Tell me about Fuertaventura

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Thinking of canaries for some winter sun. Either in October or over / just after Xmas. 2 adults and one 5 year old. Either a hotel or apartment. Would love a beautiful sandy beach and some nice restaurants. Open to apartments or hotels. Have heard good things about Cotillo in Fuertaventura, is it super windy there though? Definitely prefer calmer seas for the little one too. Thank!

Very surfer vibe and windy. Over Christmas it will be quite chilly in the evening.
Honestly it’s not the place I would pick with a 5 year old.

Playa Blanca Lanzarote would be my suggestion for you.

Or southern Gran Canaria which will be the warmest of the lot.

Totally agree with friendly cat re fuerteventura being windy and chilly and that playa blanca would be the better choice.

We do playa blanca in December (2 adults 2 children) and last December it was over 20 degrees every day of the week. You have a choice of beautiful sandy beaches there.

Here to say Playa Blanca too! We go with our children around 5x per year and December is definitely our favourite time. Temperatures are amazing for this time of year.

Genuinely cold at night though - as is everywhere in the canaries as per our experience - so pack accordingly!

If it's strictly fuerteventura, Caleta de Fuste is decent for kids too. Lots of parks, huge beach, fish feeding/sea lion shows at the marina, boat trip opportunities, chipmunks and everything is walkable.

Barcelo is the overriding accommodation in this resort and it's great for evening entertainment. The best kids mini disco we've come across.

Thanks everyone. Fuertaventura sounds hellish 🤣 tbh I can't get excited about the canaries. Would much rather spend a bit more on flights and go to Thailand or somewhere but DH doesn't want to do long haul...

Puerto de Mogan, Gran Canaria is always my recommendation for people who don’t like the idea of the Canaries. Pretty little harbour town, nice beach, safe swimming in the harbour, nice restaurants. Not too busy or loud or British. I would probably go for October rather than December if you want more guaranteed beach-level warmth though.

Would a more mid-haul flight be persuadable? Somewhere like Oman might fit the bill.

I went in November and it was lovely but different resort. Look at Magic Life if you want ai multiple restaurants and sports

Thanks - will check that out!

DH would definitely do Middle East but I hated Dubai and the human rights issues really put me off. We loved Mauritius but it's pricey for flights & hotel... I would do Mexico but DH thinks it's not safe for kids

Stick to the Yucatan and Mexico is really perfectly safe (other bits are too but Yucatan definitely is)

Morocco might be an option - either on the coast or inland will be warmer

Caribbean - Bermuda, Bahamas (December rather than October probably)

Karnataka / Goa, India

(some of these you might as well go to Thailand though if that is where you really want to go…)

Yes I mentioned Southern Gran Canaria. Puerto de Mogan is just lovely.
We go every Christmas. It's charming, cosmopolitan, pretty, fabulous restaurants and far too pricey for those looking for bargain meals and drinks.

It's windy