tips for travel

Tias
another of the islands seven municipalities
includes the islands main holiday resort of Puerto Del Carmen and boasts a succession of beaches
along its 6km of southern coastline
separated only by short rocky elements. In this article
we review seven of the best beaches in this area of the island.

Our first of three man-made (and thus ‘family-friendly’) beaches in the Peurto del Carmen area is known as the Playa Grande. This is the most central beach and has a magnificent promenade of bars and restaurants running along its kilometre of golden sand (100m wide). The placid waters is this part of the island make it ideal for windsurfing. If you don’t want to use the bars and restaurants
it won’t be long before a ‘beach seller’ offers you drinks
ices or fresh fruit. One of the most popular beaches on the island
it has lifeguards
showers
changing areas
washrooms
rentals for beds/parasols
boats and water sports equipment. You can get to it by guaguas (autobus) but you’ve been warned parking is very limited in this lively part of the island.

Our second beach is known as Barrilla (also in the Puerto Del Carmen area)
measuring 90m long and 22m wide. It consists of fine golden sand and offers good parking
a scuba diving centre
has a lifeguard present
has first aid on site and is accessible by guaguas (autobus).

Our third beach is a small cove known as Fariones (also in the Puerto Del Carmen area besides a hotel of the same name)
measuring 60 m by 5m and consisting of fine toasted sand and calm waters. It is accessible by guaguas (autobus).

Our fourth beach at Playa de Los Pocillos
is located at the more exclusive end of Puerto Del Carmen. The beach has fine golden sand and forms part of the development known by same name. It is more than a kilometre long (1
23
m) and 150 m. wide. High tide leaves pools of sea water on its flat surface. It is quieter than the main beaches
but there is a still a good choice of quality bars and restaurants on hand. When the wind picks up this beach is popular with windsurfers. Windy on occasions
but with calm waters
it is very popular and offers good wind surfing conditions
it has rentals beds/parasols
good parking facilities
signage
boardwalk
a commercial zone
showers
litter bins
has good access for wheelchairs and has first aid and washrooms on hand. You can get to it by guaguas (autobus).

Our fifth beach at Playa de Matagorda
part of the development by the same name has a windy beach measuring 850m and 40m wide
consisting of fine golden sand and calm waters
which make it a popular resort for windsurfing
particularly those of limited capability or beginners. Due to its proximity to the airport and the occasionsl noise from aircraft taking off and landing
it is not as crowded as the other beaches in this area
but it is nevertheless worth a visit. This beach has rentals for beds/parasols and a variety of water sports on hand. You can get to it by guaguas (autobus).
Our sixth beach is at Lima and measures 900m long and 50m wide
consisting of fine toasted sand (mix of fine golden sand and small picon
the small lava stones)
this is a windy beach with calm waters
again ideal for first time windsurfers. This is located alongside the Matagorda development and can be reached by guaguas (autobus).

Finally
our seventh beach is a small cove at Pe๑a Grande and measures 40m long by 5m wide
consisting of fine white sand (and the odd pebble). Despite it’s small size
it is nevertheless a windy beach with calm waters and offers full services including lifeguards
showers
first aid
bars/restaurants
showers
parking and telephones. It also has a small promenade and can be reached by guaguas (autobus).