If you have come to Tenerife for sun and fun, Playa de las Américas is the place for you. Born in the 1970’s, it is a busy, purpose-built resort with a huge range of amenities to keep everyone happy both day and night.
Beaches:
There are several beaches of golden and black sand, bordered by a long promenade lined with shops, bars and restaurants. Watersports facilities include windsurfing and paragliding and there are also opportunities to learn how to scuba dive.
Local Market:
The resort is full of huge shopping malls crammed with shops selling electrical appliances, beachwear, sports kit, leather goods and souvenirs. Some of the best include Parque Santiago, San Eugenio and Fañabé. For handicrafts, pay a visit to the market in Torviscas on Thursdays and Saturdays, or try Los Cristianos market on Sundays.
Attractions:
When you want a change from sun and sand, you can spend an action-packed day enjoying the thrilling slides, chutes, waterfalls and rides of Octopus Aquapark at San Eugenio. Or you can take a trip in a submarine to explore life below the water. For the younger visitor, Pleasure Island near Starco offers lots of entertainment such as mini-golf, children’s entertainers, mini-trampoline and more.
Facts for Travellers:
Eating out in the Canary Islands is relatively inexpensive and you will find everything from fish and chips or pizza to haute cuisine. Not surprisingly, the main tourist areas concentrate on international favourites. But if you venture inland there are plenty of opportunities to sample authentic Canarian food. Look out for the word tipico, which usually indicates a traditional local restaurant serving good-value, freshly cooked meals, often in pleasant rustic surroundings.
Nightlife:
Nightlife is tailor-made for the young British pleasure-seeker and there are lots of pubs offering karaoke, quizzes and live music. With around 100 night clubs and discos to choose from, you can dance till you drop every night and still manage to visit only a tiny proportion. Favourites include Leonardo’s, Bobby’s, Rags Disco Pub, Soul Train and Gary Linekers – but it’s really a matter of personal preference.
Gastronomy:
One of the nicest ways to whet your appetite is to visit a tapas bar, where you will find an array of hot and cold snacks laid out on the counter. Typical offerings include olives, chorizo (a spicy sausage), mushrooms, jamón serrano (cured ham), tortilla de papas, octopus salad and garlic prawns.Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the islanders have access to an abundance of fresh fish, which they grill and fry, or serve in soups and stews. Bass, tuna, cod, perch, sardines and squid feature on many menus together with local varieties such as vieja or widow fish.
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