Lanzarote 2001

A number of years ago we visited Lanzarote and stayed in Puerto de Carmen we had an apartment which had a pool, it was so perfect that we didn’t venture out much during the day of our first week, except to find a restaurant in the evenings. There were a large number of restaurants run by Lanis and we found them very good for meat dishes, there were also lots of bars including Linaker’s bar

Puerto de Carmen was a busy resort and had quite a large beach.

During our stay we had an excursion to visit the Timanfayla National Park which has the landscape like the moon, due to some 100 odd volcanoes erupting between 1730-1736, which devastated a vast area on the island and destroyed several villages.


The last eruption was in 1824 and since 1968 the area has become a National Park. The National Park does have a car park but you cannot walk or drive yourself around the park but coaches do tours around the designate area at a cost of 8 euro’s.


Because the volcanoes are still active, the Guides give demonstrations of straw being dropped in a hole which immediately catches alight another demonstration given is water poured down a hole and within 10 seconds shoots up into the air like a fountain. There is also a Bar-b-que where food is cooked on a grill over the volcano and the food is sold to the public but you have to be quick as the cooking stops at 15:00. While we were there they had a bar-b-que evening but I’m not sure if this is now done.


We are told that the volcanoes could erupt at any time but hopefully not when I am on holiday. On the trip you can also experience a camel ride whilst sitting in a precarious seat amongst some of the grumpiest camels.

After the camel ride, we were taken for lunch to a resort called Playa Blanca where we were given a couple of hours to walk around, after looking at Playa Blanca, decided we would return. (review to come)

Finally it was a trip to a wine tasting place to sample about three different wines, bottles could be purchased but we didn’t bother




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Playa Blanca

Having visited Lanzarote previously, we decided to go back in Dec 2006 for the winter sun. The apartment we picked was in a complex called the Sun Royal apartments which were at the back of town and meant a 10 min walk to the beach and a 25 min walk to the main restaurants and town. This was fine for us as we passed this view everyday.

The apartments were only two storeys and the apartment we had on the top floor was quite plush.

Playa Blanca is actually a small port and there is a ferry service to the Island of Fuerteventura (in 2006, 28 euro’s return)

The beach area is away from the port and is fairly small but was adequate for the number of people around in early December. Above the beach was a tavern for lunchtime meals and toilet facilities. There was even a Burger King for Daryn but I’m sure even this would not tempt him

There is a promenade which connects the town and the beach. Passed the town is another smaller beach but after a walk there decided it wasn’t very good.

Attractive young Chinese ladies would come around the chair beds offering massages for 10 euro’s and it was quite popular until a police raid broke up their business for a day or two.

Beyond the beach and following down the promenade for 15 minutes there is a new marina with small boats. Modern walkways allow you to zigzag across the marina and watch the fish. Various restaurants have sprung up and you can eat whilst watching the harbour life. Once a week at the end of the marina there is a local market selling all kinds of goods.

One cloudy day Mrs Delboy and I had a trip to Fuerteventura (The windy Island and it didn’t disappoint)

As soon as we arrived, we walk around the harbour and to the beach and experienced the sand blasting us. Dunes could be seen in the distance with wind surfers in full sail. We enjoyed a nice meal in an inland restaurant and eventually returned to the harbour to see that the sea had rough up a bit. I had a queasy time going back but enjoyed the day but Fuerteventura was not for me.

Playa Blanca was a nice quiet place and had many different types of restaurants e.g. Chinese, Italian, Mexican, even Spanish and we found a nice classy restaurant to have that personal service.

All in all, I can’t go mad about the Canaries but this was a place where I could go again, to get the winter sun without the long haul.

Yet another fantastic report with fabulous photo's Delboy, keep it going. By the way where haven't you been mate.

Great stuff Del, I've also been there, stayed in C. Teguise. We also went for winter sun (Jan 2002). Did you go to the north where the secret pool was?

I also enjoyed the Timafaya national park... what a freakish landscape! Parts of the original Planet of the Apes films (with Charlton Heston) were filmed here.

I have been twice to Lanzarote.Costa Teguise-wouldn't return- and Playa Blanca-would.Don't write off Fuerteventura.I have been there twice to Corralejo where the ferry from Lanzarote puts in.Stayed at the Blue Bay Palace in Corralejo.Very good indeed and handy for what else was going on in the resort.Also only 5 mins walk from a decent beach.But if you like beach life and don't mind being a taxi ride from the town Riu Palace Tres Islas 5* was quite outstanding.Right on a vast sandy beach.Not much entertainment in the hotel but the food and everything rooms,pool,sports facilities were bril.I think Riu is one of the best hotel brands in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries.But their drinks prices are steep.

