Solo female travelling to Lanzarote

waxmelts2000 · 05-04-2019 11:23pm #1

So I've booked 5 days in lanzarote mid June, travelling on my own , first time travelling to the sun on my own (age 48) I have my flight booked but not my accommodation. My plan is just to relax, read some books and a nice meal in the evening. Wondering should I splash out and go all inclusive , if so has anyone a recommendations please! If not all inclusive then maybe recommendation for self catering , is Puerto del Carmen the best place to visit? Thanks for reading , Val.

SuperStarHoney · 06-04-2019 12:02am

Went to Lanzarote on my own for a week about 7 or 8 years ago. Stayed in Hesperia in Puerto Calero, off season deal, resort itself is a small little resort a few k outside Puerto Del Carmen.

Personally wouldn't book all inclusive, I don't think the food tends to be great in European AI and there's loads of reasonable restaurant choices in the main resorts.

Larbre34 · 06-04-2019 12:10am

No, skip the all-inclusive, book an apartment or aparthotel so you'll have your breakfast available and a pool and otherwise eat out, there are really good canarian and every other cuisine on the stretch from Playa Pocillos down to old town PdC. Ideal spot for solo relaxation I'd have thought.

missmatty · 06-04-2019 12:21am

Another vote for Puerto Calero, very relaxing and near enough to PDC to get a taxi. There are restaurants, cafes and shops there too so you wouldn't have to leave.

uck51js9zml2yt · 06-04-2019 12:32am

Just back from playa Blanca with my family. Went AI and saw a number of single people doing the same.

06-04-2019 1:00am

Do you drink ? If so proper Irish bar called Nelly's in Puerto Del Carmen, easy hang out and make buddies there.

06-04-2019 2:28am

Consider some good value nice places in Costa Teguise it down south in Papagayo where I spent a splendid folk AI Christmas to give the relatives badly needed space for returnees for Christmas from far away! There’s a special island off the south coast called aka Graciosa-just book online, get a bus from airport via Puerto del Carmen or capital Arrecife to Ozola is south from where short ferry ride is taken to Island.

anne burnell · 06-04-2019 11:52am

Check out Los Jameos playa hotel . They do a fab all inclusive . The hotel is super as are the staff lovely pool too. . I have seen plenty of people on their own there

Clonmel1000 · 06-04-2019 11:57am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Consider some good value nice places in Costa Teguise it down south in Papagayo where I spent a splendid folk AI Christmas to give the relatives badly needed space for returnees for Christmas from far away! There’s a special island off the south coast called aka Graciosa-just book online, get a bus from airport via Puerto del Carmen or capital Arrecife to Ozola is south from where short ferry ride is taken to Island.

Graciosa is off the North Coast of Lanzarote. Costa Teguise and Papagayo are 2 different places. I’d give Teguise a miss it’s very breezy and Papagayo whilst a lovely spot is a bit remote. Would probably give the AI a miss too OP tones of great restaurants to sample and plenty of people solo travel out there.

waxmelts2000 · 06-04-2019 1:32pm

Thanks guys for your replies, yes I drink so would like the option of having a few drinks after a meal maybe listen to some live bands. I'll do some more research !

PCeeeee · 06-04-2019 1:37pm

Don't go all inclusive. Loads of really good restaurants in PDC. All kinds of food. Is the best part of it I think trying someplace new every evening.

If you're solo then maybe go for dinner early as places won't be full yet. You can normally have your choice of tables.

Loads of Irish bars in PDC also if that's your thing. It's usually very easy to strike up a conversation with someone.

solerina · 06-04-2019 2:45pm

Def don’t go AI...loads of fab restaurants, go to PDC, it’s a large resort but easy to get about the strip....you can enjoy choosing a diff restaurant each night, much better than staying out due to AI.

naughtysmurf · 06-04-2019 4:58pm

If I was traveling alone, I'd probably opt for a well reviewed AI or half board hotel, ideally adult only, was last in PDC in 2015, thought the standard of food was very mixed from poor to average really in the restaurants both on the strip & around the harbour, we prefer Fuerteventura to Lanzarote & like the Riu hotels, a lot of them could do with updating & a lick of paint but the food & staff are excellent, maybe read the reviews on TA

https://www.tripadvisor.ie/HotelsList-Lanzarote-All-Inclusive-Hotels-zfp612380.html

uck51js9zml2yt · 06-04-2019 6:32pm

naughtysmurf wrote: »

