There is an almost endless range of shopping potential in Tenerife, and there are no Customs duties or VAT.

There are several shopping centres across the Island and local craft shops selling embroidered goods and pottery are widespread in Los Cristianos and in the El Duque Commercial Centre in Costa Adeje. Santa Cruz de Tenerife has some brilliant shops at the Plaza de España and Plaza de la Canelaria to name a few and flea Markets are dotted around the Island for bargain hunters. The Palace of Pearls is located at Armenime in the south – which sells pearls and pearl jewellery.

The cuisine of the Canary Islands is a blend of traditional Spanish recipes with African and Latin American influences. There are also many International themed restaurants catered towards tourists. Typical Canarian cuisine includes: Mojo sauce and Canarian potatoes. Papas Arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) are new potatoes that have been cooked in sea water and baked, they are delicious. The Mojo sauces consist of all natural ingredients such as:  olive oil, vinegar, garlic, herbs, cumin, paprika, pepper, fresh herbs, parsley and coriander.

Mojo picon (spicy red mojo) is prepared with spicy peppers, garlic, vinegar, oil, paprika, cumin and cooking salt. Another favourite is mojo de cilantro (coriander green mojo); its basic ingredients are coriander, garlic, green paper, vinegar, oil and cumin. Gofio is a type of  flour that is made from roasted sweetcorn and other grains such as: wheat, barley or oats . Gofio was originally eaten by the Guanches, who were the first inhabitants of the Canary Islands, and it was the main staple of their diet. It is still used today in Canary Island cuisine and is added to soups, stews, desserts, sauces, and more.

The carnival in Tenerife is considered to be only second to Rio and takes place around Easter for a month of celebrations. A different theme is chosen every year and the carnival starts off with the presentation of the Carnival Queen Contestants. The Grand Parade is the main highlight of the Carnival season, but there are more events that follow such as: band and murga (comedic folk singers) contests and concerts. Celebrations and festivities begin in Santa Cruz, but steadily extend to other areas as each Town and Village celebrates its own festival.

Besides the organised events, there are also live bands and dancing in the open air for everyone most nights from around 23.00 hrs until dawn. Official Street stalls selling drinks and Tapas are all around. Many other attractions include: football and clay pigeon shooting and many other events. The finale of the carnival is completed with the burial of the sardine; a mammoth papier-mâché sardine is paraded through the city followed by hundreds of weeping ‘widows’ - the Tenerife male population dress up as widowed ladies, all in black, The sardine is then burnt accompanied by a huge firework display.

Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos

Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos are located on the south western Coast of Tenerife. Over the last three decades, Playa de las Americas has developed into one of Europe’s largest and liveliest holiday resorts. This part of Tenerife is filled with luxury hotels, apartments, numerous lovely beaches, plenty of attractions and activities, an immense variety of bars and restaurants and maybe some of the finest nightlife in the Canary Islands. Those looking for a quieter resort can stay in nearby Los Cristianos, which lies in a sheltered bay.

Formerly it was a small fishing village and much of the old town still has a Canarian feel to it. The crescent shaped bay has a beach that is over 400m long with a wide range of water sports available and there is a secluded nudist beach at the far end of the resort. A broad promenade runs along the full length of the resort, continuing for several miles into the heart of Playa de las Americas.

The resort has a working harbour where small fishing boats weave in and out and large ferries and jet foils make regular trips to the Island of La Gomera which is around an hour away. Boat trips to view whales and dolphins for visitor’s sail from this harbour. Nightlife in Los Cristianos is quieter than Playa de las Americas, but there are a couple of discos.  Most people prefer to unwind and watch the world go by from the many restaurants in the square opposite the harbour.

Octopus Park is located in the Costa Adeje area of Playa de la Americas. This water park has many attractions including a variety of different slides such as Kamikaze and foam. There is also two dolphin shows every day and their trainers tell you about the dolphins. There are many snack bars available in the park.

The Camel Park is located in Carretera, Los Cristianos and camel rides last for around an hour in the fields surrounding the camel park. The facilities include a small café selling refreshments.

Hiking/Walking fans will find the Barranco del Inferno also known as Hells Gorge, an effortless and scenic walk. It is located in the Municipal of Adeje and the gorge boasts one of the few permanent streams in the south of the Island. A number of ancient Burial caves can be found here, the walk takes around 2 ½ hours.

The Cliffs of the Giants (Acantilados de los Gigantes) are located across the bay from Los Gigantes. These huge sheer cliffs were once believed to be sacred, drop into the sea from a height of 500m and 800m in certain places. To get a close up view of these dramatic cliffs is by boat, regular trips are available.

If Karting is your thing, why not take a visit to the Karting Club de Tenerife is situated approx 7 km from Los Cristianos in Arona. The track is of International standard and has various types of kart for hire depending on age and experience. If you just prefer to watch the karts racing each other, there are terraces from which you can view the action. There is also a café and bar for refreshments available.

The Parque Ecologico Las Aguilas del Teide (Ecological Eagle Park of Teide) is located in Arona, just outside Los Cristianos centre. It is a tropical paradise that covers some 72,000 sqm of land. There is an incredible collection of birds of prey, which are part of the ‘birds of prey show’. There is also an ‘exotic bird show’ which includes parrots performing. Penguins, pelicans, hippopotamus, leopards, lions, and crocodiles are just a few of the various species of animals that can be found there.