Tenerife, Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are made up of 7 large islands and 3 smaller ones. The Islands formed from previous volcanic activity and lie about 100 km west of the African continent. Tenerife is the largest of these islands.

If you’ve been longing for an island vacation where you can soak up the sun, enjoy some great nightlife and lose your worries exploring nature or historic places – Tenerife is the place for you. If you are looking for an island vacation destination where great weather can be found year-round and the whole family can indulge in a variety of activities – Tenerife is also the perfect place!

One of the best places to stay on Tenerife is in Adeje – or more specifically, the Playa de las Americas. Located on the southern coast of Tenerife, a vacation here will allow you access to one of the most popular and convenient locations in all of the Canary Islands. Allow us to tell you more.

Adeje

Over the past 35+ years, this southern municipality on Tenerife has experienced significant development and growth. Your stay at one of the resorts, apartments, or hotels here will of course provide all of the expected tourist amenities in addition to the lovely weather and surroundings that have made Tenerife a hot island vacation destination for decades.

However, don’t forget that this city has a rich past prior to it becoming established as one of Europe’s best vacation spots. If you are interested in learning more about the local culture and history, there are places around Adeje that might be of interest.

Sacred Art Museum

Sacred religious art pieces, including Gobelin tapestries, dating from the 14th and 19th centuries are on display here. This former chapel has served as a museum since 1958 and you will also find artwork dedicated to the city’s patron saint, the Virgin of Candelaria.

Casa Fuerte

Constructed by Don Pedro Ponte, it was a fortress that offered Adeje protection from pirates between the 16th to 19th centuries. Though it was ruined by fire in 1902, it’s archives, art pieces, and furniture were saved and moved to the Canary Museum in Las Palmas. Visit the ruins of this strong house and imagine what it must have been like when it was the center of Adeje’s political and economic world so long ago.

Barranco del Infierno (Hell’s Ravine)

This footpath in Adeje will allow you time to hike through an area that is both rugged from water eroding the volcanic rock and yet lush with plant and animal life. Ravines, caves, a waterfall, and the deepest gorge in the Canaries are all part of this trail in addition to numerous birds and other flora and fauna, some which border on extinction. The course is considered medium difficulty and a complete trip on the trail will cover 6,500 meters and take between 3 and 4 hours, but many would say that the spectacular scenery was well worth it.

Tip: Entrance to the path is €3 and you should reserve a spot ahead of time as they limit entrance to 200 people per day to help preserve the balance of the delicate ecosystem. The path is open from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm and more information can be found on their website.

Playa de las Americas

Home to much of the Island’s development, this resort area has it all: popular beaches with sand brought over from the Sahara and all the fun you’d expect nearby including restaurants and bars for when you’ve had your fill of lounging in the sun or enjoying the various water activities.

The main beach area - Las Americas I and II are blue flag beaches and you can enjoy parascending, jet skis, diving, swimming, sunbathing or even learn to surf here. A section of the beach is welcoming to naturists.

Note: Blue flag beaches have met certain criteria that ensure safety, water quality and environmental standards as set forth by the Health Department of the Canary Islands.

Animal Farm Granja

Here you can hop on a donkey for a tour of the farm and take in the lovely scenery of this working farm and banana plantation called La Caldera Del Rey – the King’s Crater. In addition to the donkeys, you will also see pigs, ducks, and goats. This would be a fantastic place to visit with children as they also have a swing park and climbing wall.

Tip: They are open daily except Friday between the hours of 10 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm. It’s advised that you call ahead should you wish to take a 30 minute or 1 hour donkey tour of the farm.

Siam Park

This is the largest water park in Europe opened in 2008 and has a Thai theme. You could spend the entire day here enjoying the various water rides, beach and a meal at one of the 5 restaurants on site. Have you ever wanted to learn to surf? This is yet another wet option you can indulge in during a day at Siam Park. A free shuttle will pick you up at either Playa de las Americas or Costa Adeje.

