Playa Taurito is a purpose built resort close to Puerto Rico on the southern coast of Gran Canaria. It is a peaceful holiday village that, as well as a sandy beach, has a large swimming pool complex which is open to the public for a small fee. Hotels and apartments provide a range of good quality accommodation. Shops and restaurants are rather limited but being close to larger resorts, such as Puerto Rico, this matters little. A Playa Taurito holiday offers lazy days on the beach with a choice of sporting activities, or alternatively relaxation in the attractive lido.
A Playa Taurito holiday offers warm year round sunshine in tranquil surroundings with bathing facilities on and off the beach, and a variety of leisure activities on land and water. There are many attractions in the vicinity appealing to both adults and children. Hotels, bars, discos and restaurants in nearby Puerto Rico, provide lively evening entertainment.
A Playa Taurito holiday appeals to families with young children and couples of all ages. The lido, offering sand-free bathing, is a major attraction. Since much of the accommodation is built into the cliffs, there can be steep gradients. Those with problems of mobility should check that their hotel is suitable.
A Playa Taurito holiday can be taken at any time of year with its pleasantly hot summers and warm winters. The south of Gran Canaria rarely has rain.
Playa Taurito lies between Playa del Mogan and Puerto Rico on Gran Canaria’s sunny south coast. It is a very quiet holiday village favoured by those who wish to relax away from crowded beaches. A purpose built resort sheltered by cliffs, it lies around a man-made beach of rather dark sand. The waters offer safe bathing for children and less confident swimmers. This said, it must be remembered that these gentle waters belong to a mighty ocean and there can be strong undercurrents. Swimmers should always swim parallel to the shore. A major attraction in Playa Taurito is a large public swimming pool complex which looks more like a small lake. It is a very attractive area with bridges and walkways planted with palms and flowers. There are also bars and cafes offering day-long refreshments.
Playa Taurito accommodation includes all-inclusive hotels and apartments. Restaurants are limited as most people eat in their hotels or self-cater. Likewise shops are in short supply with minimarkets for essential provisions and the inevitable gift and souvenir shops. The nightlife is very low-key with larger hotels provide evening entertainment.
Many of the island’s attractions are found in the south of Gran Canaria and these include the very popular Aqualand. With over thirty slides including the Anaconda and the Tornado it appeals to both children and adults alike. Here you can actually swim with the sea lions. Holiday world is a theme park with exciting rides.
The ocean around Gran Canaria has ideal conditions for whale and dolphin spotting and for big game fishing, where it is possible to catch blue marlins weighing hundreds of pounds.
Golfers will find an eighteen hole golf course close to the sand dunes in a nature reserve in nearby Maspalomas.
Inland Gran Canaria is well worth exploring with its stunning scenery and charming old villages. Jeep safaris to Mount Tejeda are an ideal way to explore the island.
Playa Taurito is as relaxed by night as it is by day reflecting the resort’s popularity with couples and families. Evenings are spent wandering the streets and the waterfront enjoying the balmy air and a drink under the stars. Those looking for livelier venues can visit neighbouring resorts, such as Puerto Rico, where the entertainment lasts until dawn.
Playa Taurito shopping is limited to supermarkets providing essential provisions and gift and souvenir shops. Since one of the attractions of shopping in Gran Canaria is that goods are virtually tax free, visitors may wish to take the bus to neighbouring Puerto Rico. Here the Centro Civico has a wide variety of shops and boutiques. Apart from duty-free goods, popular purchases include leather products, ceramics, wood carvings, jewellery, embroidered linens and handmade lace.
Although Playa Taurito has a small number of cafes and restaurants, those wishing to dine out regularly should visit neighbouring Puerto Rico or Puerto Mogan where there is a much greater variety. Fish features prominently on menus, often accompanied by mojo, a spicy pepper salsa and salted potatoes. A good way to sample Spanish food is to order a plate of tapas which consists of a medley of bite-sized dishes. Tapas are also ideal for filling the sometimes long gap between lunch and dinner, which is served later in the Canaries than at home.
Children are always made very welcome in restaurants and their tastes and portion sizes are usually accommodated. Local wine is pleasant and inexpensive.
