Tenerife > Guia de Isora > Playa San Juan

Playa San Juan

Travel Agents View

a glimpse of what real Canarian life is like

Playa San Juan is located on the South coast of Tenerife. It is one of the few remaining fishing villages in Tenerife. Here you will get a glimpse of what real Canarian life is like. The resort is perfect for couples, families and those wanting to have a quiet relaxing holiday.

There is a long sweeping seafront with a beauitful sandy beach. Along the seafront there are restaurants and Tapas style bars. At the marina you can take trips to go whale and dolphin watching. There is a championship Golf course and a Spa 5 minutes drive away in Abama.

Reina Sofia Airport is approx 35 minutes transfer time.

Insider's View

an 'up and coming' resort with a penchant for the upmarket look without the price tag

This is more of a family resort than a singles spot

When I was first looking where to settle on Tenerife, Playa de San Juan was a serious contender. I love this resort. The stripy changing booths, pavement cafes and beachside wooden decking make me think of St Tropez but with fishing boats bobbing in the little marina rather than Donald Trump-sized yachts.

Playa de San Juan is what I'd describe as 'an up and coming' resort with a penchant for the upmarket look without the price tag. They're a bit short on the nightlife though so if you're looking to be chin deep in foam or belting out lyrics to Kings of Leon at four in the morning you'll be disappointed. This is more of a family resort than a singles spot.

What it lacks in excitement, Playa de San Juan makes up for in great restaurants. Amongst my favourites are: El Aljibe on Avenida Emigrante where the spicy meatballs have me dabbing up every last mouthful of sauce with my bread, and Marlin opposite the pier; more pricey but top notch fish and a distinctly romantic setting.

It's quite apt that, to go with the St Tropez look, you get a deluxe, celebrity-attracting hotel on the headland above the resort. I once interviewed Pat Cash at the Abama Hotel (name dropper – moi?) and the perfectly coiffed heads of Bill Clinton and Heather Mills McCartney have graced their pillows. The hotel's got its own Bond-style golden beach at the foot of the cliffs too and as legally in Spain all beaches are for public use, anyone is entitled to enjoy this five star paradise.

And the must-sees? Position yourself outside Carla's Dulcería or one of the bars on Avenida Emigrante and wait for the sunset to burnish the sky crimson behind La Gomera.