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We didn't see the caves because of the sea conditions. The villages were pretty but tiny. The goat farm is small with miniscule portions of 4 types of cheese to taste. It's clearly not easy to make a living by farming on the island. The guide did her best and knows a lot about the island but basically there is not much in Fuerteventura to see.
Stroll through timeworn village plazas and into pretty colonial churches, investigate sea caves and learn about typical produce. Between stops you'll visit lofty viewpoints to admire Fuerteventura's unusually stark landscape. It may look barren but Marta, one of our expert guides, says, ‘There are 44 different bird species found on Fuerteventura, despite the lack of trees. That's only four fewer than on the forested island of Madeira.'
You'll start the day learning about one of the island's best-known products at an aloe vera farm. Find out how it's become an excellent all-rounder in the wellbeing world. We'll then head to Pajara to visit Nuestra Señora de la Regla church to admire its standout Aztec-looking façade. Marta adds, ‘Pajara was once voted the sixth most beautiful village in Spain. It oozes charm.' Drive next to the tiny west-coast fishing village of Ajuy, where you can explore its black-sand beach and sea caves in chalk cliffs. It's on to Betancuaria next, with a photo stop along the way to overlook the parched mountains and the ocean at the Las Peñitas viewpoint.
Step back in time in Betancuria with a chance to see the church of Santa María – the oldest in the Canaries – which was consecrated in 1424, or take a visit to the archaeological museum and view some interesting exhibitions. Then it's on to a family-run restaurant in Valle de Santa Ines for a lunch made from locally sourced ingredients. And to round off the day, we'll visit a goat farm and sample local cheeses as well as local jams and honey rum liqueur – a Fuerteventura favourite.
