Puerto Rico began life as a tiny fishing village on the south coast of Gran Canaria, and in recent years its popularity has soared. Few visitors can resist its white-sand beach and easy-going charm, with all the shops, bars and restaurants you could need. If you’re on holiday with the kids in Puerto Rico, some of Gran Canaria’s best water parks and family attractions are a short bus journey away.
Where is Puerto Rico Gran Canaria?
Puerto Rico is on the southwestern coast of Gran Canaria, which is sheltered from cool northerly winds. This means it’s often a few degrees warmer here than northern Gran Canaria, which makes Puerto Rico an ideal base for winter holidays.
Just to the northwest of the resort is the dramatic Pilancones Natural Park (Parque Natural Pilancones). It’s famous for its beautiful mountain valleys, and is a great alternative to the busy bars of the coast if you want to get back to nature.
Things to do
Wander along the long curve of beach at the heart of Puerto Rico, lay back on a lounger and enjoy hours of Canaries sunshine. When you’re feeling up to it, white-knuckle water sports are the name of the game with high-speed jet skis or windsurfing to pick from. Kids and grown ups love the local water park, Aqualand, with its huge choice of swimming pools, slides and playgrounds. If you fancy getting out on the ocean, pay Puerto Rico’s marina a visit and set sail on the open sea for the day. When the sun sets, Puerto Rico’s balmy evenings were made for sitting outside a wine bar on the waterfront.
Watersports galore
The gorgeous beach of Puerto Rico has plenty of watersports facilities that will provide guaranteed fun for all ages. These range from traditional banana boat rides to the brand new Jetovator, a jet pack (yes, an actual, real-life jet pack!) which gives you a chance to fly over the water and enjoy breathtaking views!
Dive and explore
If you want to create some fantastic holiday memories, you may want to have a go at diving. With a one-day PADI-approved course, you’ll be qualified to go below the water and discover what lies under the waves. With more advanced courses on offer, you can even brush up on your diving skills if you’re already open-water qualified.
Beach days
The beautiful sands in Puerto Rico have made it a popular destination for beach lovers. The rustic beaches are ideal for a family day out, too, giving parents a chance to lie back in the sun while children can play in this safe environment. With lots of things to do nearby, you’re never too far away from a refreshing drink or a delicious meal.
Where is Puerto Rico nightlife?
For clubbing, head to the Shopping Center, where you can watch excellent live shows or dance the night away at one of the clubs. Puerto Rico is also home to more family bars and quieter venues at the Europa Center, the other main nightlife spot at the resort.
Other attractions near Puerto Rico
One of the most impressive natural sights in Gran Canaria is the Dunes of Maspalomas, a dramatic sand dune system that looks like a small desert. In fact, when you look at a map of all the islands and where Puerto Rico Gran Canaria is, this might not be surprising, as they are all just a short distance from the vast Sahara Desert!
Puerto Rico is also a quick hop from the popular Aqualand Maspalomas waterpark and the Roque Nublo volcanic rock which dates back around 4.5 million years.
More travel guides
We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Andalusia | Balearic Islands | Barcelona | Canary Islands | Costa Almeria | Costa Blanca | Costa Brava | Costa Dorada | Costa del Sol | Fuerteventura | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Maspalomas | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Malaga | Majorca | Menorca | Playa des Ingles | San Agustin