The Island

Tenerife is the largest, best known and many say, the most beautiful of the Canary Islands. An island of vivid contrasts it is dominated by the 12,000-foot Mount Teide, a snow capped inactive volcano which rises majestically above the craters and weird lunar landscapes of the Las Canadas National Park. To the north the lush green sub tropical vegetation, banana plantations and exotic flowers of the Oratava valley and the sophisticated resort of Puerto de la Cruz with its famous seafront lido. To the south a hotter drier and more barren land with dark sand beaches, with the notable exception of the imported golden sandy beach of Los Cristianos. The lively all action cosmopolitan resort of Playa de las Americas and it's more tranquil neighbour Los Cristianos. The main attraction of the Canary Islands is their favoured climate providing warmth and sunshine throughout the year but Tenerife, the holiday island with a difference, has so much more to offer.

Climate

Tenerife features the lowest temperature 'difference' between summer and winter for anywhere in the world. Our weather occasionally includes rain, but there is no specific 'rainy season'. Air conditioning is quite rare, with overhead fans usually providing sufficient air movement to stay cool, even at the height of summer. The minimum and maximum annual average air temperatures in Tenerife are about 15C in winter and 24C in summer. Specified temperatures in Tenerife are always from the Northern point of the Island with the south usually experiencing 6C higher. Therefore we enjoy wonderful weather in one of the world's best and most delightful climates. The Island offers a surprising variety of micro-climatic weather zones, enabling people to almost 'choose' their climate, depending on where they live. The Trade winds, together with the refreshing Gulf air currents, are the major weather factors that contribute to Tenerife's climate. The great altitude of Mount Teide gets up to three months of snow - yet it is still possible to enjoy a swim on the beach within an hour's ride. The coastal areas enjoy the most sunshine, the best weather, the least clouds and highest temperatures.

Vaccinations

Compulsory Vaccinations: None. Recommended Vaccinations: None, however check you have an up to date tetanus & polio immunisations, long-term visitors should consider hepatitis A immunisation.

Tourist Office

Spanish Tourist Office, 22/23 Manchester Square, London, W1M 5AP, UK, Tel: 0891 669920 (50p/min), Fax: 020 7486 8034, Email: None

Visa Enquiries

Spanish Consulate General, 20 Draycott Place, London, SW3 2RZ, UK, Tel: 0891 600123 (50p/min), Fax: 020 7581 7888

Sight Seeing - natural beauty, historical interest, museums

Botanical Gardens (Puerto Cruz) -Will impress even those who 'are not interested in flowers'. The gardens feature an incredible collection of tropical and sub-tropical trees and plants. Open daily 09.00 - 18.00. Situated in La Paz.

Risco Bello Aquatic Gardens (Puerto Cruz) - Situated right in the heart of the Parque Taoro. A popular and beautiful tropical oasis with lakes, grotto, waterfall, pottery garden, Japanese bridge, exotic flora and fauna. Open daily 10.00 - 18.30 (winter) and 10.00 - 20.30 (Summer)

Castle Museum Park (Los Realejos)
Discover the Canary Islands History and all about its flora, fauna, agriculture, volcanoes, foods, ceramics and handicrafts. Everything you ever wanted to know about folklore. There are also Camel rides, and a playground for children. Open daily 09.00 - 18.00. Free bus every 30 mins. from Cafe Columbus.

Casa Iriarte (Los Realejos) - A beautifully preserved 18th Century building with the distinctive Canarian balconies so ever-present in this town. Poet and author Tomas de Iriarte y Nieves-Ravelo was born in this house in 1750. The lower part of the house has shops selling souvenirs and upstairs there is a naval museum, with a collection of old posters and photographs.

Natural History Museum (Santa Cruz) - A new museum representing Tenerife's history, from Spanish conquest - present day. Housed in a magnificent XVIth century building. Open Tues.- Sun. 10.00 - 17.00

'Rasto' (Santa Cruz Flea Market). Sunday mornings 10.00 - 14.00.

Garachico - Local Canarian craft market, most Sundays.

Masca Road leads from Santiago del Teide, 6 km zigzag drive. The village until recently was not accessible by road. Wonderful views and an insight into how Canarian's lived for many years. Popular with hikers who wish to make the 2 hour walk through the gully to the sea at the base of majestic cliffs of Los Gigantes.

Barranco del Infierno. Walkers ravine in Municipal of Adeje. The gorge boasts one of the few permanent streams in the south of island. You do not have to be a keen hiker to transverse this gully. Walk takes approx. 70 mins, each way. Bar/Restaurant at entrance to Barranco. Wear tough shoes.

Vilaflor - Old Canarian village. Situated at 4,921 feet is the highest village in Spain. Beautiful scenery. During winter months take a jacket with you it may be cool.

