Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Guide

Elle1971

Thanks B164D - am happy to have helped... and happy to continue! xxx

Northerner

Hi

I am relieved to have found this thread as my 18 year old daughter and her friend are heading here in 4 weeks for their first ever holiday alone! NERVOUS!:eek:

They are staying at the Corbeta too, and it doesnt sound too bad a stroll, altho they have gone AI to try and keep costs down and also so at least us parents know they will have some sort of food for the week!

We wondered if there were any cheap supermarket type shops near Corbeta for them to buy bits for the room, and if the reported water park at Lanzasur is indeed open to non-residents of the hotel.

Thanks!

Elle1971

Hola Northerner. Yeah they'll be fine at the Corbeta. Their nearest supermarkets are in town... and so only a 10 / 15 minute stroll for them.

If they come out of the hotel's main entrance and turn right, and right again... and just keep going until they hit the dual carriageway, they will be set. Cross the dual carriageway (there's a pedestrian crossing just to the left), and head forwards towards the sea. that will bring them to one end of the pedestrianised area. A number of cashpoints around so they can draw money out if they want to. But if they turn left into that area, and head to Pedro's supermarket... they can get reasonably priced bread rolls, tins of soup etc. It's also the cheapest place in town for chocolate (so hubby tells me - I prefer savoury foods).

Yes, the water parks are now open to non residents... but only on a daily basis if they're not full - paying guests will always get priority. Probably best for them to head down there early.

Come out of the hotel and turn left. Head to next roundabout and turn left and then first right - that goes to Lanzasur. Or go straight over that roundabout and turn right at the one after for the other one.

Don't worry - kids are more independant than we give them credit for. It's our job to assume they can't cope (it makes us feel needed). xxxx

Pimpmyride

Not long back from Playa Blanca/Corbeta Hotel and it was lovely! Thanks everyone for your advice!

Northerner- After reading the reviews on TA I was worried about the hotel but I don't know what people are complaining about! I'm a very fussy eater and only eat chicken and occasionally fish, but the food was great and there was always something to fill your plate with!Granted some of the concotions they came up with in the salad section were a bit odd (cold sprouts in a mayonaise style dressing or coronation style tuna with apple salad anyone?) But if you try them they usually taste quite nice!!! Its not Gold leaf and marble but the hotel is clean, nice and nicer than I expected. I hope your daughter isnt expecting a bit of nightlife, as even though its still quite busy, there isnt a lot going on, think we were in bed by 12 most nights! The resort is about 10-15 min walk, but on a night we would get a taxi, just to be on the safe side really and that cost us about 3-4 euros.

Wish I was going back!

OOps, nearly forgot - there is a mini supermarket within the hotel, its quite good really, sells crisps, sweets, alcohol, soft drinks and snacks etc. Not really and fresh fruit or veg that i can remember but if they are going A.I they wont really need that I suppose!

BigAunty

Hi,

I'm off to Playa Blanca soon.

Can you tell me of reliable postal/courier services so that I can ship a medical sample off elsewhere in southern europe? I get the impression the conventional post service is poor in the Canary Islands and don't want it sit for days in a sorting office or get lost.

So could you recommend a postal service/company, perhaps with a tracking service, that has a speedy service?

Otherwise, I guess my second option is to find a medical centre that can post it on for me.

Elle1971

The postal service is absolutely fine - just make sure you get it "Recorded Delivery". Head to the Correos building in the town centre.

If coming from the taxi rank... keep the rank on your left and head to the roundabout ahead of you. Turn right.
Take the first turning on the left, and Correos is on the left a short way up that street. I am unsure if they speak English in there, as I've always spoken Spanish when I have been in. But there are enough English speaking tourists about... so you should be able to understand each other.

When you pass them the envelope or package... ask for "correo con certificado". They will give you a form to fill in - this is fairly self explanatory. They will issue you with a tracking number so you can follow it online - the Correos.es website can be viewed in English.

Elle xx

Obviously_the_best

Is Iberostar Papagayo a nice hotel? It looks very expensive, but I was hoping to take wifey, two younger teenagers and me there in april. Probably all inclusive. How far is it away from the town etc. Thanks for any replies.

Elle1971

It's lovely - I stayed there overnight with friends last year, All Inclusive.

It's a 15 minute walk from the Marina... and another 15 minutes again from town. You can drive it in 5 minutes. 20 minute walk in the opposite direction will have you at the stunning Papagayo coves.

Plenty of food choices, and the quality was above average... although I think I'd struggle after 3 or 4 days. But Playa Blanca has some lovely restaurants - don't miss out on those too. Personally I thought the accommodation was better at the Rubimar Apartments which is right on the Marina's approach. But the food there was awful.

If I was booking again - I'd be going AI at the Rubimar because of location, an indoor pool, and then I can drink my bodyweight in Ron Miel... but I would be eating out every night at the Marina, or at La Bocaina.

Enjoy!

BigAunty

Looking for a recommended medical clinic/GP in Playa Blanca or thereabouts as I may need to have some blood tests taken there. thanks again.

EDIT - partner is a fluent Spanish speaker so doesn't have to be just an english speaking clinic.

Elle1971

You can go to the Medical Centre next door to La Bocaina restaurant... just behind the Petrol Station as you enter the town. That is a State medical centre however - and may not do private tests.

If you prefer - head for CC Papagayo. As you walk into the centre, there is a Doctor's on the left hand side. They will speak English, Spanish and German.

No idea of costs - sorry!

Elle xx