Recommendations for a family holiday in Tenerife
Discussion
I've never really wanted to go to Tenerife because I have always imagined it to be a bit "chavvy" (that has no basis apart from some people i know that have been there). However, my 5 year old daughter keeps telling me how she would love to go to Loro Parque (as one of her school friends has been), and to be fair it looks like it would be a great place to go, as well as the Siam water park.
So i'm looking at going at the beginning of June for a week but am curious as to which is the best resort to stay in (especially for kids and distance from both parks), hotel recommendations, etc.
I'll be hiring a car so travelling isn't an issue but I really don't fancy driving for hours to get to either of the parks, especially when there is a good chance we may visit them more than once.
We're looking at all inclusive and not wanting it to cost too much as we are going to Canada later in the year.
Any recommendations gratefully received, along with any other suggestions of things worth doing over there.
Thanks
So i'm looking at going at the beginning of June for a week but am curious as to which is the best resort to stay in (especially for kids and distance from both parks), hotel recommendations, etc.
I'll be hiring a car so travelling isn't an issue but I really don't fancy driving for hours to get to either of the parks, especially when there is a good chance we may visit them more than once.
We're looking at all inclusive and not wanting it to cost too much as we are going to Canada later in the year.
Any recommendations gratefully received, along with any other suggestions of things worth doing over there.
Thanks
Hello,
I will give you my opinion, I have been twice with my wife and son and I would state the only reason we went back is that my wife's family have an apartment out there within a very exclusive resort in which we stay.
My experience with the rest of the place in perticular the main resorts was not good, it is as you expect very chav and down market. The only part of the trip I enjoyed was the day we spent at the volcano, we could go here as often as we want for very litte cost due to having our own accommodation but chose not to.
I think that sums up my feelings on the place.
I will give you my opinion, I have been twice with my wife and son and I would state the only reason we went back is that my wife's family have an apartment out there within a very exclusive resort in which we stay.
My experience with the rest of the place in perticular the main resorts was not good, it is as you expect very chav and down market. The only part of the trip I enjoyed was the day we spent at the volcano, we could go here as often as we want for very litte cost due to having our own accommodation but chose not to.
I think that sums up my feelings on the place.
Loro Park is the other side of the island from where most people stay and also where the majority of hotels and attractions are including Siam Park. and generally windier and colder, noticably so!
It doesn't take long to drive over there from the south of the island TBH. An hour or so if IIRC. You'll probably do Loro Park in a day, you could maybe drag it out over two. Siam Park I would have quite happily gona back for a second day it really is very good. The wave machine is incredible. Check YouTube.
For a family I'd say you'd want to look at staying in Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje. I'm sure you know but avoid Las Americas.
It doesn't take long to drive over there from the south of the island TBH. An hour or so if IIRC. You'll probably do Loro Park in a day, you could maybe drag it out over two. Siam Park I would have quite happily gona back for a second day it really is very good. The wave machine is incredible. Check YouTube.
For a family I'd say you'd want to look at staying in Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje. I'm sure you know but avoid Las Americas.
I've just come back.
We stayed in a little town, Icod de los Vinos, over the other side of the island (the colder, cloudier side). No where near any resorts. Lovely little place, pretty much unspoilt, friendly locals etc.
We went to a couple of resorts, just to spend a little time in the sun, Los Gigantes and San Juan are not bad in chav terms, quieter, with a higher contingent of non-British (a V.Good thing in my book). However, they didn't seem to be so kid friendly.
If you're in one of the more southern resorts, the quickest way around the island is to get on the highway (dual carriageway) and head around the bottom rim of the island. Going the other way is single carriageway, and slower, especially as most of the inhabitants/other road users drive really slowly.
There are a number of cultural attractions, however, with kids in tow it's probably not such an attractive proposition. Basically, once you get away from the resorts, it's a really nice place. As others have said, the mountain/volcano is stunning, and a nice drive to boot.
We stayed in a little town, Icod de los Vinos, over the other side of the island (the colder, cloudier side). No where near any resorts. Lovely little place, pretty much unspoilt, friendly locals etc.
