Overview

Puerto Rico is one of the sunniest spots in the entire Canary Islands, sitting in a sheltered south-western valley of Gran Canaria that traps warmth and deflects cloud almost year-round. The resort curves around a deep natural bay lined by a man-made crescent of golden imported sand, with hotel complexes tiered up the surrounding hillsides in a distinctive amphitheatre arrangement. Originally developed as a family resort in the 1970s, Puerto Rico has matured into a well-rounded destination with a genuine choice of accommodation, excellent watersports facilities, and one of the busiest marinas in Gran Canaria. The atmosphere is lively without being overwhelming — a happy medium between the intensity of Playa del Inglés and the quieter pace of Puerto de Mogán. Its exceptional sunshine record (averaging over 320 days of sun per year) and calm, safe beach waters make it a perennial favourite with families and couples seeking reliable winter warmth.

Beaches & nature

The main Playa de Puerto Rico is compact but well-sheltered by its natural bay, with calm, shallow water ideal for children and nervous swimmers. The imported golden sand is raked and maintained to a high standard. To the east, Playa de Amadores is the resort's showpiece beach: a sweeping crescent of golden sand with clear, shallow, calm water and a promenade of restaurants and sun lounger rentals. Amadores was created entirely from Saharan sand brought by ship in 2003, but its sheltered, Caribbean-like quality has made it one of Gran Canaria's most popular beaches. North of the town, the rocky coastline opens out into small coves accessible on foot or by kayak, with excellent snorkelling over volcanic rock and seagrass beds.

Things to do

Watersports are Puerto Rico's speciality, with the marina offering a comprehensive range of activities including jet ski hire, parasailing, waterskiing, banana boats, and sailing lessons. The resort is a prime base for deep-sea fishing excursions, with several boats leaving the marina daily for blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo in the deep Atlantic waters south of Gran Canaria. Whale and dolphin watching cruises departing from Puerto Rico are among the best in the island, with the coastal waters here particularly rich in cetacean life. The marina area is pleasant for an evening stroll, with a good range of restaurants and bars spread along the waterfront. For family entertainment, the hillside above the resort has several pools and activity parks, while day trips to Puerto de Mogán by boat or road are very popular.

Eating & nightlife

The main commercial centre around the beach and marina houses a wide range of restaurants, from beach bars serving fresh fish at lunchtime to evening restaurants with panoramic views across the bay. Canarian seafood is the local speciality — the fresh-fish restaurant at the fishing pier serves outstanding grilled fish and seafood at very reasonable prices. The marina strip has a lively bar scene in the evenings, with music bars and cocktail lounges staying open until the early hours in the high season. For a calmer evening, the terrace restaurants at Playa de Amadores are excellent at sunset. The resort is noticeably quieter than Playa del Inglés, making it a better choice for those who want pleasant evenings rather than all-night parties.

Getting around

Puerto Rico sits on the GC-1 motorway about 40 minutes west of Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) — taxis are readily available at the airport, or bus line 91 runs directly between Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés and Puerto Rico. The Yellow Bus tourist service connects Puerto Rico with the other southern resorts throughout the day. Within the resort, the terrain is hilly and the main beach and commercial areas are concentrated around the bay — a walk from hotel to beach can be steep in some areas, and local taxis or the resort's electric minitrains are useful for those with mobility considerations. Puerto de Mogán is about 15 minutes further west by car and is a popular half-day excursion by road or boat.

When to go

Puerto Rico's sheltered position gives it one of the most reliably sunny and warm microclimates in Gran Canaria — cloud and rain are genuinely rare, even in mid-winter. Temperatures average around 22 °C in January and 27 °C in August, making it comfortable for swimming and sunbathing in virtually any month. The resort is busiest from November to February and again in July and August. Spring and autumn offer the best combination of pleasant temperatures, calm seas, and manageable crowds. The consistent sunshine makes Puerto Rico particularly popular for winter-sun holidays, and the trade winds keep summer heat comfortable without being oppressively breezy on the sheltered beach.