Don't Go To Horrible Patalavaca Beach (We're Joking: It's Great)

Patalavaca beach in south Gran Canaria Patalavaca beach in south Gran Canaria

Patalavaca beach must be horrible. That's why nobody has ever heard of it and nobody goes to it. Except that it isn't. It's one of south Gran Canaria's best beaches.

Ok, sorry, who are we kidding?

Patalavaca is a gorgeous sandy beach between Arguineguín and Anfi. It gets all the sunshine of south Gran Canaria but is rarely crowded. With calm water, a few sun loungers and several restaurants overlooking the sand it's right at the top of our underrated south Gran Canaria beach list. You can even park just behind the beach.

Somehow the Scandinavians have kept Patalavaca to themselves since the area was first developed back in the 1970s. They bought all the property and book the hotels before anyone else gets a look in. This Scandy dominance means that food prices are slightly higher than in nearby Puerto Rico but then so are standards.

Patalavaca is actually two separate little sandy beaches divided by a patch of smooth rock. There's nothing to choose between them so just pick a spot. Children love the arch and tiny little beach right in the middle of the rocks (you can see it from the walkway along the back of he beach).

As well as bars and restaurants there's a massage place, a dive shop and a supermarket just behind the beach. The only odd thing about Patalavaca is that the water taps on the beach switch off at 17.00. We have no idea why.

For a quiet day on the beach, there's nowhere else in south Gran Canaria like Patalavaca. Just don't tell too many people about it.

Additional Info

  • Lifeguard: Yes
  • Calm water: Yes
  • You're sitting on: Sand
  • Sand colour: Sahara yellow
  • Looks best at: Sunset
  • Nudist: No
  • Hippy rating: 5
  • Lat/Long: 27.7699473,-15.6888267
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Tip of the day

  • Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros
    Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros

    Save money and avoid rip-off bank charges while in Gran Canaria by paying in euros when using your credit or debit card.

    Many bars and restaurants in Gran Canaria, and in almost all European holiday destinations, give you the option of paying in euros or in your home currency. Opting for your own currency, while it may seem like the safer option, can add as much as 5% to the bill as it triggers dynamic currency conversion. 

    DCC basically means that the exchange rate is calculated at point of sale rather than by your bank. It allows you to see the total cost of the transaction in your own currency but adds up to 5% to the total because it uses a terrible exchange rate. 

    Since the extra money is shared between your bank and the merchant, some places will automatically bill you in your own currency and hope you don't notice. You have the legal right to refuse and void the transaction should this happen. 

    ATMs too

    The same applies when taking money out of ATM machines in Gran Canaria (and anywhere in Europe); Always choose the local currency option to avoid losing money to poor exchange rates.

    If you opt for the local currency option, using bank ATMs is often the cheapest and safest way of getting euros in Gran Canaria. It's far safer than having a big pile of euros hidden in your room or tucked into your shorts.

    More details in this Daily Telegraph article.

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