We went to a couple of resorts, just to spend a little time in the sun, Los Gigantes and San Juan are not bad in chav terms, quieter, with a higher contingent of non-British (a V.Good thing in my book). However, they didn't seem to be so kid friendly.
If you're in one of the more southern resorts, the quickest way around the island is to get on the highway (dual carriageway) and head around the bottom rim of the island. Going the other way is single carriageway, and slower, especially as most of the inhabitants/other road users drive really slowly.
There are a number of cultural attractions, however, with kids in tow it's probably not such an attractive proposition. Basically, once you get away from the resorts, it's a really nice place. As others have said, the mountain/volcano is stunning, and a nice drive to boot.
I don't know if it's the same all year round, but there's a bit of an odd weather phenomenon whereby the southerly trade winds push clouds up against the mountain, from where they can't really escape. It leaves the northern part of the island cooler, and more cloudy. Like I say though, it might be a seasonal thing.
Puerto de la Cruz wasn't my thing, but then I don't like resorty type places, I'd much sooner be away from other tourists, so don't take my view as anything meaningful.
However, compared to some of the other resorts, it looked alright. It's probably an hour to 90 minute drive from the airport, maybe less, because it's fast dual carriageway all the way.
Puerto de la Cruz wasn't my thing, but then I don't like resorty type places, I'd much sooner be away from other tourists, so don't take my view as anything meaningful.
However, compared to some of the other resorts, it looked alright. It's probably an hour to 90 minute drive from the airport, maybe less, because it's fast dual carriageway all the way.
Was there again last year, visiting my sister, and I stayed at the Park Club Europe hotel which is an all inclusive in Las Americas. I found it good fun, the food was pretty good with different themes each night and even the free wine was drinkable. Many different nationalities there and not too chavvy. Kids clubs were great and plenty of activities going on. Evening entertainment was pretty good also as long as you let yourself go with the flow.
It's a half hour walk or a quick taxi ride to the Siam Park which is great, great fun. Suggest you book tickets in advance from here rather than buy there. You can get both parks for a discount with optional travel. As said Loro Parque is the other side of the island so either drive it or go on the coach. Been there a few times over the years. Best things are the shows so get to those early.
Re. the Siam Park - You are not allowed to take your own food in there but if you put it at the bottom of the kids rucksacks they rarely check those
. Make sure you get there before opening so you can get a sun lounger with a shade by the wave machine area (also handy for the restaurant and loos) and flotation vests for any kids who can't swim.
What used to called the Aguila (Eagle) Park, and is now the Jungle Park, is not far from Las Americas and worth a day out with the kids last time I went (5-6 years ago).
A lot of the smaller resorts are suffering with the all inclusive trend with many local restaurants and bars closing. If you go to these don't expect too much available outside the hotel.
It's a half hour walk or a quick taxi ride to the Siam Park which is great, great fun. Suggest you book tickets in advance from here rather than buy there. You can get both parks for a discount with optional travel. As said Loro Parque is the other side of the island so either drive it or go on the coach. Been there a few times over the years. Best things are the shows so get to those early.
Re. the Siam Park - You are not allowed to take your own food in there but if you put it at the bottom of the kids rucksacks they rarely check those
. Make sure you get there before opening so you can get a sun lounger with a shade by the wave machine area (also handy for the restaurant and loos) and flotation vests for any kids who can't swim.What used to called the Aguila (Eagle) Park, and is now the Jungle Park, is not far from Las Americas and worth a day out with the kids last time I went (5-6 years ago).
A lot of the smaller resorts are suffering with the all inclusive trend with many local restaurants and bars closing. If you go to these don't expect too much available outside the hotel.
We stayed in a villa with pool at Callao Salvaje which was OK though there's no beach there.
Costa Adeje looked nice when we visited.
Los Cristianos looked a bit touristy and suffers the usual Canarian sand blowing across the beach.
Los Gigantes was a bit meh and getting a ship ride out of that harbour will turn anyone green.
