The protest data
The event started at the El Gomero service station in San Miguel de Abona. From there the caravan rolled along the TF-1 motorway to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 368 vehicles set off, 423 arrived at the destination. At its longest point the convoy stretched over 22 kilometres.
The organisers were ACAT Tenerife and Federación G3A. The action was registered with the authorities and several police escorts accompanied the convoy. The island's traffic authority had sent advance notices to residents along the route.
The numbers behind the movement
In the Canary Islands, according to data submitted to the provincial traffic authority in October 2024, more than 15,000 live-in vehicles are registered, growing at over 10 percent a year. Other sources including unregistered vehicles put the figure at around 21,000. Tenerife alone has more than 5,000.
And yet across the archipelago there is no common regulation. Each of the 88 Canary municipalities applies its own ordinance, its own height limits, its own overnight rules. In some places the maximum stay is 24 hours.
| Metric | Status | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Protest vehicles | 423 | The island's largest motorhome gathering |
| Caravan length | 22 kilometres | Visible pressure on the TF-1 |
| Canary municipalities | 88 | Many local rules instead of one framework |
The trigger: La Jaca, Easter Week 2026
As the Diario de Avisos reports, the immediate trigger was an incident in La Jaca, Arico, during Easter Week: the local town hall suddenly banned motorhome parking and had a long row of vehicles towed away. José Domingo Rodríguez, secretary of ACAT, sums up the position: the authorities should pursue those who behave badly, not all of us indiscriminately.
ACAT's three demands
The regional government is working on the islands' first autonomous motorhome regulation. The legal argument rests on a gap: the tourism camping category was in the 1995 Tourism Law, was removed with the 2009 reform, and no equivalent category has existed since.
ACAT proposes extending the cabildos' recycling centres with dumping facilities for water, grey water and black water, with investments of around 5,000 euros each. Existing staff and hours would be kept. Of the seven cabildos, only Tenerife has responded — with two meetings between ACAT and the environment councillor, Blanca Pérez.
Third, ACAT demands licensed overnight areas. A private pilot project at the El Gomero service station is in preparation: 50 pitches, self-sufficient supply, water treatment, estimated investment under 200,000 euros. Four further private projects have been announced — two in Tenerife, two in Gran Canaria, one in Fuerteventura.
The economic argument
Carolina Donate, one of the movement's spokespersons, brought a figure to the protest weekend: during the day and a half the gathering area at Oroteanda Baja was occupied by motorhomes, local shops and service stations registered an additional 9,088 euros in spending. The thesis: the motorhome traveller distributes wealth, they do not concentrate it — as opposed to the all-inclusive model of the big southern complexes.
Frequently asked questions
When did the motorhome protest in Tenerife take place?
The protest took place on Saturday a few days ago. The caravan ran along the TF-1 from the El Gomero service station in San Miguel de Abona to Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
How many motorhomes are there in the Canary Islands?
In the Canary Islands, according to October 2024 data, more than 15,000 live-in vehicles are registered. Including unregistered vehicles the figure is around 21,000. Tenerife alone has more than 5,000.
What does ACAT demand?
ACAT demands three things: a unified regional regulation for all the Canary Islands, dumping points at the cabildos' Puntos Limpios for around 5,000 euros each, and licensed overnight areas.
Which cabildo has responded to ACAT's demands?
So far only the Cabildo of Tenerife has responded — with two meetings between ACAT and the environment councillor, Blanca Pérez. The other six cabildos have not commented.
Who is Carolina Donate?
Carolina Donate is one of the spokespersons for the motorhome movement on Tenerife. She argues with the decentralised economic contribution of the sector.