Tag: puerto del carmen

Government extends Free Public Transport in the Canaries throughout 2026

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4raJfSe : Government extends Free Public Transport in the Canaries throughout 2026

Article summary

Free public transport for residents is to remain for residents of the Canary Islands, Spain.

How to apply

To apply for your card in Lanzarote, you can go to the main bus station in Arrecife – not the Intercambiador. You will need the correct paperwork including passport or ID card, padron, and for non-EU citizens, your TIE card. The office may only be open at certain times, so check beforehand and as always, take photocopies of documents with you.

For more information on how to get your paperwork as an EU citizen in Lanzarote, book a session with me today.

December 26, 2025
Where are the best places to see on Lanzarote?
🌋 The Volcanic Heart of Lanzarote
- Timanfaya National Park: A must-visit. You can take a coach tour through the “Mountains of Fire” to see craters and lava fields that look like Mars. Don’t miss the El Diablo Restaurant, where food is cooked using geothermal heat from the volcano.
- Cueva de los Verdes: A spectacular lava tube formed 3,000 years ago. Guided tours take you through illuminated galleries, ending with a famous “secret” optical illusion that is best seen in person.
- Volcán El Cuervo: For those who want to get up close, this is an easy, flat walk that actually allows you to step inside the crater of a volcano.
🎨 The Manrique Legacy
- Jameos del Agua: Part of the same lava tube as Cueva de los Verdes, Manrique transformed this section into a stunning subterranean garden, restaurant, and auditorium. It is home to a unique species of tiny, blind albino crabs.
- Fundación César Manrique: Built into five volcanic bubbles (natural caves in the lava), this was the artist’s former home and is now a museum showcasing his work and the island’s architectural philosophy.
- Jardín de Cactus: A former quarry turned into a botanical amphitheater housing over 4,500 cacti from around the world, topped with a traditional white windmill.
🏖️ Coastal Escapes & Hidden Gems
- Papagayo Beaches: Located in a protected natural park at the southern tip, these are widely considered the island’s most beautiful beaches, featuring golden sand and emerald water sheltered by cliffs.
- Famara Beach: A massive, wild beach backed by soaring pink cliffs. It’s the “Hawaii of Europe” for surfers and offers some of the most dramatic sunset views on the island.
- La Graciosa: A small, separate island just north of Lanzarote with no paved roads. You can catch a 25-minute ferry from Órzola to explore its untouched beaches by bike or on foot.
- Las Grietas: A “hidden gem” consisting of narrow, winding fissures in the volcanic rock that resemble a miniature version of the Antelope Canyon in Arizona.
🍷 Culture & Gastronomy
- La Geria Wine Region: Unlike any vineyard you’ve seen—vines are planted in deep pits of black volcanic ash, protected by semi-circular stone walls. Stop at a bodega (like El Grifo) to try the local Malvasía wine.
See my restaurant guide with only 4 or 5 star reviews here.
- Teguise Market: On Sunday mornings, the historic former capital of Teguise turns into a massive open-air market with crafts, local food, and live music.
December 25, 2025
Why are there so many cats in Lanzarote?

High Reproduction Rates

Cats are very efficient breeders, capable of producing multiple litters per year. In a warm climate like Lanzarote’s, with a long breeding season, a lack of population control can lead to exponential growth in the cat population. A single unspayed female can contribute to a large number of offspring within a few years.

Abandonment

Unfortunately, some pet owners abandon their cats, especially around tourist areas or when they leave the island. These abandoned cats then contribute to the stray population.

Lack of Widespread Neutering and Spaying

While there are dedicated animal welfare organizations on Lanzarote that implement Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, the scale of the problem often exceeds the resources available. Historically, and sometimes still, there hasn’t been a comprehensive island-wide effort to sterilize a significant portion of the free-roaming cat population.

Food Availability

Tourist areas, restaurants, and even well-meaning tourists sometimes provide food for stray cats. While done with good intentions, this food source can sustain larger populations of cats and encourage them to congregate in certain areas. You will probably find a cat colony around Matagorda or Puerto del Carmen.

Climate and Environment

Lanzarote’s mild climate allows stray cats to survive year-round without the harsh conditions faced in colder regions. The volcanic soil can also resemble cat litter, making the environment more accommodating for them.

