When it comes to holiday destinations, teenagers are probably the hardest demographic to please. Too old for paddling pools but too young for clubbing (hopefully!), it’s sometimes difficult to find a destination that has enough to not just show them a good time, but a really great time.
Tenerife has always been a favourite place for families to head for a summer break, no matter what the age of the children, and it’s one of Spain’s most visited destinations. There’s no shortage of resorts from which to choose, but Los Cristianos, on the south coast, might just have the edge when it comes to having the chops to please fussy teens.
Apart from the wonderful beaches, and everything that comes with them – water sports, boating, diving, swimming, snorkelling and fishing – the region around Los Cristianos holds the key to some fantastic other activities for teenagers.
Siam Park
For sensational wet and wild fun that’ll really get the adrenaline pumping through young veins, Siam Park blends the exotic appeal of Thailand with the heart-in-mouth fun of a thrilling adventure water park.
Arguably one of the best water parks in Europe, set within lush gardens complete with temples, dragons, winding pathways and lakes, you really are transported into a magical kingdom of Siam. As you’d expect, the water slides carry such exotic monikers as:
- Tower of Power – 28 stomach-churning vertical metres
- The Dragon – zero gravity, unlimited fun!
- Mekong Rapids – a crazy raft ride down rapids
- Jungle Snake – a thrilling ride through a soaking jungle
- Kinnaree – a 200-metre mega slide
- The Singha – 240 metres of turbulent torrents
While the kids are torturing themselves on the water slides, you can relax in one of the bars or restaurants, or lie back on a free sun lounger around the white-sand beach, Playa Siam. Is that your kid you can hear screaming down the Mekong? Pass the suntan lotion…
Siam Park is located at Salida 28, 38670, Adeje. Open every day from 10am-6pm. Entry starts from €34 for adults and children over 11.
Monkey Park
Everyone loves a cheeky monkey and there are plenty of them to fall in love with at Monkey Park. This primate zoo and breeding centre is very close to the heart of Los Cristianos, so it’s not only easy to get to, it’s also very relaxing to get around once you’re there.
Residents of the park include monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas, as well as lemurs, marmosets, exotic birds, reptiles and there’s even a big cat conservation area. The animals are housed in enclosures with some of them having a walk-through facility. Kids can get involved in the interactive feeding programme with some of the smaller, friendlier animals.
Monkey Park is located five minutes from the centre of Los Cristianos at Llano Azul Arona, and is open 9.30am-5.00pm every day. Entry is €10 for adults and children over 12.
Tip: If your teens want to see more of Tenerife’s wildlife, this blog post offers some more ideas.
Forestal Park
Set in Parque Natural de Canarias, Forestal Park gives teens the chance to fly through the trees, hopefully with the greatest of ease! If your kids have never tried zip-lining they’re in for the ride of their lives and, as long as they’ve got a head for heights, this is one of the most exciting things they can do on dry land – or above it at least.
You can choose from two course levels over 11 different zip lines: the Sports Course (suited to confident teens over 1.45 metres) and the Family Course, which is a great place to get the hang of zip-lining through the canopy. The activity is totally safe and trained instructors are on hand to take everyone through the technical skills.
Forestal Park is located at La Esperanza, Santa Cruz. It’s open weekends and Wednesdays from 10am-8pm, with last access at 5.30pm. Entry is €22 for adults and children over 12.
Horse Riding
For a top family team bonding experience without the adrenaline rush, horse riding is a great way to get out into nature with the kids. There are plenty of different routes, but one of the best and most memorable is out around the King’s Crater – La Caldera del Rey. It doesn’t matter if you’re inexperienced, as full instruction is supplied before you set off. Saddle up and head out on the trail with the local guides, who’ll take you on a trekking adventure through working farmland with banana plantations and other crops and up into the mountains. You’ll get some amazing views over the semi-desert landscape and right out over the Atlantic. Time for an off-the-beaten-track family portrait…
Climb in the saddle with Centro Hipico stables, at La Caldera del Rey. The stables are open 9am-8pm daily. Ph: +34 922 79 48 00
While you might not be able to compete with Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram for your teens attention, in Los Cristianos, at least you’ll be able to provide them with some content to be proud of!
How to get to Los Cristianos
If you’re travelling to Los Cristianos with your teens, the four hour flight time from the UK to Tenerife is easily passed with a couple of good movies. As such a popular family destination it’s not hard to pick up some well-priced flights from any of the budget carriers. Monarch, Ryanair, Thomson and British Airways all offer regular scheduled flights from various airports in the UK.
Once you land at the airport, rather than mess around with teens, bags and public transport, give yourself a gift of convenience with one of the Tenerife airport transfers. If you fly into Tenerife North it will take about an hour by road to Los Cristianos, and if you’re landing at Tenerife South you can be at your accommodation in just 20 minutes.
Where to Stay
TRYP Tenerife – Big, bold and a firm favourite with children, the TRYP Tenerife offers everything you need for an action-packed family holiday. It’s almost more fun than a teen can handle with pools, tennis, gym, entertainment programme and the beach just five minutes walk away. There’s plenty for parents too, with stunning views, onsite restaurant and family rooms with space, glorious space.
Paloma Beach Apartments – You’re just 200 metres from the beach at Paloma Beach Apartments, but it could be days before you get there! With a funky, contemporary décor and a sprawling central pool area, will it be a swim, hot tub, poolside snack, surf the free Wi-Fi or wander into town? You don’t have to choose, because you’ll have all that and more right at your fingertips.
Ona Los Claveles – With the décor and ambience of a traditional Spanish hacienda and the laidback luxury of a modern apartment, your family will get the best of both worlds at the Ona Los Claveles. With cool and spacious family apartments, a fantastic pool, tennis courts and walking distance to the beach, this lovely place feels like your very own home in Tenerife.
About Shuttle Direct
For the fastest, cheapest and most convenient airport transfers in Europe and North Africa, Shuttle Direct has every traveller’s needs covered. Our range of shared or private services can be pre-booked online, and you’ll have the peace of mind of confirmed travel arrangements before you leave home. We’ve got many years of experience in the industry, so you can rest assured our services will get you to where you need to go – and back again.
