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You are here: Home Life in Lifestyle Guide to family fun on Fuerteventura
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02/06/2008Guide to family fun on Fuerteventura

Guide to family fun on Fuerteventura It's summer time, and the beaches are great. But according to Jeanne Quigley, there are more than one way to have fun with the children on this Spanish island.

FAMILIES who come to Fuerteventura love the beach.  The golden sand, the deep blue sea – the beaches on the island are simply fabulous.

The best beach has to be the Corralejo dunes where there are miles of fabulous golden dunes that seem to stretch on forever.
No matter how hard you try, it’s practically impossible to resist the temptation to climb to the top and then run down the other side.

Children love the black beaches in the south. It’s like playing in mud, especially after a dip in the ocean

However, if you are looking for a change of place to have some family fun, try out the following ways.

• You can have a great day at Oasis Park, La Lajita. In fact, it’s better if the day is a bit cool, as you’ll be walking around for a few hours.

There are four daily shows that are worth taking the time to go to – parrots, reptiles, sea lions and birds of prey. There is also the African reserve, the camel reserve, prairie dogs, flamingos, giraffes, hippos, chimpanzees, emus.

A children’s playground, a farm and a couple of good restaurants will make sure everyone has a day to enjoy.

There’s also the botanical garden, one of the most important in Europe, with more than 2,300 varieties of cactus.

It is also a lot more than a zoo – one of its projects is protecting the native animals as well as the island’s flora and fauna.

Baku Water Park  in Corralejo consists of three attractions – water park, animal experience and Parque Europa. The water park and animal experience are open during the day while Parque Europa opens at 6pm. All attractions are open seven days a week.
  
The children’s area in the water park is perfect for the little ones. There’s a slow river where they can drift along on large tyres and the pool with what look like large animals but are actually well disguised slides.

Older children and adults can have a ball on the great water slides and the zigzags and teenagers have their own special area complete with zip wire, ring bridge, trampoline and diving pool.

• The market place in Corralejo is next to the Water Park and plays host to two markets on Mondays and Fridays. The same market is in Caleta on Thursdays. You’ll find clothes, toys, ceramics, watches, sunglasses and all sorts of bits and pieces.

Bowling and Bingo take place in the evenings just up the road from the Water Park, beside the Parque Europa. Bingo is something all the family will enjoy. And then walk through the Hotel del Terror (Haunted House) if you dare. Nightmares guaranteed!

• Go down to the harbour area in Caleta. Pick a subcat to bring you under the sea and spent a glorious 30 minutes in the glass-bottomed boat looking at the marine life, or take a guided tour of the oceanarium.

If you are at Corralejo harbour, go on the half-day catamaran trip. When the cat drops anchor close to Lobos Island, the brave can swim and jet ski.

This island is wonderful for water sports of all kinds. You can learn to sail, scuba dive, surf, windsurf, snorkel, kiteboard.

Otherwise, you can check out the local tourist office for details of special events such as fiestas, carnival and various championships that include part of the world windsurf series on Sotaventa beach.

The writer, Jeanne Quigley, is one of Expatica Spain's bloggers whose blogs are published on alternate Fridays. If you too would like to contribute to Expatica, please email us at  editorES@expatica.com. We would love to publish your contributions and share them with other readers!


1 reaction to this article

LeisureZone posted: 2008-07-18 16:28:37

FUERTEVENTURA is the second largest of the 7 Canary Islands and is closest to the African coast. It has the highest number of sand dunes and longest sandy beaches of all the islands. It is regarded as the oldest of the Canaries with a landscape of contrasting volcanic contours, impressive beaches and a wonderful "wild" feel.

Children are welcome everywhere in Fuerteventura, indeed the Spanish dote on their children and welcome others as an extension of their own families.

Fuerteventura has long white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters which are perfect for family bathing.

The blue lagoons of EL COTILLO in the north east of the island are safe and idyllic - a perfect backdrop for classic family beach photographs. There are plenty of local restaurants and tapas bars for when you get peckish, or pack a picnic and enjoy your own space.

CALETA DE FUSTE (Castillo/Costa Caleta) is a man-made resort with imported sand which is an ideal centre for family holidays.

There are many family trips and activities available, and children will marvel at the seals in Caleta harbour.

Mini-golf, putting, (safe) bungey jumping and trampolining are available in CORRALEJO which is also home to the islands only Aqua-park.

Children from 6 years (to 60 years!) can participate in a desert laser adventure (complete with camoflage suit!) - fun for all the family, with a free BBQ included, and free pick-up from your hotel!

A trip on CATLANZA - a luxurious sailing catamaran round the island of LOS LOBOS, includes snorkelling and a free jet-ski ride, as well as plenty of refreshments and a mediterranean lunch.

Perhaps you and your children would like to learn to surf or try a practice dive? There are many schools available with qualified instructors and safe waters to play in!

