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General Description of Playa de las Americas
The resort – which sprawls 5 mls along the coast and stretches 2 mls inland – is now one of the liveliest, most vibrant, still-expanding destinations, custom built for sun worshippers and pleasure seekers. The raw, big-resort aspect of concrete high-rises and sprawling complexes is softened by palm groves and cascading, flowering shrubs. It has a pleasant promenade and some impressive modern architecture but is essentially unplanned and characterless. Parking is almost impossible anywhere in the resort.
Market/Suitability
Gregarious action-seekers. Families and most age groups are well provided for. Popular with the British; also, sadly, with low-lifers and drug peddlers who tend to ply their trade in the main part of the resort called "Veronica's Complex". Do not be put off but be aware.
Location/Contact
Location: On the SW coast, 46 mls S of Santa Cruz by coastal motorway. 11 mls W of Reina Sofia airport.
Position: In the dry, sunny and mostly arid Southern part of the island, set against a backdrop of volcanic mountains. Bisected by a motorway running parallel to the coast, with very steep inland areas on the far side of the motorway and flatter terrain towards the coast; the coastal suburbs of San Eugenio and Torviscas are hilly.
Website: www.islas.org.uk/playa_de_las_americas.htm (unofficial site)
Accommodation
A distinct weighting towards apartments and self catering. Most hotels are good quality and well appointed, particularly in the classier area of Fanabe, which has more upmarket 4-star accommodation.
Beach
2 decent-sized options with dark volcanic sand, plus an artificial beach constructed with sand shipped in from the Sahara.
Shopping
Dozens of pricey supermarkets serve the apartments. Many duty-free shops selling cameras, watches and jewellery at scarcely discounted prices; beneath Santiago 3 is a veritable Aladdin's cave. Also fashion, boutiques, Lladro etc. and bottomless pits of tourist tat. At the tourist market in Torviscas, you will again find various trinkets. More than the occasional credit-card rip-offs reported so be on guard.
Entertainment
Daytime: the most varied and abundant in Tenerife, including assorted water sports, water park, bungee jumping, 3 golf courses (one between the resort and Los Cristianos, 2 more about 6 mls away near the airport) and tennis.
Nightlife: things really come to life with an array of floor shows, cabaret (plenty of Elvis impersonators), karaoke, discos and nightclubs as well as a casino. A place for "night people".
Eating Out
A great number of bars and restaurants where variety is the by-word; McEwans to San Miguel, paella to pie (steak and kidney). Very few gourmet options but a good choice of fresh seafood, particularly in La Caleta. Tapas bars offer local temptations. Local specialities include papas arrugadas (literally "wrinkled potatoes" – small spuds boiled in their jackets with salt), served with mojo picante (spicy green or red herb sauce).
Public Transport
Good local bus service, hourly to airport; half-hourly to Santa Cruz; 4 a day to Puerto de la Cruz; half-hourly service to other coastal resorts.
Local Excursions
Mount Teide (El Pico), the 12,402-ft volcanic mountain that dominates the island. Lush, verdant scenery in the Orotava valley and moody, deserted volcanic landscapes to the south. Las Cañadas National Park. Shopping in the capital, Santa Cruz (Tenerife is duty free). 3,000-year-old dragon tree at Icod. Ferry to the tranquil isle of Gomera. Jeep safaris. Dolphinarium and shopping in Puerto de la Cruz. Medieval shows at San Miguel Castle. Ecological/bird of prey park (free buses). Catamaran/boat trips to see dolphins and whales; fishing trips; booze cruises.
Serving Airports
Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia (TFS)
Flight time from the UK: 4 hrs
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 ALBUFEIRA, ALGARVE | | BAVENO, ITALY | | BENALMADENA, COSTA DEL SOL | | BENIDORM, COSTA BLANCA | | CALPE, COSTA BLANCA | | COSTA TEGUISE, LANZAROTE | | DUBLIN, IRELAND | | FUENGIROLA, COSTA DEL SOL | | FUNCHAL, MADEIRA | | FURNAS, AZORES | | HAMMAMET, TUNISIA | | IXIA, RHODES | | KALATHOS, RHODES | | KILLARNEY, SOUTH WEST IRELAND | | LA GOMERA, CANARY ISLANDS | | LAGOS, ALGARVE | | LIMASSOL, CYPRUS | | LLORET, COSTA BRAVA | | LOS GIGANTES, TENERIFE | | MACHICO, MADEIRA | | MAGALLUF, MAJORCA | | MARIA ALM, SALZBURGERLAND, AUSTRIA | | PAPHOS, CYPRUS | | PLATJA DE ARO, COSTA BRAVA | | PLAYA BLANCA, LANZAROTE | | PLAYA DE LAS AMERICAS, TENERIFE | | › 4* Iberostar Torviscas Playa | | PORT EL KANTAOUI, TUNISIA | | PORT ERIN, ISLE OF MAN | | PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC | | PRAIA DA ROCHA. ALGARVE | | PUERTO DE LA CRUZ, TENERIFE | | PUERTO RICO, GRAN CANARIA | | QAWRA, MALTA | | RIVA DEL GARDA, ITALY | | SALINA BAY, MALTA | | SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA | | SEEFELD, AUSTRIA | | SELVA, ITALY | | SOLL, AUSTRIA | | SOUSSE, TUNISIA | | STRESA, ITALY | | TAVIRA, ALGARVE | | TORREMOLINOS, COSTA DEL SOL |
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