Not to be confused with the Caribbean island of the same name, Puerto Rico sits on the sunkissed south shore of Gran Canaria. With a golden crescent of sand sheltering between high cliffs, the top things to do in Puerto Rico involve a generous dose of sun, sea, and sand. If you can drag yourself away from the beach, the lively port is also the starting point for dolphin-watching cruises along Gran Canaria’s coast, as well as day trips to the Maspalomas Dunes or the natural landmark of Roque Nublo.
The Canary Islands are Europe’s southernmost winter sun getaway, and Gran Canaria’s south coast is typically one of the sunniest spots. As such, any time is a good time to visit Puerto Rico, and you can hit the beach during all four seasons. If you can, avoid the peak summer months of July and August when the surge of tourists sends prices skyrocketing and your chances of snagging a sunlounger are greatly reduced.
Buses connect Puerto Rico to nearby towns like Puerto de Mogán and Maspalomas, as well as to the island capital and airport of Las Palmas in the north. However, services are slow and infrequent, so it’s best to rent a car or join a tour if you want to explore the rest of Gran Canaria. In Puerto Rico itself, most hotels and resorts are within walking distance of the beach.
Puerto Rico’s second beach, Playa de Amadores, lies just northwest of the town and is a great choice for water sports. Make a splash at the inflatable water park that floats in the bay, take a banana boat ride, or try parasailing, jet skiing, and flyboarding. The gently shelving bay has calm waters and an easily accessible reef, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving; see if you can spot barracuda, cuttlefish, octopus, and angel sharks.
