Winter rolls into Playa de la Arena with some really positive temperatures, so if you're interested in a tropical Christmas with sunshine galore and even a warmer than usual ocean, you can easily come to Tenerife's west coast. The average temperature is a very pleasant 18°C (64°F), a substantial but not aggressive drop from the previous month of November. December offers cool nights at 15°C and high averages at 20°C, with a slightly higher humidity at 75% on average.
The days experience up to 8 hours of sunshine, and chances of clear and bright blue skies are still very high up at 75% on average. For the first time since January, rainfall will finally raise its volume to a more noticeable 26mm on average, making December one of the wettest months of the year. And by wet we mean several slightly more abundant showers, present mostly during the third and fourth week of the month. Chances of rain are still considerably low at 10%, and chances of clouds are even lower at 5% on average. So ultimately you'll be dealing with yet another bright and sunny month, and not much rain to worry about but it is worth checking the local forecast.
Wind speeds are constant at 13mph on average, but most of them shift and come from the North Atlantic Ocean and the north-eastern part of the African continent. Chances of windy days are high up at 60% on average, helping cool down the coastline by a few significant degrees. The beautiful ocean also gently drops its temperature by another unit to 20°C (68°F), continuing to create great conditions for sailing and surfing or parasailing, provided you don't disregard the value of a neoprene suit. Chances are the black volcanic sands will continue to soak in some sun, giving you an equal amount of warmth as you leave the waters. We don't recommend swimming for too long though, as the weather is not as summery as before, but you can still sit back and relax by the beach with a drink and some sun lotion, and perfect your tan.
Villa de Adeje Beach offers self-catering studios for £101 per night for couples, perfect for those who want hotel quality but with a certain degree of independence. The resort is a 5-minute walk from Playa de Torviscas, and features a freshwater swimming pool and a fitness centre. The apartments are fully furnished and fitted with air conditioning, flat screen TV in a cosy lounge setting, as well as a fully equipped kitchen and terrace opening up to superb views of the ocean. This property also includes several excellent leisure facilities, including a sauna, a sun terrace, a ping pong and games room and a much coveted Jacuzzi.
There is a charming colonial style hotel on Costa de Adeje called Vincci Seleccion La Plantacion del Sur, which offers splendid double rooms for £158 per night for couples, a place we often recommend for Christmas and New Year's Eve holidays on the west coast of Tenerife. The elegant suites feature air conditioning, an interactive flat screen TV and splendiferous views of the Atlantic Ocean. The resort itself is also home to the sumptuous Nammu Spa with thermal circuits, beauty treatments and massage services, as well as five glorious swimming pools framed by lush gardens and sun terraces. Of course there is also the option of fine dining restaurants and cocktail bars available on-site, so if you're looking to give someone an amazing Christmas present, a weekend escape here would be perfect.
Alternatively, you can also go for a twin room at just £76 per night for couples, available at the beautiful Iberostar Torviscas Playa, a 5-minute walk from Vincci. You can find it on the exclusive Fanabe Beach and marvel at its swimming pools, lush gardens, and tennis court and beauty spa. The suites all feature air conditioning, lounge area, flat screen TV and terrace opening out to greet the ultramarine waters of the Atlantic.
December is a good time for exploration and hiking along the neighbouring beaches of Playa de la Arena. Head further south this time, to Playa Paraiso, which can be reached from Finca Constanza. A natural stone walls breaks the high tides, making swimming very safe here, despite the beach being somewhat secluded. The highlight of this fascinating little spot is the enclosed sea water pool which also welcomes a waterfall, and it's known as Lago Paraiso. It's truly a sight to behold, just for the sheer natural beauty of it.
You can also make your way down to El Puertito, one of the best parts of the south-western coast of Tenerife. This little beach is home to a tiny fisherman port and holds a beautiful mixture of lava grey and black sand, broken here and there by rocky clusters perfect for taking out a beach towel and just lying under the sun on one of the hotter days of the month. A lovely little restaurant is just a couple of feet away from this beach, and you'll find it enchanting how the beach only sees its handful of locals crowding it it's perfectly secluded and wildly beautiful.
You can indulge into some great Austrian food made in a Tenerife style at Ameck Restaurant, a great place that loves to put a spin on classic recipes. The menu is a fun fusion of Austrian, Italian and Spanish, and the salads are fresh and crunchy. One of the highlights is definitely the schnitzel pasta, and you can match any of the dishes with a cold pint of golden ale.
Tapas Y Mas Tapas is exactly what its name suggests: an explosion of delicious tapas perfect for any lunch in December. The atmosphere is always casual and friendly, the staff is very welcoming and professional, and the food is just out of this world. The fried chicken and the croquettes are absolutely delicious, and the dips are phenomenal, especially when accompanied by a generous carafe of cold and fresh sangria.
Situated in Calleo Salvaje, Barracuda Bar makes a great habit of entertaining both locals and tourists on any given night on this side of the Tenerife coast. The food is cheap but delicious, the drinks often pop out in happy hours and there's also a pool table and a darts board to play with. On top of that, their kitchen also does take away until midnight, so if you've had plenty of drinks and you're looking for a late night "snack", grabbing something from Barracuda is definitely a good choice.
There are two major holidays taking place in the Canary Islands in December. The first is Dia de la Constitucion, or better known as Constitution Day, celebrated on December 6th all over Spain and its island territories. It represents the referendum held in 1978, when the people of Spain voted in the new Constitution, a great advance for the country and a big step forward into the modern times for a regime which desperately needed a change. Since it's a public holiday, expect business closures and plenty of feasts to take place around Playa de la Arena as well.
On the 8th of December, the Spanish people celebrate Fiesta de la Immaculada Concepcion, or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Christian communities around the world gather to observe the religious processions related to this holiday, and Tenerife is no exception. It's a good time to visit some of the local churches and observe the sermons held by Canarian priests. Some of them also put together food and drink feasts, with plenty of locals joining in.
Go where the famous God's "thumb" peaks out in Roques de Garcia, in the heart of the Mount Teide Nature Park. It's only a half hour drive from Playa de la Arena and it's certainly worth the trip, as the clear tourmaline skies above Pico de Teide are the perfect setting for the Perseid meteor shower. This year, the Geminids take their turn in crossing the sky in flashes of light on December 13th and 14th towards dawn, and it's an amazing sight that you won't want to miss. Grab a blanket and a hot chocolate and join other astronomers and amateur stargazers as the night sky unfolds and the meteors offer an unforgettable show.
