Playa Jardin 

Black Sand Anyone?

Although the black volcanic sand was millions of years in the making, public layout of Playa Jardin was the brainstorm of Cesar Manrique. The beach stretches 2 kms from Castillo San Felipe to Punta Brava. This incredibly clean beach has something for everyone. If you choose a day at the beach just bring your sunscreen. The beach is well equipped with change rooms, showers, toilets, sun beds and cafes. If you're in the mood for a stroll a good place to start is Castillo San Felipe, a fort originally built to ward off pirate attacks. Saunter along the walkways and be soothed by the gardens and the breeze or just sit, with drink in hand, and be mesmerized by the people and the waves.



Playa Jardin really comes alive on the eve of June 23rd. With three celebrations rolled into one, the observation of summer solstice, the memory of the festivals held by the aboriginal Guanches, and the celebration of San Juan there are no better reasons to party. Huge bonfires are set and the festivities begin with concerts and entertainment and the merriment continues the following day in the harbour with the "bano de las cabras" or bathing of the goats. With the sharing of wine and cheese, there is most certainly dancing in the streets.

The Skinny on Puerto de la Cruz 

Although Tenerife has welcomed tourists since the 1880's, Puerto de la Cruz seems to be the only city that has kept and maintained its Canarian style charm. It was trade with the British that sparked tourism and there has been no looking back. Historically, the great climate made it the "it" place for wealthier Europeans seeking a reprieve from winter conditions. Now anyone can enjoy this gem.

Puerto, as it's commonly known by locals, boasts the highest rate of return visits of any resort in the world. Why? Well, this city really does have something for everyone of any age. The locals are friendly and, like some islands around the world, there is a laid back, carefree attitude, even observing siesta. People here work to live, not live to work. This is a fun city where social activities dominate daily life.

Loro Parque 

The Loro Parque is home to the worlds largest Parrot collection with over 300 species. The park is huge, spanning a whopping 135,000 square meters, the layout is impressive and the grounds are immaculately kept.

Loro Parque's commitment is to rescue and protect animals from all over the world. Many of the animals in the park have been rescued from private owners who kept them illegally and mistreated them. Many creatures on display in the park include chimpanzees, sea lions, gorillas, marmosets, pelicans, iguanas, alligators, flamingos, jaguars, giant tortoises, tigers, exotic fish, including piranhas.

The Loro Parque Express, a complimentary yellow train, operates from Plaza Reyes Catolicos to the park and back again. It runs every 20mins from 9am - 6:45pm. The cost of admission is a little high, 30€ per adult and 19€ for children, but well worth it.

What Is in Loro Park? 

Loro Parque, Puerto de la Cruz

PCO - Lie Back and Think of England

PCO - Lifeboat (Lovers' Rock)

Where in the World is Paradise? 

The Macaronesian region, or Macronesia is composed of several Atlantic island groups, and one of them is the Canary Islands, which is a territory of Spain.



Tenerife, the largest island of seven islands in the Canary archipelago, is 320 Km off the Moroccan coast. The island is located at about 28° latitude and it has a surface area of 2,034 Km².



Situated on the North-Central coast of Tenerife, Puerto de La Cruz is the most popular resort in that area of the Island, just 35 Km from the capital, Santa Cruz.

Have a Peek Inside Puerto 

Lago Martianez 

The Perfect Combination of Fun, Architecture and the Sea

With inspiration taken from the sea, sky and local geography, Lanzarote architect Cesar Manrique envisioned a "lake". These open-air salt water pools, seven in total, is an exceptional example of public space using local Canarian style architecture, cacti spotted islands made from lava, and sculptures that could only be born from Manrique himself.

It is easy to lose track of time with so much, or so little, to do. Whether you are there for a swim, a stroll, a little sun worshipping, a meal or for the casino, lido Martianez is magical day or night. With the backdrop being either the Teide or the ocean one will never tire of the view.

Take The Plunge! 

Meet Lido Martianez

Are You Coming for a Visit? 

Lynx92 Great Lens! I have visited Tenerife many times, my first holiday in Puerto de la Cruz was in 1975 and I go back as often as I can. I just can't get enough of the place! Posted September 18, 2008

TopStyleTravel 5 stars! Great lens on the Canary Islands. The lido Martianez seemed especially inviting. Posted August 29, 2008

markbestweb Great lens, makes me want to visit those beautiful islands. When i went to Spain I visited Galicia, it was really interesting and I discovered I'd love to travel more around this places. Great job with this lens Posted July 30, 2008

richgerman nice nice! well presented pictures and other details;) i love it! 5 stars! Posted July 20, 2008

Rickybear

I have been many times, it is a beautiful place.

