Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise: where to go?

Playa Blanca vs Puerto del Carmen vs Costa Teguise: comparison summary

Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise: short answer

All 3 towns have all you may need: beaches, restaurants, easy access to attractions... You can't go wrong with any of them.
However if you have very specific request, here are my few answers.
This review is completely independent, based on my experiences. I visited the region anonymously, making my own choices, and paying all my bills in full.

My favorite hotels in those towns

And if you want more detailed suggestions, here are some of my favorite hotels on the island:

• Princesa Yaiza Suite Resort
  Resort in Playa Blanca - Fantastic location, stunning designs and great for kids
  See photos and availability
• Seaside Los Jameos
  Resort in Puerto del Carmen - lots of charm in the decor, great Garden (all inclusive possible)
  See photos and availability
• Lani's suite de Luxe
  Hotel in Puerto del Carmen (adults only) - clean, crisp design, amazing swimming pool
  See photos and availability
• Aqua Suites 
  Hotel in Puerto del Carmen - Crisp, modern design, great pool
  See photos and availability

Best location to explore the island

Where are they located? 

The island of Lanzarote is not that big.
Even when staying in one of the towns you can easily go explore the other ones. There are main roads connecting them. It is very easy to drive.

• Playa Blanca to Puerto del Carmen = 30min
• Puerto del Carmen to Costa Teguise = 25min
• Playa Blanca to Costa Teguise = 45min

Distance from the airport:

• ACE airport to Playa Blanca = 30min
• ACE airport to Puerto del Carmen = 10min
• ACE airport to Costa Teguise = 15min

Distances and map - how to explore the island

Below is a map where you can see the 3 towns and other attractions to five you an idea of the driving times to explore the island:

As you can see, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise are the 2 towns that are more central to explore the entire island.
Playa Blanca is slightly less practical, especially if you want to explore the North and the island of La Graciosa.
But it is still possible to explore the entire island with day trips from all 3 towns.

If renting a car

If you are renting a car, I think Costa Teguise is the best option when your priority is to explore as much as possible of the island.
You should have less difficulty getting in and out of the town.

If not renting a car

Regarding day trips. many group tours run from all 3 towns, but your largest choices of group-run activities are from Puerto del Carmen.
Some of my favorites are:

• Timanfaya and volcanic features - See program and availability + book
• La Graciosa island with catamaran tour - Check out program and availability + book
• A little bit of everything Cesar Manrique - See program and availability + book
• Papagayo catamaran tour - Check out program and availability + book

Best beaches: Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise?

Beaches of Playa Blanca

In the town of Playa Blanca, you can find several beaches. 
There are smaller than in the 2 other towns, but they are charming and further from the noise of cars, thanks to the foot promenade.

You can find:

• Playa Dorada:
  This is the largest beach in Playa Blanca. It's a crescent-shaped beach with fine golden sand and calm waters, making it a great spot for families with young children. There are plenty of sun loungers and parasols available for hire, and the beach is backed by a promenade with bars, restaurants, and shops.
• Playa Blanca:
  It is a smaller beach, also right by the promenade
• Playa Flamingo:
  West of town, away from the town center, this is a sheltered beach with calm waters that's ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
  The beach is lined with palm trees.

But the advantage of Playa Blanca is that the wild area of Papagayo is close by, east of town.
There is a 2km walk from the edge of town to reach several stunning beaches without any buildings: Playa Mujeres, Playa del Pozo, and Playa Papagayo.
This is a stunning area with fine sand and volcanoes in the background.

See the best-rated accommodations in Playa Blanca

Beaches of Puerto del Carmen

Puerto del Carmen is the largest resort town in Lanzarote. It is home to the biggest beaches located in the heart of town.
It is very crowded at high season but you can find some great options at other times.

There are several beaches to choose from:

• Playa Grande:
  This is the main beach in Puerto del Carmen and the longest one in the area: 1.2km of sand.
  And it is also wide, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. There are plenty of sun loungers and parasols available for hire, and the beach is backed by a promenade with bars, restaurants, and shops.
• Playa Chica:
  This is a small, sheltered beach located in a rocky cove to the east of Puerto del Carmen. The beach is popular snorkelers, as there's an abundance of marine life to see in the crystal-clear waters.
• Playa Pocillos:
  This is a long, wide beach located to the east of Puerto del Carmen. It's a popular spot for families with young children, as the water is calm and shallow. There are plenty of sun loungers and parasols available for hire, and the beach is backed by a promenade with bars, restaurants, and shops.
• Matagorda Beach:
  This is a large expanse of sand, east of Puerto del Carmen. So far I did not find it very enjoyable, but it might be better during high season, which I have not enjoyed yet.
• And smaller coves between the larger beaches: Playa El Barranquillo, PLaya de la Concha

See the best-rated accommodations in Puerto del Carmen

Beaches of Costa Teguise

Costa Teguise is a smaller town resort North of the Capital City. It has a couple of enjoyable beaches with large carparks.