Tip: A day here can be extra special if you reserve a private cabana. Fully furnished with plasma tv, wifi, showers, and including an all-inclusive bar & restaurant package combined with a view of the beach and Atlantic Ocean, this would make for a truly memorable day.

Jungle Park (Parque de las Aguilas)

Here you will enjoy daily free-flying eagle and birds of prey shows. This is also Europe’s only jungle where you can view the big, beautiful cats like white lions, panthers, leopards, jaguars, pumas and tigers. The park is also home to a variety of primates including gibbons, lemurs, chimps mandrills, and monkeys. A free shuttle bus from Playa de las Americas is available daily.

Tip: The park is open year-round from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Purchase tickets online for the best price.

Aqualand

As the name indicates, this is a water park with a variety of slides and water rides. A Dolphinarium is located within the park with daily dolphin shows. A free shuttle bus from Playa de las Americas is available daily.

Tip: Tickets may be purchased online. You might consider buying a combo ticket that includes admission to both this park and Jungle Park for some savings. It’s open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Whale & Dolphin Spotting

Pilot whales live in the waters just off Playa de las Americas. Day trips can be arranged via private boat, catamaran, or yacht to see these amazing animals up close and in their natural habitat. Cruise reservations can be made online and usually include a meal and open bar.

Should you visit Tenerife with children or are just an animal lover, a visit to the Tenerife Zoo & Monkey Park might make for a fun and unique diversion. At this zoo, you have to chance to walk amongst the animals and feed them, so consider bringing along some nuts or fruits. Entrance fees are €10 for adults and €5 for children 5 - 12 years of age.

Beautiful year-round temperatures also make an island vacation great for golf enthusiasts. There are several 18 and 27-hole golf courses located in this region, including Golf Las Americas.

Nighttime Fun

But there is more to this area than just the sun and water fun. By night, you can enjoy some excitement at the local casino in the Casino Playa de las Americas located in the Hotel Gran Tinerfe or at one of the numerous bars and clubs found along Starco or the Veronicas Strip.  This is not a sprawling club crawl - so if the first bar or club you stop at is not to your liking, a new place is just meters away.The party in these clubs goes on well into the wee hours and you might happen upon some well-known djs in your bar hopping.

If you prefer something less lively to suit your mood, a more relaxed evening could include a dinner and dance show at Pyramid de Arona Auditorium or Exit Palace which features a lively variety show “Stars on Broadway” featuring songs/dancing from Cabaret, Chicago. Moulin Rouge, etc.

Note: The legal drinking age is 18.

Lodging

Your options for a room while you take in all that Tenerife has to offer include the traditional hotels and resorts that are perched just steps from the Atlantic to furnished 2 or more bedroom apartments or luxurious villas with meal plans and typical hotel amenities that can be rented by the week or month. The modern hotels that are located in Playa de las Americas & Adeje include much of what you might desire while on vacation: restaurants and bars, spa services, tennis & basketball courts, swimming pools, fitness centers, internet access (sometimes with a fee), children’s activities, and more.

Note: Many people come to Tenerife for the weather as their physicians feel the weather will ease their breathing or joint problems. You may wish to inquire as to the type of clientele commonly staying at your hotel or apartment complex of choice, especially if you are looking for a more lively vacation and don’t wish to disturb your fellow guests.

Canary Island Ferries

If you will have some time, you may wish to consider a ferry ride from Tenerife to one of the smaller islands of the Canarian archipalego. Ferry trips can be arranged online via the Fred.Olsen Express, Naviera Armas, or Acciona Trasmediterranea web sites. Journeys to neighboring islands such as Fuerteventura, La Palma, Lanzarote or La Gomera  would be a fine way to expand your exposure to other parts of the Canary Islands outside of Tenerife.  A variety of seating/cabin options are available and priced accordingly. On board ship, you will find that many Canary Island ferries offer amenities such as air conditioning, restaurants, bars, swimming pools, and television to ensure that your voyage is pleasurable.

Tip: Check with the ferry operator as to boarding time cut-off. Many require you to be on board 30 minutes prior to departure if not traveling with a vehicle, and 1 hour ahead if you are bringing one on board.

