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PolskiChoose Los Cristianos if you want sunshine almost every day, a flat promenade, calm swimming beaches and an easy, international lifestyle. Choose Puerto de la Cruz if you prefer a real Canarian town with greenery, character and lower rents, and you are happy with a little more cloud and temperatures one or two degrees cooler. They are the two most popular long-stay bases in Tenerife, on opposite sides of the island, and they offer very different winters.
Mount Teide sits between them. It blocks the north-east trade winds, so cloud gathers on the northern slopes above Puerto de la Cruz while the south around Los Cristianos stays dry and sunny. That single fact explains most of the differences below. Read Tenerife microclimates explained.
Side by side
| Los Cristianos | Puerto de la Cruz | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | South coast, Arona | North coast, Orotava valley |
| Winter daytime high | About 21-23°C | About 19-21°C |
| Sunshine | Very sunny and dry | More cloud, occasional rain |
| Typical rent, one-bedroom, peak winter | About €1,100-1,800 | About €800-1,300 |
| Terrain | Mostly flat near the sea | Flat centre, hilly neighbourhoods |
| Beaches | Calm, sheltered town beaches | Small beaches, Lago Martiánez pools |
| Atmosphere | International resort town | Historic Canarian town |
| Nearest airport | Tenerife South, about 20 minutes | Tenerife North, about 30 minutes |
Rents are indicative ranges from listings. See monthly rental prices in the Canary Islands.
Weather
This is the main difference. In Los Cristianos, expect around 21 to 23°C by day from December to February, with sunshine on most days and very little rain. In Puerto de la Cruz, highs are usually 19 to 21°C, there is more cloud and some grey or rainy days, especially from December to February. Nights are mild in both places, around 14 to 16°C. If sitting in the sun every day is essential, the south wins. If you are comfortable walking in 20°C with some cloud, the north is very pleasant. See Tenerife weather in January and Tenerife weather in February.
Daily life
Los Cristianos is compact and practical. The flat promenade runs from Playa de las Vistas through Las Américas towards Costa Adeje, the town beaches are calm, and supermarkets, clinics and buses are all close. It is busy in peak winter and very international, with a large long-stay community from Scandinavia, the UK and Germany. Read Los Cristianos for a long winter stay.
Puerto de la Cruz has a historic centre with plazas, old houses and a harbour, the seawater pools of Lago Martiánez, the Botanical Garden and Loro Parque. Locals live here all year, and the town has a slower, more traditional feel. Some neighbourhoods are on steep slopes, so check the walk before you book. Read Puerto de la Cruz for a long winter stay.
Cost
Puerto de la Cruz is usually clearly cheaper to rent, and eating out is often better value away from the seafront. In the hills above town, traditional guachinches serve simple Canarian food at low prices. Food shopping costs about the same. See the cost of a 3-month winter in Tenerife and eating out prices in Tenerife.
Swimming and outdoors
In Los Cristianos you can swim in calm water most winter days. In Puerto de la Cruz the Atlantic is often rough, so most people swim in the Lago Martiánez pools or in sheltered spots. For hiking, the north is better placed: the Orotava valley, the Teide National Park and the Anaga mountains are closer.
Getting around
Both towns have good TITSA bus connections, and you can live without a car in either. There are direct buses between Puerto de la Cruz and the south, so it is easy to escape to the sun on a cloudy day. See the Tenerife bus pass for long stays and do you need a car for a winter in Tenerife?
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Los Cristianos | Reliable sunshine, flat, calm beaches, everything close | Busy, higher rents, less traditional |
| Puerto de la Cruz | Authentic town, greenery, lower rents, good for hiking | Cooler, more cloud and rain, rough sea, some steep streets |
Who should choose which
Choose Los Cristianos if you want the classic sunny winter, swim in the sea and prefer flat, easy walking. It is the safest choice for a first long winter.
Choose Puerto de la Cruz if you value local life and greenery, want to save on rent and enjoy walking and hiking more than sunbathing.
Or split your stay: many long-stayers spend part of the winter in each town, or live in the north and take the bus south on cloudy days.
Travelling with someone without an EU passport? Check the dates with the Schengen 90/180 calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Puerto de la Cruz warm enough in winter?
For most people, yes. Highs of 19 to 21°C are comfortable for walking, but it is not ideal for daily sunbathing.
How much sunnier is Los Cristianos?
Noticeably. The south of Tenerife is one of the sunniest places in Europe in winter, while the north gets more cloud, especially in the afternoons.
Which is better for older visitors?
Los Cristianos is flatter and more compact. In Puerto de la Cruz, choose an apartment in the flat centre near the seafront.
How long is the bus between the two towns?
About an hour and a half by direct bus.
Our verdict
For sun and ease, choose Los Cristianos. For character and value, choose Puerto de la Cruz. Compare all areas in the best area in Tenerife for a 3-month winter stay.