El Cotillo
El Cotillo is a fishing village on Fuerteventura's northwest coast, known for shallow tidal lagoons that the ocean fills and drains, and for a fort at the harbor edge.
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El Cotillo is a fishing village on the northwest coast of Fuerteventura, the second-largest of the Canary Islands, which are part of Spain and lie off the coast of Africa. The old harbor and Castillo del Tostón sit on the rocks at the water's edge. Most people come for the sea: sandy beaches, surf breaks, and shallow tidal lagoons that fill and drain with the tide, which makes them good for an easy swim.
Plan slow days here. Swim in the morning, take a surf lesson or walk the coast, and watch the sun set from the rocks by the fort. The village is small enough to walk, but you will need a car or taxi to reach the rest of the island. Temperatures are mild for most of the year, and the wind blows on many days, so check it before you choose a beach. Two or three nights is enough for the lagoons and sunsets. Pick El Cotillo if you want quiet and walking, and Corralejo if you want shops, restaurants and boats to Isla de Lobos.
El Cotillo in five
- Visit the lagoons at the right tideThe calm lagoons near the village are best at higher tides, when the water is deeper. Check the tide table before you go.
- Watch the sunset at the old fortThe coastal tower above the harbor is a popular sunset spot. Arrive early for a place and bring a jacket for the wind.
- Check surf conditionsThe northwest coast is a surf spot, but waves and currents change quickly. Ask a local surf school before you go in the water.
- Stay here for quiet, Corralejo for optionsEl Cotillo has few hotels and restaurants. Corralejo is livelier and has more services, and the drive between them takes about 30 minutes.Corralejo
- Rent a carBuses are infrequent and the coast road is the main way around. Book a car in advance in high season.Compare rental cars
Need to know
- Airport
- Fuerteventura (FUE), about 45 minutes by car
- Getting there
- Fly to Fuerteventura; drive or bus north
- Getting around
- Walk in the village; car for the coast
- Best base
- The village or a rental near the beach
- Time needed
- A day trip or 2 to 3 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh20°Low17°Mild, windyJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Mild, windyFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Spring sunMarchClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring sun
- AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Easter, sunnyAprilClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easter, sunny
- MayClear1 rainy dayHigh22°Low18°Warm, windyMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, windy
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°Surf, windJuneClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Surf, wind
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°Surf, windJulyClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Surf, wind
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low22°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°MildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°MildNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- DecemberClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low18°Mild, sunnyDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, sunny
Average daily high and low in El Cotillo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in El Cotillo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 10%
El Cotillo
08:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°22°10%Monday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Tue26°21°28%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Wed25°20°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu26°19°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri26°19°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat27°21°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun28°22°15%Sunday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 05:48 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to El Cotillo
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Rules for El Cotillo, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU travelers are fingerprinted at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's EES page for current rules.
- The Canary Islands are outside the EU VAT and customs area. Check customs allowances on the Agencia Tributaria site before you travel.
- Corralejo's dunes are part of a protected natural park. Keep to marked paths and carry your litter out with you.
Plan around El Cotillo
Entry rules, trains and regions across the country
Read the guideCorralejoThe livelier base next door, with dunes
Read the guideLanzaroteThe island across the channel
Read the guideCanary Islands guideHow the islands compare and when to go
Read the guideEES at the borderWhat first-time arrivals in Spain go through
Read the guideEl Cotillo FAQ
Is El Cotillo worth visiting?
Yes for a quiet coastal village, sunsets and lagoons. It is small, so many visitors treat it as a half-day or a night.
How far is El Cotillo from Corralejo?
About 30 minutes by car. Buses run on a limited timetable, so a rental car is more flexible.
Can you swim in the lagoons at El Cotillo?
Yes in calm conditions, when the tide is higher. Check local conditions, and avoid the open surf if waves are strong.
Is El Cotillo good for surfing?
It is one of the island's surf spots, but conditions change with swell and tide. Beginners should take lessons from a local school.
When is the best time to visit El Cotillo?
Spring and autumn for mild days. June to September is windy but warm, and winter is mild with cloud and swell.