Tenerife tourism

Tourism is concentrated more in the south of the island, which is hotter and drier and especially around Playa de las Americas, and Los Cristianos. More recently coastal development has grown northwards from Playa de las Americas and now encompasses the former small enclave of La Caletta.

In the north of the island the main development for tourism has been in the town of Puerto de la Cruz.

Tenerife has long been a top winter destination for sun-starved Brits but it also scores with its scenery, culture and luxury hotels.

The island has a dramatic and parched landscape of lava flows, deep gorges and giant cliffs which plunge into a sapphire Atlantic Ocean.

It also boasts a long and rich history of colonisation, trade and conflict - it was here that Admiral Nelson lost his right arm in attack on Santa Cruz in 1797.

But today tourism has come of age with a tourist board drive to encourage visitors to sample the culture of the north which contrasts starkly with the package destinations in the south.

The capital of the island, Santa Cruz, feels a lot more like mainland Spain with old churches, plazas, street cafes and restaurants. One of the best is the Los Reunidos where the modern decor matches the menu.

Visitors can drive around Tenerife in a day. But if the sun is shining the most fun you can have with trunks on is at Siam Park, a new 'water kingdom' in Costa Adeje.

Forget the tame chutes of yesteryear, some of the slides in this place make grown men scream. On the 'Tower of Power' riders endure an 80ft near vertical drop before hurtling through a vast fish tank and exiting into the deceleration pool at what feels like 50mph.

'The Dragon' sees four riders sit on a inflatable four-leaf clover and plummet - often in darkness - down a tube which twists and turns and plunges off little cliffs without warning. But Siam Park isn't all about thrills, it has scores of less scary and easy going rides and even a mile-long slow flowing Mai Thai 'river' for those who want to float lazily downstream. If the sun is out, this place demands a full day.

The channel between Tenerife and La Gomera is over 2,00ft deep and a favourite haunt of dolphins and pilot whales. We saw plenty of these magnificent beasts on a boat trip. With the engine off we were able to float right up to large groups while a crew member gave an informative talk. A little nearer to shore we stopped and swam near the boat before heading in.

See also: about Tenerife : history : transportation