Playa Blanca Travel Guide
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Playa Blanca © canaryforum.com |
Overview: This quiet resort situated in the very south of the island is
named after the surrounding white sandy beaches. Although Playa
Blanca has grown considerably over the last few years the old
fishing village, in the centre, retains its charm and has escaped
much of the commercialism that has blighted larger resorts. There
is a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants along the
promenade but the main attractions are the nearby beaches; some of
the best beaches in the Canary Islands are just four miles (six km)
away at Papagayo. The resort is mainly geared for families and
couples - those wanting a more lively nightlife will need to make
the 18-mile (29km) journey to Puerto del Carmen.
Shopping: There are good supermarkets in Playa Blanca that sell all the
well-known brands. Although the choice is not as good as in Puerto
del Carmen, there are a fair number of electrical duty-free stores
and other shops geared at tourists near the harbour. It is possible
to get good bargains in the electrical duty-free stores, but
shoppers should remember that they can't take purchases back to the
shop once they've left the island. They should check everything
works and that all batteries, cables and plugs are included; that
there is a European guarantee, not an Asian one; and that all
electrical items have a CE stamp. The busy Sunday Market in Teguise
is worth the journey for the most dedicated shoppers; as well as
the usual tourist tat a variety of locally produced goods are on
sale, from pottery to tablecloths.
Restaurants: La Bocaina, Casa Pedro and Brisa Marina top Playa Blanca's list
of highly recommended restaurants. There's a huge choice of
eateries on the main promenade, which at night bustles with
activity. The promenade overlooks the beach and harbour and the
lights of Fuerteventura can be seen on the horizon. Restaurants
serve anything from Chinese, Indian or Italian to seafood and local
dishes. Some restaurants will not accept credit cards.
Nightlife: The nightlife in Playa Blanca is fairly limited, the
entertainment is restricted to the shows organised by the
hotels. There is a kids disco but those after something hardcore
will need to head to Puerto del Carmen, half an hour away by
car.
Activities: Watersports can be organised by the beachfront and boat trips
leave regularly for the Papagayo beaches – the views of the
beautiful coastline are stunning and boats can drop visitors off at
the beach to be picked up by a later cruise. The Timanfaya National
Park is only ten miles (16km) away where visitors can admire the
dramatic volcanic scenery and even ride a camel. Ferries depart
regularly from the harbour to the nearby island of Fuerteventura,
just six miles (10km) away.
Negatives: Whilst water is safe for cleaning teeth and washing food, it is
very high in mineral content and can cause bad stomachs. Bottled
water should be used for drinking. There is a lot of development
going on all over Playa Blanca, check if there is a building site
outside your accommodation before booking. The resort is
particularly popular with Germans; much of the entertainment is
geared for them and they get up early in the morning
to reserve the sun beds!
Attractions Fuerteventura
If sand and sun is what you are after, then Fuerteventura,
second largest island in the Canaries archipelago (but the most
sparsely populated) is the place to go. Its whitewashed capital,
Puerto del Rosario, is known as the place where goats
outnumber its citizens by a... see full details | |
La Cueva de los Verdes
In the northern part of Lanzarote, close to the Monte de la
Corona volcano, is a spectacular system of underground grottos
known as La Cueva de los Verdes. This is one of the largest
volcanic galleries in the world, at just over four... see full details | | Museum of Contemporary Art
Modern art in an old building works well in Lanzarote’s
capital, Arrecife, where a collection of works by international
artists is on permanent display in the Castle of San Jose, a
fortress built between 1776 and 1779 by King Carlos III of Spain.
Some... see full details |
| The Cactus Garden
Situated between Guatiza and Mala is an unusual sightseeing
attraction that combines art with nature. Artist Cesar Manrique
created a work of art in the form of a cactus plantation in an old
quarry. The site also features a restored windmill.
... see full details |
| Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park is unique because it is the only
national park in the world to have been developed by local
residents. Also unique is what the park offers, which includes a
volcanic field filled with a variety of geological and geothermic
phenomena. In... see full details |
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Activities Boat Trips: Boat trips and submarine tours can be organised from Puerto
Calero, just outside Puerto del Carmen. Catamarans sail along the
coast and drop anchor by one of the spectacular white-sand beaches
at the south of the island and offer snorkelling equipment and
lunch. Some boats also offer free jet ski rides. Visitors can also
take the Submarine Safari from Puerto Calero for a thrilling
close-up view of the island’s underwater world.
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