Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz is situated on the north Coast of Tenerife Island. It is a one hour drive from the main airport on Tenerife called Reina Sofia. It is set between mountains and the Atlantic Ocean with lovely black sand beaches. Puerto de la Cruz attracts older visitors who prefer a relaxing vacation rather than partying. Today, Puerto de la Cruz has a population of over 31 000 inhabitants. Once this was an agricultural land, but now it is full of hotels and buildings. The longest established resort on the Tenerife Island has a very lovely Old Town where you can still meet locals to eat and drink. Every year hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the town. With sophisticated restaurants, beautiful sandy beaches and elegant streets, Puerto de la Cruz has a very good reputation.

Climate

During the year Puerto de la Cruz receives less rain and more sunshine than the rest of the north of the island, but still enough rainfall to have lovely vegetation in numerous parks. Temperature goes from 20°C in the winter to 30°C in summer. Summer can bring hot and cloudy days and the perfect climate is during the early autumn. Winter is the season with the most rainfall.

Tourist Attractions

Loro Parque is the favorite family attraction. This park is full of parrots and penguins but also sharks and whales that perform spectacular shows for the visitors.

Although Puerto de la Cruz developed from the famous town of La Orotava, visitors should see the old harbor. The inhabitants of the town of La Orotava exported sugar and wine to the New World from this harbor. Today brightly painted boats can be seen in the harbor. Furthermore, the harbor is the place where you can eat traditional Canarian food.

Twice a year locals organize festivities – July Fiestas and Carnival. The main procession goes from the city centre to the Church of Nuestra Segnora, which was built in the 17th century. If you enter the church, you will see the most beautiful interior amongst the churches on Tenerife.

The most popular beach is the Playa Jardin. Covered wit black volcanic sand, this beach is suitable for all kind of water sports.

Puerto de la Cruz is also a paradise for shoppers. Although it has a free port status, goods are much cheaper here than elsewhere. Visitors can buy different electronic devices, perfumes, alcohol and other goods in some of the more than hundred shops.Many Irish pubs, karaoke bars and nightclubs make the nightlife of Puerto de la Cruz exciting. There are also many gay clubs and bars.