Read below what Laura, one of the founders, said about Pitaya Festival and mark the dates for the upcoming events.

Laura: Pitaya Festival was born on a sunny Saturday in November 2021. We were chatting over brunch in a Yoga & Brunch experience we organized for a small group. All 5 founders were there. It was the right people, in the right place, at the right time. We were motivated by how well the experience went and started to brainstorm ideas on how to create a full-day experience event.

We then gathered together and through an ideation session led by one of the founders, we created Pitaya Festival.

The event was founded by 5 entrepreneur women living on the island of Lanzarote:

• Lucía – innovation lead,
• Tania – artisan and market guru,
• Marilou – yoga teacher and designer,
• Alba – yoga teacher and press manager, and
• Laura – Coliving owner and community manager.

Today, the project is run by Marilou, Alba, and Laura.

Our first event was a big success. Pitaya Festival was the first event of its kind created on the island of Lanzarote. The first edition took place on 4 December 2021. This was a time when people were eager to connect again, and so an event like Pitaya Festival was exactly what the island needed. Since then, we have done 9 festivals, celebrating our one-year anniversary last January.

The event takes place in Hotel Finca Rural La Florida, a hidden gem located in La Geria, the wine region of Lanzarote. We start the day with a yoga workshop led by two of our founders, where the participants immerse themselves in the practice, surrounded by palm trees and vines.

We then move to the hotel’s restaurant, where a vegetarian brunch is waiting for us, cooked with local ingredients.

While lunch is taking place, the artisans arrive to set up the stalls for the Artcraft Market. For each edition we have approximately 12 local brands coming to showcase their art.

The event finishes with live music.

Mission behind Pitaya Fesival

Our mission is to showcase what Lanzarote has to offer:

• Pulling together people alike. Creating a strong community of both locals and those who visit us temporarily, interested in health, gastronomy, art, and social relationships.
• Being the place in Lanzarote where both new and established artisans can present their work. Enjoying full autonomy, the brands create their own experience at the market, while organizing mini-workshops to involve the customer in the creation process.

1-year Anniversary of Pitaya Festival

Last January we celebrated our 1 year anniversary. Our aim for this edition was to show our gratitude, especially to all those who have been part of the Pitaya Festival since day 1.

We have been blessed with loads of love and support from the local community and they are our fuel to continue with the project. We offered many surprises such as a free salsa class, facilitated by the local school Ritmos Lanzarote.

Plans and schedules for 2023

We plan to continue offering the Pitaya Festival experience during this year 2023. We will organize one event per quarter, increasing our experience offering and involving more and more local agents.

Currently, we are defining and designing the next edition, which should take place in April / May.

In case you missed our Instagram Live Takeover with Laura Sanz (owner of  Pitaya Coliving and one of the founders of Pitaya Festival). You can find it below. 👇👇👇

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Travel & Tapas (@travel_and_tapas)

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The post Pitaya Festival in Lanzarote – How it started, 1-year Anniversary, & Future Events appeared first on My Coliving Space: Spain.

Pitaya is a young coliving, opened only in April this year and expanded in November. It’s a unique share-living experience with great people. We are so thankful that we were a part of its community in this period and experienced this unthinkable gorgeous island.

This is a remote work destination made for the soul, and Laura, Pitaya’s founder, and host is going above and beyond to showcase this and make the first ecosystem for remote workers in Lanzarote.

Read below our experience in Pitaya Coliving and book your stay to escape the cold winter days.

Disclaimer: This piece of content may contain some affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase or book through one of our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Lanzarote – a digital nomad paradise

Even though all the Canaries are volcanic islands, Lanzarote is THE volcanic island in this group. If you’re into volcanic islands, Lanzarote is your destination.

It has one of the most unique landscapes in the world. With black stone and sand, multiple antique volcanos you can climb and hike; contrasts of typical white houses, crystal blue ocean, and bright green plants scattered around the island – it’s a movie-like scenery.

The island is also the perfect size for a one-month stay because you can visit all the most notable things in a month and truly immerse in them. There are a lot of beaches to visit and some fascinating hikes to do. But also, driving up and down the island is an experience in itself. On your way, you will pass so many volcanoes that you will not be able to count them.

The scenery is completed with the unique and uniform architecture of the island, created by a famous local artist, Cesar Manrique. Because of him, most of the houses and buildings on the island are painted white, with green, blue, or brown windows and doors, and have no more than 2-3 floors.

