Hiring a Car in Playa de las Américas, Tenerife
The lively heart of the south, Playa de las Américas adjoins Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje, and car hire in Las Américas is easy to arrange. The resort is under 20 minutes from Tenerife South airport by the TF-1, and several agencies are based there. This guide complements our car hire in Tenerife with the essentials for Las Américas: where to hire, at what price, and how to explore from the south of the island.
The essentials at a glance
- Tenerife South airport (TFS) is ~18 km, i.e. 15-20 min by the TF-1.
- Resort merges with Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje: all three connect on foot or in a few minutes by car.
- Local and international agencies in the resort; the widest choice is still at the airport.
- Handy base for the southern beaches, Los Gigantes and Teide.
Our approach: verified research, not first-hand experience (yet)
- We haven't visited Tenerife ourselves yet. This guide is built from thorough research — official sources, hire-company websites and up-to-date data — to help you plan your trip transparently.
- We'll enrich it with our own on-the-ground experience after our next stay. Until then, the prices and terms quoted are indicative: confirm them when you book.
Where to hire a car in Playa de las Américas?
The simplest option is still to collect the car at Tenerife South airport, under 20 minutes away, where choice is widest; see our page on car hire at Tenerife South Airport. In the resort, several agencies also let you hire a car in Las Américas for a few days, enough to explore the rest of the island.
As Las Américas forms one continuous built-up area with Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje, an agency in any of these resorts can suit fine: check where to collect and return the vehicle when you book.
Airport or resort: the right choice
Collect the car at the airport if you're keeping it the whole holiday and want to be independent from arrival. Hire in the resort if you only need it for the odd excursion, which avoids paying for hotel parking on the days you don't drive.
Prices follow the season: around €20-35/day off-season, €40-70/day in summer. The fierce competition in the south often makes the airport more competitive.
Exploring from Las Américas
Once you have wheels, car hire in Las Américas opens up the whole south and west. The Costa Adeje beaches are minutes away, Los Gigantes and its cliffs about half an hour, and Teide National Park just over an hour by the TF-38 via Vilaflor.
If you're staying in the neighbouring resort, also see our page on car hire in Los Cristianos, useful in particular for ferries to the other islands.
Tips for paying less
Book early in peak season, compare local and international firms, and read what's included (insurance, mileage, fuel) before comparing headline prices. A low lead rate can hide options charged at the desk.
To plan the rest of your trip, head to our Canary Islands guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where to hire a car in Playa de las Américas?
At Tenerife South airport, under 20 minutes away, where the choice is widest, or in the resort itself, where several local and international agencies are based.
Las Américas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje: can you hire interchangeably?
Yes, the three resorts merge together. An agency in one often suits another; just check the pick-up and drop-off point when you book.
How much does hire cost in Las Américas?
Around €20-35/day off-season and €40-70/day in summer, depending on category. The nearby airport is often the most competitive thanks to competition.
What can you visit by car from Las Américas?
The southern beaches, Los Gigantes and its cliffs (~30 min), and Teide National Park (just over an hour by the TF-38 via Vilaflor).
Do you need to book ahead in summer?
Yes. Southern Tenerife is in high demand in July-August and at Christmas: booking several weeks ahead secures the car and rate.