If I was traveling alone, I'd probably opt for a well reviewed AI or half board hotel, ideally adult only, was last in PDC in 2015, thought the standard of food was very mixed from poor to average really in the restaurants both on the strip & around the harbour, we prefer Fuerteventura to Lanzarote & like the Riu hotels, a lot of them could do with updating & a lick of paint but the food & staff are excellent, maybe read the reviews on TA

https://www.tripadvisor.ie/HotelsList-Lanzarote-All-Inclusive-Hotels-zfp612380.html

Friends stayed in a 5* , gran Castillo in PB last week. They segregated families in the restaurant from adults. They said the AI was good.

salmocab · 06-04-2019 6:36pm

Volcan hotel in plays Blanca b&b right at the marina and all the restaurants. Nice pub across the road. Lovely area

ted1 · 06-04-2019 7:48pm

I really detest all inclusives they add very little to the local economy and you don’t experience local culture

SteelyDanJalapeno · 06-04-2019 8:22pm

Yeah, please don't go AI, I'm here now and the options to eat out are endless and very reasonably priced.

AI takes from the local income and puts money in already rich hotel chains, the more popular AI gets, the less business locals do which ultimately destroys the area you're visiting.

We've been getting English/Irish breakfast of good quality for 3 euro each mostly, and dinners have been very good, average of 10 - 12 euro.
Most places do beers for a euro from 1 - 8PM

naughtysmurf · 06-04-2019 10:05pm

ted1 wrote: »

I really detest all inclusives they add very little to the local economy and you don’t experience local culture

In some ways I agree with you, AI wouldn't be for us, as a general rule in the past we'd go self catering but in the OP's case as she only has 5 nights, traveling solo, I think AI or HB is the better option, walking out in the evening in PDC looking for a table for one wouldn't be for me, a week or less in the Canaries, HB for us all the way, it's great value we don't tend to drink in the hotel bars in the evening so do head out to experience the locality & make a positive financial contribution so it can be done

The AI's in Fuerteventura are very popular especially in the south of the island & you are right they do have a negative impact on the local restaurants & bars, a week or less it's HB for us, 8 nights or more then it's self catering, it's nice to wake up to a large varied breakfast all sorted for you & a fantastic dinner buffet especially on a short trip, you are on holiday after all.

Hal3000 · 06-04-2019 10:08pm

Valyawl wrote: »

So I've booked 5 days in lanzarote mid June, travelling on my own , first time travelling to the sun on my own (age 48) I have my flight booked but not my accommodation. My plan is just to relax, read some books and a nice meal in the evening. Wondering should I splash out and go all inclusive , if so has anyone a recommendations please! If not all inclusive then maybe recommendation for self catering , is Puerto del Carmen the best place to visit? Thanks for reading , Val.

That's a sweet trip ! Enjoy

Spanish Eyes · 06-04-2019 10:10pm

Might as well go to Galway or wherever if you want an Irish Breakfast. WTF.

I can't imagine a Spaniard coming here and getting Churros Y Chocolat for brekkie. Can you?

salmocab · 06-04-2019 10:12pm

Love having my breakfast in the hotel as it’s a good start to the day but AI generally means a buffet for dinner, I like to go out for a good meal and AI in these sort of places is generally no better than grand. Buffet also means the restaurant is busy with people getting up and down constantly which ends up quite noisy. If I were on my own like the OP I’d like a quiet table to read at.

Spanish Eyes · 06-04-2019 10:12pm

ted1 wrote: »

I really detest all inclusives they add very little to the local economy and you don’t experience local culture

Local culture is only experienced outside the main drag IMO.

I hope that does not sound bad, but it is the truth.

ted1 · 06-04-2019 10:19pm

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Local culture is only experienced outside the main drag IMO.

I hope that does not sound bad, but it is the truth.

Partially due to all inclusives....

I spend a lot of time travelling with work and spending time with local businesses and seen the effect the all inconclusives have is heart breaking.

All the money going to foreign hotel owners, beach access being restricted, minimum wage jobs. Nothing going to local businesses.

shenanagans · 06-04-2019 10:33pm

Puerto Del Carmen all the way. Puerto Calero is lovely but too quiet for a solo traveller.

If you'll go out for dinner or cook yourself definitely do a nice self catering apartment. Preferably somewhere thats mostly Irish/English with a pool bar so you'll meet people.

Hal3000 · 06-04-2019 10:46pm

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Might as well go to Galway or wherever if you want an Irish Breakfast. WTF.

I can't imagine a Spaniard coming here and getting Churros Y Chocolat for brekkie. Can you?

