Los Cristianos began as a fishing village with a small quarry and is now one of the main resorts on Tenerife's south coast. Arona takes it in along with Playa de las Américas, Costa del Silencio, Las Galletas and Playa de las Vistas, rebuilt with sand from the sea bed into one of the longest beaches on the island. Punta Salemas, the southernmost point of Tenerife, lies here too. The town of Arona sits inland at 630 m above sea level. Fishing, cochineal, bananas and cattle kept the area going until tourism, which now employs 60% of the workforce.
Arona
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €). ATM withdrawals often incur charges of €1–8; bringing some cash (€50–100) can help avoid fees. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas. Bizum (a Spanish payment app) is popular with locals and some businesses but requires a Spanish bank account. The islands are outside the EU's standard VAT area.
- Language
- Spanish (specifically Canarian Spanish dialect) is the native language. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions, but understanding outside these areas is very limited. In smaller towns and rural areas, English proficiency is minimal. Hotel and restaurant staff generally know basic English.
- Power plug
- Europlug (Type C) and Schuko (Type F) sockets; 230 V, 50 Hz
- Visa
- Schengen area: EU, EEA and Swiss nationals enter on national ID card or passport. Many non-EU nationalities have 90-day visa-free access. Non-EEA citizens staying longer than 90 days require an advance visa.
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Canary (UTC±00:00 in winter, UTC+01:00 in summer); one hour behind mainland Spain.
- Tap water
- Safe to drink throughout Spain. In some southern regions it has high mineral content and may taste unfamiliar; locals often drink bottled water instead. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available.
- Tipping
- Not mandatory or customary. In restaurants: not expected for simple meals or basic establishments; 5–10% in mid-range or upscale venues if service was exceptional. Always pay cash to the server, not on card. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may appreciate small tips in upscale settings but it is not expected.
- Emergency
- 112
When to go
High season
Nov – Mar
Winter is the busy season on the south coast, when northern Europeans come for the sun and the resorts from Los Cristianos to Playa de las Américas run full.
Shoulder
Apr – Jun
Spring thins the crowds on the beaches while the days lengthen and the light stays strong.
High season
Jul – Aug
Summer holidays fill the resorts again with families, and the open beaches have little natural shade at midday.
Shoulder
Sep – Oct
Autumn is the quieter gap between the summer families and the winter visitors, with the evenings still warm.
How long to stay
Most people come to Arona for a week or more on the coast, and the resorts of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas are built for exactly that kind of stay.
One day away from the sand covers the rest: the town of Arona up in the hills, with a church that dates from the 17th century, and the Central Park of Arona (Parque Central de Arona), four hectares of tropical palms with a rocky section planted with the endemic flora of this part of the island. With the TF-1 motorway passing through the municipality, a longer stay also works as a base for the rest of Tenerife.
Getting around
The TF-1 motorway passes through Arona and is the road link between its coast and the rest of the island. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island capital, lies 59 km northeast of the town of Arona. Tenerife South Airport is on the far side of Las Galletas from Los Cristianos, at one end of the resort strip.
The catch is height. The town of Arona stands inland at 630 m above sea level, so the old centre and the beaches make two separate outings.
What to see
Destinations in Arona
Frequently asked questions
Are Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas part of Arona?
Yes. The municipality of Arona covers the resorts of Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa del Silencio and Las Galletas, as well as the town of Arona inland.How far is Arona from Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
The town of Arona is 59 km southwest of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The TF-1 motorway passes through the municipality.What is the weather like in Arona?
Temperatures range from 20 to 25 °C.Where is the southernmost point of Tenerife?
Punta Salemas, on the coast of Arona.Is there a long sandy beach in Arona?
Playa de las Vistas was rebuilt with sand from the sea bed and is now one of the longest beaches on Tenerife.