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• Puerto de la Cruz Travel Guide
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Overview: A cosmopolitan old colonial town known to tourists throughout Europe, Puerto de la Cruz is located on the north coast of Tenerife and is the principal tourist centre of the island. It was in the 1890s that Puerto de la Cruz became a fashionable spa town and since then it has become a preferred holiday spot for European royalty and dignitaries, such as Winston Churchill and Bertrand Russell. Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, it has maintained the style and flair of a cosmopolitan spa as well as kept the feel of a small and friendly, bustling Spanish town. Being the birthplace of tourism in the Canary Islands, Puerto de la Cruz attracts some 900,000 visitors annually. Most of the area around the old fishing port is lined with cobbled streets, full of colonial architecture and is one of the few resorts where locals still work, eat and drink. It is a place where old world charm exists alongside trendy hotels and apartments, making this the perfect holiday destination.

Shopping: Puerto de la Cruz is a shopper's paradise. The 'free port status', which the island enjoys, allows imports from all over the world. There are a large variety of goods available from the many hundreds of shops, often at good prices. Electronic items of every description, photographic gear, perfumes and alcohol are especially cheap. Travellers should beware that cheap goods can sometimes be tacky and counterfeit goods can often be found. The Martianez mall is a favourite with tourists to splash out on clothes, shoes and gifts.

 

Restaurants: The many restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz offer up a variety of dishes and many different cuisines can be found. The Plaza de Charco, its name derived from a pool of sea-water that used to collect in its middle, has always been a meeting place, and has functioned as a plaza since the 18th century. Here visitors can find a beautiful plaza lined with restaurants and cafes and it is the perfect place to enjoy a meal, tapas or just a drink and watch the world go by.

 

Nightlife: Puerto de la Cruz has a wide range of vibrant nightlife to choose from. Bar Les Portelas is a favourite for tourists to drink Spanish beer and watch Spanish TV while mingling with the locals. There are also many nightclubs on offer, though most these do not get going until the early hours of the morning, so clubbers can dance through the night until sunrise.

 

Activities: Puerto de la Cruz offers some of the best tourist attractions on the island and many guided walks are available. The town is very attractive and has many historical buildings to visit, such as the Church of Nuestra Senora de la Pena and the Castle of San Felipe. Other places to see include the Loro Pargue which boasts over 200 species of parrots and other animals, the Botanical Gardens, displaying plants from Africa, South America and Australia is a must, and for those willing to venture further afield, the volcanic landscape of the Teide National Park is well worth a trip.

 

Negatives: In recent years muggings and other street crimes have started to become a problem. Thefts from cars, especially cars left overnight and cars left in what appear to be deserted scenic locations, have become a major problem. Travellers should not leave valuable items in an unoccupied car.

 

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.