Tenerife or Gran Canaria?

[MessyNDepressy]

Firstly, yes IABU for shamelessly posting for traffic!

DS14 and I are going on our first holiday abroad this summer. I have already booked a great deal that we got for Cyprus but I’m a bit concerned that the troubles there might escalate and I’d rather change now whilst there’s just an admin fee rather than risk losing money. It’s been hard trying to find something within the same budget/same airline/similar dates etc but I’ve decided either Marina Suites in Puerto Rico Gran Canaria, Hotel Riu Garoe in Puerto de La Cruz in Tenerife or Hovima Suites in Costa Adeje in Tenerife. Both in Tenerife are half board and Gran Canaria is bed and breakfast.

I will rent a car for at least a couple of days to visit more of the island regardless of which one.

If anyone has a preference or any advice it would be much appreciated!

Edit - forgot to add images, see below

These are the hotels.

The only thing we didn't like about Puerto de la Cruz was the long drive from the airport tbh.

Have stayed in both Puerto Rico and Costa Adeje and wouldn't rush back to either. V v overdeveloped. Are you sure there aren't any other options? Greece? Mainland Spain? I'd almist be tempted to take the risk with Cyprus.

Of the two i think Costa Rica was worse. All the bars and restaurants were centred in a run down shopping mall in the valley.

Gran Canaria is lovely but definitely stay in Puerto Mogan.

We stayed in the other Hovima hotel in Costa Adeje in December. The food wasn’t brilliant and the resort itself is definitely past its best. Quite grotty in parts and lots of massage parlour type / sex shop places. All just felt a bit edgy rather than a relaxing holiday.

Puerto Rico in Gran Caneria is very very hilly. I stayed there with little ones (Eden apartments) and it was lovely if you like a chill holiday. Everything is carved into the hills including the Europa restaurant/ shopping area.

Puerto Mogan is a nicer area. Just depends what you are after :)

Puerto de la Cruz is lovely. It's on the north side of Tenerife and is much nicer than Costa Adeje imo. I'd stay there.

I would love to stay in Puerto Mogan, it looks beautiful but unfortunately it wasn’t coming up as an option within my budget. I am booked with TUI and to change, I need to stick with something where TUI is the airline. If I cancel to look elsewhere I lose £500! It has ruled out Fuerteventura and I can’t change my holidays in work so that ruled out Lanzarote due to the flight dates for there. I could take a look at Greece though! Thank you for the replies.

Have you looked at Portugal?

Majorca is worth a look too

I haven’t stayed in either resort on your list but we did love Tenerife, and almost chose Puerto de la Cruz as Costa Adeje is very built up (we ended up in Los Gigantes which is lovely)

Costa adeje is great for a teenager, so many great restraunts to eat at, there’s a nice lively atmosphere all day.
so much to do too, water park, monkey park, jet skis, big Inflatable in the sea, gorgeous beaches. Plus lots more.

Costa Adeje

I have been to both Gran Canaria and Tenerife recently. I loved both honestly! Our resort in Tenerife was about twenty mins from Costa Adeje but we got a car and visited a couple of times and really liked it. I would look to stay there if we went again. Some really nice restaurants and shops and beaches.
Gran Canaria again we got a car and found some lovely places, lots of nice marinas and restaurants. Honestly with a car I don’t think it matters much where you stay. We loved both and would definitely go back to either!

The Raddison Blu in Puerto Mogan and Lopesan Hotels in Meloneras, both Gran Canaria are very nice. I’d also recommend GF Victoria which is the Bahia del Duque part of Tenerife.

I agree.

Or pick somewhere else.

Kassiopi Corfu is gorgeous

We recently stayed in Puerto Mogan. We got the ferry to Puerto Rico one day and I thought it was awful. I definitely wouldn’t want to stay there.
Not been to Costa Adeje.

I stayed in Marina Bayview which is the sister hotel up the hill from Marina suites. Both hotels are lovely. We did a girls 4 day break and chilled out at the hotel. All good.
However the surrounding area is dire. Dated commercial areas, too many Brits abroad crammed into a small space. Beach is rammed. I would never go back. Even for a 4 day girly weekend

I’d still be heading for Cypress.

I have been to Riu Garoe three times and would recommend it. Also recommend to e-mail in advance to ask for a room with sea view; does mean balcony in shade for most of the day though.

However, when we have visited (December/January) most guests have been 60+ and there have been very few children, if that is a consideration (the children seemed to be treated very well by staff).

We found the evening buffet disappointing (but fully edible) in January 2026 (happy in December/January 2023/24 and even happier 2022:23).

The hotel has a lot of German-speaking guests. Personally I consider German guests a recommendation (the hotel will be clean, comfortable and value for money) but I have seen British guests complain on review sites (not regarding this particular hotel).

Riu Garoe is in La Paz, a (hilly) bit from central Puerto de la Cruz; but they have a free shuttle bus and the walk into town along the water is beautiful. Also means that the air is a lot fresher than in centre. Local buses are also available and a taxi is about EUR 10, including tip.

Agree with PP that long transfer (about 1.5 hours by bus) to Puerto de la Cruz but well worth it.

We have used CICAR (booked on CICARs website) for car rentals when staying at Riu Garoe. Delivey and return to hotel; good price and we have been happy. Plenty of free parking spaces around the hotel. (We always book for 8 am; collect the car and then have breakfast after long waits with other rental companies when booked for mid-morning.)

if you go to Tenerife I strongly recommend a visit to Loro Parque (zoo; the penguins are my favourites), just outside Puerto de la Cruz.

Hope you have a lovely holiday wherever you go.

We went to Tenerife last year and I hated ever second of it. I hate smoking and it seemed like every time we left the hotel we had to wade through discarded cigarette butts. It’s a weird phobia of mine so it’s something I notice everywhere but Tenerife was by far the worst place I have noticed it.

Never been to Gran Canaria so can’t comment but I will never go back to Tenerife!

Puerto de la Cruz is lovely but often cloudy compared to other parts of the island, if you want sun.

I love PR and marina suites is beautiful and right on the sea. It’s not hilly at all where this hotel is as it’s level with the port/ sea. Puerto de Mogan is lovely but you can get the ferry a few mins walk from this hotel for a few quid. There’s more to do in the evenings in PR. Amadores beach is about a 30 minute walk over the cliffs and is beautiful with inflatables / boats on the beach.

Tenerife is amazing but only if you stay clear of the big resorts.
El Medano is a wonderful area. Get a rental car and don't miss driving up the volcano. The waterparks are spectacular if your DS is into that. There are some cool excursions like kayaking out to see the sea turtles.

I think Puerto Rico is a Brits on the Piss place so if so I'd avoid that.

If you go to the Costa Adeje one, you're close to Siam Park, which is a large waterpark, which may be a big draw for DS, at least.

Puerto de la Cruz is probably the nicest area by far, but further from the airport, although I assume you've got a transfer so perhaps not an issue. I think there's plenty to do in the area though.

Costa Adeje might be the easiest for a first trip abroad.

If you want to go up the volcano you need a pass for the cable car, we've made about 3 attempts but always failed due to being fully booked or closed for high winds. Its also freezing up there even when it's 30 C on the coast.