Fuerteventura Holiday: Jandia Or Costa Caleta?

mew

I was hoping to go away for a Christmas Holiday but as my partner doesn't want to take the chance of waiting for a late deal (and I like the idea of spending less), We have decided to go to Fuerteventura the week before Christmas (flying back Christmas day).

The dilemma we have now though is that we can afford 3 star hotels in Costa Caleta or for a little more, what appears to be nicer 4 star hotels in Jandia or Costa Calma.

I am wondering if anyone can recommend either of the resort areas? At the moment I like Costa Caleta’s location but I'm not completely convinced about the hotels. On The other hand, I like the hotels in Jandia but am worried about the location and things to do in the area. The only good thing I can find in Jandia is the Zoo.

Fortyfoot

Corralejo -

"Perhaps the most well known of Fuerteventura's towns as this is now the islands largest and busiest tourist resort. Vast demands of tourism means the resort is ever changing and growing. Most of the resorts restaurants, bars and shops are lined along the main street that runs down into Corralejo and ending in a maze of small streets by the seafront. It's here by night that the livlier restaurants and bars are with live music each night in the square found there, along with more traditional restaurants hidden in the smaller side streets. Along the main street as you enter the resort, there's a daily market selling everything from local produce to souveniers and in the same location, popular early in the evenings is a childrens play area with small rides, playground and bouncy castles.
The harbour - as well as home to the local fisherman and yacht owners and day-cruise ships, it is also port of call for ferry services; an hourly service to the neighbouring island of Lanzarote, just 35 minutes away.
Directly behind Corralejo is a protected (since 1960) nature park which is a vast area of golden sand dunes and ideallic beaches. There's quite a selection of beaches along the edge of the dunes, some ideal for families, others for naturists and others popular with windsurfers."


I have also been to Jandia but would not stay there again. More English in Corralejo



Trips to the Zoo run from here also.


Fortyfoot

**curlywurly**

We preferred Jandia to Corralejo. But if you are hiring a car you can easily travel up and down the coast. It's a very easy drive. Jandia is quieter. Corralejo and Caleta de Fuste we found much more commercialised and a bit tacky. I don't recall going to Costa Caleta although we did get out and a bit quite a bit. We liked Fuerte, but it was extraordinarily windy (we went early March).

Gloomendoom

It doesn't matter when you go it is always very windy. It can make sunbathing on the beach quite uncomfortable.

I'm not sure how it is now but it used to be that most of the Brits stayed at the north end of the island and the Germans towards the south... there wasn't much in between.

It used to be quite a quiet unspoilt destination and was sold as such. Unfortunately, as with so many other places, it got more and more developed every year. I must have been there ten times but eventually stopped when massive duel carriageways replaced the dirt roads and the once empty beaches filled up.

Shame.

ScottySmog

**curlywurly** wrote: »

Corralejo and Caleta de Fuste we found much more commercialised and a bit tacky. (we went early March).

Completely agree - Tacky is right. Went over on the ferry from Playa Blanca on Lanzarote, lasted less than two hours......

"It doesn't matter when you go it is always very windy."

And if you know what the literal Spanish translation of Fuerteventura means.....

Lady_S

We stayed at the Hotel Elba Sara and it was wonderful. Also stayed in the Barcelo Club El Castillo which was lovely too.

7062

Hi there

We travelled to Fuertaventura in April and got stranded due to the volcano. During our extended holiday we ended up staying in Jandi, Costa caletta and Corralejo. So here is our opinion of the 3 resorts.

Jandi - This is where we booked to stay Hotel Club Jandia Princess. I honestly could not fault the hotel or food 5*. unfortunatley it was probably about 70% german. Town was quite nice only went in there once during our week.

Caletta - Honestly I am not a snob but this resort was not my idea of a holiday. To me it was tacky, neon lights, run down. We wher put (certainly not out of choice) in Caleta Gardens. OMG, theft, beetles in cereal dirty rooms. There are however nice hotels in caletta. Luckily we still had our AI bands on and the Barcelo hotel accroww the street had the same blue bands so we spent our time in there.

Corralejo - Riu Oliva Beach. Beautiful hotel and views over the dunes. Food was excellent here also. Sorry by this point in the holiday we did not want to go into town just lying around waiting to come home. Germans were definately the minority at this hotel.

It seemed windier in the south of the island and more cloud cover whilst we where there.

Hope this is of some help.

Bronnie

When you say "things to do", what would you like?

I don't think there's a lot in Fuerteventura full stop!

I stayed in Jandia for a few days earlier in the year. I would view a holiday there as a hotel-based relaxation break. Stay in a nice hotel, with good reviews for the food. The beaches are beautiful there, wide expansive swathes and plenty of good walking if you want to wear off the meals. The local towns are quite small and quiet. Quite a lot of Germans do holiday in Jandia. I have no problem with that; they make quite civilised fellow guests in my experience!!

I didn't go to Caleta, but spent a couple of nights in Corralejo. Stayed in a good hotel, but wasn't overly impressed with the town, although it does have it's devotees. Dunes area pretty spectacular.

There's more to see and do in Lanzarote if you're after short-haul winter sun.

babyfruitella

I like Costa Calma. Lovely little place although it IS predominantly German. Nice place to relax & the beach is lovely.

mew

Thanks for all the replies. After some extra research, it confirmed the comments here about Jandia being geared up towards Germans but the biggest problem I have found with Jandia and Costa Calma is that a Lot of the hotels (in our price range) are a little remote. This is an extreme example but I was seriously considering this hotel (Melia Gorriones): http://www.solmelia.com/img/hoteles/3504/3504_gallery_107_gr.jpg

Lady_S wrote: »

We stayed at the Hotel Elba Sara and it was wonderful.

That is a hotel that I really do like, It seems to have a good location and facilities etc but I can't decide if its worth £190 more than a 3 star hotel up the road or even a 3 star in Corralejo.

Bronnie

Do you want to stroll into town for an assortment of restaurants/ bars/ bit of music each evening? If so, I wouldn't go to Jandia personally ! Which hotels are you looking at and how do you like to spend your time?