Back from Tenerife, and the less than brilliant weather that we invariably seem to experience when we go there. We got a bit of sun here and there, but it was mostly overcast. We even got properly soaked picking the hire car up from the airport.
I said we'd try to drop in on El Medano beach, and managed to do exactly that. The beach is on the west side of the Montana Roja (if you're flying into Tenerife Sur airport and look out of the terminal across the runway - Monta Roja is the large hill that you can see to your left.) By car, there's parking just off the road on the TF643 El Abrigo to El Medano road. From there, it's a short (5-10 mins) walk down a sandy track, past the 'cable house' to the beach.
From what I'd read, the main beach was clothing optional and the small cove at the end was exclusively naturist. Maybe it was the weather (which was typically warm but cloudy at this point) but there were no naturist sunbathers on the main beach at all. I did notice a guy getting changed without doing the ritual modesty towel dance, so I assume it's a prude free zone after all, but I wouldn't be comfortable being the only naked person on a beach.
We ventured over to the cove, which is no mean feat with a baby buggy in tow. Then again, I don't expect naturist beaches to be easily accessible - we tend to get the more awkward ones that are too much hassle for the textiles to visit. I was expecting the cove to be completely clothing free from the description, but it seemed to be about 50/50 textile and naturist. The cove provides excellent shelter from the wind, so I assume that the textiles were there for that reason.
We spent about an hour or so there, which was pleasant enough. I went in the sea a couple of times (not warm, but bearable once I was in) and the little 'un had a bit of a paddle. But with about zero chance of an all-over tan, there didn't seem to be much point in stopping longer.
While I'm here, I might as well pass on a few non-naturist tips for anyone who's thinking of visiting the island.
When on Tenerife, it's best to assume that everyone you're dealing with has an 'angle.' It's far from always being true, but ripping off tourists seems to be considered as a bona-fide business opportunity over there. Most of the restaurants and shops are okay (though the restaurant touts can be a bit annoying) but beware of some of the electronics shops, who will offer you quality stuff for ludicrously cheap prices (I was offered a 6 megapixel Sony digital camera for 80 Euros) and then try to fob you off with a piece no-name junk that they claim is better. If you want the camera you asked for at the price they quoted, then they'll have to order it in specially from the warehouse and ask you to leave a deposit. When you return, it still won't be there, and they'll ask you to come back again, and again, and again. Don't waste your time.
The scratch card touts weren't as obvious as last time, but they're still operating. We didn't get hassled once, though maybe the baby buggy tells them we're skint. Just remember that you will get a winning ticket and it will be for the star prize (usually a bottle of plonk.) In reality, you'll get someone who will happily take up as many hours of your day as they can, and who will try their level best to get your to part with several thousand quid for a timeshare or dubious holiday pyramid recruitment scheme. You probably won't even get the bottle of plonk at the end of it.
There's still no obvious security at the airport arrivals, and I couldn't see anything to prevent people from walking into baggage recliam from the street. It's not unknown for bags to go missing and for their contents to find their way onto market stalls. Get to the baggage carousel in good time, and don't be tempted to wander off until you've got all of your bags.
The local law has clamped down on harassment from the "Lucky Lucky" (cheap, fake jewellery and Rolexes) men, and while there are still plenty of them about, they should take 'no' for an answer and walk away. Incidentally, the police presence is reassuringly noticeable around Los Cristianos at least.
Most of all, if you hire a car, remember that the drink-drive limit for Spain is only just over half that in the UK. A pint of reasonable strength beer could put you over. Enforcement is nowhere near as tight as it is over here, with the local law apparently often turning a blind eye to drink-driving related accidents as long as nobody is injured. But don't assume that the worst it could earn you is a night in the cells and a ban from driving in Spain. Apparently a drink-driving ban in Spain can now earn you one back home too.
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