British travellers heading to Tenerife this half-term have been warned to watch out for several common tourist traps. Ruben Chorlton-Owen, a 24-year-old from Abersoch, North Wales, shared his advice on Instagram, where he has 105,000 followers, after noticing issues during his recent visit to the Canary Island.
One major trap involves fake pharmacies. These shops have blue LED signage similar to real pharmacies' green crosses, but they sell non-medical products at inflated prices. Chorlton-Owen advised finding a proper 'farmacia' with green signage to get genuine medication and fair prices for items like sun cream or paracetamol.
He also warned about currency exchanges and ATMs, which often charge high markups. He recommended getting cash before arriving. Additionally, he urged tourists to use licensed taxis rather than Uber, as the latter can charge up to four times the correct fare.
For safety, Chorlton-Owen advised avoiding shabby areas and narrow alleyways late at night due to pickpockets. He suggested using licensed taxis to return to accommodation after dark. Finally, he warned against drinking on the beach, as fines range from €750 to €3,000. He advised sticking to bars, hotels, or Airbnbs and not taking glass bottles to the beach.
