Dozens of caravans, or better said ‘camper vans’ equipped for overnight stays are offered on Airbnb as tourist accommodation in nature areas of the island of Ibiza. Despite the risk that this entails and of which the Policía Local of Sant Josep have already issued a warning.
“We are encountering pirates who rent private caravans,” explained the agents last Friday in the statement which they reported the start of a “campaign to monitor camping in areas of environmental relevance”. A note in which they criticize the lack of scruples of those who rent these accommodations for tourists as they wrongly inform them where they can camp, including protected areas. In fact, the agents of Sant Josep mention among the places where they have found caravans the Natural Park of Ses Salines and the ANEI area (Natural Area of Special Interest) of Cala d’Hort. In addition, they warn of the risk when ignoring the prohibition of fire, which include camping gas with which most of these accommodations have to cook or heat food. In fact, last Sunday afternoon firefighters had to quell a forest fire in the municipality of Sant Joan. The fire started in a caravan parked among the trees that burned completely. Another major risk: the waste left in the areas.
Caravans offering a unique experience
Just take a look at the tourist rental platform Airbnb to find dozens of these vehicles offered to spend a few days on the island. Almost all of them include in their galleries photographs taken precisely in the area of Cala d’Hort, overlooking es Vedrà. They are also strategically placed in the parking lots and wooded areas near some of the most popular beaches, such as Platges de Comte or Benirràs. Most of the hosts indicate in these ads that they will offer guests a guide to the best areas for camping. This is the case of Raúl, who offers those staying in his two vans his “tips” about the island and the best areas in which to park their caravan. Some have no qualms about parking the vans and displaying terraces and tables and chairs in protected areas, such as at the foot of the defense tower of sa Sal Rossa, in the Natural Park of ses Salines. Of course, none of them warn their guests that camping outside the campsites is forbidden in the Pitiusas.
All the offers use the contact with the island’s nature as the main attraction. In addition to the views from the vehicles of sunsets, sunrises and cliffs and the proximity to the shore of the beach. Two of them appear, literally, parked in the area of còdols. One on the beach of Cala Salada or in the Port de ses Caletes. The best way to discover “magical corners”, “romantic accommodation”, “forget about booking a hotel”, “the best way to explore the island”, “the most authentic Ibiza”, “an unforgettable experience”, “wild landscapes”, “enjoy hippy Ibiza”, “you will discover the secret corners”…. These are just some of the most frequently used phrases. It is especially surprising that different advertisements for different vehicles, presumably managed by different hosts, use exactly the same words in their ads like “sleep under the stars and by the sea”.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.