Didn't bother with Siam Park but we did do Loro Parque. Don't underestimate how expensive it is to get in, they have killer whales to feed. It is on the north side of the island though and you have to go over the mountain to get to it. The Mount teide National park is awesome and worth going just to see. Unlike Lanzarote, you have free roaming (in Lanzarote, you have to take a coach round). There's a great cafe on the right that sells coffee and doughnuts and you can watch genuine canaries feeding.
Being high up, the National park can be slightly chilly on some days but we went in lare Feb and it was very nice. Similarly with loro Parque where we had fantastic weather.
If you're a betting man, you can buy Loro Parque tickets online in advance and save some money. Even the airport discount vouchers are fairly crap. Take a packed lunch too as the food is rubbish and expensive.
I think Tenerife is actually one of the better islands for stuff to see, even if the beaches are no great shakes (you want Lanzarote for that). Saw quite a few old 70s cars there too.
Costa Adeje looked nice when we visited.
Los Cristianos looked a bit touristy and suffers the usual Canarian sand blowing across the beach.
Los Gigantes was a bit meh and getting a ship ride out of that harbour will turn anyone green.
Didn't bother with Siam Park but we did do Loro Parque. Don't underestimate how expensive it is to get in, they have killer whales to feed. It is on the north side of the island though and you have to go over the mountain to get to it. The Mount teide National park is awesome and worth going just to see. Unlike Lanzarote, you have free roaming (in Lanzarote, you have to take a coach round). There's a great cafe on the right that sells coffee and doughnuts and you can watch genuine canaries feeding.
Being high up, the National park can be slightly chilly on some days but we went in lare Feb and it was very nice. Similarly with loro Parque where we had fantastic weather.
If you're a betting man, you can buy Loro Parque tickets online in advance and save some money. Even the airport discount vouchers are fairly crap. Take a packed lunch too as the food is rubbish and expensive.
I think Tenerife is actually one of the better islands for stuff to see, even if the beaches are no great shakes (you want Lanzarote for that). Saw quite a few old 70s cars there too.
We've just been. Weather was good.
Better beaches we found were Puerto Colon - very sheltered, ideal for swimming, and Playa del Duque was pretty chilled out - but really compared to the algarve the beaches are overcrowded and rubbish. Los C was packed out.
Playa de las Americas as an area isn't pleasant - last time we were there was a good 5 or more years ago, and it's not aged well apparently.
Los Christianos in the evening is ok-ish but you will get hassled by an idiot waving a menu outside_every_bloody_restaurant_you_walk_past. Did my head in. You get it everywhere but when they actually grab your elbow it's just too much. We had two restaurants almost coming to blows over us at one point. We ate elsewhere. Not sure if AI would be worth it - food is cheap, I'd say 2/3 price of portugal. Eg 3 course meal - 9 euros near P Colon. Not the finest culinary experience we've ever had, but for value it's great. Prawn cocktail, fillet steak and tiramisu for 9 euros. Mmmm. Neigggh. For 4, we were spending between 40 and 80 euros on dinner.
We found a little fishing village outside Golf del Sur called Los Abrigos - maybe ten restaurants laid around the little harbour, which contained fishing boats with the names of the restaurants on the sides. Proper fresh fish!
Loro Park is expensive but good (we didn't go this time) but I'd recommend http://www.monkeypark.com/ for a cheapish couple of hours - 10E each - there are lemurs, monkeys etc in a walk through pen and you can hand feed them grapes/apples or the 1E bag of food bought at the gate. You can see it from the motorway... but it took us a good while to actually get to. Signs aren't tenerifes strong point.
As long as your kids aren't old enough to be questioning animal cruelty, cage size or habitat enrichment they'll love Monkeypark. Some of the lemurs can hardly walk they're that full of food.
We did Aqualand (we were told by regulars that Siam Park is more for older kids/teenagers) and it was pretty good (2 x 9 year olds).
You need a car really - Loro Park can be got to quickest from the south by using the motorway around the edge of the island - the roads up to Mt Teide do tend to make you think of the closing sequence in the italian job, especially when driving a Fabia with 115,000km on it.