Nice bit of white pudding in the midday sun

06-04-2019 10:54pm

Hey OP, definitely stay in a hotel in you are travelling solo.
But no need for all inclusive unless you are happy to stay in the hotel all week.
If you want to do a few different things, then just go b&b.

chicorytip · 06-04-2019 11:00pm

naughtysmurf wrote:

If I was traveling alone, I'd probably opt for a well reviewed AI or half board hotel, ideally adult only, was last in PDC in 2015, thought the standard of food was very mixed from poor to average really in the restaurants both on the strip & around the harbour, we prefer Fuerteventura to Lanzarote & like the Riu hotels, a lot of them could do with updating & a lick of paint but the food & staff are excellent, maybe read the reviews on TA

Did you have any problems with Mosquitos at night time? I have heard of this particular issue from people who recently returned from Lanzarote - even the use of netting was not enough to prevent bites.

naughtysmurf · 07-04-2019 1:13pm

chicorytip wrote: »

Did you have any problems with Mosquitos at night time? I have heard of this particular issue from people who recently returned from Lanzarote - even the use of netting was not enough to prevent bites.

No, never experienced any issues in the Canaries, could be wrong but I thought mosquitoes needed still bodies of water like lakes to survive? A quick Google would suggest there are certainly people getting bitten in PDC though
Maybe bring some antihistamine with you, Deet jungle seems well reviewed or go to a pharmacy as soon as you get there & see what the locals use but as I say we've never been affected in Lanzarote or Fuerteventura, the Mrs was absolutely savaged in Italy one year though & I didn't have one bite

07-04-2019 1:33pm

I can highly recommend the garden apartments of Playa Club. https://www.playaclublanzarote.com/images.php
We’ve been a number of times and find it perfect for our needs.

sReq | uTeK · 07-04-2019 1:57pm

went to playa blanca 2.5 years ago, lovely little village. Stayed in Princess Yaiza, amazing hotel. Promenade with loads of shops and a lovely little enclave beach about 30 seconds walk from the hotel.

Loved it, even with 2 kids under 5

Padraig Mor · 08-04-2019 8:58am

A lot of people seem to be praising the standard of Puerto del Carmen's restaurants but IMHO they're mostly only OK - usual average quality international fare for the most part - having said that, that's likely better than an All Inclusive anyway. There are one or two restaurants which buck the trend and offer something higher quality - La Canada springs to mind.

08-04-2019 11:25am

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Graciosa is off the North Coast of Lanzarote. Costa Teguise and Papagayo are 2 different places. I’d give Teguise a miss it’s very breezy and Papagayo whilst a lovely spot is a bit remote. Would probably give the AI a miss too OP tones of great restaurants to sample and plenty of people solo travel out there.

Yes indeed, pardon my geographical error, Graciosa is indeed off north Coast, had brain
Map upside down!!

As for Puerto del Carmen, it hasn’t got great publicity in recent times, although I’ve enjoyed a holiday or two there. I do, though, tend to be the quiet and remote-living type, so my recommendations would be of the low key kind.

08-04-2019 11:47am

https://www.sandos.com/sandos-papagayo/beach-resort-all-inclusive?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4qvlBRDiARIsAHme6ovpE1iPBx24ExoifkYmmWV6jxZmVloZwotmpu7emDfxcl1VzFAmZw8aAm5eEALw_wcB

Is where I spent a nice Christmas. Perhaps the most remote of the hotels, but affords a lovely walk over hilly tracks to the string of Papagayo beaches, also a lovely off road promenade walk (about 40 minutes) across the south to Playa Blanca. There are a few shops nearby for incidentals. Easy to get shuttle transfer (book and pay online) from airport to this or any hotel. Other good hotels in Playa Blanca too. If you like s more “remote” feeling the Sandos is the perhaps the best on the island and it is the nearest but not quite within sight of the Papagayo beaches.

shenanagans · 08-04-2019 8:02pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yes indeed, pardon my geographical error, Graciosa is indeed off north Coast, had brain
Map upside down!!

As for Puerto del Carmen, it hasn’t got great publicity in recent times, although I’ve enjoyed a holiday or two there. I do, though, tend to be the quiet and remote-living type, so my recommendations would be of the low key kind.

What bad publicity is that?

Clonmel1000 · 09-04-2019 10:55pm

shenanagans wrote: »

What bad publicity is that?

I’d imagine some of the shenanigans that a certain ethnic irish group caused at Christmas?

