Friday, April 26, 2013

Stroll the Sandy Beach of Playa Del Ingles

The sandy beach of Playa del Ingles is a favorite with the millions of tourists who come to Grand Canaria for vacation every year. One of the reasons is that it is a long and wide beach, that makes for an easy entrance into the ocean. Also, with all that wide-open sand there is plenty of place for everyone to throw out their sun chairs or beach towels. Even with all the tourists that flock here, with all that space there is room for everyone.

On any given day at the Playa del Ingles beach, you can sit in your chair or lay on your towel, and watch people walk up and down the beach all day long. It's kind of like a freeway for foot traffic, or an ant trail. All that space is an open invitation to take a stroll in the surf.

So what will you find when you stroll down the beach? I guess it depends on which direction you're heading. From Playa del Ingles towards Maspalomas, you will find El Charco, which is a small nature preserve between Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas. This is the remains of a small sea pond, with one end open to the ocean and the other end filled with reeds, where waterfowl tend to nest. That is why it is a protected area, for the protection of the birds that nest there. It is not allowed to enter there, but from the beach side is a great viewing area to watch the birds.

If you stroll a little bit further, you will reach the dunes of Maspalomas. It is rather like seeing a small Sahara desert, right down to the camel caravan that you may catch a glimpse of crossing it. When you see the dunes, it will help to remind you that you are closer to Africa than you are to Spain, even though the Canary Islands belong to Spain.

Also in among the dunes is a favorite hangout for nude sunbathers, as is a lot of the beach between Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas. The beach tends to get sectioned off, with like-minded people hanging together. So, down near Playa del Ingles, you will find a more family-friendly beach, suitable for bringing small children to. As you stroll a little further down the beach, you will come to the section of the beach where you will find some topless sunbathers. Stroll a little further, and you will find the nude beach, although not all people on this section of the beach are nude, it is a section where the nude sunbathers tend to hang out. And beyond the nude sunbathers, is the gay section of the beach. Again, lots of people intermingle in all areas of the beach, these are just generalities. I find it amusing that people naturally section themselves off on the beaches like this. There are no signs on the beach to say family-friendly beach, topless section, nude or gay area. I guess it's true that like-minded people tend to hang out together.

If you were to stroll even further down the beach you would eventually come to El Faro de Maspalomas, which is the highest lighthouse in the Canary Islands, at 65 meters. This lighthouse marks the southernmost point of the land, and there are restaurants and stores spread out beneath it.

As you stroll along the sandy beach of Playa del Ingles, there are plenty of places where you can rent a chair, grab a quick snack, or something cold to drink. The beach is loud and busy, and for some this is just the way they like it. It is said about the this beach that you either love it or hate it. But if you like crowds, lots of people, and plenty of activities this may be the beach for you.

Retta Carl is an avid traveler, with Hawaii being the most frequent destination, but not the only one. She has traveled to Italy and Ireland, as well as many states within the United States.

Retta and her husband took a road trip across the United States a few years ago, which was interrupted by an appendicits attack and are in the process of planning a similar trip across Europe for their 25th wedding anniversary.

A Guide to Playa Del Ingles, Gran Canaria

Playa Del Ingles, situated on the South coast of Gran Canaria between Maspalomas and San Agustin, translates into 'The Englishman's Beach'. The resort certainly lives up to its name, as it is one of the biggest and busiest resorts in all of Europe right behind Benidorm and is the place to go for tropical beaches and wild nightlife!

The main attraction of Gran Canaria is its beaches and this proves no different for Playa Del Ingles. A Beach stretching all the way from Maspalomas to San Agustin, holiday makers are content to just wander our of their hotels and lie out on the beach all day, soaking up the sun and sangria in the surroundings of golden sand and endless blue sea.

If day after day of blissful beach relaxation leaves you yearning for a little something more, then there is always shopping to be done and there is plenty of it in and around Playa Del Ingles where you can pick up lots of duty-free goodies and Gran Canaria souvenirs. The biggest commercial centre is the Yumbo Centre and the San Fernando market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Aside from shopping and sunbathing, Playa Del Ingles and the rest of Gran Canaria has the facilities for tennis, golf, water sports by the bucket load and even sky diving! So if you're feeling brave enough and want that extra holiday thrill, give it a go!

Playa Del Ingles is the main resort for nightlife in Gran Canaria. Once the sun has finished setting, the hotels empty and the town really comes to life. Fun for all the family can be had in the Yumbo centre where you can also view the spectacular drag show. Clubs tend only to close when the sun is just about to come up so in Playa Del Ingles the nightlife really does go on all night long!

Most of the hotels in Gran Canaria are of decent quality and the hotels of Playa Del Ingles range from two to five star generally. However, with the abundance of nightlife, the hotels are really only providing a place for the weary to rest their heads! If your idea of a good holiday is gorgeous beaches and lots of nightlife, then Playa Del Ingles is definitely the place for you!