TUI UK has been forced to cancel some holidays to Lanzarote because of torrential rain and floods over the weekend that hit the east coast of the island.
A state of emergency was declared on Saturday after 6cm of rain fell in two hours and Costa Teguise was hit with the equivalent of a year’s worth of rain. Emergency services attended more than 150 incidents in Costa Teguise and more than 70 in Arrecife. The Mayor of Arrecife has requested the city be declared a disaster area.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) issued a warning for British travellers to Lanzarote, on Sunday afternoon, saying: “Heavy rainfall and flooding in Lanzarote occurred earlier today (13 April 2025) with Costa Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Arrecife particularly affected.
“Services across the island are affected. Some hotels are currently without power. Some roads are currently affected by mud. If you are in Lanzarote or travelling to Lanzarote, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local weather updates.”
According to social media, the El Trebol apartment complex in Costa Teguise has closed and the remaining guests are leaving today. A clean-up operation is underway at the nearby Hotel HD Beach Resort and Spa and Sands Beach Resort. One holidaymaker due to travel next week said she has been assured by the Sands staff that, while some rooms have been affected, ‘they’re cleaning and repairing, ensuring all will be OK next week’.
A spokesperson for TUI told Travel Gossip: “Due to the lack of alternative accommodation on the island during the busy easter period we unfortunately had to cancel a small number of holidays departing yesterday and today.
“Customers were able to receive a full refund or amend to another TUI holiday with a re-booking incentive.
“As always, the safety of our customers and colleagues is our main priority therefore TUI resort teams are working with the local authorities to find customers currently in impacted hotels alternative accommodation or return flights back to the UK.”
Meanwhile, Hays Personal Travel Consultant Kelly Lill, who flew out on Sunday to Lanzarote with her family was told by cabin crew that some people had decided not to fly because of the bad weather.
She said: “The Jet2 flight from Leeds Bradford had lots of free seats. The cabin crew said there were empty seats due to people not wanting to travel because of the rain. I was surprised, but that was before I knew how bad it had been.
“Costa Teguise had a couple of hotels flooded, but here in Playa Blanca, where we are, it’s lovely. It’s still cloudy at the moment, but forecast to be sunny all afternoon.
“I drove from the airport to our villa and so far we’ve seen no impact from any rain at all – it must just be localised to the other side.”
Urgent weather alerts have also been issued for Mallorca and Ibiza for heavy rain on Sunday night and Monday, according to local reports.
Main picture: Image courtesy of Ultimas Noticias Canarias, a local news platform in the Canary Islands.
