Puerto Rico - Gran Canaria
Puerto Rico, "port of the rich" is the second largest resort in the south of
the island of Gran Canaria. The journey from Las Palmas airport to the resort
takes approximately 35 - 40 minutes travelling south along the motorway, or for
a more scenic route you can opt to take the old coast road running parallel with
the beach. Built within and around two hills, Puerto Rico boasts two harbours,
two beaches and two large shopping complexes, known as commercial centres, with
several smaller clusters of bars, restaurants and shops scattered around the
resort.
Accommodation
The quality of accommodation spans a wide range - very basic studios, one and
two bed-roomed apartments with communal swimming pools and luxury four star
hotels and private villas. The Marina Suites is a newly built four star hotel
overlooking the Puerto Base harbour. The hotel's infinity swimming pool can be
seen from the coast road and gives the fabulous illusion that the pool
waterfalls directly into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Beaches
The beach in between the two harbours is the smaller of Puerto Rico's two
beaches. It is heavy populated with row after row of sunbeds and parasols. By
far the best beach is just a 30 minutes walk south along the promenade. You turn
a corner and there it is ... the Caribbean - well almost! The sand of Amadores
beach is pale and fine and has been imported from the Caribbean. The clear blue
shallow waters make for safe bathing for all the family and venture a little
further out and you can experience the most fantastic marine life sights whilst
snorkeling. For those who love to be in the water there are scuba diving clubs
and pedalo rides and for the adrenaline junkies, try the jet ski-ing and
paragliding. There is something for all the family on Amadores beach with an
abundance of places to eat and drink sweeping around the sands edge of the bay.
Shopping
So you want to go shopping? Well, Puerto Rico is the place for you. With two
large shopping centres selling a wide range of items such as jewellery,
electrical and electronic goods, perfume and cosmetics, clothes, shoes and every
type of souvenir you can imagine, you will be spoiled for choice as to what to
spend your money on. Alcohol and cigarettes are cheap but as with all items you
may be thinking of buying, shop around for the best deal and don't forget to
haggle - they love it when you do!!
Entertainment and Night Life
You have finished your shopping, popped back to where you are staying for a
quick siesta and now you are in your glad rags and ready for a night out on the
town. Whether or not you chose to spend the evening having a quiet meal with
friends or heading up to the night clubs on the top floor of the main commercial
centre, you are guaranteed to have a good time. There are several restaurants
offering Canarian, Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Italian gastronomic delights
within this centre and the Europa Centre at the top of the hill. The Europa
centre is also home to the Barbacoa Club, featuring a super cabaret dinner show
with first class artists.
When you have finished your meal, pop into the Nags Head Bar at the end of the
main centre - it has an "only fools and horses" theme and is great for singles,
couples and families with everyone being made to feel welcome.
For a special occasion it is worth taking a short cab ride heading south just
past Amadores sands to the beach area of the village of Tauro. Standing alone,
you will see a shack-like building with a yellow neon saying "Guantanamo". Don't
let the outside of the building put you off - inside you will be served a
fantastic selection of tapas, the best steaks, fish, and freshest salads on the
island, and for desert the flambe strawberries with ice cream are absolutely
divine. To wash it all down, try a Mexican coffee. Prepared at your table with
the lights turned down low and the flames reaching the ceiling, its the perfect
end to the evening.
Things to Do in Puerto Rico
There are two harbours offering half day and full day pleasure boat trips,
dolphin searches and several sport fishing boats for the angling enthusiast. The
taxi ferry boat from Puerto Rico takes you south to the white washed canal
village of Mogan, or north to the Canarian market town of Arguineguin. There are
numerous bars and restaurants along the beautiful sandy beach front area in
between the two harbours, so there is always somewhere to stop off for a cool
beer when making your way back to your hotel or apartment after your day
sunbathing.
In Puerto Rico there is a water theme park with many rides. It's a very popular
day out for all the family. There is also a mini golf area in the centre of the
town - just behind Mcdonald's. The bus station is in the middle of Puerto Rico
close to the fountain roundabout. From this point buses can be caught north, as
far as the capital city of Las Palmas or south to the village of Mogan. The
buses are nearly all new, very clean, inexpensive and regular, although don't
expect them to run to an exact timetable. Remember this is GMT - Grancanaria
"Maybe" Time!
Puerto Rico is an ideal resort for holiday makers of all ages. However, with
over seven hundred steps from the very top of the hill to the bottom, vistors
with walking difficulties would probably prefer staying at one of the other
resorts on the island such as Playa del Ingles or Puerto Mogan.
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