Puerto Rico is Gran Canaria's sunniest corner. This horseshoe-shaped bay on the island's southwest coast is a family favourite, thanks to its sheltered golden beach, crystal-clear water and compact layout where everything's within a five-minute stroll.


☀️ Good to Know

  • ☀️ Officially the sunniest spot in the Canaries – the sheltered bay averages 320 days of sunshine a year with temps between 22-28°C

  • 💶 Budget to mid-range prices – around €3-4 for a pint and €12-18 for a main course. Proper good value for the Canaries

  • 🏖️ Fun fact – the golden sand was imported from the Sahara Desert, but don't let that put you off – it looks absolutely gorgeous


✨ Puerto Rico Highlights

  • 🌊 Sheltered beach with calm, shallow water – perfect for kids (and adults who prefer swimming to surfing)

  • 🐬 Dolphin and whale watching trips from the marina – you're almost guaranteed a sighting

  • ⛵ World-class water sports in calm conditions – sailing, jet skis, kayaking and banana boats

  • 🏔️ Gateway to Gran Canaria's dramatic interior – Roque Nublo, mountain villages and volcanic landscapes

  • 🌅 Spectacular sunsets over the Atlantic – best watched from the harbour with a cold drink in hand


What are the best beaches in Puerto Rico?

Seaside fanatics know that some of the best beaches in Gran Canaria can be found on holidays to Puerto Rico. The resort is perfectly positioned to soak up all the afternoon heat, making these the ideal places to catch a tan, play in the sea, or renovate your sand-mansion.

  • Playa Puerto Rico – the resort’s popular main beach with all the good stuff - a curve of soft golden sand, crystal-clear shallows, and lots of great bars close by.

  • Playa Amadores Amadores is the quieter resort that joins Puerto Rico. You see, beach holidays in Puerto Rico are so popular that they had to make new beaches - this is one of them, and it’s perfect for family days out.

  • Playa Anfi del Mar – the best place to relax by the palm trees or get stuck into some watersports.

  • Playa de Tiritaña – a short jaunt along the coast will get you to this wild, hidden beach that kayakers love.

  • Maspalomas Dunes – a breathtaking natural reserve in the nearby town of Maspalomas, home to miles of desert-like sand dunes.



What are the top hotels in Puerto Rico?

Lots of the resort’s hillside hotels offer full apartments, which means you get that private suite experience whether you choose self-catering or All Inclusive holidays to Puerto Rico. Whatever your style, we know you’ll love these:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

  • Servatur Puerto Azul - Recently renovated four-star with a waterpark for the kids, a mini club, and an adults-only infinity pool and spa area for the grown-ups. All-inclusive available, and the views over the bay from the clifftop terrace are properly stunning.

  • Riosol - A returning-guest favourite with a rooftop pool, friendly entertainment team, and a proper family atmosphere. Great location near the beach and shopping centre.

  • Servatur Altamar - Every room has a sea view, which is a brilliant start. Heated pools, a kids' pool, basketball court, and Bali beds on the sun terrace. Smart TV and kitchenette in every room for those self-catering evenings.

  • Satocan Marina Suites - The Octopus Kids Club keeps the little ones busy while you enjoy sunset cocktails by the infinity pool. Great marina views and a relaxed vibe.

💑 Couples

  • Servatur Casablanca Suites & Spa - Adults-only with free spa access and a lively rooftop bar. Clean, modern rooms and brilliant sea views. One of Puerto Rico's best picks for a couples' getaway.

  • Ocean Hill - Adults Only - Tranquil hillside retreat near Playa Amadores with stylish rooms, a pool with a view, and a peaceful atmosphere away from the busier centre.

  • Punta del Rey - Adults Only - Modern aparthotel overlooking the bay and marina. Just 200m from the beach with direct walkway access. Great value for the location.

  • Lara Apartments - Adults Only - Recently refurbished and perched above the resort with fabulous sea views. A proper bargain for couples who don't need all the bells and whistles.

🎉 Groups

  • Servatur Puerto Azul - All-inclusive with an entertainment programme, multiple bars, and an adults-only zone for when the group needs a breather. Big enough to spread out, lively enough to keep everyone happy.

  • Servatur Casablanca Suites & Spa - Adults-only with a rooftop bar that's perfect for group drinks, free spa access, and the shopping centre bars right on the doorstep for bigger nights out.

✨ Luxury

  • Marina Suites - The closest thing to luxury in Puerto Rico. All-suite apartments by the marina with a dazzling infinity pool, a Yacht Club bar, and an a la carte tapas restaurant. Spacious, stylish, and the sea views from the terrace are gorgeous.

  • Riu Club Vistamar - Clifftop four-star with panoramic bay views, three restaurants including Asian cuisine, a free shuttle to Amadores Beach, and proper all-inclusive credentials.

💰 Value

  • Colina Mar - Spacious apartments with stunning views, a kids' club, evening entertainment, and all-inclusive available. One of Puerto Rico's best budget-friendly picks for families.

👉 See all Puerto Rico hotels 👉 All-inclusive Gran Canaria holidays


🏖️ Holidays to Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria - Travel Guide 2026 / 2027

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

  • 🏖️ Playa Puerto Rico's calm, shallow water is perfect for little ones gaining water confidence - lifeguards on duty, sunbeds for hire, and a gentle slope into the sea.

  • 🐬 Dolphin and whale watching trips from the marina - most operators guarantee sightings and offer a free second go if you're unlucky. Kids absolutely love it.

  • 🎢 Angry Birds Activity Park has climbing walls, zip lines, obstacle courses, and laser mazes. A proper afternoon out for the whole family.

  • 💦 Day trip to Aqualand Maspalomas for waterslides, wave pools, and lazy rivers. Direct bus from Puerto Rico makes it dead easy.