Arrecife

The capital of Lanzarote is Arrecife, a charming little town in the middle coastal part of the island facing the African continent. Pitaya coliving is located here, in the capital – which is not only a great position but one of the places for a local experience and the most urban experience on the island.

Lanzarote is easy to visit from north to south with a car (only a 40-50 minute drive from one end to another) and because of its size, when you think about Pitaya Coliving, you don’t only think about the neighborhood, or the city of Arrecife, you connected it with the whole island because this is the experience you are receiving.

How to get to Pitaya Coliving

Reaching Pitaya Coliving is very easy. Coming from mainland Europe, Lanzarote is the closest island, so the flight is the shortest. Being the third biggest island (number of residents-vise), its capital has really good and frequent connections with many European cities.

In general, there are two ways to reach Arrecife – by ferry and by plane. If you’re coming from the mainland, that option is a plane, but if you’re already on another Canary island, you can either take a plane or a ferry. Either way, both the airport and the port are close, and Pitaya Coliving is easily reachable from them.

Ferry to Lanzarote

The port is located around 10 minutes by bus from the Arrecife. The thing that is a bit complicated is once you get off the ferry. The bus station is a bit further down, and there is no marked path, so you will have to ask around a few times. But on a 5-7 minute walk from the ferry, diagonal from the closest cafeteria, there is a bus stop. The bus is number 3, costs €1.40 and takes about 10 minutes.

When you get off the bus, Pitaya coliving is on a 10-minute walk, and you will find it very easily.

Plane to Lanzarote

If you’re coming directly from Europe or you opt for BinterCanarias to take you from one island to another, you will also arrive quickly and safely from the airport to the coliving.

The airport is around 12 minutes by car from the coliving. You can take a cab from there, which will cost around 10 euros. If you opt for the bus, it will take about 30-40 minutes. The bus is always €1.40 in the city.

The neighborhood

The neighborhood around coliving is one of the best locations in Arrecife. It’s close to the historical city center and all the monumental city experiences. It’s close to the city beach, the castle, the marina, plenty of bars and restaurants, three big supermarkets, and a shopping mall. It’s a small town with everything you need, lively and relaxing at the same time.

El Charco

Pitaya Coliving is in one of the most charming neighborhoods in Arrecife called El Charco. The name translates to The Puddle, but this is nothing like a puddle. El Charco (the neighborhood) is a promenade that goes along a beautiful city marina, a historical center of Arrecife, and one of the liveliest areas.

The promenade is full of lovely local restaurants and bars, giving off a vibe between a fishing town and a family summer destination. 

The marina is full of these small local boats, with clear water, and beautiful to look at. That’s why bars in El Charco are very popular during the whole day and especially during the weekends. People, usually the locals, come here to have a drink, a snack, or a proper meal and relax watching the seagulls, herons, and pigeons enjoying the mesmerizing water.  

Walking here, you will find some other interesting things as well. First, you will notice these odd-looking boats made from tin plates. These are traditional boats from Lanzarote called Jolateros. Every day, there will also be a man in El Charco selling these small boats in all sorts of sizes, so you can buy them as a souvenir as well (as a keychain or a bit bigger).

Secondly, at the end of the marine, right on the edge of the city center, there is a display of a skeleton of a whale. This is truly a unique sighting (and a good orienteer).

El Charco also has other monuments here and there that showcase the history of the city, so make sure to have a look at them as well.

The city center and castle

In continuation to El Charco is the city center, a long street with shops and bars, that leads to the city castle – El Castillo de San Gabriel. The castle and the promenade around the castle are a great view to enjoy the ocean, the views, and all that wilderness inside the city. Cobble-stone boardwalk and antique bridge give a medieval feeling and can be a beautiful afternoon walk.

There is also a small beach next to the Castillo which is great for a quick swim during lunch hours. Walking down the street in front of the castle – another promenade – you will pass the cultural center of Arrecife, more bars and restaurants, and eventually come to the city beach (around 10-15 minutes walking from the coliving).

The coliving

Pitaya coliving is made of three apartments in one building, which occupies 2 and a half floors. Every apartment has 3 bedrooms – one double, one single, and one small single. 

Even though this setting might seem untypical at first, after a while it started reminding us of something. Here is the hint – multiple apartments, two across from each other, and a thigh group of people living in them, going from one another and having their best adult lives – what could that be!? Well, if you haven’t guessed so far, Pitaya Coliving has some serious Friends vibes.