A cat I found on my travels

November 27, 2025
Did you know this about César Manrique?

• Art and Nature in Harmony: Much of the island’s aesthetic appeal is due to the work of Lanzarote artist, architect, and environmentalist César Manrique. He successfully campaigned to prevent high-rise development, which is why the island’s buildings are mostly low-rise and whitewashed, creating a visually pleasing and harmonious environment.

• Cultural Attractions: His influence can be seen in cultural centres where art is seamlessly fused with nature, such as Jameos del Agua, the Mirador del Río viewpoint, the Cactus Garden, and his former home, the César Manrique Foundation. The airport is also named after him!

November 27, 2025
Hotel Lava Beach (Lanzarote) review
Updates for 2026:
- Activities changed slightly and some are now in the afternoon as well
- There is a USB outlet on the side of one of the beds
- Some bathrooms have 2 sinks
Having only opened in 2021, Hotel Lava Beach is a stunning, modern hotel located close to Arrecife airport and Puerto del Carmen. Check-in is from 2pm, which is useful if you have an early flight. You are welcomed with a drink of your choice. Reception staff are available 24 hours a day and speak fluent English as well as other languages.

Rooms are lovely and spacious. All the amenities that you would expect from a five-star hotel are included, and beds are very comfortable. What I like about the balcony is that it is both spacious and covered so if it is raining, you can continue using it. The balcony also has two chairs and a sun lounger. The view of the sunsets from the
balconies are great too.

Wi-Fi in the hotel generally worked well. However, it did vary slightly depending on your location and how many other guests were using it at the same time. The TV had some UK channels including ITV2. Other amenities such as a small notepad and pencil were provided. A small fridge along with some complimentary drinks, including beer and wine were also provided. In terms of coffee, you are given an allowance of pods to use in the machine. If you wish to purchase more, you can do so at reception for a cost of 80c per pod. However, tea and hot water are always available. As you cannot drink the tap water on the island, some complimentary mineral water was provided by the cleaning staff daily. Should you need more, you can purchase them from a few local shops in the area.

Rooms are cleaned daily, and you need not bring many toiletries with you as a dental kit, shaving kit, soap, shower gel and conditioner are all provided. The rainfall shower leaves you feeling invigorated, and afterwards you can wrap up in the free bathrobe and slippers.

The grounds are just as good as the rooms themselves. You can enjoy the mini-golf, tennis court, cactus garden or enjoy one of the heated pools. There is also a gym, hairdresser, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi available from 10am-8pm. Massages are available at an extra cost. You can charge all additional costs to your room since a credit card is authorised at check-in.

I would recommend the half-board option, as it works out cheaper than paying for the dinner buffet separately. The breakfast and dinner buffets are both amazing with a very wide range of food and cava at breakfast also. There are some vegan and vegetarian options too. Should you have any allergies, let staff know and they will prepare something specially for you.

The cactus garden leads to the promenade, where, if you walk for around 40 minutes, you will arrive at Puerto del Carmen town centre. The number 3 bus also goes from Sol Lanzarote at a cost of 1,40€, or a taxi costs 4-5€. Here, you will find a larger selection of shops and bars.

There are some fitness activities that normally take place in the mornings. For book lovers, the hotel even has its own library with a wide range of books in English, German, French and a few other languages. If you are thinking of booking an excursion, most Viator tours will pick you up from your hotel, as it has a very central location.

For travel to or from the airport, I would recommend checking Holiday Extras as they offer a wide range of shared and private transfers. Having a transfer booked saves waiting in the queue for taxis or renting a car. The journey (in a private transfer) is 10 minutes at most.

Links mentioned:

Promo code for Holiday Extras – automatically applied – great for transfers, airport lounges, insurance and more.

Book Lava Beach with easyJet holidays and get a 23kg bag and transfer FREE, plus they have sales and promo codes from time to time.

Compare car hire deals with Travel Supermarket – they search the market so you don’t have to. You can also purchase extras such as lounge access and travel insurance.

Compare other hotel prices in the area with Trivago – take advantage of their Book & Go option for a simple, hotel-only booking if you already have a flight.
October 6, 2025