Hi Mark
I have never been to the North or C. Teguise.

Can you do one of your reviews on them, it will give everyone a chance to see them?

I'll see what i can do del but i'm not sure i've got any pics (in digital format)

Another fab report for another part of the world these are brilliant and I love looking over them. many thanks and Im sure lots of people will appreciate these.

I have never been to Lanzarote or Fervent, probably due to the lack of flights direct from Aberdeen. The both look nice though. I might be going to the Canaries for some sunshine this winter. I have started to look at the cost of flights will probably end up flying from Aberdeen via a hub airport.

Madrid might be a good alternative hub to look out for Hayz

Playa Blanca 2010

Having been to Playa Blanca 4 years ago, we were quite surprised to see how much more development had taken place since we were there last.

The resort has a harbour area where Fred Olsen Express and the Armas Ferry run a service to Fuerteventura, a day return costs for Fred Olsen 45 euro’s and the Armas ferry costs 34 euro’s .



At the far end of Playa Blanca there is the Rubicon Marina area which has been extensively been added to and improved and many boats are moored there.







New buildings in keeping with the marina area





Although the harbour and the marina are about a mile apart, there is now an attempt to infill which seems at the moment to have stopped, may be to do with the current financial climate.

Here a new pathway links the Harbour and Marina and beyond



Near our accommodation, massive footings have been dug out, to support new apartments/hotels



We stayed at the Pueblo Marineros apartments at the Rubicon Marina end of Playa Blanca.









We did read of complaints on TA about the state of the pool before we booked, with little mosaic tiles missing, we are not pool people but we did note that the pool was under repair however it was still in use.





It may be important to bear in mind, that when booking, if the nearby construction programme were to resume, of what appear to be more apartments/hotels, it may have an impact on the quietness of the place.

At the harbour and town end there is a small town beach which disappears completely at high tide.



About half way between the harbour and the marina there is the main Dorado Beach which has an open air cafe and facilities behind.



The cafe also has the rights to hire sun beds and parasols on this beach and the cost in 2010 was 9 euro’s (3 euro’s for each component.)

Beyond the marina and about 15/20mins walk to Papagayo and beyond these AI hotels





there are other beaches but they do not have any facilities other than a small bar which we were told was expensive. These beaches are part of a conservation area, accessed only by a dirt road and are used by nudists and the further one walks the less clothes are worn





From the harbour, in the opposite direction of the marina and heading towards the lighthouse there is another beach called Flamingo Beach which has been much improved since we were last, there it also has a number of restaurants and facilities behind.







On this section, towards the lighthouse there are a number of AI hotels which don’t have any beaches backing on to them, although some have made attempts to fill small rock areas with sand.



Behind these hotels, there is a dormant volcano which is fairly easy to walk up providing you are reasonably fit.





You can get good views of the whole area and also the island of Fuerteventura





The restaurants are traditionally in the harbour area and offer all kinds of cuisines at reasonable prices. Our favourite for quality, attention and price was Sidreria Arena but did enjoyed Jumbo’s Chinese restaurant and the Mexican restaurant accessed in the high street near the harbour







The Marina end has many restaurants which command a view of the marina and boats but apart from a couple they tended to be dearer than the harbour area. We saw one that appeared to be cheaper like 12 euro’s for a meat dish but found that the house wine cost 14 euro’s and we were charged 4 euro’s for bread rolls. The meal was small in comparison to others, resulting in us having a sweet.

Due to the wind the blinds of these restaurants were down blocking the views and as such, found them not good value for money.







sample menu at marina end



In general beer was 3 to 3 ½ euro’s for a large beer (1/2 litre) and house wine from 8 to 14 euro’s a 70cc bottle.

There is a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Marina end

Also two relic structures in the marina area from the past, this was originally a wind fan for drying out salt collected from the sea foam.



Also a watch tower built in the 1700’s to warn the town of pirates





Finally groceries are expensive in the area expect to pay 50% more for for food and 100 to 200% for British goods.

A good update to the original review Del. The difference in the scanned pics and the digital ones is remarkable.

cracking photo's and review delboy
we went to costa teguise and would not go back,but looking a pdc would deffo give it a try if the price was right

Wonderful photos del evocative of our stay in Playa Blanca.Our hotel Hesperia Playa Dorada,lovely location between the marina and the town but-don't go there anyone.Much better hotels around.For those who might find Puerto del Carmen too busy busy my pal John whose daughter Karen lives in Lanzarote says Playa de los Pocillos is halfway-house.I might try that next time (although I think I prefer Fuerteventura to Lanzarote anyway).

Some extra photos taken in the area

Hotel pool




On the beach


Massive Liner





Marina area






Some plant life




Harbour


Town area