maximum capacity of 200 people and a maximum stay of 7 days.
We have some sympathy with the campers, it’s a long standing tradition for families to camp by the beach at Easter and during the school holidays in the summer. People have invested in caravans and campervans on the island as camping has been tolerated in the past, this hard stance leaves everyone in a difficult position and one that could keep the local police busy during the next few months. There’s also a reasonable argument that it’s not the motorhomes who leave the rubbish, as they are self sufficient with toilet and washing facilities. The owners argue that it is the weekenders who bring paella and BBQ’s to the beach and leave their rubbish behind.
We can understand the councils clamping down on illegal campsites where there are no services but why not address the problem by creating some legal ones? The problem could be relieved in the short term by opening Papagayo even without it’s licence, it hasn’t been an issue for the past ten years.
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