Gran Canaria in December

C

Ciaraella

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Hi all,

i'm heading to Gran Canaria in a week's time for a family holiday, (myself - 26, brother of 24 and parents in their 50's). I've heard that Playa Del Ingles is a party spot for school leavers etc during the summer months but i'm guessing that in December the tourists will be of the more mature age group (!) which i'm hoping for as we're just looking to relax on the beach and eat out. Has anyone been to Gran Canaria over the winter months?
 
I've spent two Christmases and one November holiday on Gran Canaria, but avoided Playa del Ingles due to its reputation as a "party spot for school leavers etc". I have no idea if its reputation is warranted or not.

I stuck close to my hotels in Maspalomas (southern-most tip of the island) which has a maturer and more staid reputation (just like me). I had a brilliant time and enjoyed the sand-dunes, walks, swimming, sun-bathing (for Christmas!), boat-trips, and even shopping.

Enjoy your holiday.
 
I was in Peurto Rico in the Spring time, was great

PDI is definatly full of kids/teens in the Summer, Winter is fairly quite all over
 
Puerto Rico will have the best weather in Gran Canaria. The mountains that surround it apparently shield it somewhat from clouds, giving it a kind of micro-climate within the island. I noticed that first hand last March with quite cloudy conditions in Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas, while Puerto Rico was cloudless!
 
Its very pleasant and civilized this time of year. If ure staying in playa des ingles, just avoid the Kasbah and Irish Centre, and you will have a lovely time. I spend every xmass there in the Maspalomas area, and its lovely. If you need restuarants, let us know and will post some good places to eat.
 
I went once in December, it was sunny and warm. I wouldn't be crazy about Gran Canaria in general, it's like Alicante with too many noisy drunk Irish and English tourists, but if that's your thing then you'll like the main resorts.
I agree about Maspalomas though, if you want a quiet time in a nice environment. Some nice hotels, and a few reataurants overlooking the ocean that are nice as well. If you want a good hotel, try the Costa Meloneras. We stayed there and loved the place, it's a massive hotel but manages not to feel like a big resort. Great gardens and pool that includes a "river" that winds its way under a bridge and through beautifully landscaped grounds. Also an infinity pool that makes you feel like you are swimming out to sea. Generous buffet breakfasts in two dining rooms; one of our party who loves his food realised that he could get an early breakfast in one and then go for a swim and come back for another feed just before ten thirty in the other, but I'm sure they've closed that loophole by now! Great place for a lazy week in mid winter.
See reviews below, probably some of them are puff pieces, but in general they give you a flavour of the place that is accurate.

http://www.holiday-truth.com/holida...Costa Meloneras Resort Spa & Casino Lopespan/
 
If your going to Playa de Ingles its gonna be hard not to avoid the Kasbah and Irish centre. In general and this time of the year its really quiet and while ther is the loud music coming from bars there isn't actually that many in them. Was in the same situation as you going with Mum and brother and basically just went for long walks nbeach - got bus to Peurto Rico and can get ferry from there to Mogan which is lovley. You can also get the bus up to Las Palmas which has great shopping - Promod, Zara. To tell you the truth at this time of year its mostly older people there at this time of year, couples etc as students etc have exams. You can get all your Xmas booze there for like 10 euro a bottle so ye can stock up for Xmas if your all still talking to each other! My Mum is there this week and goes every year at this time as so much cheaper to get shopping and have a holiday! Enjoy don't expect too much - if just want some sun and nice long beaches for walks etc it'll do the trick and you'll look fab coming home for Xmas in all those Xmas shots!
 
Thanks Red Army, that's pretty much what i was hoping for! I'd rather it was an older crowd as we're just looking for a relaxing week and nothing too hectic, our accommodation is basic but it's just somewhere to lay our heads and i'd say we'll spend most of our time on the beach, cheers!
 
I was in Puerto Rico a couple of years ago 24-27 degrees, it was quiet but the bars filled up at night and it certainly was an older crowd.
 
If you want a quiet place on Gran Canaria try Mogan. Small resort that only caters for families. No drunken students & has a very good 5 star hotel that is very reasonable. I know some people who've been there a couple of times during the winter.

IMO Puerto Rico is very down market larger lout territory. Would rank it even behind Playa Del Ingles. Maspalomas is ok.
 
I agree with csirl re puerto rico, that its gone loutish. The only prob with mogan is the limited options there as its a small place.
Overall, I think the Costa Meloneras new resort in maspalomas is the nicest of the lot - if I could afford the hotel there!
Otherwise, there are loads of quite bungalows for rent in the 'golf' and 'faro centre' area, which is near the beach, shopping etc and also nice and civilized.
 
I thought it wasnt loutish and was there two years ago ( has it changed ). I stayed in the Riosol which is in the higher part of the resort and possibly quieter and only ventured down to the lower part in the day time and didnt witness it at night. BTW the Riosol was not as good as it reviews and another hotel next door looked better.
 
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