All three apartments have their functions and vibes and all are completely available for every coliver. It doesn’t matter which bathroom, kitchen, or table you use because it’s all for everybody. 

There are two apartments across from each other on the second floor, and one above – on the third, and the last, floor. The top floor, besides the three private rooms, also has a big coworking space.

The other two apartments both have a shared kitchen and until recently, they both had a small chill area and a dining area as well. However, during our stay, some of the layouts changed to make more fluidity between the spaces and divide them per category. 

This new layout helps the community gather and gives importance to each apartment. The whole setting gives a new value, but more importantly, it shows that Laura cares about the opinions of the colivers and is open to change and experimentation.

Apartment 4 (The Chill Zone)

Apartment number four was the first living area. In this apartment, the colivers would find their kitchen), a small dining area for 5-6 people, and a cozy chill nook with a sofa by the window. All the interior was designed to have a flowy and positive vibe, with lots of pastel colors scattered across the place, colorful but subtle paintings on the wall, and mismatched yet matching dining sets.

Back when Pitaya was made only of two apartments – the number 4 and number 6, having a kitchen and a dining area made sense. For only six people, it was a perfect little gathering area and there was just enough storage for everyone.

But, Laura knew she wanted a bigger space. She knew she wanted to make this story bigger and share it with more people, so, even with still juggling the novelties of being a recently opened coliving, she decided to go for one more apartment and expand Pitaya coliving to 9 rooms.

That’s how Apartment 3 came to life. Even though this apartment was meant to be something of a mirror version of apartment 4 – more rooms, one more kitchen, and one more common space, after a while, the layout changed a bit and both apartments got their unique purposes.

So, what does Apartment number 4 look like now? (After changes)

Today, apartment 4 still has a small kitchen that colivers often use for cooking. Having two kitchens right across from each other is great when two or three people want to cook at the same time. It’s also great for cooking family dinners. Often, we would just open the front doors of the apartments (because nobody lives above so nobody ever passes there except PItaya people) and have a clean passage from one kitchen to another.

So, the kitchen stayed, but the common space changed. Now, apartment 4 is a designated chill area for the whole coliving. It is the only place of all three apartments that has a sofa (two sofas, to be precise), poufs, coffee tables, and just the best setting for chilling, hanging out, playing the guitar, or playing board games. This is now the place to relax, share a conversation, or have a casual rainy afternoon snuggled in the chunky blanket by the window.

Every week, Laura brings something new to the place to make it even cozier and nicer for hanging out so it’s becoming a dream-like living room.

This setting is (as of the moment of writing this) only about 2 weeks old, but we have already had so many amazing hangouts together in this space. It seems like the space also facilitated more casual gatherings, so some people who seemed shy or were not involving themselves in the community that much have started joining since the new setup.

Apartment 3 (The Wine & Dine)

Apartment number three, the one right across from apartment 4 and its supposedly mirrored version, had also fallen under some change and is serving a unique purpose. Today, this apartment is the main kitchen and dining area for the whole coliving.

With the same kitchen as apartment four, just a bit bigger, with more storage, and two fridges instead of one, this is where most colivers prepare their food and eat.

Besides the kitchen, there is a big table that can seat up to 12 people, so it’s a perfect place for family dinners, gatherings with food and drinks, or other similar events. People love to eat or have coffee in a company so this is still one of the busiest areas. This is where the family dinners and breakfasts were happening even before it became a dining area, so it feels very natural to gather here.

During the day, outside breakfast and lunch hours, it also works like a chill working area because of the size of the table and the tranquility of the room. During the morning, people usually work from the coworking area where the environment is quieter and more focused, so if you’re more in the mood of sharing a bit of conversation while working and having a coffee, this can be a good spot. Apartment 4 also has those “lazy workday” moments for when you need to get off a chair but don’t want to stay in your bed.

Apartment 6 (The Coworking)

Lastly, coming up to Apartment 6 on the top floor, we are presented with a coworking area.

This apartment truly is the perfect spot for the office as it has the best view of all the apartments. Overlooking El Charco, this is the spot for some of the best sunsets on the island, and during the day, when you get tired of working, you can find a bit of peace in looking over the boats in the lagune.

Also, when it comes to this apartment – it’s one with the most light in the rooms because of the sky that gives them the light through the inner patio.

But, let’s get real – the coworking in Pitaya Coliving is one of its selling points.