Purple Mountain · 09-04-2019 10:58pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yes indeed, pardon my geographical error, Graciosa is indeed off north Coast, had brain
Map upside down!!

As for Puerto del Carmen, it hasn’t got great publicity in recent times, although I’ve enjoyed a holiday or two there. I do, though, tend to be the quiet and remote-living type, so my recommendations would be of the low key kind.

Graciosa is a beautiful day trip if you can do it.
Its like a mini hidden paradise.
I went there a few years ago with some Spanish friends and I was the only 'white' person on the island.
The tourists haven't overtaken this little gem yet.

milli milli · 11-04-2019 9:16pm

OP I stayed for 5 days in Lanzarote as a solo female traveler. I had no clue about where to stay so just picked Arrecife which is beside the airport. It’s not for tourists at all and slightly rough but I’m glad I stayed there. I would walk or cycle to the more touristy Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise in the evenings (round the coast - such a lovely walk/cycle). The touristy towns just didn’t appeal to me at all. But it depends on what you’re after.
My hotel (more of a business hotel than for tourists) overlooked a really pretty little beach. Again no real tourists there, it was mostly locals and not overly crowded. It was lovely going to sleep and waking up to the sound of waves rolling in!

In the daytime I’d just go on those local bus tours. Got to see a lot of the island and also Fuerteventura. Go see the volcanos. I’d recommend hiring a car, as there is a lot to discover outside the tourist spots. Some lovely little villages and landscapes. I’m not a lie-by-the-pool person, so maybe the bus tours might not appeal to you?
But to be honest I had dismissed Lanzarote for years as just another sun-resort-type place and was pleasantly surprised by its beauty (my prejudice).

davindub · 11-04-2019 9:59pm

Op my recommendation.

Avoid PDC to stay in unless near the old town, the best restaurants are located in the old town. My kitchen and La Casada Puerto are excellent and about 30 euros for a meal.

The restaurants in PDC are much cheaper but awful in most instances. There are way too many bars with very little people in them, but one good one is route 66, plays eighties rock. You will be pestered from about 9am in the morning by hawkers outside the restaurants and bars.

Visited puerto calero and blanca, both are smaller but seem nice and relaxed. If I went back I would probably stay in one of those, less bars but more atmosphere.

carltonleon · 24-04-2019 12:28pm

Playa Blanca all the way for me. Lovely restaurants, great atmosphere and you can seek out some live bands as well if that is what you want. Love the sea front walk

Oldenboard · 10-05-2019 5:20pm

There is not many fresh water locations for mosquitoes to breed. Many places on the Canary Islands benefit from a fairly constant breeze from the sea, so you shouldn't have problems with sting insects. If you want to play safe and avoid toxic chemical repellent DEET sprays you could take a natural cinnamon based repellent with you.

15-05-2019 12:02am

Oldenboard wrote: »

There is not many fresh water locations for mosquitoes to breed. Many places on the Canary Islands benefit from a fairly constant breeze from the sea, so you shouldn't have problems with sting insects. If you want to play safe and avoid toxic chemical repellent DEET sprays you could take a natural cinnamon based repellent with you.

And tne endemic cockroaches of Canary Islands are managed by resident cats at premises, all catered for with specialised feeding stations, and innoculated by local veterinary veterinarians. Many Canary establishments have such a system, and I have seen it in Jordan too. Each cat has own feeding bowl, it’s quite a little system, have seen it in operation most recently in Sandos Papagayo but have seen it for years. Also in Tunisia where there’s a giant cat population, ma y of which are quite social and land on the laps of the unsuspecting visitor who sits down. Hotel staff tend to handle and socialise the young kittens. A cat lover’s dream (like myself who found my face smothered with a hotel cat on a sunbed) or a nightmare to cat phobics.

waxmelts2000 · 15-06-2019 12:51pm

Sitting here at the airport ready to fly to Lanzarote. In the end I booked somewhere where I had stayed before in Puerto del Carmen. I have an iPad and kindle. I have had a few stressful months with work and my relationship break up. So I'm hoping to just read a few books, hopefully some sun and catch up on some sleep. Need to make some decisions about my future so I'm looking forward to the few days away. Thank you all for your comments.

naughtysmurf · 15-06-2019 1:14pm

Weather is looking good for the week, enjoy

Rebel Boy · 22-06-2019 3:52pm

6541 wrote: »

Do you drink ? If so proper Irish bar called Nelly's in Puerto Del Carmen, easy hang out and make buddies there.

Brilliant pub. Was there in April.

Solo female travelling to Lanzarote

Comments