Tenerife's largest tourist playground
Playa de las Americas is a purpose-built tourist playground for hedonistic holiday-makers of all ages – a veritable haven for pleasure-seekers looking for fun in the sun and partying all night. A holiday in Playa de las Americas isn’t for those wanting to soak up Canarian culture, but is perfect for holiday-makers who enjoy the hullaballoo of a packaged carefree summer vacation.
Located in south Tenerife near the island’s airport, Playa de las Americas has grown and grown during its 30 years of existence, and now covers three zones: the original Playa de las Americas, San Eugenio and Toviscas. Its three natural and three man-made beaches are covered with dark volcanic sand, and get extremely crowded during the summer season. A long promenade linking the beaches winds along the busy waterfront, and behind it are dozens of high-rise hotels and holiday apartments. Getting round the resort is easy – take the hourly mini train or plentiful free buses.
There is entertainment in Playa de las Americas for holiday-makers of all ages. Choose from tennis, bowling, go-carting, water parks and amusement arcades. On the beach, water sports include jet skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving and banana rides, with bungee jumping at Sky Park, and swimming with dolphins at Aqua Park. Just outside the resort is an 18-hole golf course, and horse and camel riding. For sight-seeing, take a boat trip – you might see bottlenose dolphins and whales – or an excursion to Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz, or the Mount Teide National Park.
Shoppers in Playa de las Americas can indulge in duty-free delights in numerous electrical stores and clothing shops. Beware aggressive sales people, however, and remember that there are probably more shops selling what you want, so bargain hard! At the twice-weekly Torviscas Market, holiday-makers can haggle for souvenirs and presents at bargain prices – set off early, though, as it gets very crowded. Those looking for designer clothes should head for Santa Cruz, an hour away by bus. Supermarkets sell familiar brands, many imported to cater for British tourists.
Playa de las Americas is a honeypot for holiday party-goers. The Patch is the best place to start the evening, with its wide choice of nightspots offering a happy hour (or two!). Rags and Linekers are both popular dance bars playing a good mix of music, and many bars have live music, often in the form of tribute bands. Moving later to the Veronicas complex and Starco Commercial Centre, you’ll find streets packed with revellers until the early hours. Here you can visit Tramps, Tenerife’s largest club, or try your luck at either of the resort’s two casinos.
Top-rated restaurants in Playa de las Americas include El Molino Blanco, Vista Sur, Restaurante Chino Yue Lai and Folias. Every taste is catered for, with dozens of fast-food stalls on the seafront, pubs offering English breakfasts and Sky TV, and restaurant cuisine from around the world, including Indian, Chinese and Italian pasta. Of course, Canary Islands cuisine and excellent tapas are also available. Go to Torviscas and neighbouring Los Cristianos for some of the better restaurants, and in Puerto Colon there are places overlooking the marina where you can dine and while away the evening.
For great last-minute deals to Playa de las Americas, check out Co-op Holidays.