Los Cristianos On a Budget
Los Cristianos, Tenerife, Spain
Say goodbye to chilly winters or rainy days - the weather is pretty much perfect all year long in Los Cristianos. The winter months are a tad colder than the summer, but still ideal for sunbathing, and it rarely rains here.
Sights
Most people who make Los Cristianos their destination are just really interested in seeing sun and waves. The main beach, Playa de Los Cristianos, is a long stretch of golden sand sprinkled with sunbeds, shower facilities, a volleyball net and ice cream kiosks for a cool, sweet treat. In fact, all of the beaches in this town are ready to serve your every need with amenities up and down the coast. If you want to venture into the waves, there are water sports like surfing or jet skiing always available.The waters of Los Cristianos are very calm, and have a shallow area perfect for little ones. It is very easy to see why this spot is such a draw for people all over the world - when you're in Los Cristianos; your every need is met.
Activities
The harbor in Los Cristianos offers plenty of excursion opportunities to the vacationer who wants more than a day at the beach. Catch a boat for a fishing trip, pleasure cruise, diving excursions or hop on board a glass bottom boat to get a firsthand look at where the fish live.If you're more of a land lover, though, there are bustling promenades to stroll. Take a walk and explore the shops, boutiques, cafes and bars for an afternoon of leisure.
Take an afternoon to make friends with some monkeys, if you'd like. The Monkey Zoo is a fun little spot where you can buy dried fruit, or bring your own fresh fruit to hand out to some precious primates. Keep your eye out for some unfriendly flying objects, however. Maybe don't wear your favorite t-shirt.
There is a larger variety of animals available, though, at the Aguilas Jungle Park. Located in Puerto de la Cruz, this park is filled with impressive bird of prey displays and exotic bird exhibits. You can also follow the jungle raid along ropes, bridges and tunnels to see apes, lions, meerkats and nearly 500 other animals. Keep your camera ready for the two rare white tigers. Meet these critters and take a long stroll though the lagoons and walkways surrounded by tropical plants and trees.
If you're eager to get out of town for a day, visit South Tenerife's biggest attraction Siam Park. This massive theme park is full of waterslides, surfing in a giant swimming pool and a real Thai themed floating market.
Food and Dining
You're right on the coast, so seafood should be on your mind. For fresh, local dishes you'll want to find somewhere serving prawns or calamari. For some more traditional Spanish cuisine, be sure to seek out conejo en salmorejo, carne de cabra or stew canario. There is also always delicious paella to be found all up and down the coast.Of course because Los Cristianos is ready to cater to every desire of their tourists, there are restaurants of every variety and cuisine available.
Transportation
The best prices for buses and trains in Spain can be found on Omio (formerly GoEuro). They let you search across all train, bus, and plane routes throughout Europe.From the airport Los Cristianos is a simple 15-minute drive. The most cost effective way to get around once you arrive in town is by bus. Their public bus network is well expanded and can take you almost anywhere. If you buy a Bono ticket, you'll get 40% on bus fares plus a 50% discount on admission to state museums. If the bus is a little too crowded for you, hiring a car or calling a taxi is also a fair option.
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