Fuerteventura - talk to me
Discussion
I was heading to Kenya, but for various reasons that has been put on hold so was looking at a sneaky week away instead, specifically this place clicky Is it better to go AI or SC and eat out or is it miles (read 100's of yards) from anywhere. Has it got a heated pool, because I really don't fancy freezing my nuts off!!
Any other similar recommendations welcome too. There's my wife and six year old son to consider.
Thanks for any input chaps.
Any other similar recommendations welcome too. There's my wife and six year old son to consider.
Thanks for any input chaps.
I actually think that's where I stayed about 10 years ago. The hotel was ok.
Fuerteventura means strong wind. Do not take this observation lightly.
Also I reckon those pics have been photoshopped because all I remember of the place is strong wind and black sand.
And remember it is not in the EU. So when you come back with thousands of cigarettes and hundreds of cigars try not to be the last person of the FV and an Amsterdam arrival out of the baggage hall through customs. That's the only other thing I can remember.
HTH.
Fuerteventura means strong wind. Do not take this observation lightly.
Also I reckon those pics have been photoshopped because all I remember of the place is strong wind and black sand.
And remember it is not in the EU. So when you come back with thousands of cigarettes and hundreds of cigars try not to be the last person of the FV and an Amsterdam arrival out of the baggage hall through customs. That's the only other thing I can remember.
HTH.
Just got back last week.
We stayed in a Thomson resort called Oasis Papagayo in Corralejo. It was a little out of town, but we did manage to venture in a few times with a 1 year old and 3 year old - so 6 wouldn't be a problem. There was a kids club (the only kids club in the islands open at winter), which our 3 year old adored. Your son would be in the middle age group which is 6-8 IIRC. Took him off our hands for 2 hours a day, and at evenings too for paid-for parties if we wished (bowling, disco, chocolate party...)
Caleta is supposed to be quite nice, low key...
We loved the island, it's a little more laid back than the others, although Corralejo is the busiest resort - plenty of 'all day breakfasts' etc, but it isn't any where near as bad as Playa de las Americas for instance.
The Oasis Park zoo is excellent, very well set out, but please see my warning regarding camel rides
The sand dunes at Corralejo are incredible, and you must visit. There are a couple of quiet beaches on the southern end of the dunes that are worth a stop if you like sand castles and digging holes.
Some pics here
The beach at the top of the pics is at El Cotillo, a really lovely little town on the NW coast.
Be ware that many beaches are not safe for swimming. As above, it is windy in Fuerteventura, and waves are high, currents are strong. Easy to reach beaches have a flag system.
It was 23-26oC while we were there at the start of Feb, slightly warmer than normal. Night times got down to 18oC or so, but the wind means you need a jumper.
The pools at our resort were bearable, so they can only get warmer as spring arrives. The main problem is the wind causes so much evaporation, which cools them down!
Finally, http://www.fuerteventura-forum.com might be useful!
We stayed in a Thomson resort called Oasis Papagayo in Corralejo. It was a little out of town, but we did manage to venture in a few times with a 1 year old and 3 year old - so 6 wouldn't be a problem. There was a kids club (the only kids club in the islands open at winter), which our 3 year old adored. Your son would be in the middle age group which is 6-8 IIRC. Took him off our hands for 2 hours a day, and at evenings too for paid-for parties if we wished (bowling, disco, chocolate party...)
Caleta is supposed to be quite nice, low key...
We loved the island, it's a little more laid back than the others, although Corralejo is the busiest resort - plenty of 'all day breakfasts' etc, but it isn't any where near as bad as Playa de las Americas for instance.
The Oasis Park zoo is excellent, very well set out, but please see my warning regarding camel rides
The sand dunes at Corralejo are incredible, and you must visit. There are a couple of quiet beaches on the southern end of the dunes that are worth a stop if you like sand castles and digging holes.
Some pics here
The beach at the top of the pics is at El Cotillo, a really lovely little town on the NW coast.
Be ware that many beaches are not safe for swimming. As above, it is windy in Fuerteventura, and waves are high, currents are strong. Easy to reach beaches have a flag system.
It was 23-26oC while we were there at the start of Feb, slightly warmer than normal. Night times got down to 18oC or so, but the wind means you need a jumper.
The pools at our resort were bearable, so they can only get warmer as spring arrives. The main problem is the wind causes so much evaporation, which cools them down!
Finally, http://www.fuerteventura-forum.com might be useful!
Do not under estimate the strong currents.
We went down the coast from Corralejo to the quieter beaches in the sand dunes. Lovely quiet spot but treacherous currents. Two boys around 8 and 12 got in to difficulties and with out really thinking I went out to assist them. It took all my strength and energy to get them back it was very hard work.
Corralejo is a tourist resort lots of hotels, typical tourist shops and restaurants with people outside trying to tempt you in. Even one of those bloody tourist train things.
The beaches are it's great asset.
If all you want is sun, beaches / hotel pool kids to be happy it ticks the boxes.
We went down the coast from Corralejo to the quieter beaches in the sand dunes. Lovely quiet spot but treacherous currents. Two boys around 8 and 12 got in to difficulties and with out really thinking I went out to assist them. It took all my strength and energy to get them back it was very hard work.
Corralejo is a tourist resort lots of hotels, typical tourist shops and restaurants with people outside trying to tempt you in. Even one of those bloody tourist train things.
The beaches are it's great asset.
If all you want is sun, beaches / hotel pool kids to be happy it ticks the boxes.
We've been to that resort (Caleta) 3 times. Not stayed at the Barcelo, but walked past it a number of times - looks nice.
First time we went in April to a villa on the hill at the top of the resort. The water was quite cold at that time of year, certainly for the kids. The weather was good, but cool at night so take a jumper/jacket.
Other times we have been in the summer, weather has been excellent and water fine. Both times we stayed at the Elba Sara hotel, which is at the other end of the resort from the Barcelo, and in a small group of hotels with nice man-made beaches. First time was half-board and second time AI - would definitely recommend AI, as resort is quite small.
First time we went in April to a villa on the hill at the top of the resort. The water was quite cold at that time of year, certainly for the kids. The weather was good, but cool at night so take a jumper/jacket.
Other times we have been in the summer, weather has been excellent and water fine. Both times we stayed at the Elba Sara hotel, which is at the other end of the resort from the Barcelo, and in a small group of hotels with nice man-made beaches. First time was half-board and second time AI - would definitely recommend AI, as resort is quite small.
Sorry for the late reply!
I visited this resort a couple of years ago with my 2 kids, aged 6 and 10 at the time.
I can highly recommend it, plenty to do in and around the resort for adults and kids alike. Also there are plenty of restaurants/bars on the actual resort and the town centre is only about a 5 minute walk away.
We went in May, yes it was windy but it took the edge off some very high temperatures and made it very pleasant. Oh and IIRC the pools weren't heated.
We're thinking of going back again this year!
I visited this resort a couple of years ago with my 2 kids, aged 6 and 10 at the time.
I can highly recommend it, plenty to do in and around the resort for adults and kids alike. Also there are plenty of restaurants/bars on the actual resort and the town centre is only about a 5 minute walk away.
We went in May, yes it was windy but it took the edge off some very high temperatures and made it very pleasant. Oh and IIRC the pools weren't heated.
We're thinking of going back again this year!
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