The Coworking

For this space to be suitable for remote workers, it had to have a reliable, functional, and inspiring workspace, and it’s safe to say it does.

The office has two areas. The main one, and the one where you come into, has three big desks put together with a total of 5 seats. Next to the desks, there is also a small fridge for all the goodies you would need during working hours like water, snacks, etc. The second area of the office is a space with four desks, of which two can be converted into standing desks.

The whole office is very bright and clean-looking. The pastel blue colors in the combination with white give you the tranquility to focus and be at peace while working.

Normally, this area is quiet and calm because everybody tries to be respectful towards others. That’s why for more casual or talkative work, colivers choose other places.

Besides the desks and comfy chairs, it’s important to say that the WIFI is very reliable and strong. Not only in the coworking, but generally throughout the house. Even if somebody notices a weaker connection, they only have to tell Laura about it and she will fix it.

Lastly, the coworking is used for the weekly planning sessions (Pitalendar), which we’ll cover a bit later, and any other session such as skill-sharing, story-telling, presentation – anything organized that’s a bit more structured and formal.

Community

The community in Pitaya is what makes this place truly special.

The lifestyle

This island, and with it, this coliving, attracts a unique group of people. People who love adventure, uniqueness, and natural gems, socializing and exploring the unknown with others.

Most people who come to Pitaya like outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, climbing, swimming, etc. And, it’s no surprise. This island is perfect for the outdoorsy ones. With the landscape so unique and the terrain relatively flat with a few challenging hiking spots, Lanzarote is amazing for exploration.

Pitaya Coliving attracts people who match the vibe of the island – adventurous, but down calm and down-to-earth people who want to experience life in a community while working remotely.

Remote Workers

Besides having matching energies and the same taste for after-work activities, the community in Pitaya is also concentrated around remote work which makes the house productive and supportive. There are never awkward situations if somebody has to work because everyone has the same or similar experience. There is so much understanding going on, but, at the same time, motivation for working.

The mornings during the week are focused on coworking and people give each other all those benefits you have from coworkers. Seeing others’ work gives you a push as well and knowing you will hang out with them after work is the best motivation there is.

This is definitely because, when making the coliving, Laura started from the perspective of a remote worker and set the focus and environment for those who can remotely and want to do it in a supporting and adventurous place.

The host

At the center of the Pitaya experience is its host – Laura.

Laura is both an external part of the community and a manager of the coliving. Her energy is what buys everyone the moment they walk into the coliving. Always positive, always smiling, and very open-hearted, Laura is the host everyone would love to have.

Madrid-born, Laura completely fell for Lanzarote and moved here to live a more fulfilling life, but it was not enough for her to have this amazing experience and life only for herself. She was so eager to share it with others that she decided to open the perfect place that would invite remote workers to the island. She made it for like-minded people to her, the ones that share the same passion for the outdoors and active lifestyle, and show them how amazing Lanzarote is and how full and healing life on the island can be.

Since moving to Lanzarote, Laura is working so hard on being an advocate for the island, with the coliving, but also other initiatives like the Pitaya Festival in Lanzarote – a one-day event that merges all the localities and beauties of the island.

As a coliving host, she always comes with an open mind, ready to listen to feedback (good or bad), ready to work on the coliving, improve the offering, and make her guests want to come back. Because of her openness, the colivers here have more input and control of their environment which strengthens the community, and the relationship with the coliving, and, of course, boosts the feeling of being home.

Community organization

Having in mind the above, the community in Pitaya is made very organically. When there were only two apartments, the activities and the organization were completely organic. There are, of course, some things that are included in the Pitaya experience like weekly yoga and fresh weekly breakfast, but when it comes to activities, they were always organized by the people that stayed there.

However, when the group expanded, the approach had to be a bit more organized, so Laura introduced some things that would facilitate the experience. One of the things is the weekly planning session called the Pitalendar (Pitaya calendar 😀).

This is a weekly meeting of all the colivers and Laura to plan together the week ahead. In this session, everyone is welcome to give suggestions or wishes, and Laura is there to help with the local suggestions. It’s also the time to share feedback with Laura, to say if something is missing in the house, give suggestions for the improvement of the coliving, and so on.

The best thing about the organization of the coliving is the involvement the colivers have. For example, one coliver suggested introducing family dinners every week, and Laura immediately did it.