There are several beaches to choose from, all along the promenade.

• Las Cucharas Beach:
  This is the main beach in Costa Teguise and one of the most popular on the island. It's a wide, sandy beach that's ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. There are plenty of sun loungers and parasols available for hire, and the beach is backed by a promenade with bars, restaurants, and shops.
  It is also appreciated by windsurfers
• Los Charcos Beach:
  This is a smaller, more secluded beach located to the north. It's a beach with sand, rocks, and clear waters that's ideal for snorkeling and diving. There are no facilities on the beach, so it's perfect for those looking for a quieter spot to relax.
• Bastian Beach:
  This is a family-friendly beach located to the west of the town center. It's a wide, sandy beach that's ideal for sunbathing and swimming. 
• Jablillo Beach:
  This is a small, sheltered cover. It is protected by volcanic rock, so it feels almost like a natural pool

See the best-rated accommodations in Costa Teguise

Best things to do - activities and attractions in those Lanzarote towns

From all 3 towns, you can explore the best  that the island has to offer.
Some of my favorite places are:

• Walk around and inside Montana Cuervo
• Visit Timanfaya National Park
• Hike to Papagayo beach and admire the landscapes
• Be amazed by the creativity in Jameos del Agua
• Head underground in Cueva de los Verdes
• Learn how wine is made in Lanzarote
• Go on a Cactus frenzy at the Cactus garden
• ...

And you can find all those stops and more, with practical information (maps, driving times, difficulty to access) in my eBook:

Best things to do in Playa Blanca

Best things to do in Puerto del Carmen

Best things to do in Costa Teguise

Best experience: vibe/food scene/crowds

Playa Blanca is the most relaxed and laid-back of the three resorts. It's a quieter town with a more upscale feel, and it's popular with couples and families who are looking for a peaceful and relaxing holiday. The town has a beautiful marina, a selection of excellent restaurants, and a promenade that's perfect for a leisurely stroll.
I really enjoy the fact that the promenade along the waterfront is away from the cars. This is so much more enjoyable!

Puerto del Carmen is a lively and bustling resort that's popular with party-goers and families alike.
The town has a vibrant nightlife scene, with plenty of bars and nightclubs that stay open late into the night. The town also has a wide range of restaurants and shops, as well as a large casino.

Costa Teguise is a more family-oriented resort that's popular with those who are looking for a balance between relaxation and activities. The town has a good selection of bars and restaurants, as well as several beautiful beaches that are ideal for sunbathing and water sports. Costa Teguise also has several attractions for families, including a water park and the aquarium.
It has been built for tourism, and it shows. Less large hotels, but the streets still have less charm, in my opinion.

Best resorts and hotels - where to stay?

Where to stay in Playa Blanca

Where to stay in Puerto del Carmen

Here are some suggestions on where to stay:

• Lani's suite de Luxe
  clean, crisp design, amazing swimming pool
  - see photos and availability
• Seaside Los Jameos
  All inclusive - lots of charm in the decor, great Garden
  - see photos and availability
• Aequora Lanzarote Suites
  a 4-star hotel with modern decor - all inclusive
  - see photos and availability
• Riviera Park Apartamento 2A
  in a quiet complex but not far from the strip, modern and practical
  - see photos and availability
• Villa Amenecer
  a lot of character, a small pool and a great location
  - see photos and availability

or See the best-rated accommodations in Puerto del Carmen

Where to stay in Costa Teguise

In Costa Teguise, you find less hotels and more rentals.
Here are some suggestions on where to stay:

• Barceló Teguise Beach
  a 4-star hotel for adults only - all inclusive
  - see photos and availability
• Meliá Salinas 
  a 5-star hotel for adults only - all inclusive
  - see photos and availability
• Apartment Casa Linda
   only 2 min walk from the beach and close to everything
  - see photos and availability
• Villa Golf Lanzarote
  spacious with a great outside area
  - see photos and availability

or See the best-rated accommodations in Costa Teguise

Why not Arrecife?

Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote.
It is my least favorite choice for where to stay in Lanzarote. Mainly because this is the only place where you can find buildings.
I must admit the beach with shallow waters is great of floating but otherwise it is a big town.
It is very busy - not only tourist but all the business of a main town.
Driving inside is not fun. Parking can be complicated.

However, if you still want there, you can enjoy the famous 5 star hotel: You can't miss the Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa. It is right by the beach with impressive views of the city and the island - see photos and availability

Want to see more of the best Lanzarote has to offer?

• 21 Best things to do in Lanzarote - read article
• Best Lanzarote Photography Locations - read article
• Lanzarote Attractions by César Manrique - read article
• Best Beaches in Lanzarote - read article
• Best Lanzarote Volcanoes - Tours & Photos - read article
• Best places to stay in Lanzarote - read article
• Timanfaya National Park Lanzarote - read article

Planning a trip to Lanzarote?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

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