Destination Information

Puerto de la Cruz

The largest tourist centre in the north, the picturesquely situated town of Puerto de la Cruz, is definitely worth a visit. With a population of around 40,000, the city has developed from a fishing village into a tourist magnet since the 1960s. Puerto de la Cruz offers what is lacking on the south coast, e.g. the Plaza del Charco a traditional centre which locals and tourists alike love to visit. In addition to many hotel and apartment complexes, much of the old town centre has been preserved. The newly built Playa Jardin beach with its dark volcanic sand is just as much a feast for the eyes as the famous seawater swimming pools "Lago de Martiánez", designed by the famous artist and architect Cesar Manrique. We also recommend a visit to the Botanical Garden, located in the upper district of La Paz. It was founded in 1788 and houses about 3,000 different exotic plant species. You can't talk about Puerto de la Cruz without mentioning the Loro Parque. In this park you will find the largest collection of parrots in the world, including around 300 species that are threatened with extinction. The Loro Parque is a park of superlatives with many surprises (dolphins, orcas, sea lions, etc.) - you will find more information in the excursion section further on.