Playa de Las Americas, in the South, is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Tenerife. It is best known for its lively nightlife on the Veronicas party strip, but it has much more to offer, like various beaches and a wide range of activities, waterparks, and zoos nearby. In recent years, large parts of this area have also become much more luxury, shopping, dining, and family-focused.
Beaches
Playa de las Americas has many different beaches along its coastline. Playa de Troya is the busier of the beaches and has a lively atmosphere. Most of the time, you won’t notice it much, but since this is close to the main party area of Veronicas, in the high season holidays when many people come to party here, this beach can get a bit loud and crowded in the afternoons.
The more relaxed and family-friendly beaches are the Playa del Camisón or Playa de las Vistas, closer to Los Cristianos, but like I said, when travelling outside of the peak holiday times, all of them are pretty chill and relaxed.
The Playa de las Americas beach is, in my opinion, the least interesting. It has lots of rocks and gets the most wind and high waves on windy days. For this last reason, however, it is very popular with surfers.
Also, the Playa El Bobo is within easy walking distance, but this is already in the Costa Adeje area.
Where to stay in Playa de las Americas
It depends on what you are looking for. If you want a luxurious holiday with many shops, upscale restaurants, and excellent beaches, staying near Playa del Camison is the best choice. The Las Veronicas area is the best choice for a more lively and clubbing scene.
- HD Parque Cristobal Tenerife: Family holiday in a cosy bungalow complex close to everything.
- Parque Santiago 3: Family holiday on a budget close to the beach.
- Spring Hotel Bitacora: Excellent family holidays, especially with younger children.
- Vanilla Garden Boutique Hotel: Ideal for the nightlife and adults-only holidays close to the Las Veronicas party area.
- Sir Anthony Hotel Tenerife: Adults-oriented luxury next to the beach.
- Hotel Cleopatra Palace: Popular couples holiday hotel next to the beach and close to the shopping and restaurants.
Things to do in Playa de las Americas
- Surfing: Playa de las Americas is one of the more popular places in Tenerife to go surfing or take lessons to learn it.
- Watersports: Jet skiing or parasailing can all be done here.
- Boat trips: Many different boat trips leave from the nearby Puerto Colon harbour area.
- Waterparks: Siam Water Park is my favorite, located just behind the resort and can easily be reached by free bus. Aqualand is also close by.
- Clubbing and nightlife: The Veronicas strip is the best place to go out at night.
- Shopping: This area has the most extensive variety of shops and shopping centres, including the Siam Mall, which is the most unique and very popular.
- Golf: In the back of the resort, you will find an 18-hole golf course.
- Zoos and Parks: Monkey Park, Jungle Park, and Camel Park are less than 5 km away.
- Minigolf: Playa de las Américas has some excellent mini-golf areas, especially popular in the evenings and at night.
- Shows: Enjoy one of the shows at the Arona Pyramid, better known as the Hard Rock Cafe.
- Markets: While there are no real markets in Playa de las Americas, nearby Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje have them. However, some beachfront mini-markets are open daily for exploring and browsing.
- Montana Chayofita: Great for hikers or those who enjoy magnificent sunsets.
This list is of things to do in or near Playa de Las Americas. But there is much more to see and do on the island. You can find a full list of the top things to do and not do in Tenerife here.
Restaurants
In Playa de las Americas, you will find one of the largest selections of excellent restaurants and places to eat. There is everything from traditional Spanish cuisine to a large variety of international, fusion, and oriental cuisine and all-you-can-eat buffets.
While the food is excellent in most restaurants, I do not like that many are huge, so sometimes the service might feel impersonal. Also, for many of the more popular restaurants, you must make a reservation. If you want the more traditional smaller restaurants, you can easily walk over to nearby Los Cristianos.
Nightlife
Playa de las Americas is the best-known party and clubbing area in Tenerife, especially the Veronicas area, a large strip of many clubs and cocktail bars open until the early morning. However, while Playa de las Americas is a great place to go clubbing all year round, know that outside of school and university holidays, some clubs might not be open because fewer people are around during that time.
While Playa de Las Americas was previously known only for its loud clubbing scene, the other side of this area is much more family-oriented. Near the Hard Rock Cafe Tenerife, you will find a more family-friendly nightlife with live performances and shows.
Tenerife airport to Playa de las Americas
Playa de Las Americas is only 18 kilometres from the Tenerife South Airport (TFS). The Tenerife North Airport (TFN) is 81 kilometres away. So it is best to fly to the Tenerife South Airport:
- Public transport (3.70 €/pp): Cheap, but know that the bus might stop far from your hotel.
- Shuttle bus online (5.16 €/pp): The best option for solo travellers and couples. You don’t have to search for your hotel, as you are dropped off directly at the hotel. You are guaranteed a seat on the bus even when your flight is delayed or it is very busy.
- Taxi or minibus online (31.06 €): The best option for families with small children who need child safety seats. If you have a lot of luggage or are arriving on weekends, evenings, or during peak season, it is also advised to book online in advance. If you are more than four people, booking a minibus is also best; otherwise, you will need two taxis and pay double the price.
- Taxi at the airport (23.70 €): A good option if you are arriving in the daytime during weekdays and don’t need child safety seats and are a maximum of 4 people. Other times, the price will be higher.
Here, you can find the timetables and prices for public transportation and easily book a minibus, shuttle, or taxi.
When to go
Playa de Las Americas can be visited all year round because of the microclimate on this part of the island. While many think this is a bustling clubbing and party destination all year round, it is more so during university and school holidays and during the peak season months, like December and January in winter and June, July, and August in summer.
Budget deals can be found mainly in May and October, but expect it to be quieter. Both June and September have excellent value for money.
Is Playa de las Americas the best holiday destination for you?
Playa de Las Americas is ideal for those seeking a lively atmosphere with plenty of nightlife. Younger partygoers especially like the clubs, bars, and bustling beaches here, but also families looking for a luxurious holiday destination with lots to see and do nearby, like this area of Tenerife.
This area is not for you if you want a quiet, secluded holiday with an authentic Spanish feel. Similarly, if you are not a fan of large, busy crowds and massive hotels and shopping centres, this area might not be what good for you.
If you’re not sure if Playa de las Americas is the best holiday destination for you in Tenerife, have a look at where to stay in Tenerife.