Just outside the sleepy fishing village of LA LAJITA, in the west and half way down Fuerteventura, is the only zoo on the island, dedicated to showing a diverse display of flora and fauna. There are various animal and birds of prey shows, botanical gardens with colourful birds of paradise flying freely around, large cactus gardens, and even camel rides available.

Take a walk through the PARQUE NACIONAL just outside CORRALEJO, and marvel at the huge white sand dunes which are the home to the endangered houbara bustard, and the herds of goats which roam freely around the island.

Hire a car and head for BETANCURIA, in the middle of Fuerteventura, stop high in the mountains at one of the many parking laybys. Get out of your car, and watch the ravens circling overhead. Then wait a minute .... suddenly the hillside appears to come to life and movement is seen coming towards you from below. Look closer - the hillside is teeming with barbery squirrels, commonly known as chipmunks.

These wonderful little creatures will take food out of your hands, scamper a short distance away and merrily chomp on their bounty ... we've found them very partial to Pringles!!

A truly wonderful sight, and great fun for children and adults alike. Don't forget your camera!

Fuerteventura has so much to offer families, whether you want an active or relaxing holiday, you are sure to enjoy your stay.

Fuerteventura is perhaps the most laid-back of the 7 Canary Islands, with the space and calm to completely lose yourself and really relax.

Perhaps too quiet for some but there are plenty of things to do as detailed in LeisureZone - an independent magazine and website backed by the tourist board.

It highlights the culture and historical aspects of the island, but also advertises all sorts of leisure and activities available.

So if you are looking for a gateway with direct links to advertisers own websites who deal with your bookings direct, contact www.leisurezone.es enjoy!

1 reaction to this article

LeisureZone posted: 2008-07-18 16:28:37

FUERTEVENTURA is the second largest of the 7 Canary Islands and is closest to the African coast. It has the highest number of sand dunes and longest sandy beaches of all the islands. It is regarded as the oldest of the Canaries with a landscape of contrasting volcanic contours, impressive beaches and a wonderful "wild" feel.

Children are welcome everywhere in Fuerteventura, indeed the Spanish dote on their children and welcome others as an extension of their own families.

Fuerteventura has long white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters which are perfect for family bathing.

The blue lagoons of EL COTILLO in the north east of the island are safe and idyllic - a perfect backdrop for classic family beach photographs. There are plenty of local restaurants and tapas bars for when you get peckish, or pack a picnic and enjoy your own space.

CALETA DE FUSTE (Castillo/Costa Caleta) is a man-made resort with imported sand which is an ideal centre for family holidays.

There are many family trips and activities available, and children will marvel at the seals in Caleta harbour.

Mini-golf, putting, (safe) bungey jumping and trampolining are available in CORRALEJO which is also home to the islands only Aqua-park.

Children from 6 years (to 60 years!) can participate in a desert laser adventure (complete with camoflage suit!) - fun for all the family, with a free BBQ included, and free pick-up from your hotel!

A trip on CATLANZA - a luxurious sailing catamaran round the island of LOS LOBOS, includes snorkelling and a free jet-ski ride, as well as plenty of refreshments and a mediterranean lunch.

Perhaps you and your children would like to learn to surf or try a practice dive? There are many schools available with qualified instructors and safe waters to play in!

Just outside the sleepy fishing village of LA LAJITA, in the west and half way down Fuerteventura, is the only zoo on the island, dedicated to showing a diverse display of flora and fauna. There are various animal and birds of prey shows, botanical gardens with colourful birds of paradise flying freely around, large cactus gardens, and even camel rides available.

Take a walk through the PARQUE NACIONAL just outside CORRALEJO, and marvel at the huge white sand dunes which are the home to the endangered houbara bustard, and the herds of goats which roam freely around the island.

Hire a car and head for BETANCURIA, in the middle of Fuerteventura, stop high in the mountains at one of the many parking laybys. Get out of your car, and watch the ravens circling overhead. Then wait a minute .... suddenly the hillside appears to come to life and movement is seen coming towards you from below. Look closer - the hillside is teeming with barbery squirrels, commonly known as chipmunks.

These wonderful little creatures will take food out of your hands, scamper a short distance away and merrily chomp on their bounty ... we've found them very partial to Pringles!!

A truly wonderful sight, and great fun for children and adults alike. Don't forget your camera!

Fuerteventura has so much to offer families, whether you want an active or relaxing holiday, you are sure to enjoy your stay.

Fuerteventura is perhaps the most laid-back of the 7 Canary Islands, with the space and calm to completely lose yourself and really relax.

Perhaps too quiet for some but there are plenty of things to do as detailed in LeisureZone - an independent magazine and website backed by the tourist board.

It highlights the culture and historical aspects of the island, but also advertises all sorts of leisure and activities available.

So if you are looking for a gateway with direct links to advertisers own websites who deal with your bookings direct, contact www.leisurezone.es enjoy!

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