Which resort to choose?
Before flying to Tenerife, it's a good idea to decide on a place to live. It is reasonable to do this in advance, since the cities and resorts on the island differ from each other. However, if you have extra money and time, you can search after arrival. To some extent, it's even a little fascinating. For those who are not ready to take the risk, we will provide a brief overview of the main places to live on the island, which we hope will make their choice a little easier.
Puerto de la Cruz
We will start from the north, and our first stop is Puerto de La Cruz. Here, it is necessary to decide: if you have come to swim, you should head in the other direction, to the south. There are often waves in the north, and the beaches are not very comfortable.
However, Puerto de La Cruz has its strengths. Firstly, it is a fairly large city by local standards (32 thousand inhabitants), and if you like the atmosphere of a resort town, you may like it here. Secondly, this place dates back to the 16th century, and many people come here for the history and traditions. Thirdly, the food here is designed not only for tourists, but also for local residents. If you travel a lot, you will understand the difference. Fourthly, there is significantly more greenery here than in the south. The reason is more frequent precipitation. More greenery means more beauty and fragrances. Fifthly, it is still possible to swim here, regardless of the weather and waves, as there is a complex of swimming pools called Lago Martianez, which allows you to relax and swim in the sea water, but it does come at a cost.
When talking about Puerto de La Cruz, you cannot ignore the climate. The air temperature here is usually slightly lower than in the south. But if it is noticeable in winter, then in summer, it is almost imperceptible and it feels even hotter due to the higher humidity. It is also a fact that it is more cloudy and rainy here compared to the south.
Everything is difficult with the weather forecast in Tenerife in general: there are many different climatic zones on the island, and it is almost useless to use the sites familiar to everyone. Here is a link to the most accurate forecast for cities and resorts. Follow the weather in the capital link, but you can click on "Change" and select the weather station that is located near your place of residence.
Puerto de La Cruz, itself, is in any case mandatory to visit as there is something to see here.
Punta del Hidalgo
This village could have become one of the main tourist destinations of Tenerife. However, after the southern part of the island began to develop actively, it was forgotten and today it is a "hidden corner" that tourists rarely visit.
There are no equipped beaches here, but there are several ocean water pools among the rocks. The climate here is also not the best, so Punta del Hidalgo is suitable for those who are tired of the tourist bustle and want some privacy with nature. Perhaps this is just what you need.
You can reach the village by car or by taking bus No. 105 from the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Candelaria
The city of the Black Madonna is not only the religious center of the island but also a place where you can stay during your vacation. We will talk more about the features of Candelaria itself, but here we are interested in it only as a place to stay.
In Candelaria, you can book both apartments and hotels, and there are several beaches on its territory for sunbathing and swimming. The only caveat is that the beaches are not as comfortable as those in the tourist areas, and the wind and waves are often strong.
There are no traditional tourist attractions here, but if you want to live in an authentic Canary town and experience a combination of beach vacation and spiritual reflection, why not?
If you don't have a car, you can get to Candelaria from the south of the island by bus No. 111 (stop on demand, after which you will have to walk a little) or from the capital, Santa Cruz by buses No. 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, and 131.
El Medano
Heading south, El Medano is our next stop. This place is a real Mecca for windsurfing and kitesurfing, as the winds blow here for most days of the year. If you are one of those who enjoy these water sports, then you should consider this place and at least visit it.
On the other hand, El Medano can also be chosen for a regular holiday if tourist centers are too noisy for you and you have a car (for example, rented) to move around the island. There are a couple of beaches here, and just two kilometers away is Playa de la Tejita - the longest natural sandy beach on the island.
Therefore, if you like the wind and waves, and you prefer provincial silence, then welcome to El Medano. You can get to the village from the capital of the island by bus No. 116, and from the south (Los Cristianos) by routes No. 470 and No. 483. The easiest way to get from the southern airport is by taxi (about 9 km) or by your own rented car.
Costa del Silencio
Costa del Silencio is a stretch of coast consisting of two parts: the small and cozy Canarian village of Las Galletas and the Ten Bel residential area, which was originally conceived as a resort but eventually turned into a mix of inexpensive apartments and private properties.
The name Costa del Silencio is quite eloquent and speaks for itself. It translates as "the shore of silence." The lack of comfortable beaches and entertainment options make this option primarily suitable for those who are looking to save money, which, in principle, is quite justified.
The most important advantage of Costa del Silencio is its proximity to the resorts of the "Big Three": Los Cristianos, Las Americas and Costa Adeje. You can get to these places both by car and by public transport (route No. 467), which runs quite regularly.
To summarize, it makes sense to choose this resort if you are willing to make some sacrifices in exchange for saving money. This is normal, since the sun shines everywhere, and the beaches are just a 30-minute ride away.