Posted July 14, 2008

 

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Plaza del Charco 

The Place to Meet!

For generations Plaza del Charco has been the "meeting place". The main square in old Puerto de la Cruz is filled with cafes and surrounded by restaurants. There are newspaper stands, candy vendors and benches all around to rest or to meet.

The plaza is, in every sense of the word, the hub. From its centre, the city branches off onto pedestrian streets. Just a short walk in any direction, and you'll be delighted by quaint stores that carry local handicrafts, cafes and bars, produce stores (the bananas are absolutely delicious), fantastic wine stores and the old harbor.

San Telmo 

Rock and Roll

San Telmo is a neighborhood that bridges old Puerto to new Puerto. That "bridge", Paseo San Telmo, is dense with tourists, stores, gelato shops, and restaurants. The hotel lined streets and avenues behind the walkway reach out like arms, encouraging travelers to rest.

Do yourself a favor and walk down a flight of stairs to the natural lava pools and a small pebbly beach. Literally in seconds you can have a quick dip and be refreshed from a hard day of shopping.

On the eastern end of the walkway you will discover San Telmo Ermita. This chapel was founded in 1780 by the Mareantes Guild and dedicated to San Pedro Telmo, patron saint of seamen. The hermitage is a nice contrast to the hotels in the background.

Paseo San Telmo at Night 

Freeze Frame 

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Jardin Botanico 

A Worldwide Contribution

Nestled in the Orotava valley, just above Puerto de la Cruz is the "Jardin de Aclimatacion de La Orotava". Jardin Botanico, as it is commonly known, was created in 1788 to acclimatize plants from different places around the world, with the final destination to Europe.

This magnificent garden's flora collection spans five continents and it is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle, and the heat for that matter.

Bring your camera and give yourself the time to truly explore all the species including orchids, birds of paradise, a gigantic banyan tree, palms of all sizes, and the fragrant guavas.

You Can Grow Your Own Palm Trees 

Jardin Botanico has more than 150 species of palms. Palm trees are relatively maintenance free and are not significantly bothered by insects and disease. Date Palm - Phoenix Canariensis or Majestic Palm - is the most desirable palm to give a tropical look to any landscape. The trees grow to 50ft tall with leaves up to 20ft long.

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Punta Brava 

Situated in the old part of Puerto de la Cruz, on the west side of Playa Jardin, Punta Brava emerges. The twisted lava rocks jut out like a chin awaiting a blow. When watching the waves beat against Punta Brava you appreciate its name, Angry Point.



There is something quaint about this old neigborhood; perhaps it is the narrow sidewalks, the colourful houses huddle together, the churches, the fishermen, local restaurants, the beach or it could be the lack of tourists, whatever the reason, Punta Brava should not be missed. Here you get a real taste of Puerto living.

Big Wave in Punta Brava 

Learn Spanish in Puerto de la Cruz 

You'll learn Spanish as you've learned your native language - through practice and continuous communication. don Quijote Spanish language school strives to transform its classrooms into lively, interactive spaces providing the ideal elements for the student to quickly attain his or her Spanish language goals by mixing a variety of tasks and activities: communicative and interactive, grammatical and cultural.

dQ truly immerses you in the Spanish language and Hispanic culture!

And if you are looking to have fun while learning Spanish, you may combine any of the language courses with scuba diving lessons!



The beginner scuba diving course is for students with no prior diving experience. This course will prepare you for the PADI open water diver certificate.The diving course itself consists of 2 weeks of half-day lessons, at either Beginner or Advanced level.

Find Your Way There 

The Rough Guides' Tenerife Directions 2 (Rough Guide Directions)

by Rough Guides

Amazon Price: $9.34 (as of 10/11/2008)
Used Price: $5.76

The size of this guide, the layout, and most importantly the content, served me so well. I could fit it into any bag. I literally used it on a daily basis!

Find Out Where Your Favorite Place Is In Puerto 

Gastronomy 101 

The belly rules the mind - A Spanish Proverb

There are 4 elements that I use to determine a good dining experience; quality of food, good beer/wine list, service, and ambiance. I can honestly say that 95% of the restaurants or cafes that I ate in met these requirements!

