A British tourist currently in the Canary Islands has shared his amazement at the prices of food in local supermarkets – but locals soon told him the complicated reason why
Many Brits are flocking to the Canary Islands as they crown it one of their favourite holiday destination as they drawn to the sun-drenched beaches and delectable cuisine. However, there is also another appealing parts to Brits about this popular tourist destination, which is the cost of things.
When comparing the prices of many products and services in the Canary Islands with those in the UK, the difference is quite considerate. This is something one British holidaymaker just learned as he arrived in Tenerife to spend a few days in the summer sun. Known online as ‘deebolar’, he couldn’t contain himself as he took to his TikTok to share his amazement at Spain’s budget-friendly prices.
“The UK is no longer making sense to me after I’ve seen these Tenerife prices,” he exclaimed to his followers, gobsmacked by supermarket deals like 2-litre fizzy drinks for a mere 80 cents or an 8-litre container of water for just 1.50 euros.
“The UK’s not seeing me again,” he confidently declared.
Showing off his recent haul, he gave a glimpse into his shopping success and how much it had cost him.
“For context, one euro is 85 pence. You’re seeing one euro here for like 2+ litres of Fanta, Coke, or 7Up. I mean, it’s off-brand, but who gives a toss, innit? It’s like 70–80p,” he said.
He then continued: “8 litres of water, 2 litres of Fanta for the mixer. Look at the price: two euros thirty-nine cents. Everything on this table is pretty much £5–£6 at most.”
“I’m telling you, it’s nuts,” he concluded, clearly flabbergasted by the value for money.
While holidaymakers might be stunned by the bargain prices in the Canary Islands, some Spanish TikTok users took to the comment section of the video to highlight the harsh reality behind the cost of living.
“Try live on their wages and it’s a cost of living crisis though.. If you can pattern a UK salary while living abroad, that’s the way,” one user commented.
A second person remarked: “Cheap for you.. Unfortunately Spanish salaries are every day lower because we pay more taxes and prices are increasing..”
Additionally, another comment read: “Come over and work, pay rent, electricity, food, taxes.”
These observations underline how housing costs, heightened by tourism, make life less affordable on the islands, particularly with modest wages. The UK boasts an average annual salary of £41,000 (around €47,500), while Spain sees a lower average of €28,049.94, as per 2023 INE figures.
Notably, the Canary Islands’ average salary is even less at €24,033 a year, surpassing only Extremadura as the region with Spain’s lowest wages.