The end of spring brings higher temperatures than previously felt in April, and gets the beautiful island of Tenerife one step closer to its glorious summer. The average temperature is a wonderful 20°C (68°F), while the nights are incredibly pleasant with 17°C on the low end. The hotter days are expected to reach 23°C as a high average, and with humidity dropping to 71%, the air is comfortably dry and the dew point low.
There are up to 11 hours of sunshine per day, and chances of sun stay high up there at 80% on average. There's a 1% chance that there will be any rain, and the level of that is not expected to exceed 2mm on average. If that doesn't further emphasize a dry season, we don't really know what will. Chances of clouds are also close to non-existent, at just 2% on average. This all translates into about 30 days of clear blue skies, sunshine galore and maybe one or two 5-minute showers in the entire month, making May one of the best and most temperate months to visit the stunning resort of Playa de la Arena.
Chances of windy days hold steady at a noticeable 60%, making most days breezy and occasionally refreshing with up to 12mph wind speeds, most of them now predominantly eastern from the neighbouring Western Sahara. The Atlantic Ocean keeps its temperature comfortably high at 19°C (66°F), predominantly due to shifting currents which further prepare the Tenerife coastline for summer. The tides are high and waters occasionally choppy in the early morning or late evening, making May an excellent time for windsurfing and parasailing. SPF lotions are becoming a prerequisite now, as the sun intensifies and the unprotected skin might suffer.
Self-serviced apartments are available for £82 per night at the splendid Ona Las Rosas, an aparthotel complete with an outdoor swimming pool and very good on-site restaurant which also serves the breakfast buffet included in the accommodation price. This resort offers units complete with lounge area, private bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, flat screen TV and air conditioning. You'll also be delighted to find sun loungers and an outdoor table on the private terrace of each apartment, overlooking the deep blue ocean and nearby beach.
Royal Sun Resort is a 4-star high end accommodation with offers self-catering apartments from £62 per night for couples during the month of May. The resort is just under a mile away from both Puerto de Santiago and the harbour of Los Gigantes. Its set by the popular giant cliffs, and it offers fully furnished apartments with modern décor, functional kitchen, lounge area, en suite bathroom, air conditioning and flat screen TV. These stylish units open up to breath-taking views of the ocean through private balconies or terraces. The upscale Regency Restaurant can be found on-site, as well as an impressive choice of bars, including the popular Oasis Abraxas pool bar.
Sitting just 15.5 miles from another legendary beach of Tenerife Playa de las Americas, Casa Regina Tenerife can be found in Tamaimo, boasting a sun terrace and fantastic views of the ultramarine Atlantic Ocean. Double rooms are available here for just £31 per night for couples, and some of them also feature a balcony or patio. The area is very popular for horse riding opportunities, and bike and car hire are available at the reception desk.
If Playa de la Arena's main beach isn't enough for you, there's always the option to travel further south, where the charming beaches of Adeje stretch for several miles. Make yourself comfortable on Playa del Duque, on the southern coast of Tenerife and not many miles away from Puerto de Santiago. The sands are golden and soft, and due to the shallow entrance, the waters don a turquoise blue that is simply stunning. A chic little promenade lines the beach from one end to another, lined up with shops, cafes, terraces and bars, shower facilities and changing cabins.
This is one of the high end beaches which can be found on this side of the island, boasting a Blue Flag for water safety, cleanliness and excellent amenities. This superb beach does come with a little price though, but it's certainly worth it, given the exclusive feel and luxury treatment applied to all of its visitors. Plus, you'll also find designer shops and fashion boutiques at Playa del Duque's shopping mall, and who doesn't enjoy a good pampering session once in a while?
A venue which combines excellent service with great food and an abundance of drinks and pure fun is most likely to be Legends. It's a top favourite destination for both locals and recurring tourists, while the newcomers always walk out thoroughly delighted and eager to return. The prices are very affordable and the staff are always friendly and welcoming, making this place perfect for both lunch and dinner.
El Barco de Nino is a seafood speciality restaurant which has made it among Tenerife's list of west coast "darlings". Their menu is impressive and holds a careful selection of fresh fish, seafood and gluten free specialities, always paired with crisp and smooth local wines. If you're early you can even snag the terrace table and enjoy your sea bass while admiring a reddish sunset over the ever-stunning Atlantic Ocean.
Standing tall on the main promenade of Playa de la Arena, Casa Pepe has built a reputation of excellence and attention to detail around its Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. Dining is available on the large outdoor terrace which offers panoramic views of the crystalline ocean waters, and the staff are always extremely professional and attentive, as well as friendly and welcoming. Pepe is the main chef and he leads a team of talented chefs apparently committed to delivering nothing but fresh and high quality dishes, so we're not shying away from recommending this venue if you're looking for affordable yet delicious cuisine in Playa de la Arena.
Go aboard the Freebird for an exclusive session of pampering and breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean and its playful marine life. This is an adults-only cruise aboard a luxury cruiser which will cut across the azure waters, giving you the opportunity to admire bottlenose dolphins and whales swimming and jumping out of the waters in impressive motions. You'll certainly enjoy the complimentary drinks available on the boat's own bar, along with a scrumptious buffet lunch included in the overall cost of this luxurious tour. It's worth every penny, as the cruiser takes you along the western coast of Tenerife and shows you fascinating views of the many bays and volcanic rocks of Playa de la Arena and its neighbouring beach resorts.
May is a very important month for the Canary Islands, and thus an excellent period for holidays. The calendar is busy with two major dates, both prone to tourist surges from all over Europe, particularly peninsular Spain and England. The 2nd of May this year is the carryover of the Workers' Day, a public holiday much loved by many Western countries. It's better known as Labour Day around the world, and it celebrates labour and workers as promoted by the International Labour Movement. The clubs and bars of Tenerife get extensively busy with themed parties and special guests, as the island celebrates labour in the best way possible: through a much anticipated holiday!
Save some energy for Dia de las Canarias as well, the National Day of the Canary Islands the most important holiday of the year, after all! It celebrates the first session of the Canary Islands' first autonomous Parliament session back on 30 May 1983, as well as the culture and identity of the Canarians altogether. Open parties take place in most public places all over Tenerife, but we do recommend that you also drive further inland to small towns like Arona, Adeje, Valle San Miguel or San Lorenzo, where you can get a good view of the locals as they don their national costume and celebrate their cultural identity with music, dance, food and wine.
