Caleta de Fuste

Caleta de Fuste (sometimes known as "El Castillo", or simply "Caleta") is a resort town in Antigua, Fuerteventura on Fuerteventura's east coast. It is a popular destination on the island for British tourists and expatriates, as well as golfers from mainland Europe due to its two courses just outside the town.

Understand
Caleta was developed in the 1980s in to the tourist destination that people visit today, but its roots date back much further.

Many centuries ago, Caleta de Fuste was a key landing point for pirates and others of a similar, lawless disposition. They regularly ventured inland terrorised the local population. In 1740, a major incursion by British pirates at Gran Tarajal resulted in the complete destruction of the Tuineje population, something that is remembered across the island ever since. As a result, two identical towers were built to help defend the island: the Castillo at El Cotillo on the West Coast (known also as Torre del Tostόn), and the Torre de San Buenaventura at Caleta de Fuste. They replaced much older structures that had been erected in the 15th century by Norman conquerors Jean de Béthencourt and Gadifer de la Salle; these had been long lost in time.

In or around 1743, the Castillo de Fuste was completed. It was later a prison for peasants who revolted in a popular uprising in 1823. It was declared private property in the 19th century, but was handed over to the tax authorities in 1871, along with the Torre in the town.

The Spanish Civil War would bring action and use to the Castillo again, and it was made a defensive reinforcement. Following World War II, the Castillo and Torre del Tostόn were declared "Assets of Cultural Interest" in 1949.

Since the 1980s, the town has received significant investment in its tourism and leisure industries. It is now a popular tourist resort town for a 'quieter' Canary Island holiday, and attracts a significant British expatriate population.

By plane
Fuerteventura Airport is the only airport on the island, but it is served reasonably well by major airlines across Europe. These include Easyjet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. Most likely, if you are staying in Caleta de Fuste, you'll be staying as part of a package holiday (usually through TUI, one of the European TUI brands, or Jet2 Holidays).

By car/taxi
From the airport, taxis are easy to find. The ride is less than 10 km, and takes less than 10 minutes. You'll probably expect to pay around €12-15 each way. Many local companies can be booked in advance with a "Meet and Greet" service at Arrivals.

If you have hired a car at the airport and are making your own way into town, the FV-2 heading south will take you into Caleta. The FV-2 is the main road between Puerto del Rosario and Morro Jable in the far south of the island, and is clearly signposted as you leave. Be wary of speed cameras and police patrols on the road.

Occasionally, hotel/villa reservations for Caleta may list "Costa de Antigua" or similar as the town - this is a town between the Airport and Caleta de Fuste. As a rule of thumb, if you're driving towards Caleta and you pass an IKEA, Caleta is not the town you're about to head into, but the one after! If you are heading past the golf resorts of Fuerteventura Golf Club or Golf Club Salinas and you encounter a McDonald's at a roundabout - you have probably gone too far and are now heading out of town again!

If you have booked a package holiday, it is more than likely that you will have a transfer to your hotel included. See your booking or contact your operator for more information.

By bus
Buses run regularly throughout the day, although they may differ on weekends and public holidays. The buses are run by Tiadhe and are inexpensive - the #3 route costs €1.45. If are starting at either Puerto del Rosario or the airport, you want either the 3, 10, or 16 bus. Tye fare can be paid by cash only, and the largest euro bill/note you use should only be a maximum of 5x the value of the fare, so bring smaller notes if possible. Bus drivers will not likely accept anything bigger than a €50 note.

Get around
Most of Caleta de Fuste is accessible on foot:- the main town area is flat and well-paved throughout. However, if you want to visit the golf courses, are based a little further out, or have reduced mobility, you might find it best to arrange a taxi.



Golf
Caleta de Fuste has two golf courses to the south of the town - both are popular with keen aspiring golfers from across Europe.



Sleep
Most accommodation options in Caleta de Fuste are larger international hotels catering to the package holiday market.

As a general piece of guidance, stick to B&B or Half Board offers at the hotels — the Full Board and All Inclusive options are a lot more expensive. Whilst it may be tempting to get all meals (and potentially drinks) included in your stay, remember that the town has a wide variety of restaurants and bars which are open throughout the day and night. The value really sits in those bars, rather than knocking back the hotel drinks — the food is almost always superior in the local restaurants, too. Even if you're staying further out of town, the cost of a taxi into Caleta is basically the cost of a beer — and you'll save more in the long run.

Now, this is not an advert for heading into town every night — the €2 beers and array of food options will eventually catch up with you, and sometimes you might appreciate the occasional night in. Likewise, if you genuinely are going to do nothing more than lay on a sun lounger by the pool for two weeks, you might find a more comprehensive board basis to be the more appealing option. The bottom line is that it largely depends on your itinerary, and how active you're feeling!



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