Puerto Rico 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 with several smaller clusters of bars, restaurants and shops scattered around the resort.
Puerto Rico Accommodation
The quality of accommodation spans a wide range including 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.
Puerto Rico Beaches
The beach in between the two harbours is the smaller of Puerto Rico’s two beaches. It is heavily 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 sandy edge of the bay.
Puerto Rico 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!!
Puerto Rico Entertainment and Nightlife
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 dessert 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 it’s 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 Puerto 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.