Puerto De La Cruz
Overview
The English translation for the town Puerto de la Cruz is Crossport and this name was used in the olden days; however at present people use the Spanish name nowadays.
This municipal city is situated on the Tenerife’s island’s north coast and is in the Orotava Valley. The distance between this city and other places are as follows:
La Oratova – 4 KM
Santa Cruz – 37 KM
Tenerife airport – 25 KM
The people living in this city are known by the name portuenses. The city population is about 32000.
During the 19th century the physicians in Netherlands and England asked their patients to spend the winter in this place to improve their health and this has made this as a holiday resort.
This port city was being developed for exporting to the new world wine and sugar from the wealthy city of La Orotava and hence was originally called Puerto de La Orotava.
This city has a number of fine restaurants, garden beaches, beautiful streets and plazas and shopping complexes catering to up market clientele thereby making this place as a sophisticated holiday resort.
Climate
The average temperatures in a year are as follows.
Maximum – 22 °C in the month of September
Minimum – 16 °C in January to May
Art and Culture
Plaza del Charco is the main square where people meet; this is the center of the town. It has got this name because of the collection of sea water at the middle. You can find balconies and courtyards depicting the canary architecture of 18th century on the western side of the Plaza. The harbor is located on the northern side.
In the year 1788, Carlos III ordered for building of the Acclimatization Garden in order to acclimatize trees and plants brought from various parts of the world. This is located between this city and La Oratava.
Other monuments worth seeing in this city are – the castle San Felipe, Naval museum and the Nuestra Senora Church. The museum depicts the navigation history.
Sports and Entertainment
There is a nine-hole golf course in this city for golf lovers.
Places of tourists interest are – Loro Parque, Lago Martiánez, Playa Jardín, Sitio Litre, Risco Bello and Botanical Gardens.
Shopping
This town has a free port status thereby making this as a shopper’s paradise. A large number of items from all over the world are imported and sold at low prices. Some of these items are – electronic items, photographic equipments, leather and electrical goods, tobacco, alcohol and perfume. Al Campo hypermarket offers fabulous selection of shoes, fashion clothes, jewelry, lingerie and sports wear from designer outlets.