Protest by 500 campervans brings TF-1 to a crawl in Tenerife
More than 500 motorhomes and campervans took over part of the TF-1 motorway today, Saturday, in a historic large-scale protest between San Miguel de Abona, in the south of the island, and the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Organised by the Federación G3A and the Asociación de Autocaravanistas y Caravanistas de Tenerife, the demonstration began at 11:00am, with a long convoy of vehicles slowing traffic along the island’s main motorway.
“Systematic persecution” claims
Protesters say they are facing “systematic persecution” and a growing lack of basic infrastructure, particularly facilities for disposing of waste and water.
The group is calling for an end to parking restrictions in municipalities such as Arico, as well as the urgent creation of designated eco-points for grey and black water disposal.
Growing tensions across the island
Campaigners argue that several local councils are introducing measures that effectively exclude motorhomes, including road signs limiting access except for standard cars, and height barriers along coastal areas.
A recent ban on parking in La Jaca, in Arico, during Easter is said to have been the final trigger for the protest.
Currently, more than 5,000 motorhomes are estimated to be circulating on the roads of Tenerife, with around 21,000 in total across the archipelago.
Legal uncertainty and lack of services
One of the key issues raised is the lack of consistent regulation. Different municipalities apply varying rules on overnight stays and maximum parking times, with some limiting stays to just 24 hours.
Protest organisers also highlighted the shortage of essential infrastructure. They argue that without proper waste disposal points, users are effectively being pushed into breaching regulations despite efforts to act responsibly.
Concerns extend to Teide National Park
The dispute is also affecting areas such as the Teide National Park, where restrictions have become increasingly strict.
Motorhome users insist their presence supports local economies, particularly in smaller towns, and should not be treated as a public order issue. They stress the importance of clearly distinguishing between legal parking and illegal camping, something they say the sector does not support.