The "Big Three"
Gradually reached the main tourist cluster of Tenerife. It is located in the south and includes the three most popular resorts of the island.
Los Cristianos, Las Americas and Costa Adeje are connected by a pedestrian walking area and bus routes. We can safely say that this is a single space for a comfortable stay. Staying in any of the three parts, you will be able to safely move around the entire cluster, both with the help of your own legs, and by public transport for minimal time and money.
There is one more point on which I would like to dwell separately. This is the climate. The weather is almost always great here. Thanks to the mountains that protect from the bad weather coming from the north of the island. Lots of sun, little rain, great beaches – what could be better? And is it better to look for it?
It is very easy to get to the resorts of the "Big Three" from anywhere on the island. See the corresponding section of our guide.
Los Cristianos
Los Cristianos is the eastern tip of the "Big Three" and the most authentic area that has preserved the spirit of the region.
The heart of Los Cristianos is the territory of an old fishing village, known since the 16th century. Here you will find small streets with cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as a small church with a square where locals gather in the evenings to chat with friends and spend time. All of this makes Los Cristianos a cozy and homey place, making it stand out among the neighboring resorts.
Climbing up from the ocean, we leave the most atmospheric part of Los Cristianos and enter a tourist sleeping area where apartments alternate with retail and catering establishments. Los Cristianos is a good choice if you like peace and quiet on the outskirts of a large resort. The only drawback is the infrastructure, which is slightly inferior to its "Big Three" counterparts.
By the way, Los Cristianos has a port from which ferries leave for neighboring islands. The ferry service is very good, but because of it, swimming on the beach adjacent to the port of Playa de Los Cristianos is not very pleasant. However, the problem is easily solved since there is a great beach, Playa de las Vistas, within a five-minute walk..
You can get to Los Cristianos from the capital, Santa Cruz, by buses No. 111 (at night No. 711) and No. 110, from the southern airport by routes No. 40, No. 111 (at night No. 711), and No. 343, and from the northern airport on route No. 343 or with a stop in the capital.
Las Americas
Las Americas is the brightest resort area not only in the south, but also throughout Tenerife. This is both its advantage and disadvantage. If you prefer a quiet and peaceful vacation, it might not be the best place for you. However, you can always find a hotel or apartment to stay in where you can relax and unwind.
The main advantages of Las Americas are its excellent beaches and well-developed infrastructure with numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops. The area even has its own main street, the Avenida de Las Americas ("Golden Mile"), with a large musical fountain in the middle, where tourists can take an evening stroll, window-shop at boutiques, listen to music, and stop for a snack or a glass of wine.
If you're looking for specific tips, it's best to avoid Veronikas Street, which is located next to the Sol Tenerife hotel. This street is filled with noisy bars and discos for young people, which can be quite noisy at night. In general, if you're looking for a vacation full of fun and relaxation in comfort, then Las Americas is the place to be.
Costa Adeje
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and, in our opinion, Costa Adeje is the best place to stay in Tenerife. Yes, there is no such cozy Spanish atmosphere here as in the very center of Los Cristianos, not to mention the north of the island. There is no "Golden Mile" with its boutiques and restaurants. But all this is just around the corner, and there are no problems with slowly getting to any of the areas of the "Big Three."
Costa Adeje is large and very diverse. Its undoubted advantages are excellent beaches and the fact that everything you need is within walking distance.
As we move away from Las Americas, Costa Adeje becomes more upscale, resulting in an area near the Playa del Duque. Many people consider this beach to be the best not only in the south but also on the whole island. However, this part is not very developed in terms of infrastructure.
In the central part of Costa Adeje, the prices are simpler, and the infrastructure is better. However, as we have already written more than once, everything concerning the area of the "Big Three" is within direct reach, either on foot or by public transport. To summarize, we can say that Costa Adeje, on the one hand, is not as hectic as Las Americas, and, on the other, not so "quiet" as Los Cristianos. We can say that this is the "golden mean."
The only thing to keep in mind is that the motorway that runs through the island divides Costa Adeje into two parts: lower and upper. Therefore, when you book your place of residence, always pay attention: is it before the freeway or after? Is it critical? Absolutely not! Many, on the contrary, choose a place of residence just above the motorway, as it is more peaceful there, and the beaches are still at hand. Fortunately, there are convenient elevated crossings along the entire highway. The choice is only at your discretion. If you want to be closer to the beaches, then you should stay below the freeway. If you want less noise in the evening, then stay higher. By the way, living behind the motorway can be even cheaper.
La Caleta
To the west of Costa Adeje lies the fishing village of La Caleta. There is a limited range of accommodation available, in the form of hotels and apartments.
