How Much Does Gran Canaria Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Gran Canaria offers a diverse financial landscape, where travelers can experience everything from affordable metropolitan life in the north to premium resort living in the south. Daily budgets typically range from $53 / €45 for solo travelers on a budget to $577 / €490 for those seeking high-end luxury. While more affordable than mainland hubs like Barcelona, costs can rise quickly within the tourist enclaves of Maspalomas and Puerto Rico. The island's unique tax status often keeps prices for local goods and dining competitive, though beachfront locations command a significant premium. For those who balance local "Bochinches" with structured resort activities, the island provides excellent value compared to other major European island destinations.
Is Gran Canaria expensive to visit?
Gran Canaria is a moderately priced destination where daily expenses range from $53 / €45 to $577 / €490 depending on whether you stay in local city hostels or luxury beachfront resorts.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Gran Canaria
$53
per person /day
$194
per person /day
$577
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $159 | $583 | $1,730 |
| 5-Day Trip | $265 | $971 | $2,884 |
| 7-Day Trip | $371 | $1,359 | $4,037 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% budget buffer is recommended to account for hidden costs such as the 10% terrace surcharge and ATM fees of up to $5.89 / €5. This also ensures coverage for spontaneous entries to attractions like the Poema del Mar Aquarium, which costs $32 / €27 per adult.
How Does It Compare?
See how Gran Canaria stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Gran Canaria
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant Average cost for a 3-course sit-down dinner in Las Palmas. | $65 €55 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) Cheaper in local 'Bochinches' (~$1.77 / €1.5) than in tourist beachfronts. | $3.53 €3 |
| Cappuccino (Regular) A local 'Leche y Leche' (coffee with condensed milk) typically costs ~$1.77–$2.35 / €1.5–€2. | $2.18 €1.85 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport Bus to Faro de Maspalomas (Line 66/90) Direct payment price (pago directo). Duration is approximately 40 min. | $4.77 €4.05 |
| Airport Bus to Las Palmas San Telmo (Line 60/91) Fastest public route to the historic Vegueta district. | $2.71 €2.3 |
| Guagua Card (20 local city trips) Reduces cost to ~$0.59 / €0.5 per trip within Las Palmas city limits. | $12 €10 |
| Taxi fare (Las Palmas to Playa del Inglés) Standard daytime rate; night/holiday rates may increase by ~$12 / €10. | $77 €65 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Columbus Rooftop Hostels (Dormitory Bed) Popular budget city hostel price in Las Palmas. Private rooms available from ~$17 / €15. | $16 €14 |
| 3-star hotel in Las Palmas (Average nightly rate) Average market rate for mid-range city accommodation. | $148 €125 |
| 5-star hotel in Las Palmas (Weekend average) Peak weekend rates for luxury stays in the capital. | $465 €395 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Poema del Mar Aquarium Ticket Standard adult entry for non-residents. Children (3-11) pay ~$22 / €19. | $32 €27 |
| Casa de Colón (Columbus House) Admission Reduced rate of ~$3.53 / €3 for seniors over 65. Free on Sundays. | $7.06 €6 |
| El Museo Canario Official Rates Archaeological museum in Vegueta. Students pay ~$3.53 / €3. | $5.89 €5 |
| Maspalomas Dunes Access Free public natural space. Stay on marked paths to protect dunes. | $0 €0 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Spain eSIM 10GB (30 days) Convenient digital SIM for data-heavy travelers. | $16 €14 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is defined by its variety, where a mid-range three-course meal for two averages $65 / €55. While a domestic beer typically costs $3.53 / €3 at a standard bar, heading inland to local 'Bochinches' can lower that price to around $1.77 / €1.5. Visitors should be mindful of the 10% terrace surcharge and mandatory bread or cover charges that often add $1.77–$2.94 / €1.5–€2.5 per person to the bill.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Bochinche El Chorrillo
$14–$21 / €12–€18Valsequillo/Highlands · Local chain
Classic Canarian 'Bochinche' experience with massive meat platters and house wine for ~$2.94 / €2.5 a carafe.
Piscos & Buches
$9.42–$18 / €8–€15Mercado del Puerto · Food court
Located in a beautiful iron market; try the 'papas arrugadas' for ~$5.3 / €4.5.
Tacos de Sira
$3.53–$12 / €3–€10Las Canteras · Street food area
Excellent budget Mexican street food just one block from the beach.
200 Gramos Burger & Grill
$12–$18 / €10–€15Vegueta / Triana · Local chain
Gourmet burgers at very fair prices; the 'Canaria' burger uses local goat cheese.
Bar El Sobrino
$11–$16 / €9–€14Agaete · Local chain
Legendary for their 'bocadillo de calamares' (squid sandwich) for ~$5.3 / €4.5.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Public transport is highly efficient and the cheapest way to navigate the island, with airport bus fares ranging from $2.71 / €2.3 to $4.77 / €4.05. Using a $12 / €10 Guagua Card for 20 city trips in Las Palmas reduces the per-journey cost to a mere $0.59 / €0.5, offering a stark contrast to the $77 / €65 taxi fare required to reach the southern beaches from the capital.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging options cater to all budgets, featuring dormitory beds for as little as $16 / €14 and 3-star hotel rooms averaging $148 / €125 per night. Luxury seekers will find 5-star weekend rates peaking at $465 / €395, though booking outside the peak winter season can often yield better value in non-coastal areas.
