Tim & Allison Gutteridge:
Love Playa Del Cura. Brilliant for us with our three youngsters. We always stay at a hotel with babysitting facilities so we can have at least a couple of nights out in neighbouring Puerto Rico - great nightlife. Playa Del Cura itself is more low key and suited to
...
See all Playa del Cura holiday reviews
|
Write a review on Playa del Cura
 |
Playa del Cura © JF Quilis |
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
holiday 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
holiday 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 holiday
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 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.