Puerto Rico (Gran Canaria)

Puerto Rico is a Spanish tourist town located on the coast of the municipality of Mogán, in the southwest of the island of Gran Canaria, autonomous community of the Canary Islands. In 2020 it had a total population of 20,487 inhabitants, and extends through three parallel valleys or ravines that flow into the Atlantic Ocean; from east to west, Agua de la Perra, Puerto Rico and Amadores.

History

Puerto Rico was created in the 60s as a tourist development whose main attraction was the first artificial beach on the island sheltered by a marina, taking the name of the developer, who decided to take advantage of the exceptional conditions of the local microclimate, considered the best in Europe and among the best in the world for its stable temperature and humidity, as well as the protection against the constant winds typical of the island provided by the surrounding orography.

This tourist urbanization, designed by architect Manuel Rosa Suárez and inaugurated in 1972, is the one with the largest accommodation offer in Mogán, with 11,311 hotel and non-hotel beds and an average occupancy of more than eight days (2019).

Most of the buildings correspond to tourist apartments erected according to a peculiar "hung" from the slopes of the valleys. Compared to other tourist developments built in the late 60s and 70s, Puerto Rico maintains a more harmonious and planned appearance, and with less growth in height above ground. However, certain facilities and public areas show the passing of the years, which is why the Costa Mogán Modernization Plan is currently being processed, whose actions focus on improving public spaces, the hotel plant and access from the beach to the streets, and you can already see the presence of green and landscaped areas that contrast with the turquoise blue of the sea. This tourist urbanization in the south of the island has parks, promenades, shopping centers and numerous leisure and sports facilities.

Population

This place in Gran Canaria receives tourists from all backgrounds, most of them European, and the large community of Norwegians established in Puerto Rico is notable. The Norwegian community has a school, a health center and a club where talks, conferences and other activities are held in conjunction with the local citizens of the municipality of Mogán. The exchange of knowledge makes Puerto Rico a place where residential and tourist offerings are mixed. It was created in 1960 and is one of the most visited beaches in Gran Canaria after Las Canteras.

Climate

Puerto Rico is one of the sunniest towns on the island. The tourist area is protected from the trade winds by the island's peaks, which means that the sea is always calm. In addition, it has an average temperature of 25 °C with almost no cloudiness and precipitation.

Beach and Marina

This tourist urbanization has an artificial beach and a marina. The beach, 284 meters long, is made of blonde sand and is characterized by its calm waters. It has numerous restaurant services, toilets, rental of hammocks and umbrellas and nautical activities. Created in 1960, it is one of the most visited beaches in Gran Canaria after Las Canteras.

The marina, for its part, has two docks: the East or "Base Port" and the West or 'Port of Call'. This marina has 526 docking points and can accommodate vessels between 6 and 60 meters in length.

The maritime transport companies Líneas Salmón (Puerto Escala) and Líneas Blue Bird (Puerto Base) are based in Puerto Rico, which regularly connect with other ports on the Mogán coast and offer excursions to tourists and residents.

Sports and tourist attractions

Thanks to its calm waters and good weather, water sports are practiceable all year round and give the place the sporting prestige that it has acquired over time. The Puerto Rico Deep Sea Fishing Championship is the oldest on the islands. This event promotes responsible fishing and the Catch and Release regime. It is also the first to be recognized by the IGFA (International Game Fishing Association), representing an event of international interest. The championship attracts boats and fishermen, not only from the archipelago, but also fans from other countries who travel to Puerto Rico on contest days in order to participate in it.

Another of the great attractions that the sea of Puerto Rico offers are the sightings of cetaceans. Of the 87 species of cetaceans that exist in the world, 29 are in Puerto Rico. The Natura 2000 Network considers it one of the places with the greatest ecological value in Europe. In addition to the bottlenose, common dolphins, striped and spotted dolphins can easily be observed.

Communications

Puerto Rico is connected to the rest of the south, east and northeast coast of the island (including the airport -47 km- and the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria -70 km-) through the GC highway. 1. Its penultimate section (Arguineguín - Puerto Rico) was inaugurated in 2004, putting an end to the traffic problem caused by access via the old national highway. This highway already continues to the Port of Mogán, with the last section inaugurated in 2013, within the general project to bypass the entire island with a high-capacity transportation network.