Playa Taurito, located on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria, is a fun, purpose-built family resort. In its quiet and beautiful location, the resort boasts a safe, action-packed environment that appeals particularly to families with young children. The landscape here is breathtaking, with hotels snaking up the hillsides on opposite faces of the valley, often overlooking the volcanic beach and huge water park area. Combing all the best bits from a Canary Islands getaway, a holiday at Playa Taurito is full of unique experiences in one easy family-friendly package.
Beaches and Swimming Pools
Like much of the resort, the beach is manmade and meticulously designed for maximum accessibility and enjoyment. The dark, volcanic grey sand is well-sheltered from the Atlantic winds and currents, and is situated in a picturesque bay that never feels too small or too large to keep an eye on young children.
More impressive than the beach is the unmissable Lago Taurito pool complex, located just behind the sand and at the feet of the cliffside hotels. Lago Taurito is an impressive waterpark with a large number of slides and rides to keep parents and children entertained. The highlights of the park include Kamikaze – a daring slide that shoots sliders down an open pipe from a steep height – and Space Bowl – a two-part slide with a closed-pipe 50km/h section, which drops visitors into a huge plughole that swishes them down to the bottom.
All of the slides are family-friendly, boasting a great range of slow and shallow slides that toddlers with parents can enjoy and fast, all-action waterslides for teenagers. Lago Taurito is also impressively the only waterpark on Gran Canaria to use seawater and is therefore kinder to youngsters with sensitive skin or allergies. For a price of just €5 for children between three and twelve, this water park cannot be beaten on the island.
Water Sports
The pools and slides at Lago Taurito may be mega, but if the family fancies some water sports options, there are plenty on the beachside. All of the usual candidates – such as jet skiing, flyboarding and banana boating – are available, but the jet ski safari is most exciting. On the safari, groups are given a guided tour of the nearby coastline, including small caves and hidden shorelines. If you and the family have a desire for exploration and an interest in wildlife, this water-based safari makes for the perfect morning activity.
Top Tip: Looking for similar ocean activities nearby? Why not visit the Puerto Rico resort a few miles down the road? Check out this handy guide for more details.
Where to Stay
Cala Blanca By Diamond Resorts – Halfway up the hillside and slightly away from the busiest and loudest areas of the resort, this hotel is still only four minutes away from the volcanic beach and in walking distance of the water park. The facilities at this hotel are second-to-none; highlights include a tennis court, a large swimming pool, a sauna and a herb garden. For convenience, there is also a mini-market by the lobby for when you need a chocolate bar or some nappies. The rooms here are spacious and air-conditioned, and are decorated with a beautiful mix of bleached white walls and bold blue decorative features. In the surrounding area there are many tropical mountain flowers. These are especially fragrant and beautiful during the Easter holidays.
Paradise Lago Taurito – Paradise Lago Taurito is right in the thick of it. Only one minute’s walk from the beach and less to the pool complex, most of Playa Taurito’s most exciting activities can be seen from your balcony. The rooms at the Paradise Lago Taurito are all air-conditioned and are equipped with private bathrooms and satellite TVs. For an evening meal at the hotel’s restaurant, guests can expect a pleasant mix of Spanish and international cuisine. However, huge and delicious pizzas are the star of the show.
Mogan Princess and Beach Club – A 10 minutes’ walk from the beach and water park areas, this hotel is a self-contained paradise with three outdoor swimming pools, three bars and a restaurant. There is plenty of room for play with a children’s pool for the very little ones and access to the beach (900 yards away) via a day-time shuttle service. Air-conditioned rooms with a fridge and balcony come as standard at the Morgan Princess Beach Club, which also provides evening entertainment if you have the energy!
How to Get There
Grand Canaria’s tropical climate and incredible landscape are only a four-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK. Competition from major airlines such as easyJet, Thomas Cook and Norwegian helps to keep the costs down on direct flights. You can fly from Gatwick to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) with very regular departures during the holiday periods.
The airport is on the east coast of the island, so the drive to Taurito takes around 40 minutes along the southern coast. The swiftest and easiest way to get from the plane to the hotel is by pre-booking a transfer with Shuttle Direct. A helpful driver will make sure that you, your family and your luggage get where you need to go without any hassle and at an affordable price.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is an airport transfer company that prioritises customer care, affordable pricing and ease of use. Book an airport transfer with Shuttle Direct before you leave for a fixed, low-cost fee and relax in the knowledge that your transport is sorted. Since many of the local drivers know the area better than anyone else, you may even be able to ask them about the best local restaurants, beaches and family-friendly activities.
