Playa Las Americas is one of the most visited resort towns in the Canary Islands — and for good reason. It sits in the driest, sunniest corner of Tenerife, minutes from some of the island's best beaches, with direct access to whale watching routes, the volcanic wonders of Mount Teide, and a growing scene of indoor entertainment that makes it work in any weather. If you are planning a trip and wondering what to fill your days with, this guide covers everything worth doing.
Start with the sea. The waters off the southern coast of Tenerife are among the best in Europe for whale and dolphin watching. Resident pods of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live year-round in this stretch of the Atlantic, and responsible eco-tours departing from nearby Los Cristianos run twice daily. This is not a tourist gimmick — these are genuine wild animals in their natural habitat, and the boats stay a respectful distance while the wildlife comes to them. A 2-3 hour morning tour is the single most unique experience available in the area.
For adrenaline on water, jet ski sessions launch from the beaches and give you 30 to 60 minutes of high-speed Atlantic exploration. Parasailing is another option if you want to see the coastline from above, watching the white high-rises shrink below you as you climb. Scuba diving and snorkelling are available throughout the year, with the volcanic seabed hosting a surprisingly rich ecosystem of fish, rays and eels.
The big inland day out is Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak at 3,718 metres and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most tours from the south run as a half-day or full-day excursion, combining the cable car ascent to 3,555 metres with time in the lunar landscape of Las Cañadas crater. The stargazing tours that depart at sunset and stay above the clouds for professional telescope sessions are one of the most memorable experiences on the island — and completely different from anything you will find at the resort.
For families and groups who want a full day of pure entertainment, Siam Park in Costa Adeje is the obvious choice. Voted the world's best water park multiple times, it delivers on its reputation: massive slides, a genuine wave pool with real surf, a lazy river through lush tropical scenery, and enough variety to fill an entire day. Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz is worth the drive north for its combination of zoo and marine park — the orca and dolphin shows are controversial but the exotic animal collection is genuinely world-class.
For outdoor adventure beyond the beach, the Masca Gorge hike is one of the most dramatic walks in the Canary Islands. The 4km descent from the mountain village of Masca to the sea passes through towering volcanic rock formations, ending at a remote cove where a boat picks you up. A guided half-day excursion is the most practical way to do it. Buggy and quad tours through Teide's lava fields offer a faster and more adrenaline-fuelled way to experience the national park landscape.
When you want something completely independent of weather or time of day, Fun Zone Tenerife in the Zentral Center is the standout indoor option in the area. It combines four entirely different activities under one roof: axe throwing with digital scoring, QuizzaBoom (Tenerife's first interactive quiz room), an escape game, and darts. The format works for two people or twenty, making it genuinely versatile for any group or couple. Fun Zone sessions typically run one to four hours depending on which activities you combine.
For evening entertainment with dinner included, the Scandal Flamenco Show is one of the most impressive live shows in Tenerife South — a full evening with a 5-course meal, open bar, and professional flamenco dancers and musicians in a purpose-built venue. It is the kind of night out that people mention first when describing their Tenerife holiday. Booking in advance is essential as it fills quickly.
A few practical notes: Playa Las Americas sits in the municipality of Arona, right next to Los Cristianos. The two towns blur into each other and are both within easy walking or taxi distance of most activities. Most outdoor tours depart from the port at Los Cristianos. Fun Zone Tenerife is in Zentral Center, five minutes on foot from the main beach. If you are here for more than four days, you will comfortably fit in everything on this list.