I'd like to try the north rather than go back to the south - weather not so good (spoke to someone staying at P de la Cruz and the wind was ridiculous) but overall it's supposed to be less touristy, and the best beaches are on the north eastern side of the island according to google.
Better beaches we found were Puerto Colon - very sheltered, ideal for swimming, and Playa del Duque was pretty chilled out - but really compared to the algarve the beaches are overcrowded and rubbish. Los C was packed out.
Playa de las Americas as an area isn't pleasant - last time we were there was a good 5 or more years ago, and it's not aged well apparently.
Los Christianos in the evening is ok-ish but you will get hassled by an idiot waving a menu outside_every_bloody_restaurant_you_walk_past. Did my head in. You get it everywhere but when they actually grab your elbow it's just too much. We had two restaurants almost coming to blows over us at one point. We ate elsewhere. Not sure if AI would be worth it - food is cheap, I'd say 2/3 price of portugal. Eg 3 course meal - 9 euros near P Colon. Not the finest culinary experience we've ever had, but for value it's great. Prawn cocktail, fillet steak and tiramisu for 9 euros. Mmmm. Neigggh. For 4, we were spending between 40 and 80 euros on dinner.
We found a little fishing village outside Golf del Sur called Los Abrigos - maybe ten restaurants laid around the little harbour, which contained fishing boats with the names of the restaurants on the sides. Proper fresh fish!
Loro Park is expensive but good (we didn't go this time) but I'd recommend http://www.monkeypark.com/ for a cheapish couple of hours - 10E each - there are lemurs, monkeys etc in a walk through pen and you can hand feed them grapes/apples or the 1E bag of food bought at the gate. You can see it from the motorway... but it took us a good while to actually get to. Signs aren't tenerifes strong point.
As long as your kids aren't old enough to be questioning animal cruelty, cage size or habitat enrichment they'll love Monkeypark. Some of the lemurs can hardly walk they're that full of food.
We did Aqualand (we were told by regulars that Siam Park is more for older kids/teenagers) and it was pretty good (2 x 9 year olds).
You need a car really - Loro Park can be got to quickest from the south by using the motorway around the edge of the island - the roads up to Mt Teide do tend to make you think of the closing sequence in the italian job, especially when driving a Fabia with 115,000km on it.
I'd like to try the north rather than go back to the south - weather not so good (spoke to someone staying at P de la Cruz and the wind was ridiculous) but overall it's supposed to be less touristy, and the best beaches are on the north eastern side of the island according to google.
http://www.thomascook.com/destinations/spain/canar...
You won't regret it. Near to water park also with free shuttle bus.
HTH
You won't regret it. Near to water park also with free shuttle bus.
HTH
We went 2 years ago. I've avoided spain like the plague as I hate chavy brits abroad.
We rented an apartment in parque santiago 3. This had 3 pools IIRC, including a kids pool with slides etc. it was actually quite nice, and the area was no where near as bad as I was expecting. Need to get towels down at about 6 in the morning if you wanted a decent spot.
The water park was great, the wave machine fecking huge. Look it up on you tube, its big enough to surf on. The rides were great, and as a family plently to suit all ages.
The volcano was definately worth a visit. We hired a car at the last minute and drove up. But didn't take the cable car to the top as my wife wouldn't get on it!
Loro park was a long drive away, expensive, took ages to get in (queued for about an hour) and wasn't worth the visit.
I''d be happy to go again.
We rented an apartment in parque santiago 3. This had 3 pools IIRC, including a kids pool with slides etc. it was actually quite nice, and the area was no where near as bad as I was expecting. Need to get towels down at about 6 in the morning if you wanted a decent spot.
The water park was great, the wave machine fecking huge. Look it up on you tube, its big enough to surf on. The rides were great, and as a family plently to suit all ages.
The volcano was definately worth a visit. We hired a car at the last minute and drove up. But didn't take the cable car to the top as my wife wouldn't get on it!
Loro park was a long drive away, expensive, took ages to get in (queued for about an hour) and wasn't worth the visit.
I''d be happy to go again.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff