Gran Canaria's 7 Creature Beaches Named After Animals

Las Burras beach in Gran Canaria: The name translates as Donkey beach Las Burras beach in Gran Canaria: The name translates as Donkey beach

Of Gran Canaria's 80-odd beaches, here are the ones named after animals. Why? because life's a beach :-)

Las Burras beach in south Gran Canaria

Las Burras: Female Donkey Beach 

Between San Agustín and Playa del Inglés, tyhis beach has golden sand, calm water and is sheltered at the eastern end. A great local beach and the only one with fishing boats on the sand. Las Burras has sun loungers, lifeguard and beachfront restaurants.

 

El Cochino beach in south Gran Canaria

El Cochino: Pig Beach

Actually three small beaches formed behind rock dykes. Much quieter than Playa del Inglés beach just to the north and with loungers and beach bars. 

 

Ojos de Garza beach in east Gran Canaria

Ojos de Garza: Heron's Eyes Beach

This laid-back east coast beach is as local as it comes and has serious coastal charm. Eat overlooking the sand and walk north along the shore for some surreal dune landscapes. 

 

Sardina beach in north west Gran Canaria

Sardina del Norte: Sardine Beach

It's appropriate that Sardina del Norte is named after a fish as it's famous for its superb diving and local seafood. The little, south-facing sandy beach is gorgeous. 

 

Playa del Aguila

Playa del Aguila: Eagle Beach

As low-key as they come, Playa del Aguila between San Agustín and Bahia Feliz is a pebbly local beach with a great seafront restaurant and not much else. That's why its fans love it. 

 Patalavaca beach in south Gran Canaria

Patalavaca: Cow leg beach

The south Gran Canaria beach the Scandinavians don't want you to know about, Patalavaca is the quietest of the area's sandy beaches. Great restaurants and a chilled atmosphere make it a top spot.

 

El Cabron beach in east Gran Canaria

El Cabrón: Male Goat beach

Named either after a male goat or an Andaluz pirate, east coast El Cabrón is famous for its world-class dive site but also has this lovely little sandy beach. The water here is as clear as it comes.

 

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Tip of the day

  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

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