It's a midsummer night's dream here in Playa de la Arena during the month of July, a splendid set of nothing but comfortably hot and sunny days. The average temperature is a beautiful 23°C (73°F) and the nights are also warm and pleasant at 19°C, a high average increase from the previous month of June. The high average is expected to reach 26°C, and humidity stays at its all-time low of 70% on average, keeping the air dry and the dew points low enough to not bother anyone.
The days are long, with up to 11 hours of uninterrupted sunshine and a continuous 80% average chance of sunny days across the board. There won't be any clouds or rain to worry about in July, as the rainfall average expected will be 0mm. So ultimately, you're looking at yet another month of splendid and clear blue skies, plenty of sun to work with and maybe, just maybe a 2-minute refreshing shower here and there to cool everything off for a bit.
Chances of windy days continue to stay high at 60% on average, and most of them will be dry and hot, blowing from the east and south-east of Tenerife, from the neighbouring shorelines of Western Sahara and Senegal mostly. The mountains do a good job of stifling their sometimes unpleasant heat, in a way that Playa de la Arena only gets to deal with warm breezes which complement the excellent temperatures. Wind speeds are slightly lower this time of the year, measuring up to 12mph and contributing to excellent sailing, parasailing and windsurfing conditions.
The ocean temperature is 21°C (70°F), which makes is perfect for all sorts of aquatic fun and activities, but please do not forget the SPF protection. The sun may be bright, but it can also have a negative impact on the unprotected skin.
Set in the beautiful neighbouring town of Guia de Isora, the sumptuous Ritz Carlton Abama, a luxurious cluster of Moorish style buildings which hold a variety of splendid suites and villas. This 5-star accommodation features an impressive set of 7 pools, a lush tropical garden framing the terrace and buildings, a spa and fitness centre, a fun golf course, tennis courts and even access to an exclusive beach. You know you're in for some serious pampering when booking one of their £187 per night twin or double rooms, which feature marble bathrooms, interactive TVs and free Wi-Fi.
Gran Melia Hotels & Resorts have a splendid property with direct access to the beautiful Alcala Beach, offering double rooms for £235 per night for couples. The Red Level oceanfront complex features a personalized butler service to all of its guests, along with Balinese beds and loungers around the sumptuous pool. There's a fitness centre and a spa circuit which includes hydro-massage pools, saunas, Turkish baths and even chromo therapy sessions in the award-winning Spa by Clarins. This private and exclusive resort also hosts a free bar every evening, along with a poolside cocktail bar and a business centre. All in all, if you're looking to get spoiled, then the Gran Melia Palacio de Isora & Spa is certainly a good option.
Closer to Playa de la Arena and in the heart of Puerto de Santiago you will find Vigilia Park, which offers self-catering apartments for just £51 per night, all of them featuring a fully equipped kitchenette, sofa lounge and en suite bathroom. The complex sports stunning views of the ocean, along with a fitness centre, Jacuzzi and pools, including one on the rooftop complete with a bar and overlooking the majestic Los Gigantes cliffs.
If the hot black sands of Playa de la Arena are simply not enough on your Tenerife holiday, then by all means make your way down in the south-west, where Playa de Las Americas stretches for miles of golden sands. This little corner of fun heaven has also been awarded the Blue Flag, for excellent water safety, cleanliness and spotless facilities.
The promenade buzzes with cafes, terraces and seafood restaurants, and as the night falls, Playa de Las Americas becomes one of the top party spots on the island, as beach clubs open and turn the music high up. The water entrance is shallow and perfect for both young and experienced swimmers, and further out you can even engage in some diving and snorkelling fun. You'll also find jet skis and windsurfing options available, as well as cruises ready to entertain you with a tour of the gloriously beautiful west coast of Tenerife.
La Pergola can be found on the path along the coast of Los Gigantes, and offers a delicious variety of Spanish and Canary fusion cuisine. It's open for both lunch and dinner and it offers equally spectacular views during both times of the day. Grab a plate and cold lemonade after your swimming sessions and take in the view of the ocean and the neighbouring La Gomera, and as the sun sets over the island, order yourself a cocktail and don't stop yourself from enjoying the small pleasures of life that can be found on La Pergola's menu, while listening to some live music and piano tunes.
Playa de la Arena is home to Incognito Bar & Restaurant, perfect not only for a yummy snack and occasional coffee, but also for consistent lunch and dinner option. The menu features a variety of Spanish and international cuisine, best known for its impressive attention to details and flavours. The highlight of any session at Incognito would probably have to be the afternoon tea and a slice of their homemade apple pie, which is nearly addictive.
Set on the splendid waterfront of Playa de la Arena, Pancho makes a habit of making people come back for more of its excellent and both creative and traditional cuisine. They've been open since 1963 and have been a top choice for locals and tourists when it comes to excellent food. It's both a seafood restaurant and a Canarian restaurant with strong international influences, so don't be surprised if you might have a hard time deciding what to go for, when presented with the menu. Ultimately just splurge on the Gourmet Selection and let the chefs wow you all the way into dessert.
Playa de Las Americas is in close vicinity to Aqualand, so it only makes sense to also take the Aqualand and Jungle Park Combi Entrance and Bus Tour if you're visiting. This option takes you on an insanely fun adventure around the breezy waterpark filled with slides and various attractions perfect for both kids and grownups. The jungle park is the wild side of this resort, featuring natural habitats for tigers, alligators, orangutans and even some giant turtles and other fascinating species of monkeys and tropical birds. Just make sure you take your camera, as the tour will offer you some incredible sights and unique moments.
This part of Tenerife is an excellent spot to watch the Perseid shower at night, and the end of July marks the sky passage of the Delta Aquarids. The best view can be experienced in the beautiful Teide National Park, and the half hour drive is definitely worth the trip. If anything, drive up to Roques de Garcia and you're most likely to find dozens of locals and astronomers wrapped up in cosy blankets, hogging the hot chocolate or coffee and staring at a giant tourmaline sky, in order to get a front row view of a breath-taking natural phenomenon caused by the comet Swift-Tutle, which leaves behind debris as it wanders through space.
