Playa de las Americas Guide

Located on Tenerife’s south coast, Playa de las Americas has grown significantly since the arrival of mass-tourism to the island in the 1960s. Today it is a truly modern, purpose-built resort and is generally considered the liveliest in Tenerife.

The resort attracts holidaymakers searching for great weather, beaches, entertainment, shops and nightlife. It also boasts a vast public park which is home to several squares and playgrounds, as well as an impressive collection of tropical and Canarian plants. However, it is the nightlife that is unquestionably Playa de las Americas’ stand-out feature. The activity is spread around the resort, but without doubt the most popular area for nocturnal fun is the famous Veronicas strip.

How to get to Playa de las Americas

Most visitors to Playa de las Americas will fly into Tenerife South Airport, which is around 25km away, and connects to a vast number of European cities.

The most efficient way of travelling from the airport to Playa de las Americas is by making use of the fast and reliable public bus service that transports passengers to resorts across the island. Alternatively, there are taxi ranks and hire car firms located at the airport.

When to visit Playa de las Americas

Much like across the rest of the island, Playa de las Americas is a fantastic all-year-round destination, with average temperature rarely dropping below 60C and more often rising above 80C.

As an added bonus, refreshing sea breezes offer relief from the heat and ensures little humidity, whilst rainfall during the summer months is highly infrequent.

Summer is a busy time for Playa de las Americas, though winter also draws large numbers of visitors searching for sunshine. Evenings can get chilly in winter, so be sure to pack accordingly.

Things to do in Playa de las Americas

Activities and Attractions

Playa de las Americas has a fine stretch of man-made beach, with numerous watersports on offer. This beach also offers some excellent views of the island of La Gomera across the water.

Golf las Americas is an 18-hole golf course in the centre of the resort, boasting an attractive setting with views out to sea.

Aqualand Costa Adeje is a superb waterpark that is within easy reach of Playa de las Americas.

Shopping

Shops in Playa de Las Americas are heavily geared towards the holiday trade, and you will be able to find all of your necessities in the resort. For more quirky goods, Torviscas Market is open on Thursdays and Saturdays, located on Calle de Valencia.

Eating out

The majority of bars and restaurants in Playa de Las Americas offer familiar English food, with little in the way of traditional Canarian cuisine. There is a large concentration of restaurants along the promenade.

One of the best restaurants in the resort, and indeed on the entire island, is Los Roques, which boasts a coveted Michelin star.

Nightlife

Playa de las Americas boasts perhaps the best nightlife in Tenerife. The resort is home to an excellent choice of bars and nightclubs lining the promenade and especially around the Veronicas and Starco Commercial Centres. These areas have something of a mixed reputation, but if dancing and drinking till the early hours is your thing, you certainly won’t be disappointed.

Nightlife in Playa de las Americs is also good for families, with many of the larger hotels offering in-house entertainment, and many of the bars and restaurants in the resort are also child-friendly.

Day trips and Excursions

There are several neighbouring resorts around Playa de Las Americas that are worth exploring, including the quaint and charming town of Los Cristianos and the more chic and sophisticated Costa Adeje.

For the more adventorous, a hike up 428m Montana Gauza represents a significant challenge, with sweeping views of southern Tenerife offered as a reward at the summit.