However, the highlight of La Caleta is the opportunity to try local Canarian cuisine, which attracts tourists from all over the south. On the rocky shore of the village, there are several nice cafes and restaurants with excellent ocean views and delicious food.
Another advantage of La Caleta is its proximity to the resorts of the "Big Three," which are easily accessible via bus No. 467. The travel time to the center of Costa Adeje is just 30 minutes.
And if you enjoy hiking, you can walk the picturesque ocean shore to Costa Adeje, which takes just a couple of dozen minutes.
Playa Paraiso
One of the most developing resort areas in Tenerife is Playa Paraiso. From a faceless village, step by step, it turns into a modern resort.
It is on the territory of Playa Paraiso that a new shopping center was recently built, which indicates its attractiveness among investors. And at the same time, the prices for accommodation here are still lower than in the "Big Three" area. There is also a private beach here, which quite successfully solves the problem of swimming in the ocean.
The main problems of Playa Paraiso are not the ideal infrastructure and not the best communication with the rest of the resorts. Having chosen it as a residence, it makes sense to rent a vehicle to move around the island by car. The road to the main southern resorts will take 15 minutes.
At the same time, "horseless" travelers can get to them by bus No. 471, which runs quite regularly. Travel time is about 30 minutes.
Callao Salvaje
Right next to Playa Paraiso is another resort village – Callao Salvaje. This is a quiet and cozy area for a leisurely holiday.
In the central part of the village, there is everything necessary for daily life, including cafes and restaurants, a pharmacy, and small shops with everyday goods. The newly built sandy and pebble beach of Playa de Ajabo adds even more comfort.
It is most convenient to get to the main southern resorts by car or by bus No. 473, which takes about 30 minutes. By the way, there are rumors that soon Callao Salvaje will be connected to Playa Paraiso by a common promenade, which will make both places even more attractive for tourists.
West Coast
The last three resorts, which we will consider as possible places for a long stay on the island, are located on its western coast and represent a single three-kilometer zone.
On the one hand, it is calm and quiet here, while on the other, all the necessary infrastructure is available. The fact that many locals who work at the resorts of the "Big Three" live here speaks in favor of this area. If you have your own car, the drive to the south will take 20-30 minutes, but by bus (route No. 473) it will take twice as long (about 60 minutes), as it stops in a number of settlements both on the coast and in the interior of the island.
If you are planning to stay here on vacation, it is advisable to rent a car. Otherwise, it will be quite difficult for you to leave to visit other places, which is probably not bad since there is everything you need for recreation, from infrastructure to beautiful nature. It is also necessary to note that the terrain is mountainous, which may not be suitable for all representatives of the older generation.
Playa de la Arena
Let's start in order, namely with the Playa de la Arena, which is the most modern part of this tourist cluster.
One of the main features of this resort is its eponymous beach with black volcanic sand and natural waves. The beach is one of the cleanest on the island and has been awarded the European Blue Flag for cleanliness for many years in a row.
Otherwise, Playa de la Arena is a calm and cozy resort for a leisurely holiday.
Puerto de Santiago
Puerto de Santiago s the central area of the resort cluster on the West Coast, and its main advantage is its convenient location between Los Gigantes and Playa de la Arena.
Puerto de Santiago was formed on the site of a former fishing village. This craft is still practiced here, which makes it possible to taste a variety of seafood in local restaurants. And since mostly Canarians live in Puerto de Santiago, it means that they cook in local catering establishments, "like they would for their own".
The disadvantage of Puerto de Santiago is the lack of its own beach, but there are no problems walking to the nearby beach of Playa de la Arena, since all three resort areas are connected into a single tourist zone.
Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes is considered the number one resort among all three resorts on the west coast.
Its calling card is the giant rocks, or "hell walls," as they were once called by the Guanches (the local aborigines). These rocks are really worth seeing, whether or not you choose to stay in the western resorts. By the way, the most comfortable beach is located right next to the hell walls, at their foot.
In general, Los Gigantes is a must-visit, regardless. We should also note that, among all three western resorts, Los Gigantes is the most expensive in terms of accommodation, although the difference is absolutely insignificant, especially for a vacation.
If we summarize about the west coast, then, despite the absence of any great entertainment, it is quite suitable to stay here. Just remember that the transport links are not the best, and if you want to see the island, it makes sense to consider renting a car.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
And finally, there is nothing stopping you from choosing the capital of the island as a place to anchor during your vacation. Accommodation here will be cheaper and the city has its own beach.
By the way, Playa de las Teresitas is probably the most beautiful beach on the island. The only issue is that the water is not always the cleanest due to the nearby port.
In general, if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of big cities (with a population of 225,000), and are willing to travel a few tens of kilometers to reach the beach, Santa Cruz is the perfect choice.