The cuisine of Tenerife combines traditional Spanish recipes with African and Latin-American influences. Popular dishes includes: Canarian style potatoes, Tenerife bananas, Salmorejo chicken or rabbit, and of course, mariscos (seafood).

My favorite places were the smaller, more intimate restaurants where the locals go. As an added bonus I didn't have to wander far to discover some of the best food I have ever tasted.

El Mana 

Calle Mequinez, 21

El Mana uses natural cooking. What they mean by this, I think, is their menu boasts a healthier alternative. Although not a vegetarian restaurant they do offer vegetarian dishes on their menu, some which include tofu. What made this place great was their use of fresh, local ingredients, the modern decor, the fantastic music and their homemade tiramisu.

Working the Plate: The Art of Food Presentation

by Christopher Styler

Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 10/11/2008)
Used Price: $24.28

La Tasquita de Min 

Calle Mequinez, 2 (next to the wharf)

This was one of the local restaurants that I kept coming back to. I have never tasted mussels as delicious as I had here and their baked unripe goat cheese is well worth a mention. Benjamin, the owner is always running and the servers, like Mario, were fun. The the wine was nice and the locals kept the place hopping! Best of all, it was only a 2 minute walk from pension Rosa Mari.

Tapas (Revised): The Little Dishes of Spain

by Penelope Casas

Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 10/11/2008)
Used Price: $12.95

Marisqueria El Pescado 

Venezuela Ave. C/Uruguay, 5

Just behind the Avenida de Colon (the main promenade in front of Lago Martianez) is the Marisqueria El Pescado. There was what I call a restaurant recruiter (you'll encounter these hard working people along the most visited tourist areas) that convinced me that this particular place had awesome seafood and a nice wine list. Well, he was right. All the seafood that I tasted melted in my mouth and the waitress knew her wine. I have to say that Canarians know seafood! Period.

Williams-Sonoma: Pescados y Mariscos: Williams-Sonoma: Seafood, Spanish-Language Edition (Coleccion Williams-Sonoma)

by Carolyn Miller

Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 10/11/2008)
Used Price: $18.01

Can you handle 300 days of sunshine a year? 

Monthly Average Temperatures, Rainfall and Sunshine Hours

Pto. de la Cruz has one of the most pleasant climates on the planet, as spring temperatures dominate throughout the year. During the cooler days the thermometer doesn't drop under 15ºC and rarely gets higher than 29ºC on the hotter days. As a result, the year average is a delightful 22ºC.

The Weather Forcast 

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Where to Rest Your Weary Feet 

From Cheap to Chic

There is definitely something for everyone when it comes to accommodations in Puerto de la Cruz. You can use the star rating (1-5) of hotels to determine which hotel better suits your needs.

Keep in mind that geography within the city does not necessarily determine price. In fact, it is not uncommon to see a 2-star and a 4-star hotel within a short walking distance of each other.

Do Your Feet A Favor! 

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Five Star Luxury 

Expect Nothing but the Best

Hotel Botanico is one of the most prestigious hotels of the Canaries and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Botanico "Blends subtropical nature, western comfort and Asian hospitality in a movie setting".

One previous guest affirms, "The hotel is very luxurious and we were made to feel very welcome, everywhere we went the staff greeted us with hellos and smiles. The grounds are very beautiful, with two black swans swimming in the large pond, terrapins and Japanese koi."



The Double Deluxe room starts at approximately 180€ per night and the Junior Ambassador room starts at 305€ per night. Check availability for the Ambassador, Penthouse & Jacuzzi suites and the grand Royal Suite.

How About One Star Luxury? 

Are you Inn?

If you're on a tighter budget, or if you want to spend your money on things other than accommodations, consider Pensiones (think of very small hotels). These are a great way to save money.

One that I can personally recommend is called Rosa Mari. The immaculately kept Rosa Mari offers single and double rooms with ensuite bathrooms, it is equipped with an elevator, and provides exceptional service.

Situated on Calle San Felipe, just off of the Plaza del Charco, is just one of many reasons that makes this pension appealing. The central location means that you can walk to Playa Jardin in under 15 minutes, plus you are literally minutes away from some of the best restaurants in town. And at 30€ per night you can find a lot to do with your savings.

Need a Doctor in Town? 

General Practitioner - Homeopathy - Acupuncture

Puerto de la Cruz Viewpoint 

Plaza Mirador de la Paz

Get Organized! 

