Playa Paraiso, best known for the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, offers a mostly relaxed atmosphere with small sandy and rocky beaches. The area is pretty compact, with just a few hotels, making it easy to explore on foot. While there aren’t many restaurants, the area still has a nice variety. The evening is mainly about the sunsets and having a few drinks, except for occasional events in the Hard Rock Hotel. There are plenty of waterparks, zoos and other attractions to visit in nearby Costa Adeje, but it is best to hire a car to get there easily.
Beaches
Playa Paraiso has several small and sheltered sandy beaches and many different rocky shores where you can swim. One of the beaches here has also been transformed into the Hard Rock Beach Club. So, if you are looking for that beach party vibe, the Hard Rock Beach Club or the beach just in front of it, Playa El Pique, offer the best options.
Playa Las Galgas is a more relaxed small beach, ideal for families with small children, as it is sheltered from the big waves.
Playa las Salinas is rarely used by tourists but mainly by a few locals.
The Roca Negra has natural pools, which are popular in the evening to watch the sunset from, though most people watch it from the rocks or the nearby bar terraces.
Where to stay in Playa Paraiso
Playa Paraiso is not very big, and most things are within easy walking distance, so where you stay does not matter as much here as in many other larger holiday destinations on the island.
- Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife: This modern hotel has a cool, unique vibe and is excellent if you enjoy taking selfies. Seriously, I have never seen so many people take selfies simultaneously!
- Riu Buenavista: For a family holiday hotel with great entertainment and activities.
- Adrian Roca Nivaria: Best option for a luxury and relaxing holiday in this area.
- H10 Atlantic Sunset Horizons Collection: The newest and most modern 5 star hotel in this area. Great for families and couples.
Things to do in Playa Paraiso
- El Puertito: This little coastal area and beach are within walking distance. It is excellent for seaside food and tapas, kayaking, or trying to see turtles in the wild. While it has become better known and a bit more touristy in recent years, it is still a hidden gem.
- Callao Salvaje: Walking to the nearby Callao Salvaje and enjoying dinner or drinks in the beach bar is easy for a change of scenery. This is especially nice in the evening with a bit of live music. Later, if you want, you can further explore the limited but fun nightlife in town. Don’t expect too much.
- Spa: The hotel H10 Atlantic Sunset has a spa open to anyone who wants to use it and pays.
- Sunsets: Enjoy the sunsets from the Roca Negra bars and restaurants or the rocky area in front.
- Golf: The 18 holes Golf Costa Adeje is just a few kilometres away.
- Costa Adeje: This large and popular tourist area is not to far away and worth a visit to try different beaches, restaurants, bars, and lively nightlife.
- Siam Water Park: This water park is a must-visit.
- Hire a car: Playa Paraiso is not very big, and there is not so much to do. However, there are many things to do and experience just a few kilometres away. For this reason, I would definitely advise hiring a car to get around easily.
- Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife: The rooftop bar is open to any paying customer.
- La Caleta: Hiking along the coastline to this village is not easy and definelty adventurous. This takes about an hour and rewards you with a unique experience, great places to swim and excellent fish restaurants. If you are not up for a hike, you can also take a taxi or go by car.
- Shopping: While not huge, there is a shopping centre here with mostly luxurious shops called Roca Mar.
This list is of things to do in or near Playa Paraiso. 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 Paraiso, you will find a pretty extensive selection of different restaurants. While there are not that many, most offer fair prices. However, most people seem to choose to eat in the hotel.
A short walk away in Callao Salvaje is a lovely beach restaurant overlooking the ocean that offers live music and entertainment most nights. It is worth a visit one night if you are looking to eat out.
Also, dining at one of the Roca Negra restaurants at sunset time is a unique experience.
Nightlife
Playa Paraiso is a small area with few bars and no clubs, so it isn’t the right place to travel to for lively nightlife. However, events and parties are sometimes held at the Hard Rock Hotel, beach club and in the rooftop bar, primarily during the day and early evening.
Tenerife airport to Playa Paraiso
Playa Paraiso is only a 28-kilometer drive from the Tenerife South Airport (TFS). The Tenerife North Airport (TFN) is 91 kilometres away. So it is best to fly to the Tenerife South Airport:
- Public transport (5.80 €/pp): The cheapest option, but it is not ideal. You will have to transfer buses at least once or twice to get to Playa Paraiso, adding a lot of extra stress and hassle to your holiday.
- Shuttle bus online (6.35 €/pp): A much better option for just 50 cents extra. There is no need to transfer onto other buses. Just sit back and relax to be dropped off at your hotel.
- Taxi or minibus online (44.88 €): Best for those travelling with more than four people and needing child safety seats.
- Taxi at the airport (33.60 €): This is also a good option, but I would advise booking one in advance online as they have better service. On weekends and evenings, the price will be much higher without reservation, so it will cost more.
Here, you can find the timetables and prices for public transportation and easily book a minibus, shuttle, or taxi.
When to go
Playa Paraiso has even better weather most of the year than some of the larger and more popular holiday destinations in the South of Tenerife. So, if you are looking for great weather, this is an ideal place to choose. It is often less windy, on the small sheltered beaches, which helps provide better beach weather during the colder winter months. June and September here have the best value for money.
May and October are very budget-friendly, but it might feel quieter and pretty empty here around that time.
Is Playa Paraiso the best holiday destination for you?
If you are looking for a laid-back atmosphere and scenic sunsets, Playa Paraiso is great. The small sheltered beaches, with often shallow waters and small waves, also make it great for families with children, while couples might enjoy the lively atmosphere at the Hard Rock Cafe beach club.
This area is not ideal for those who want bustling nightlife and clubbing scene.
If you’re not sure if Playa Paraiso is the best holiday destination for you in Tenerife, have a look at where to stay in Tenerife.
