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Overview: Situated on the south west coast of Gran Canaria, about an hour's drive from the airport at Las Palmas, is the small, quiet resort of Playa Del Cura, built on the cliff sides lining the coast. This low-key family resort is just two miles (3km) from lively, hectic Puerto Rico, the island's well-known holiday and nightlife resort, but Playa del Cura remains popular as a peaceful place to stay while granting easy access to the bright lights and amenities of its more flamboyant neighbour. Playa del Cura is on the main coastal bus route so travelling to other resorts is easy, and taxis are cheap and plentiful. The resort has two small cove beaches, Cura and Tauro, at the base of the cliffs, both covered with dark volcanic sand and pebbles and strewn with sunbeds. A short distance away is the popular stretch of the Amadores beach. The rocky coastline, and valley extending inland, provides opportunities for those keen on walking excursions. There is a small commercial centre equipped with enough stores, bars and restaurants to provide holidaymakers requirements.

Shopping: The commercial centre of Playa Del Cura is a few hundred yards from the beach, its anchor store being a large Spar supermarket with in-store bakery, which stocks all requirements for vacationers. There are a few gift and souvenir stores. For more serious shopping, however, visitors can take a bus or taxi to nearby Puerto Rico where it is possible to buy literally anything and everything at three huge shopping malls, including the sought after duty-free electrical goods, photographic equipment and perfumes.

 

Restaurants: Playa del Cura offers a fairly good choice of restaurants, mostly situated in the commercial centre. There are seafood restaurants with excellent fish dishes, as well as other food styles on offer. Bistro 22 is perhaps the best known restaurant in the area, as is the popular Guantanamo Canarian restaurant.

 

Nightlife: Those in search of all-night party clubbing and pubbing will have to take the 10-minute hop by bus or taxi across to Puerto Rico to satisfy their craving, but those looking for more relaxed evenings will be well catered for in Playa del Cura. There are several fun bars, like Pio Pio on Tauro beach, which offers open house jam sessions on Sunday evenings, or the Irish bar, Old Brouge, and its counterpart Welsh bar Fleur de Lys, both on the upper level of the commercial centre. Several of the larger hotels offer their own entertainment, which is open to non-guests.

 

Activities: For watersports and swimming it is best to head for the white, sandy Amadores beach across the bay, where the whole gamut of fun in the sun from water-skiing to scuba diving is available. Other sporting facilities like tennis and squash are to be found in the vicinity, especially in nearby Puerto Rico, which is well-supplied with amenities, including water parks, amusement parks and mini-golf. Playa del Cura is well situated on the tourist route for excursions to the capital, Las Palmas, or visits to other parts of Gran Canaria.

 

Negatives: Playa del Cura is built on steep cliffs, therefore not suited to the elderly or those with difficulty walking. Families with teenagers may find entertainment is limited for this age group.

 

Activities

Golf: There are four world-class golf courses on Gran Canaria. El Cortijo and was home to the Spanish Open in 2002 and is just outside Las Palmas. The Real Club de Golf is nearby in Bandama and is Spain's oldest golf club, founded in 1891; it is closed to non-members at weekends. The Maspalomas Club de Golf is located close to the sand dunes within a nature reserve, while the newest club, Salobre, is just 10 minutes drive east of Puerto Rico.

Camel rides: One of the most popular activities in the south of the island is a ride around the Maspalomas Dunes on the back of a camel. The trip usually lasts for around half an hour – the camels generally carry two passengers and walk behind one another as part of a ‘caravan’. Although camels can gallop at up to 35mph (56kph) they usually go at a more sedate pace. Camel rides can also be enjoyed at Fataga.

Jeep Safaris: The most spectacular scenery on the island can be found within the mountainous interior around Mount Tejeda. Jeep safaris take visitors around this area which has been almost completely untouched by tourism and offers wonderful views over rocky peaks, alpine forests and scenic reservoirs. Full-day tours can be organised in the resorts and leave most days of the week. Be aware of the changeable weather - in winter it can be snowing in the mountains while people soak up the sun on the beaches, up to 6,562ft (2,000m) below. Jeep safaris cost around €35 per adult and €25 per child.

Boat Trips: Boat trips of all sorts can be arranged from the resorts. The choice of boats is quite extensive, ranging from an all-day booze cruise aboard a 350ft (107m) liner, to smaller cruisers, yachts, catamarans and glass bottomed boats where visitors can take in the marine life below. In addition to cruising around the coast many boats drop anchor and offer swimming, snorkelling and banana boat rides. Jet skis and parasailing can also be arranged. The highlight of any cruise is usually the sight of dolphins playing around the boat.

Big Game Fishing: Gran Canaria is one of the best spots in the world for big game fishing and there are a number of companies competing for business. While blue marlin are the most highly prized trophy fish there are plenty of other species including white marlin, wahoo, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and mako and hammerhead sharks. Regular catches of blue marlin range from 331 to 496 pounds (150 to 225kg) with last year's record standing at 794 pounds (360kg). Trips cost around €45 including all equipment, but excluding lunch.