💑 Couples

  • 🌅 Sunset from the harbour - grab a table at one of the marina restaurants and let the sky put on a show. The oranges and pinks reflected on the water are spectacular.

  • ⛵ Catamaran cruise along the coast - most include drinks, tapas, and swimming stops at tucked-away coves. Properly relaxing afternoon.

  • 🏝️ Walk the coastal path to Playa Amadores - about 20 minutes each way with beautiful ocean views. Caribbean-style white sand and calmer vibes at the other end.

  • 🍷 Hire a car and explore the island's interior - mountain villages like Tejeda, the volcanic crater at Roque Nublo, and wineries in the central highlands.

🎉 Groups

  • 🚤 Book a boat party from the marina - music, open bar, swimming, and meeting new people. Gets properly lively on the afternoon trips.

  • 🎣 Deep-sea fishing trips are a local speciality - Puerto Rico fishermen hold nearly three dozen world records. Tuna, marlin, and swordfish all on the menu.

  • 🚙 Buggy or Jeep tours through Gran Canaria's mountain interior - dramatic landscapes, dusty trails, and photo stops at every turn.

  • 🌙 Hit the shopping centre bars after dark - Piccadilly Music Pub for singalongs, Lillebror's for piano bar fun, or head to Playa del Inglés for a bigger night out at the Yumbo Centre.


🗣️ Local Lingo

  • 👋 Hola - Hello

  • 🙏 Gracias - Thank you

  • 🍽️ La cuenta, por favor - The bill, please

  • 🍺 Una caña, por favor - A small draft beer, please

  • 😍 Qué bonito - How beautiful

  • 🌅 Buenas tardes - Good afternoon


🗺️ More Gran Canaria Resorts

Puerto Rico sits on Gran Canaria's sunny southwest coast, with easy access to some of the island's best spots:

  • Amadores - Puerto Rico's quieter neighbour with a stunning man-made beach of white sand and turquoise water. 20 minutes' walk along the coastal path.

  • Puerto de Mogán - The "Little Venice" fishing village with flower-lined canals, colourful houses and a brilliant Friday market. 15 minutes by bus or boat.

  • Maspalomas - Famous sand dunes, long golden beach, and a more upmarket feel. Great for couples. 25 minutes by car.

  • Playa del Inglés - Gran Canaria's party capital with a massive beach, the Yumbo Centre, and the island's best LGBTQ+ scene. 30 minutes by bus.

🏝️ More Canary Islands

  • Tenerife - The biggest Canary Island with Siam Park, Mount Teide, and a mix of lively southern resorts and a greener, quieter north.

  • Lanzarote - Volcanic landscapes, Timanfaya National Park, and César Manrique's stunning art-meets-nature attractions. A completely different vibe.

  • Fuerteventura - Endless sandy beaches, brilliant wind and water sports, and a more laid-back pace than the other islands.

Popular Puerto Rico hotels

More Puerto Rico hotels

Weather in Puerto Rico

JAN

22°C

FEB

22°C

MAR

24°C

APR

25°C

MAY

25°C

JUN

27°C

JUL

28°C

AUG

28°C

SEP

27°C

OCT

25°C

NOV

23°C

DEC

23°C

Puerto Rico enjoys a year-round mild climate. July to October are the hottest months with average highs reaching 26°C in August and September. January and February are the coolest months when average highs dip to around 20°C. Rainfall is also more likely from November through to February with February being the wettest month. For the least amount of rain, visit June, July or August.

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FAQs

How long does it take to fly to Puerto Rico?

It takes about 4.5 hours to fly to Puerto Rico from the UK.

What’s the time difference between the UK and Puerto Rico?

There is no time difference between Puerto Rico and the UK.

What currency do they use in Puerto Rico?

The official currency of Puerto Rico is the Euro.

What language do they speak in Puerto Rico?

The official language spoken in Puerto Rico is Spanish.

Is Puerto Rico good for families?

Brilliant. The main beach has calm, shallow water that's perfect for kids, there's loads of water sports for all ages, and attractions like Angry Birds Activity Park keep everyone entertained. The compact layout means nothing's more than a few minutes' walk away.

What's the nightlife like in Puerto Rico?

It's lively but not wild. The shopping centres have plenty of bars with entertainment, live music and late-night dancing. For bigger clubbing, Playa del Inglés is about 30 minutes away with the famous Yumbo Centre.

Is Puerto Rico hilly?

Yes – the resort is built into dramatic cliffs, so many hotels are on the hillside. This means spectacular views but also stairs and slopes. If mobility is a concern, look for hotels near the beach and marina rather than higher up. Some hotels have lifts and shuttle services.

What local food should I try?

Papas arrugadas (wrinkly salted potatoes) with mojo rojo and mojo verde sauces are essential Canarian eating. Fresh seafood is excellent – try vieja sancochada (sea bream casserole) or caldo de pescado (fish soup). Finish with bienmesabe, a sweet almond dessert. And don't miss the local ron miel (honey rum).

Can I drink the tap water?

The tap water in Gran Canaria is safe but heavily desalinated and doesn't taste brilliant. Most people buy bottled water, which is cheap and available everywhere. Hotels and restaurants always serve bottled.

What day trips can I do from Puerto Rico?

Loads. Puerto de Mogán ("Little Venice") is 15 minutes by bus or boat and has a brilliant Friday market. Maspalomas and its famous sand dunes are 25 minutes by car. You can head to Las Palmas for culture and shopping, or drive up to Roque Nublo in the volcanic interior for proper jaw-dropping scenery. The Afrikat catamaran does a cracking 4.5-hour cruise along the coast from Puerto Base with food, drinks and water sports included.