Insight Guide Tenerife and Western Canary Islands (Insight Guides)

by Pam Barrett

"Sums up 8 different areas of the island listing their highlights. Points of interest can easily be located on the maps provided. Color-coded tabs allow easy referencing of topics and routes. Great photos. A good source of information and a "must have" while travelling in Tenerife."

Lonely Planet Canary Islands

by Sally O'Brien, Sarah Andrews

Baedeker's Tenerife (Baedeker's Travel Guides)

by Baedeker Guides

Transportation 

Welcome to Friendly Puerto de la Cruz

Looking for ways to get to Tenerife, or more importantly to Puerto de la Cruz? Well, it's easier than you think. Tenerife has a solid infrastructure so transportation is never really an issue. The easiest way of course is to arrive by plane at either of the two airports. After you arrive at the airport you can rent a car, hail a taxi or jump on the bus. I took the bus which allowed me to sit back and enjoy the view.

If arriving by boat is more your style you can take a ferry from mainland Spain. Or if you want to island hop, there are hydrofoil (jet ferries) services that run from Tenerife to all other islands.

Whatever you decide, relax, you're now on island time!

By Plane... 

Tenerife has two airports, Los Rodeos (Tenerife Norte) and Reina Sofia (Tenerife Sur). The closest airport to Puerto de la Cruz is Tenerife North (TFN), 27 Km (17 mi.), just 20 minutes away by car. Whereas Tenerife South is 111 Km (69 mi.), 1:45 to 2:00 hours from Puerto.

Tenerife North airport, the smaller of two airports on the island of Tenerife, primarily handles scheduled domestic flights from Madrid and Barcelona, plus flights to and from the other Canary Islands. On the other hand, Tenerife South airport handles nearly all of the island's direct international flights.



Numerous charter flights arrive from the UK, Germany, Spain among others to Tenerife South airport. You can find out more about Tenerife airports (schuduled flights, airlines that operate from the airport, parking, etc) at these links:

Los Rodeos - Tenerife Norte Airport
Reina Sofia - Tenerife Sur Airport

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane 

By Car... 

Car rentals are everywhere. And because of this, their rates are very competitive. Most company day rates start at 20€ and then go up in price depending on the type of car you want. Places like Auto Reisen or CICAR have deals where you can hire a car for 100€ per week! Hires usually include unlimited mileage, insurance and tax. You just pay for the gas (fuel or petrol).

This is a terrific and inexpensive way to tour the island. There are no parking meters but finding parking in cities like Santa Cruz can be tricky. Keep in mind that 99% of cars will be standard (or stick shift), automatic cars are hard to find and the driver needs to be over 21 years old.

Free Maps & Guides 

Puerto de la Cruz Map
Puerto de la Cruz Information Guide
Puerto de la Cruz Routes
Puerto de la Cruz Festivals
Tenerife Detailed Map
Tenerife Road Map
Canary Islands Guide
Gastronomy Guide

By Bus... 

There are no trains or underground (subways) on Tenerife, but there is an efficient network of public buses, called guaguas (pronounced wah wahs by the locals) , which connects most towns and cities. The bus routes are called lineas in Spanish.

The national bus service company is TITSA. The bus fares are really cheap and the buses are very comfortable, clean and air conditioned. The service is very reliable; which makes traveling around the island really fun!

Bono-Bus is a multitravel pre-paid card. By purchasing a Bono-Bus ticket you can save approximately 30 to 50% off the fare and get free transfers. They are available for 12€ and 30€, and they might even last you the whole stay!

Buses to and from Puerto de la Cruz 

Notice that each bus route has a number such as 103. This same number is used for buses running in both directions.

102 & 103 Santa Cruz - 45 min.
325 Los Gigantes - 90 min.
102 & 340 Tenerife North airport - 20 min.
340 Tenerife South airport - 90 min.
343 Los Cristianos/Las Americas - 75 min.
363 Icod/Garachico/Buenavista - 80 min.

Tenerife Bus and Touring Map

by David Brawn

Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Used Price:

By Taxi... 

Another great way of getting around Tenerife is by taxi. They are reasonably cheap and fast. Most of the cars are Mercedes so they are quite comfortable and can be recognized by the green light on top. When the light is lit they are available and can be flagged down in the street or picked up at the taxi ranks. A good place to catch one is beside Plaza del Charco.

The minimum charge is 2€. Expect to pay 25-35€ from Los Rodeos airport and 70-8