The same goes for the layout of the apartments. After spending time there, as a group, we suggested moving the furniture and making a different layout. Laura listened to us, gave it a thought, and the next week, we were all moving the furniture and experimenting together. It was a great bonding activity and a great way to connect with the coliving even more.

Activities

So, when it comes to activities, they are very organic, but they are encouraged. People love to share their passions with others and it’s a very open stage to do it.

During our stay, we held out typical SEO presentations, but we also participated in the Habit workshop and became a part of the Accountability group – another initiative from a coliver, Pierre (Challengers Community).

Other than that, weekends are the go-to activity days and often colivers organize to explore the island. Somebody would rent a car and we’d go altogether. We have seen so much of the island this way and Laura was always so great to give us routes and suggestions.

This organization, the community, the island, and the host make Pitaya Coliving a very special experience with a very bright future. For a young coliving, they have grown so much in the past few months and we’re super excited to see how they continue to grow.

We appreciate your support!

Thank you for reading our content and following our journey! We are working towards becoming full-time content creators and being able to share stories with you even more frequently. If you’d like to support us to be one step closer to that goal, you can do it through Ko-Fi! 👇🏽

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The post Coliving Spain 2022: #7 Pitaya Coliving – Lanzarote’s first hub for Remote Workers & Digital Nomads appeared first on My Coliving Space: Spain.

Located in the island’s capital, Arrecife, Pitaya Coliving is a unique coliving concept that ensures the best remote work experience.

With three separate but open-access units in a building, a spacious office space with a view of the city marina, and cozy rooms with the boho spirit, Pitaya is a perfect place for nature lovers’ next remote-work adventure.

Read our interview below to find out what Laura’s vision behind Pitaya is, and how she intends to connect remote workers with the beauties of the island while offering them a valuable and reliable work-life experience

Disclaimer: This piece of content may contain some affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase or book through one of our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

How it all started

“Remember to enjoy the freedom of being able to work from anywhere and the flexibility to adapt your work to your life rather than the other way around.”

-Alex Muench

1. Could you tell us about how you decided to open Pitaya Coliving and a little bit about the journey that led you to that decision?

– Back in 2018, I took a leave of absence to travel the world.

On that journey, I met many digital nomads who struggled to find hostels with good infrastructure to work from.

It was during my travels that I decided to leave the crazy city life of London upon my return, and open what, at the time I had in mind, was a Boutique Hostel. Within my place, I wanted to offer these Digital Nomads a safe space to stay and work. And so, the Boutique Hostel idea evolved into a specialized hostel for remote workers.

When I started researching the market, I discovered that the idea I had in my mind existed, and it was called Coliving. This is how it all started.

2. How would you describe the concept behind your place?

– I like to describe Pitaya as an ecosystem of specialized services for remote workers. Well, that sounds very serious, right?

It really is just a space where those seeking to work remotely, can find a good quality space to do so, and an authentic community that focuses on what the island has to offer. The idea is that nobody leaves Pitaya without getting to understand that they have been in an island full of art, nature, powerful energy, and unique landscapes.

3. Have you had the opportunity to stay in some other coliving spaces or any similar type of accommodation before you decided to open your own place?

– Not really! I was a remote worker myself and I got to travel loads for work, getting to understand what is necessary when you are away from home and you need to get work done, and also how lonely this can be.

However, I never really had the opportunity to stay in a Coliving before opening one myself. Now that I have experienced it at Pitaya, I am so looking forward to being a Coliver myself. And so next year I am booking a few colivings to go as a customer. Can’t wait!

4. Did you find inspiration in some other coliving spaces in Spain (or beyond) that influenced your approach to building your own space?

– Of course! I did a deep research about other coliving businesses in Spain and abroad and I got to know loads about what I found a very exciting sector.

Work-wise, it was clear what a remote worker needed. Community-wise, I have been a big fan of hostels all my life, having experienced many around the globe.

In the Canary Islands, the colivings that inspired me the most initially were Nine in Tenerife and Repeople in Gran Canaria. I have discovered many more since then that I truly admire, such as Maraya in Tenerife.

They all have something that makes them special, just like Pitaya. In my case, I do believe that the colivers and I get on well. I pretty much work on offering something I would like to receive from a Coliving myself. When you work this way, what you do is authentic, and you do it well.

5. You opened in April – only 6 months ago – what were some of the biggest challenges you came across in the first few months after you opened?

– It can be crazy scary opening a business such as Pitaya, where people rely on you for being able to work and live. You feel a big responsibility and so you want to have it all perfect from day one. This isn’t possible, and the community itself contributes towards putting things in order. Fear was a big challenge when I opened.

