Travelling to a new holiday destination can be a bit daunting especially if you have a young family. We were contacted recently for advice on what there is to do with a three year old when staying in the resort of Puerto del Carmen.
This resort has 8km of golden sandy beaches stretching along the coast, the sea here is generally calm, there are life guards on duty and toilet facilities.
Playa Grande is in the centre of the resort, this beach is very popular, there are rows of sunbeds to get the little ones off the sand with umbrellas for shade but also plenty of open space to make your own camp and erect a beach tent. Swan and beetle shaped pedalos are available for hire within a buoyed area as well as jet ski hire. Just opposite the beach there are a plethora of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants to tempt you for lunch, lots offer kiddies menus and highchairs to make dining an enjoyable experience.
Around the corner is the smaller beach of Playa Chica, this area of the resort is popular with scuba divers. Our tip is to take some bread with you into the water, the fish will come and nibble at it from your fingers! Parents and older children might enjoy one of the water sports activities available from the harbour here such as parascending, banana boat and jet ski hire.
No-one wants anything to go wrong on holiday but should someone fall ill the private hospital is situated close by on the outskirts of Puerto del Carmen, holidaymakers are treated here as long as they are covered by a travel insurance policy. Travellers without private medical insurance requiring emergency medical treatment can be seen at the general hospital in the capital with their GHIC or EHIC card and passport identification.
The promenade area allows for young family sized bikes to be hired to enjoy along the cycle lane. These four wheeled bikes can accommodate 1-5 people, there is a shaded canopy overhead and all occupants can add to the pedal power.
Above the old harbour area there is an excellent area the kids will love called Rooftop Entertainment, with skating, a Jurassic experience, cafés and a 6D simulator. Rooftop is locate in the Biosfera Shopping Centre allowing for the kids to let off some energy whilst shopping or eating in that area. A popular family excursion is a visit to the nearby marina at Puerto Calero which is home to the yellow submarine, children from the age of 2 are allowed to go aboard to dive below the sea. There are free transfers from the resort allowing for some extra time to explore the marina before / after your dive.
Another place for a young family to visit for a day out is the Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park in Puerto del Carmen. The children can wander around the animal park, enjoy the sea lion, bird of prey and parrot shows, have pony rides, go kayaking and chill out in the fabulous swimming pool area.
We’ve found most restaurants to be very accommodating with young children, often fussed over by waiting staff it’s no problem to dine out in the day or evening so try to persuade your little one to have an afternoon siesta so that they can stay up in the evenings. It’s better to avoid the hot afternoon sun with delicate, young skin so be like a local and head for the beach late afternoon or in the morning if you prefer.
There are companies offering baby equipment for hire in Lanzarote if you prefer to save on luggage and organise in advance of your arrival. Tins of baby milk powder readily available in supermarkets and pharmacies are Nestle, Milupa and Hero although not the ready mixed versions. Dodot and Huggies nappies are in stock as well as the swimmers. Nestle and Hero food ranges are available in powder and ready made jars.
Puerto del Carmen is a great all round resort, situated close to the airport and perfect for a first visit to Lanzarote.
What tips would you recommend to a young family staying in Puerto del Carmen for the first time?
Related Information:
Ten Things To Do With Kids
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