Overview:
Over the last 30 years Playa de las Americas
has developed from a handful of hotels around a man-made
beach to one of Europe's largest and liveliest package
holiday resorts. The sprawling resort is situated on
the south west coast of Tenerife and is packed with
high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and tourists in search
of sun, sand and sangria. There are several good beaches
nearby, lots of attractions and activities, a vast choice
of bars and restaurants and the some of the best nightlife
in the Canary Islands. Those looking for a quieter resort
can stay in Los Cristianos, just a 20 minute walk away,
or a short taxi or bus ride.
Shopping: There
is a vast array of shops in Playa de las Americas and
visitors can indulge in duty-free delights in the numerous
electrical stores and clothing shops. Shoppers should
be aware that salesmen can be quite aggressive - bargain
hard and remember that the shop next door probably sells
the same stuff. The supermarkets offers most of the
well-known brands, many imported to cater for the British
tourists. For the best choice take a taxi to the one
in the San Eugene Centre, the other side of the motorway.
Those in the mood for some haggling should go to the
Torviscas Market (Thursday and Saturday from 9am); there
are great bargains to be had and it's great for presents,
but shoppers should get there early as it can get very
crowded. A trip to Santa Cruz (one hour by bus) is worthwhile
for those looking for designer clothes.
Restaurants: There
are restaurants catering for every taste in Playa de
las Americas - along the seafront are dozens of fast
food stalls and restaurants advertising English breakfasts
and Sky TV, but international dishes of all varieties
are also offered including Indian, Chinese, some great
pasta restaurants and, of course, excellent tapas and
local Canary Islands cuisine. Many of the better restaurants
are located in the Troviscas areas and in Los Cristianos.
There are also some nice restaurants overlooking the
marina in Puerto Colon.
Nightlife: With
more nightclubs than some British cities, Las Americas
is a honey pot for those looking for more of a nocturnal
holiday. The area known as The Patch is the best place
to start the evening; there is a fine choice of nightspots
and most have a happy hour or two. The most popular
are Rags, Linekers and Jumpin' Jaks - all dance bars
which play a good mix of Pop, R&B, Dance and 80s
party music. Many of the bars have good live music,
often with impersonators. Later on the Veronicas complex
is the place to head to, or avoid. Its streets are packed
with revellers until the early hours, particularly during
the busy summer months. Well-known clubs here include
Cream and the Ministry of Sound, but note that they
are not affiliated with their UK counterparts. Bobby's
and Busby's are good options for those into RnB and
Garage, as is Tramps - the largest club on the island.
There are also two casinos. Los Christianos has a selection
of bars and one disco but those after a more lively
nightlife generally make the short trip to Las Americas.
Activities:
Las Americas has entertainment for all ages including
tennis courts, amusement arcades, bowling, water parks
and go-carting, and all sorts of watersports can be
arranged from the beaches, from jet skiing and windsurfing
to scuba diving and banana rides. Bungee jumping can
be done at the Sky Park and visitors can swim with dolphins
at the Aqua Park. There is an 18-hole golf course on
the way to Los Cristianos and horse and camel riding
can be arranged nearby. Boat trips leave regularly and
bottlenose dolphins and whales are often seen. Other
popular excursions include a trip to the capital, Santa
Cruz, and to the Mount Teide National Park.
Travel
guide content sourced from wordtravels.com