6. Only 4-5 months after opening, you decided to expand the coliving to one more apartment. Congrats! Can you share how and why this decision came to life and what changes have you noticed since you’ve expanded?

– Even though I opened the coliving in May 2022, the Pitaya ecosystem was born 6 months before that with Pitaya Festival, our regular event that connects the remote workers community with local life; I will talk about this more later.

Since then, I was looking for what would be home to Pitaya and shared this journey with everyone interested in Lanzarote as a temporary home.

By the time I opened with 6 rooms, I had many people following Pitaya, wanting to come to experience the Coliving. Since the beginning, I knew we needed more rooms. I, therefore, sought the expansion opportunity and made it happen.

Pitaya has changed very much since then. Managing 9 rooms is a completely different story than managing 6. It is so much more fun, and more of a challenge, of course. I am constantly working on improving the services and creating initiatives to manage a community that is constantly growing.

Customers with experience in other colivings play a big role in making the experience better. Collaboration is the key to success in life, but when it comes to a Coliving, it is a no-brainer.

Pitaya is growing each day thanks to the beautiful souls who add their expertise to the overall experience. This is also so much fun!

7. Is there something that you wished you knew before starting this project?

– I wish I knew how well it was going to work 🙂 I could have avoided the initial fears. However, even those moments of fear were necessary to get to where we are now. So, I guess the answer is, not really.

8. What is your relationship with other coliving spaces in the islands? Do you receive support or advice from some of them?

– My favorite part of this sector is that it is extremely collaborative. When I was working on getting Pitaya live, I reached out to many other professionals in the sector, who helped loads.

Now, I am making efforts to get to know the other coliving owners to share experiences and grow together. I am actually designing a collaboration process between us all in the Canary Islands.

9. What is the story behind you choosing Lanzarote as the location of Pitaya Coliving?

– For a long time, Lanzarote has been my happy place. I visited the island every year seeking peace, beauty, and happiness. My love for this island which adopted me two years ago is reflected in Pitaya. I am originally from Madrid.

On top of me personally choosing this island to live in, I got to appreciate the opportunity to open Pitaya here since there was no other Coliving on the island. We are still the only one, and we are actually looking forward to welcoming other colivings, joining forces, and making the community grow even more.

10. What are some advantages and disadvantages (for you as owner) of building a place in a remote island like Lanzarote?

– Opening a business that nobody has heard of before is exciting and scary at the same time, anywhere you go. When this happens in a small island like Lanzarote, difficulties multiply, but so does the excitement.

As the only coliving owner in Lanzarote, I feel responsible for raising awareness within the local community about the benefits for us all as residents of receiving remote workers. I personally love playing this role.

The community is smaller, but this is a great opportunity, as I get to shape the existing community to match Pitaya’s values.

I don’t really see any disadvantage, aside from the obvious challenge logistically speaking.

11. Which uniqueness do you think Pitaya offers compared to other similar places in the islands?

– As I hear from my clients, what makes a Coliving space unique is the person who runs the place. All of the Canary Island colivings offer something special: location, the house, the views, etc. But what really makes a difference, is the spirit and the energy that the owner spreads around the community.

I absolutely love running Pitaya, and that is simply reflected in the services I offer. I work hard in offering what I believe is the unique experience of staying at Pitaya, and this is to connect the coliving community with the local community.

Lanzarote has a lot to offer in terms of local art, culture, nature, and history. I aim to act as the bridge between the colivers and the magic the island has to offer.

Management

“Hospitality is the key to new ideas, new friends, new possibilities. What we take into our lives changes us. Without new people and new ideas, we are imprisoned inside ourselves“

-Joan Chittister

12. What type of management will you practice?

– External, I act as a community manager and I don’t live in the Coliving myself. I play an active role in the house, organizing and being part of the organized initiatives.

13. How much are you included in the community and daily activities of Pitaya Coliving?

– I am part of the daily life at Pitaya. I love sharing valuable time with my colivers. My clients are my ideal friends: interesting people who have traveled loads and have much to share, open-minded, community-driven, and an amazing bunch of people to share my time with.

I have set up initiatives where we all contribute towards the daily activities at Pitaya, such as the weekly planning session we run on Wednesdays. This to me is key to a great coliving experience.

