With pioneering use of land a large part of the western coast of Lanzarote has been declared a nature reserve, the volcanic Timanfaya National Park, which is largely intact except for a tour-bus route, camel rides and a restaurant where food is cooked over a naturally lava-heated barbecue pit.

However, thanks to the so called ‘illegal’ building of 24 hotels in coastal resorts such as Playa Blanca the island is in danger of losing its biosphere status.  The Canary Island Supreme Court has ruled that these hotels have been built illegally, with EU grants – issued partly with thanks to the islands biosphere status!

The biosphere status was issued to the island based on its development plans to promote sustainable tourism that respected the environment.  The Cesar Manrique Foundation, named after the late artist Cesar Manrique himself, fights the development of large concrete buildings such as hotels on the other Canary Islands.   However, as you will see from the larger hotels that have been built on the sea front in resorts such as Playa Blanca there is reason for concern with regards to the biosphere status of the island.

Maybe the saving grace is that it is the Cesar Manrique foundation who have in fact ‘whistle-blown’ on these developers which may give the island a fighting chance in retaining the biosphere status.

There is no doubt that some of the larger hotels, such as those in Playa Blanca have helped the towns tourism trade, but at what cost?  Playa Blanca, one a small fishing port is now a vibrant tourist destination enticing people from all over Europe.

The island has proven that, for years, it has been able to sustain repeat tourism through natural, low-key visitor attractions and it would be a tragic shame to see the Manrique legacy and biosphere status fall over the sake of corrupt property development.

Lanzarote Tour and Trail Southwest Map 2009

Rough Guide Directions Lanzarote

Canarian Volcanoes: Lanzarote and Fuerteventura v.2

This part of Lanzarote is occupied, principally, by the town of Playa Blanca (once a sleepy fishing village), but in the midst of a major transformation.  Playa Blanca extends from the western Pechiguera Point (Where our villa is located in La Goleta, Faro Park) to Coloradas Beach in the east, with the Coloradas Beach effectively becoming the first of the Papagayo coves, which is where I want to start this ‘journey’.
You will have noticed that there is a fair amount of development going on across the broader Playa Blanca area.  Visitors will be pleased to hear that building is prohibited beyond this point, so Papagayo Beach will remain completely as nature created it.

Punta de Papagayo, to give it its full name, is located at the most southerly tip of the island and is actually a collection of small beaches (Playa Mujeres, Playa del Pozo, Playa de Papagayo, Playa de La Cera, Puerto Muelas and Caleta del Congrio), with golden sands of between 100m and 400m in length and separated by high cliffs.  Access is not as you might expect and given the beaches are remote and not near the main centre, few services are available, so please go prepared (We’d advise taking a cool box packed full of food and drink as you won’t find anywhere to buy a drink or something to eat on these beaches).

Follow the signs to Papagayo from the main LZ-2 Roundabout with the CEPSA garage and you will end up on a bumpy dirt track road (no tarmac and hire companies generally ask that you only venture here in a 4 wheel drive, but this is generally ignored, so you won’t be alone if you choose to ignore this advice).  You’ll need to pay a small Toll (2 Euros), before you get the beach top (park by the one and only cafeteria in this area).  You need to walk down the sand bank to the beach (and buggies are simply no go, so leave them in the car).

This unspoilt, undeveloped area is surrounded by stunning picture card landscapes, with volcanic ash cliffs, crystal clear waters and fine white & golden sands and is made up of several small bays and coves (if it is beginning to sounds like heaven, it almost is).  This is not one of the best beaches on Lanzarote, it is the best beach on the island and one of the best in Europe.  Note, that as you move further away from the immediate cove, nude bathing is allowed (so be prepared !).

As you head back towards Playa Blanca, I will take you on a whistle stop tour of ‘the other beaches’.  As nice as there are, they do not warrant as much space in this article as Papagayo. First we have Playa de Las Coloradas, a quiet gravel beach 410 m long, far from developed areas and no public services.  Next we find the picturesque beach of Playa Blanca, parallel to the restaurant-lined promenade in the village and 40 m of fine golden sand with placid waters.  After we pass the  harbour (where you can take a daily ferry to Fuerteventura), you will find Playa Flamingo (200 m. of fine white sand, next to Playa Blanca, ideal for scuba diving), Playa Dorada (a sheltered beach of fine white sand, 30m long),  both close to all the services that the town has to offer.  Here you can rent sports equipment & hammocks.Next we have La Mulata,  80 m. of fine golden sand mixed with gravel (located between Playa Blanca and the Faro de Pechiguera lighthouse), La Campana, 140 m. of fine golden sand (close to the Faro de Pechiguera lighthouse),  Montaña Roja, 260 m. of fine golden sand (near the Faro de Pechiguera lighthouse), and finally we end with El Golfo, 150 m. of picturesque black (yes black) sand !

