As soon people step off their flights to Tenerife, they feel as if Nature almost designed this island for a family holiday. There are plenty of things to do, even if you’re on a budget, and opportunities to see wildlife abound. Here are a few places you can take the toddlers once you touch down on that Canary Island tarmac and give them a holiday to remember.
Go to the beach
When the sun shines so brightly, how can you not take your child to the beach? It’s free, it’s fun and Tenerife boasts several family friendly beaches. Two of the best are Playa de Las Vistas, which sits at the far end of Los Cristianos on the border with Playa de las Américas, and Playa la Pinta, situated in Torviscas, in Costa Adeje.
The waters of Playa de las Vistas are calm and clear, and some say that is the best beach in the whole of Tenerife. Playa la Pinta is compact and picturesque and the centrepiece of the beach, the inflatable iceberg, will have toddlers mesmerised. The marina protects the waters, making the beach that little more sheltered and comfortable.
Siam Park
If you’re visiting Tenerife with a toddler, you can cool off at this water park. Older children can go off on the water slides and recharge their batteries in the sun on the Lazy River. The park isn’t just about the slides. Take a stroll over to ‘Loro Parque’ and see the dolphins, sea lions, parrots and other animals at this delightful park. They’re so cute! The last time I visited Loro Parque was over 15 years ago and I still have such great memories of it, the dolphin display was AMAZING!!!
Seeing the whales out at sea
Families feeling particularly adventurous can head out to sea and witness dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. Catamaran tours head out from Playa de las Americas, allowing visitors to experience some of the joys of the marine life. Remember to take a camera and also to keep hold of your child’s hand when you’re out on your boat. I took one of these trips before I had children and it was amazing, I remember watching a family and seeing the delight on their child’s face when they saw the whales and it was magical. I hoped that one day it would be me with my children.
Las Aguilas Jungle Park
It’s all about the wildlife parks in Tenerife! A free bus runs from the main resorts to las Aguilas Jungle Park, on the South coast of Tenerife. The park distinguishes itself with its Birds of Prey show, which it holds twice a day. As well as catching a glimpse of animals such as crocodiles and penguins while at the park (not all in the same enclosure, of course!), visitors to the park can watch eagles swooping around during the show. Animals apart, there’s also a diving show, with four divers performing daring somersaults off diving boards 25 metres above the ground. Scary but entertaining!
The Teide National Park
The Teide National Park is the place to go to soak up the natural beauty of Tenerife, get plenty of fresh air and take in the scenery. The volcano Mount Teide is as imposing and as beautiful as ever. Make sure to take a hat for yourself and your child, as well as plenty of water, as you’ll be out in the open in this national park. Sun cream is a given!
Tenerife is a gorgeous island and lends itself perfectly to family holidays. A good time to travel is May or June, when you can still catch the sun but the weather is still a little cooler. Enjoy the trip!
Images by seearaleem and vasile23, used under Creative Commons licence