Tenerife has many English-speaking doctors, especially in the south and in Puerto de la Cruz. Private international clinics in Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Puerto de la Cruz are used to treating visitors and working with travel insurers, while public health centres serve GHIC holders.
Your options
| Option | Language | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private international clinics | English widely spoken | Paid or via insurance | Quick appointments, minor illness |
| Public health centres (centros de salud) | Spanish, some English | Free with GHIC for necessary care | Necessary treatment |
| Public hospitals | Spanish, interpreters sometimes | Free with GHIC for emergencies | Emergencies, serious illness |
| Private hospitals | English often spoken | Insurance | Admissions with insurance |
The main public hospitals are in the Santa Cruz and La Laguna area, with a public hospital in the south as well.
How to choose
- Check which clinics your travel insurer works with.
- Ask long-stayer groups for recommendations.
- Keep a list of medications in Spanish.
Emergencies
Call 112. For non-urgent advice, pharmacists are a good first stop.
Our verdict
Save the number of a nearby clinic and your insurer on day one. More in GHIC in the Canary Islands.