While doing some research about Tenerife, I felt that Costa Adeje was the area that would best suit me and my mum. First of all because the beaches are said to be among the best the island has to offer. Secondly, it is a quieter resort compared to Playa de las Americas. That is exactly what we needed. If you are still looking to spend your winter holiday in the sun, below you can find a bit of information on Costa Adeje.
Like other popular resorts, Costa Adeje has risen out of nowhere, mainly due to the high demand for quality hotels. In most cases these are a bit more luxurious, they are a blend of good design, good taste and are located near the ocean. Of course they are also more expensive than other areas. For example the Gran Bahía del Duque is not just one of a handful of prodigious hotels in Tenerife but it has been nominated for the World Luxury Hotel Awards! While the Jardin Tropical on the edge of Puerto Colon has one of the most beautiful swimming pools carved into the cliff. Sitting here the views are breathtaking not just of the ocean but also of the island of La Gomera on the horizon.
In recent years the wide traffic-free promenade that runs along the full length of the resort has been restructured to help those with mobility problems and is known locally as the “Geranium Walk” due to the numerous flowers that line its borders. It is pretty, but in my opinion, some of the restaurants, bars and other establishments along this main tourist thoroughfare could do with being refurbished. Playa Paraiso still looks like a wild west town. All that is missing is the tumbleweed blowing down the road.
The beaches of Costa Adeje have gray-gold sand and you will find several options for water sports. You can also enjoy a boat ride, which can be booked at any of the establishments found in Playa de Fañabé, Playa de Torviscas or from Puerto Colon there are numerous sailings to see whales and dolphins. For those who want an all over tan, then Playa de Diego Hernandez is located between the now resort of La Caleta and El Puertito, a small fishing village further along the coast.
Costa Adeje has its own attractions, Aqualand, Golf Costa Adeje one of the best golf courses in the Canary Islands and for those who like to shop the Plaza del Duque is heaven but in the words of J.P. Morgan “If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it” When it comes to culture that may be a bit thin on the ground. But Adeje is only a short distance to the capital, Santa Cruz, so the culture buffs can also partake of their ballet, opera and classical music an easy 40 minutes journey down the motorway.
Is it worth paying the extra to stay, eat or drink in ‘Costa Adeje’ it really depends on what you are looking for, the exclusive hotels will offer you something you wont find everyday but whether that is worth the price really depends on how deep your pockets are. There are equally good, sometimes better hotels and restaurants in other areas of the south, but like most things it is the name you are paying for.
Fundamentally Costa Adeje is no different from Playa de las Américas. Both have chic and sleek areas which have modernised to meet more sophisticated 21st century tastes and both have other parts where businesses continue to offer cheap eats and booze in surroundings that aren’t exactly what you’d refer to as healthy places….
Walking from the Las Américas end of Costa Adeje westward is generally a case of passing a sophisticated section then budget area, stylish bars and attractive restaurants followed by Euro a pint joints and interchangeable places offering crowd pleasing ‘steak, chicken, pizza’ menus until you reach Del Duque where everything really is of the upmarket variety. Del Duque is my favourite of course :). More about Playa del Duque next time….
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