The best way to explore the island is to take a guided walk especially to the more hidden parts. The guides are helpful and knowledgeable about the island’s culture and history and its flora and fauna. A good guide walk is to Teguise with a very expert lady called Carmen Portella who is able to explain the origins of the many old colonial buildings.

Lanzarote is also an interesting destination on account of its incredible other-worldly volcanic features. The most recent volcanic eruptions took place during the 18th and 19th centuries and have left an impression that is variously described as Martian or lunar.

It is due to the dryness of the climate and the consequent lack of erosion that the volcanic landscapes appear largely unchanged and are so interesting to visitors.

Lanzarote is renowned for having the longest Volcanic Tunnel in the world, one of its most incredible volcanic features. Called the Atlandida Tunnel it is over 7 km long and includes such landmarks as Jameos del Agua and La Cueva de los Verdes, (Green Cave) where in the 18th century the natives, the Majoreros took refuge from slavers or pirates. A jameo, apparent at the entrance to the cave is where the surface has collapsed due to weight or a gas explosion.

Lanzarote holidays are a great way to explore ancient culture. The walls of La Cueva de los Verdes are enhanced by a magnificent and transformational lighting system and the experience is further enriched by a lovely musical accompaniment. This is one of the most beautiful tourist sites on the island with the installation of an auditorium called the Visual Music Festival of Lanzarote.

Spanish conquistadores first seized the island during the 1400´s before going on to subdue the rest of the Canaries, and Lanzarote then evolved to become a staging post between the New World and the Old as Spanish galleons ferried Inca Silver and slaves from Africa across the Atlantic. Today the majority of visitors are from the UK, Eire and Germany. The bulk of whom arrive by air – with a further 250,000 tourists visiting the island as part of a cruise.

Most visitors will find themselves staying in one of the three main resorts on the island; Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca. All of which are well contained and offer plenty of modern amenities and facilities. Along with high standards of accommodation. Such as a large selection of Lanzarote villas, apartments and hotels.

Costa Teguise is located in the north of the island – just a short fifteen minute transfer from Arrecife airport. The resort was first developed during the 1970´s as an upmarket coastal resort – initially proving very popular with German and Scandinavian tourists. Costa Teguise is set out on wide open boulevards – creating a spacious feel. But as a man-made resort it lacks a natural organic heart. A role which is only in part played today by the Pueblo Marinero. Costa Teguise does however boast a great selection of beaches, as well as some excellent accommodation options.

Drive south around twenty minutes along the coastline and visitors will find the oldest resort on the island – Puerto del Carmen. Tourism first took off here in the 1970´s and is still going strong today. Thanks to the fact that Puerto del Carmen boasts a great selection of beaches – such as the aptly named Playa Grande. As well as a large range of apartment complexes offering good value breaks. The resort has recently undergone renovation – making it an ideal time to enjoy a holiday in Puerto del Carmen.

A further thirty minute drive to the south brings visitors to Playa Blanca. Which is the newest resort on Lanzarote – first developed during the 1990´s and still evolving rapidly.

Playa Blanca has long been the gateway to the island of Fuerteventura and enjoys some of the best weather on the island due to its southern location. The resort is also especially popular with tourists who like to book their own holidays online. Offering plenty of self catering options and some of the most luxurious villas in Lanzarote even the most discerning travellers are well catered for.

Lanzarote South-west Tour and Trail Map

Cadernos De Lanzarote Diario I

Other things that people forget to consider when thinking about booking a hotel, is whether they will need Car Hire this could be required depending on the location of the hotel compared to the various resort amenities.

The last thing you need when arriving at your resort is to find that you will have to take the bus everywhere that you wish to visit, this will detract from the enjoyment of your holiday experience if you have children with you and they have to take the bus everywhere this could cast a cloud over the fun.

The last thing you would want to be doing upon arriving in the resort for four well earned rest in the sun, Is to have to walk for twenty minutes to get your copy of the sun newspaper. Having taken all of this in to account, Checked the location, Checked the Hotel, Checked that you are happy with the star rating of the Hotel and read any reviews now is the time to Book Your Lanzarote Hotel .

If you follow these simple steps when booking anything from your summer or winter holiday, you should safeguard and limit the chance of having a very poor time, now all that is left for me to say is happy travelling.