Playa Flamingo (Yaiza): how to get there and today's wind
Playa Blanca's man-made bay, held between two breakwaters: pool-calm water, the safest beach on the island for small children.
Playa Flamingo is a pale-sand bay at the western end of Playa Blanca, municipality of Yaiza, closed off by two arms of man-made rock that keep the swell out. Inside, the water stays shallow, warm and still — more swimming pool than Atlantic.
That is why it is the beach everyone recommends to people travelling with small children. It is small and fills up early in high season, but it has sunbeds, showers, toilets and bars a few metres away, and the Playa Blanca promenade starts right here.
Getting there
On foot along the promenade, about ten minutes from the centre; parking in the streets above. Around forty minutes from the airport.
Good to know
It faces south and gets sun all day; there is no natural shade, so bring a parasol. For a bigger beach, Playa Dorada is at the other end of town; for wild coast, take the track towards Papagayo.