Taganana Still one of the remotest villages in Tenerife. Famous for it's Rose wine and fresh fish meals. It is a botanist's and walkers paradise.

Teide Volcano and the National Park, Mount Teide is the highest peak in Spain standing at 12,200 feet. Formed around a million years ago. Lunar landscape, volcanic ashes and rock formations. Incredible views and landscapes. Cable car to upper peak. Cable car cannot be used by people with heart conditions and other related medical conditions.



Night Life - Spectaculars, Night Clubs, Disco and Casino


Night Clubs - Night Life Veronicas, in Playa de las Americas, is the hottest night life location in Tenerife. The whole complex is dedicated to night life. At various other venues in the South, you will find everything from Spanish Dance Shows, Magic shows and Medieval nights to dedicated Jazz programs. Veronicas comes to life from around 22.00 hrs every night. All music tastes catered for as well as an excellent variety of young rock bands and live music. from 01.00 hrs till late.

Castillo San Miguel Medieval Night and Show Exactly as you saw it in the movies!. Now live. Medieval tournaments, Parades-games-fights and competitions on horseback between knights of that epoch. Enjoy an authentic medieval show accompanied by a succulent dinner, wine and dance with the orchestra show band. Also The Drifters Espectacular. Spend an unforgettable evening with all the family.

Flamenco Ballet The Pyramids International Ballet. Theatre Dance Show. A must when visiting Tenerife. This show is approx. 2 hours of Dance. If you have ever wanted to or seen the Riverdance company, this group of dancers have developed a show which is as good if not better with a Spanish flavour. Dinner can also be arranged at one of the restaurants in this renowned 5 star hotel and conference centre.

Theme Parks - ecological, water, interest and leisure


Octopus Aquapark (near Playa de las Americas)The Octopus water theme park, situated near Playa Las Americas, is open all year round, 10am to 6pm daily. One of Tenerife's great attractions, it features superb selection of sun bathing areas, slides, tubes, pools, diving boards , dolphins shows and a relaxing 'lazy river'. Attractions include safe, supervised climbing and playing structures for children, and high safety standards. Facilities include restaurants and changing rooms.

Ecological Park (Las Aguilas Nr. Los Cristianos) 75,000 sq. metres of tropical gardens. Many natural attractions, exotic wildlife, crocodiles, penguins, elephants and a variety of 'birds of prey' - which are used for exciting 'demonstrations set in open arenas. Open all year with free buses from Playa Las Americas.


Loro Park (Puerto de la Cruz, North Tenerife) This fabulous Puerto de la Cruz attraction is a Thailand styled tropical paradise. It has the worlds largest parrot collection and unforgettable Dolphin Sea Lion & Parrot shows, as well as the world's longest underwater 'walkway' tunnel (through a shark and fish filled aquarium). Tiger Island, Gorilla Jungle and the Bat Cave are just a few of the many attractions here. Open daily. 08.30 - 17.00. Free 'road train' ride to and from Playa Martinez (centre of Puerto de la Cruz) are every 20 mins.

Bananera - Jardines del Atlantico (at Busanada, Nr Los Cristianos) Included amongst the abundance of tropical plants and trees, you will also see a model of Tenerife explaining the water system of the island. Open daily they have a free bus from Los Cristianos/Playa Las Americas.

Camel Park (Near Los Cristianos) Enjoy a ride on the typical Canarian animal. Afterwards enjoy an Arab tea or meal. Open daily from 10.00 - 19.00 on the road from Los Cristianos - Chayofa. Free bus from Los Cristianos/Playa Las Americas.

Cactus and Animal Park (Near Los Cristianos)A botanical garden specialising in cacti and plant life from the arid regions. The animal park, houses a variety of species from marmosets to terrapins. Next door is Amazonia, 7000 sq m of tropical rain forest. Exotic birds fly freely and there is a beautiful collection of hummingbirds, a host of other game birds, parrots and reptiles. Open daily from 10.00 - 18.00. Free bus from Los Cristianos/Playa Las Americas.

Diving Undersea Adventures is a professional dive center, based in San Blas on the Golf del Sur, and is owned and run by Geoff Richardson and assisted by Jeff Roberts.This is a British owned and operated Diving Centre which is fully registered in Tenerife. All the staff are highly qualified PADI professionals with many years of experience in recreational diving world-wide. They can provide a wide variety of diving to suit all levels of experience. From Discover Scuba (having never dived before) through to Padi Professional. Undersea Adventures provide professionally run courses, with no more than four open water students to one Instructor. Qualified clients may choose unescorted dives, or be escorted by a Professional Dive Guide. Their goal is to ensure that your diving is not only enjoyable but above all safe. You will see the best that Tenerife's undersea world has to offer.