Here are a few tips and ideas of things to do during your stay in Playa Blanca.
Climb the Montaña Roja
The famous Red Mountain (Montaña Roja) is a great way to spend a couple of hours exploring. You don’t have to be a professional or experienced, just have decent shoes and wear plenty of sun cream! Follow the path (click here for a link to Google Maps) and then enjoy the views from the top of the mountain, as well as walking around the crater.
Alex Sailing
Climb aboard a private yacht and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean with Alex, a very relaxed and knowledgeable skipper. The hire for up to 7 people is excellent value at €35 an hour (minimum two hours). Click here to contact Alex via Facebook.
Eat & Drink like a Local
Head off the main stretch of the seafront and you’ll find a few tapas and local bars dotted about, the locals are friendly and happy to help. Even try the cafés for a coffee and cake or croissant. If you like your coffee sweet and strong try a “leche leche”, which is a shot in a glass with condensed milk at the bottom, coffee in the middle and then hot milk at the top. When having tapas, a few well-known favourites are Canarian potatoes (crinkly potatoes) with mojo sauce, prawns in garlic, Spanish omelette, croquettes and fried squid.
La Mulata
The La Mulata commercial centre is often missed but not far from the main centre of Playa Blanca. If you fancy a night away from the main town centre, head to La Mulata, which is just a 5 minute drive or 4 to 5 euro taxi journey from your villa. At La Mulata you’ll find one of the best chill out cocktail bars in Playa Blanca with fantastic views, as well as a few dining options overlooking the sea. Click here for a link to Google Maps.
Papagayo Beaches
Papagayo Beaches are a collection of small coves of soft white side leading to crystal clear sea water, they are among the best beaches in Europe. You can drive to the beaches and parking spaces are very close to the beaches itself if you want to avoid a long walk. The dirt track leading to the beaches is accessed from the Playa Blanca-Femés road and there is a small charge of €3 as Papagayo is classified as a national park. Please be aware some car hire companies may not insure you for the dirt track to Papagayo so please check with your car hire company first. Alternatively you can get on a water taxi from Marina Rubicon or the main harbour. There are fewer local amenities than at the other beaches in Playa Blanca.
Market
Market days at the Marina Rubicon are Wednesday and Saturday. You’ll find a range of stalls surrounding the shops and bars with a lively, colourful atmosphere. Many of the stalls sell unique home made products.
Nightlife
Playa Blanca isn’t huge on nightlife and is mostly a quiet, family resort, but you can party until the early hours if you wish. Most of the late bars are located in the Papagayo Centro Commercial, which is just along from Dorada Beach. If you’re looking for live music have a walk around the bars there.