This time we visited the places we missed last year and revisited some of the ones we saw. So where do you start.We did not bother with the beach this year because of the location of our apartments; see Velazquez apartments, Lanzarote for our review. Apartment had its own access to the sea.
We prefer to visit most of the sites ourselves and for this we hired a car, more on this later.
First the new areas visited.
Jameos del Agua - €8 per adult and well worth the visit. Created by Cesar Manrique and so easy to explore using the subterranean walkways. Once you have paid you are then left to spend as long or short a time as you require and brows the cave in your leisure.
The pathway down leads you down to a nightclub area that is open three nights a week, and then onto a large underground lake that holds albino crabs, after this you go through a walkway along the right hand side of the lake that leads you to another small bar area and then up into the open air section. Here is the swimming pool that only the King of Spain is allowed to swim in. Steps then lead up to a terraced area with a small cafe and a Volcanic Museum.
There are plenty of opportunities for photographs and areas to sit and just take in the surroundings.
Las Cuevas de los Verdes - €8 per adult, they are part of the same system as Jameos del Agua and again a must see. These are natural lava caves that you go through with a guide and this takes about 45 - 60 mins, depending on the group size. Our group was about 20 strong and this was a good size because all the explanations are done in Spanish and English if there was any more it would be more difficult to see and hear.
Because these are volcanic caves you can see how the lava flowed on the side walls and they have also used lighting to emphasise the main areas. The main feature of these caves is a secret area that will be shown to you by the guide so I will not enlighten you any more on that.
Again, plenty of opportunities for photo's and just a small warning - in places mind your head - you will have to duck to go through some of the areas. No Health and Safety here.
With both of the above they are busy and because the Las Curvas caves have a guided tour I suggest that if you have hired a car you visit here on a Sunday, everyone else will be at Teguise Market.
The caves are about a mile apart.
Timanfaya - €8 per Adult. Although we done this last year it was at night and on a Thompson's tour. This year we decided to do it ourselves and in the day. Not disappointed.
You wait down the bottom and after paying your entrance fee drive to the top by the restaurant. There you pick up a coach for the tour, can I suggest you try and sit on the right hand side, better views. At the end of the coach tour you can then visit the displays of heat. After which a visit to the restaurant for a drink or some food, hot food after 12 noon, and then visitors shop. Then a nice leisurely drive back out of the park.
There is no time limit to how long you spend at the top, so just take your time and enjoy the scenery.
Guinate Tropical Park - €14 per Adult. Lots to see here, especially for the children. Parrots, Toucan, Ostriches, Tortoise, Monkeys to name but a few. There is a Parrots show also, three times a day. Worth a visit
Los Hervideros - free. The rugged coast line just along the coast from Playa Blanca. Large caves formed by the crashing of the sea. Walkways along the top and partly inside with viewing platforms.
Fuerteventura Tour - €50 per Adult. Decided to use Last Minute Travel for this and also to see the Island. Too many problems to try and take the hire car.
Felt this trip could have been planned better. Not the best of coaches, however we made the best of it. Price includes the ferry trip and a three course lunch with wine/water so overall good value for money.
For myself the best part of the tour was the stop to feed the chipmunks, our guide gave us sun flower seeds and the chipmunks come and eat from your hand. On the way back we stopped at the dunes for a photo shoot.
After a very hot and long day the ferry back to Playa Blanca was a god send.
Left PDC at 9am and arrived back at about 8pm.
Now old places revisited
Went back to El Golfo, mainly to visit the La Lopa restaurant, first restaurant on the right as you approach. Dined on Canerian stew and filleted catch of the day, served with Canerian Potatoes and Mojo sauce.
Mirador Del Rio, spectacular views over La Graciosa island and the entrance fee also allows you a free drink.
La Santa, Northern Coast. We both enjoy the ruggedness of the coast with its crashing waves.
La Geria - a wine tour with samples at the end.
Car Hire
I feel this is a must if you want to see and do things for yourself and to explore as much of the island as possible. There are plenty out there from about €60 for 3 days all inclusive up to, well an Audi S8 will set you back about €1400, all inclusive. We hired a VW EO5 Cabriolet for €170 for 3 days, all inclusive. It is still cheaper that the tours. For example
Visit to Timanfaya, Mirador del Rio and Caves - €55 per adult (you have a choice of one cave to visit)
Visit to Teguise Market - €12 per adult
Total for two adults €134
Car - €60 - 3 days
Timanfaya - €8 per adult
Caves - €8 per adult
Mirador del Rio - €4.50 per adult
Tegusie Market - free
Total for two adults €117, inc two caves
OK there is still petrol to add, we used €20 in three days, but you still have the car for another day and there are still lots more to see.
With a car you can pick and chose. For example, whist every one was in Teguise market we visited the caves, no queues. Petrol is cheap and the roads and tourist sites well signed. But, for those not so sure they local bus service is good with connections to most areas.
Overall another 10/10.
