Now that I am back to working full-time in an office, vacation time is sacred, and I have some additional criteria for my trips.  I need enough relaxation and comfort to truly feel like I am getting away.  But I still want to experience the culture and see some cool stuff.  Bonus points for Spanish practice.  In this guest post, learn how to pick the right spot to stay on a trip to Tenerife, a definite vacation candidate for me.

Tenerife, Spain

Tenerife is an ever-popular holiday hotspot, thanks to its year-round sun, great beaches and brilliant tourist attractions. What you may not be aware of, though, is that there’s an awful lot of variety from one area to the next, so where you choose to base yourself can have a fair amount of impact on the kind of break you end up having.

To help you decide which spot would best suit you, read these tips for working out where to stay.

1)  Decide if you want to be in the heart of the hustle and bustle

A lot of people choose holidays to Tenerife from Sovereign for their lively atmosphere, and if you’re keen to experience the vibrant side of the island, you’re generally best off picking a resort on the south coast. This is where you’ll find the bulk of the hotels and the majority of the best beaches.

There are several resorts that have reputations for being bustling, exciting places; Playa de las Americas is probably the best-known. It’s here that you’ll find the widest selection of nightlife, and you should be prepared for the beaches to be busy. If you like the sound of that but think you might want to stay somewhere just a little quieter, Los Cristianos is just 3 km away and has plenty of bars and restaurants of its own, but a more relaxed atmosphere. And, from here it’s easy to pop to Playa de las Americas whenever you fancy.

Santa Cruz, meanwhile, is the island’s capital and is a great choice if you’re looking for a vibrant atmosphere in a more culturally rich setting. Finally, Puerto de la Cruz is a wonderfully cosmopolitan option, which blends a great nightlife and beautiful beaches with historical attractions.

2)  Looking for an authentic slice of Spanish culture?

Tenerife may have a reputation for being quite a touristy destination, but that doesn’t mean you can’t soak up some authentic culture while you’re here – you just need to know where to look. Santa Cruz is a brilliant choice, thanks to its traditional Spanish feel. Quick tip: come here in February or March to experience the riot of colour, music and dance that is the annual carnival (you’ll need to check dates before you travel).

The nearby island of La Gomera is another great choice, since there’s been very little tourist development here so far. Back on the mainland, the north of the island generally has a much more traditional feel than the south, as well as a rich green landscape.

3)  Want to escape the crowds?

Personally, I like getting away from the crowds when I’m on holiday. If you’re the same, you should aim to book a hotel in Costa Adeje, Guia de Isora, La Gomera or Playa Paraiso.

Both Costa Adeje and Playa Paraiso are situated pretty close to Playa de las Americas, so they’re good options if you want to be able to nip to somewhere a little livelier once in a while. Costa Adeje has a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere and fab views of the stunning Mount Teide, and, despite offering a reprieve from the hustle and bustle, still has a decent selection of bars and restaurants.

Playa Paraiso is more secluded, with little more here than a small beach and a rocky coastline that’s great for walks, as well as the odd tapas bar. Guia de Isora, meanwhile, is a charming little town on the south-west coast. Very rural, it is home to the Abama Golf Resort & Spa, which is not only a haven for golfers, but also a brilliant resort for tranquility and seclusion.

Number 2 and number 3 fit my personal travel style nicely.  How about you?