Canary Island Diving

Your island vacation might include a day or two of diving in some of the clearest parts of the Atlantic Ocean. Canary Island divers will find unique sea life and abundant volcanic formations in the warm waters around the Islands’ coastlines. Everyone from novice to expert can experience swimming amongst schooling fish, stingrays, sharks, eels, and other sea life. Various dive levels are availabe and everything you need including wet suit, oxygen tank, etc. is provided by your dive operator.

Canary Island Cigars

The Canary Islands have a longstanding history dating back to the 1700’s of producing quality cigars. Each year, approximately 8 – 9 million cigars are produced on the Canary Islands. Cuban tobacco is often used for the hand-rolled cigars and are a wonderful find for those who enjoy a slow smoke, but not for Americans who wish to take some home with them. The cigars that they purchase to take home with them must be Cuban tobacco-free because of the ongoing US embargo against such Cuban things.

Tip: If you do buy some Canary Island cigars to take back with you, be mindful of the duty-free limits for your home country on such things.

Mt. Teide

While a visit to Tenerife’s Adeje area will provide you with numerous ways to have fun and relax, we would be remiss were we to neglect to mention one of the top attraction on all of Tenerife - Mount Teide. This mountain is actually a now dormant volcano which last erupted in 1909 and the highest point in Spain. You can take a cable car to within 200 meters of the summit. However, should you wish to hike to the top, a special permit is required and the number of hikers is limited each day. Contact the Mount Teide National Park office for further information on the permit and maps of the area.

If you would prefer, check into the availability of seeing Mt. Teide in the evening. Arrangements can be made with a Jeep operator called Tamaran to see the sunset from atop the volcano. You will be driven there in a Land Cruiser 4×4, a meal will be served and an astronomer will map out the night sky so that you can take in this uniquely romantic experience fully prepared under the stars.

Note: If you will be hiking to the crater’s edge and spy snow on the volcano, it might be wise to carry along a long-sleeved shirt or jacket so that your visit is not cut short secondary to your shivers.

Other Useful Information

• Tenerife, being part of Spain is part of the European Union, so those laws also apply here. The official language is Spanish, however, you will find that English and German are widely understood in the tourist areas.
• Because of the volcanic formation of the island, the tap water is drinkable, but slightly more salty than that which you might be accustomed. You may wish to pick up some bottled water at a local supermarket.
• You may be approached by someone offering a free prize in exchange for your survey response. Be aware that everyone is a winner when they complete these surveys and that the friendly person is likely just a time vampire looking to sell you a timeshare.
• Renting a car requires that you be 21 (or 23 with some rental companies) and have a valid driver’s license. Seat belts are required and you may be stopped and given an immediate fine should you drive without one, pass improperly, or not stop at stop signs. Driving is on the right-hand side and taxis and buses should be given the right of way.
• Do not forget to check custom made jewelry, especially pearl earrings.
  

Tenerife Weather

You can expect a tropical and sunny island vacation on Tenerife pretty much year-round. The Canary Islands have earned the nickname “Islands of Eternal Spring” because the temperatures don’t vary much throughout the year. Highs in the summer months average 25 C and 18C in the winter. Rain typically falls most in November and December.  You will find that the northern side of Tenerife is wetter and 5-10 degrees cooler than the southern side, which enjoys a drier, warmer desert climate. The temps across the Island are moderated by the trade winds.

Tip: Because it is sunny and warm most days of the year on Tenerife, be sure that you wear sunscreen each day, especially if you are fair-skinned. Just a few hours enjoying the lovely beaches or just strolling around town unprotected could leave you with a painful sunburn.

Your next island vacation on Tenerife can allow you to indulge in a magical time where you can lose your worries and focus on making fun a priority. Whichever activity level you choose each day, there are many fantastic places to visit and things to do to keep anyone interested. Life might have become cold or boring,  but a warm and sunny Tenerife island vacation is sure to restore the senses and ignite the passion that one might have lost in the daily grind.