Accommodation Budget in Gran Canaria
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a Guagua Card for $12 / €10 to access 20 local trips at $0.59 / €0.5 each within Las Palmas city limits.
- 2 Eat at 'Bochinches' like Bochinche El Chorrillo in the highlands for authentic Canarian food at nearly half the price of beachfront restaurants.
- 3 Visit the Casa de Colón (Columbus House) on a Sunday when the usual $7.06 / €6 admission fee is waived for all visitors.
- 4 Use public Global Bus lines 60 or 91 to reach Las Palmas for $2.71 / €2.3 rather than paying for a taxi or private transfer.
- 5 Avoid the common bread and 'alioli' charge of $1.77–$2.94 / €1.5–€2.5 per person by politely declining the basket as soon as it is brought to the table.
- 6 Buy a Spain eSIM with 10GB of data for $16 / €14 to avoid expensive international roaming fees while navigating remote hiking trails.
- 7 Frequent local markets like Piscos & Buches in the Mercado del Puerto for high-quality tapas that are cheaper than sit-down tourist restaurants.
- 8 Look for 'Menú del Día' signs during lunch hours (typically 13:00–16:00) to get a full three-course meal for a fixed price.
- 9 Stay in the Vegueta or Triana districts of Las Palmas for lower accommodation rates compared to the frontline resorts in Playa del Inglés.
- 10 Refill water bottles at home or buy large 5-liter jugs at supermarkets rather than purchasing individual bottles at beach kiosks.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
+25–40%
May, Jun, Sep
-20–30%
Apr, Oct, Nov
Unlike mainland Spain, Gran Canaria's 'high season' is winter (Dec–Mar) due to the 'Eternal Spring' climate. Summer is actually slightly cheaper for accommodation in some inland areas.
Events to Watch
- ● Maspalomas Carnival (late Feb/early Mar): +50% hotel prices in South
- ● Easter Week (Semana Santa): Major occupancy spike island-wide
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walk across the Dunas de Maspalomas, a protected 400-hectare nature reserve of massive sand dunes.
- 2 Hike to the base of Roque Nublo, one of the world's largest natural crags, for views across to Tenerife.
- 3 Visit the Jardín Botánico Viera y Clavijo, Spain's largest botanical garden, which offers free entry to explore thousands of endemic plants.
- 4 Spend the day at Las Canteras Beach, a 3km stretch of golden sand with a natural lava reef protecting the swimming area.
- 5 Explore the historic Vegueta district to see the 15th-century architecture and the exterior of the Santa Ana Cathedral.
- 6 Hike the Bandama Caldera, a 1,000-meter wide volcanic crater with trails leading to the basin floor.
- 7 Wander through the colorful streets and floral canals of Puerto de Mogán, often referred to as 'Little Venice'.
- 8 Visit the mountain village of Teror to view its famous traditional Canarian balconies and the Basilica del Pino.
- 9 Watch the sunset from the Paseo Marítimo in Las Palmas, a lively promenade spanning the city's coast.
- 10 Visit the Casa de Colón on Sundays to explore the museum's maritime history for $0.
- 11 Visit the scenic Puerto de las Nieves in Agaete to see the dramatic cliffs of the 'Finger of God' (Dedo de Dios) remnants.
- 12 Explore the archaeological site of the Gáldar painted cave area (exterior views and surrounding historic streets are free).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Dolphin and Whale Watching Private Tour
One of the best locations in the Atlantic for marine life sightings with high success rates.
Tandem Skydive over Maspalomas Dunes
Unbeatable views of the golden dunes and the Atlantic Ocean from 3,000 meters.
Scuba Diving Discovery (Two Dives)
Gran Canaria is a top diving spot with volcanic underwater landscapes and rich biodiversity.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Gran Canaria
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Gran Canaria and what they cost
Agaete (Puerto de las Nieves)
$11 / €9.2 by bus
$5.89 / €5
$53 / €45
Roque Nublo Hiking (Tejeda)
$41 / €35 by rental car
Free
$71 / €60
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
High in cities and resorts; cash required for small Bochinche meals, local buses (small change preferred), and market vendors.
Not mandatory. In restaurants, rounding up or leaving ~$2.35–$5.89 / €2–€5 for good service is common. 5–10% for high-end dining.
Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge high fees (~$4.71 / €4). Use Banco Santander, CaixaBank, or BBVA ATMs for fairer rates.
Connectivity
eSIM: $9.42–$16 for 5-10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18–$24 / €15–€20 for 40GB+ at city shops
WiFi: Excellent in Las Palmas cafés and major Maspalomas resorts; spotty in the mountainous interior.
Use an Airalo eSIM for immediate data upon arrival, or buy a local Movistar/Vodafone SIM in Las Palmas for better high-volume rates.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Gran Canaria.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Complete Cost Guide
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