14. What kind of activities are included for people who decide to stay at your place?

– As part of a stay at Pitaya, weekly yoga and breakfast are included. On top of this, we do family dinners, game nights, island routes I organize for the weekends, knowledge-sharing sessions, etc. We do many outdoor activities such as surfing, diving, hiking, etc.

In collaboration with local artists, I am currently creating the “Come meet my art” program, where we will have one workshop a month to learn different artistic skills.

15. Besides the coliving, Pitaya also has a festival. Can you tell us a bit more about this festival, the relationship it has with the coliving, how you manage it, and what value this has for your community?

– Pitaya Festival was born to showcase what the island of Lanzarote has to offer: Healthy life, amazing gastronomy, a huge variety of artwork, and loads of creativity.

Pitaya Festival is the first event in the island that was born to connect communities through gastronomy, well-being, Canarian art, and live music.

It takes place every other month in La Geria, the spectacular wine region on Lanzarote Island.

This project is a clear example that, when we join forces, we create uniqueness. Back in December 2021, a group of women entrepreneurs and myself identified the need to offer Lanzarote a unique space where the island’s values convey. And that was when the Pitaya project was born.

Pitaya Festival adds loads of value to the Coliving experience. Not just for the event itself, but for all the other collaborations that arise from it, which nourish the day-to-day life at the coliving.

Pitaya Community

“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.“

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

16. It still might be too early to speak about the profile of people who usually come to Pitaya, but – so far, what are some of the things your colivers have had in common? Who is attracted to Pitaya and why?

– Oh no, it isn’t early at all, since we opened, we have had more than 70 beautiful human beings staying at Pitaya. The island of Lanzarote attracts a very special type of people, and this is reflected directly in Pitaya.

People come to this island to experience nature, outdoor sports, and in general practice a healthy lifestyle. The weather in Lanzarote is mild all year round, it is an eternal summer here. And so, people come seeking good weather too, of course.

The purpose of opening Pitaya was to pull together a group of interesting people who seeks to travel in a special way.

The value of this business for me personally is to be able to meet people from everywhere in the world, without having to travel it.

17. What is the ideal length of stay for colivers to fully emerge in the experience you have created?

– There is so much to see and do in Lanzarote, people are often surprised by how much an island this size has to offer.

Apart from the island itself, a coliving stay requires at least 4 weeks to fully immerse in the experience.

In the first week, you are getting used to the house and learning about the island and what you can do here, in the second one you start realizing you should have stayed longer 😉

I have loads of customers who come initially for a week or two, and they return for longer stays afterward.

18. Do you have some special offers/discounts? (For longer stays, group bookings, couples, off-season, etc.)

– We work on a weekly and monthly basis, offering different tariffs depending on the length of our stay.

About the Coliving Movement

”Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”

-Jack Kerouac

19. Do you think that coliving is only dedicated to a specific group of people such as freelancers, digital nomads, and remote workers, or do you think there is a possibility to gain popularity beyond that group of people?

– That really depends on what a Coliving business focuses its energy on. I strongly believe specialization is the key to offering a good experience.

My focus at the moment are remote workers and digital nomads that want to experience a more authentic, less stressful way of living.

20. Do you think coworking is a crucial component of coliving and why?

– 100%! There is no coliving without a professional, well-equipped coworking space.

One of my main objectives with Pitaya was to offer a professional space with a view. Our coworking has natural light and overlooks the sea and the historical town of Arrecife.

21. One of the main selling points of colivings is the possibility to meet new people, share experiences, and maybe even develop new partnerships. Is this something you also had in mind when opening your place?

– Yes, on top of this, my aim was to connect these people with the local community, as I mentioned before. The objective is that nobody leaves Pitaya without knowing more about the island they have lived in.

22. Lastly, how do you see Pitaya developing in the next few years? Do you have a vision of what it will grow into or some aspirations and goals that you’ve set for it?

– This question is very exciting. I see Pitaya being a happy place for many remote workers for years.

I will keep growing and improving, and developing initiatives such as Pitaya Festival, to connect the colivers to the local community.

It is now the time to stabilize the recent expansion, to continue growing in a healthy and sustainable way.

Secure yourself the best coliving experience

• italki – Why not learn some Spanish before your trip and make your coliving even better? italki is the perfect platform for that! You will find more than 3500 native speakers waiting to help you with your Spanish.

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The post Pitaya Coliving – The First Coliving for Remote Workers in Lanzarote appeared first on My Coliving Space: Spain.