Well now it depends really what your looking for.

If you are looking for a quieter area then it may be worth you looking at Maspalmas, Sonneland and Puerto Mogan. Theses are all quieter with nice restaurants. Maspalomas and Sonnenland are closer to Playa del Ingles if you want to go shopping or for some more lively night life. Puerto Mogan is my personal favorite, a small fishing village with fab restaurants set around the harbour area. This resort is small and more upmarket. You can get a ferry from Puerto Mogan to Puerto Rico where it is busier with more nightlife and shops if need be, or indeed bus, taxi or hire a car.

Have a great time wherever you go and come back and let us know all about it.

Sarah

Hi Sarah!
Interested to read your recommendations re Puerto Mogan. I started a thread about this resort a few weeks ago but zero replies
Maybe you could give me a little info?
Any recommendations for restaurants to things to do?
How long does the boat to Puerto Rico take and does it run in the evening?
We stayed in PDI about 8 years ago and enjoyed it but our son was with us then, so we didn't venture far except for a trip to Las Palmas. Are there any other trips worth doing. I fancy seeing some of the interior of the island. Anywhere I shouldn't miss?
Sorry for bombarding you with so many questions but if you can answer any I'm forever in your debt!!

no problem, I'll try to answer what I can.

I have never stayed in Puerto Mogan, always stayed in Sonnenland as we had friends who lived there, but spent a lot of time in Puerto Mogan. Its not a huge resort, although it is growig in size with new hotels being built, all low level to fit in with the landscape.

To be honest, we have tried nearly all the restraunts in Puerto Mogan and have never had a bad meal, you can choose from Spanish/Canarian, German, Dutch, Italian, lots of fresh fish and so on.

The boat trip from Puerto Rico to Puerto Mogan is about 20 mins and it runs all day, I think the last boat leaves Puerto Mogan and 5pm. I can't remember how much it costs.

We drove to Puerto Mogan on evening and its quite a steep trip in parts but my husband didn't mind driving. Going home was a bit scarey in the dark as it was steep with no street lights in places

I would highly highly recommend hiring a car and go inland and up to the mountains, I don't believe you see the real Gran Canaria until you do. Get yourself a map, some nibbles, lots of water and go and discover the island.

As for trips, we did the watermark in Maspalomas which we loved, Palmalitoes park was good fun, but our favorite was a half day catamaran trip from Puerto Rico. This was such a great day, we were picked up by coach from our accommodation and taken to the harbour, we boarded the catamaran and were they waited on hand and foot, lovely cold drinks, beer, sangria, soft drinks, buffet, a chance to go swimming, snorkelling, jetskiing etc. then a slow sail back via a beautiful sunset.

I think I would like to stay in Puerto Mogan if it were just my husband and I, and we had a car for the duration so that we could get out and about. There is a small beach which they were improving last time we were there. There is also a market in Puerto Mogan on Friday mornings.

If you go, don't forget to comeback and let us know what you thought.

Sarah

Thanks Sarah,
That all sounds great. We've booked the Playa Cordial hotel for a week in Feb & there are only the 2 of us, so we thought this quieter resort sounded perfect, plus it came highly recommended by the travel agent.
I remember reading somewhere that it's the nicest resort in the canaries. Don't know if that's true but hope to soon find out.
Will post when I return.
Like the sound of seeing the interior. I don't suppose the roads are busy so driving should be pleasurable?
Thanks again!

Hi,

Im trying to plan a trip to gran canaria, but not too sure on which resort. Im looking for a family oriented resort, as i have a 5 year old who gets very bored! we like the brits bars, karaoke, good old family entertainment and meeting new friends .

We do not like groups of teenages and disco's!

If anybody hads any good ideas on which resort to vist, would be very much appreciated!!

Thank you x

cathy

Ps if anyone eles knows of any other destinations, which offer the above, please leave a reply x

How about Maspalomas. Its close enough to PdI if you fancy a change. But far enough away from groups of teenagers etc. The waterpark is close for your little one and you could make sure you pick a family orientated hotel or apartment block so there would be other children for your 5 year old to play with.

The beach is great for kids and there are ice cream parlours behind it, and the faro 2 center has lots of bars & restaurants for the evening.

Hi,

I'm thinking of visting Gran Canaria for the first time next summer but I'm stuck on which resort to stay in. There's just me and my boyfriend both in our early twenties, although we would like a bit of nightlife we don;t want anywhere too 'in your face'eg, Ibiza style! I've been advised against Playa del Ingles and thinking about Maspalomas, but worried it might be too quiet as i've read there isn't many restaurants (a selection of restaurants and bars would be perfect)- Any suggestions?

Thanks for any help

Becky

I would say Puerto Rico . Lots of places to eat and drink. You have the busy centre or if you want a quieter night you can walk down to the bars and resturants at the beach.
It is very very hilly with lots of steep slopes and hundreds of steps , so if you do go there pick a place as near to bottom as possible. Unless you are very fit
It's built in a valley with apts all around on the hillsides and the bars etc in the middle on the bottom.
Taxi's are cheap but some times there is a bit of a wait for them.
http://www.owen100.com/pricomap.html

You can see the best postion on this map.

Maspalomas-campo de golf. peaceful location self catering or hotels, we stay in the SANDY GOLF or its sister GREEN GOLF bungalows but there are many others, the FARO 2 shopping centre is 10 mins walk with shops bars/resturants, a 5 min taxi ride takes you into playa de ingles for more nightlife and a 5 min taxi ride (3e) to the maspalomas beach (El faro) where there are more bars/resturants which are not to noisy.
I have written 2 reviews on the above on this site.
Hope this helps

Ive been taking my family to PR since 1991 and never tire of it (usually out of season as 2nd hol ). The weather is pretty reliable all year round and there are some great places to stay. We always tended to stay low down in the resort, then we found the Riosol apartments right at the top of the resort. They are 2 mins walk from Europa centre, lots of restaurants and family bars. Huge mini golf and other things for the kids. The views from these apts is stunning, right accross the bay. All apts have the same view as face the same way. Balconies have 2 sun loungers with matresses, table and chairs. There are 2 pools, a pub, restaurant and activities in the complex. If you want to venture to the main centre the taxi rank is at the Europa centre and the price is under 3 euros and i've never waited more than 5 minutes. There are 2 beaches in PR, the main one then Amadores beach which is beautiful. There is a water park in the resort but I havnt been for quite some years as my kids are now older, I heard the aqua park at Maspalomas is better ? The buses run regularly to all other places on the island . I think my sum up is it doesnt really matter wether you are at the top or bottom of the resort as there is plenty for all in either ( tho as I said the views are amazing at the top, I could stay on my balcony hours taking it in ).....just try not to get half way !!!!!!!!!!